We have a WW1 trench sign on display in the Officers' Mess of the Black Watch of Canada in Montreal. It consists of two boards mounted to a post. The top board is rectangular with the engraved name "PASSCHENDAELE", while the lower board is shaped like an arrow with the engraved name "YPERN 12.5 Km". It would therefore appear that the sign was located at or near Passchendaele with the lower arm pointing in the general direction of Ypres. It was always thought that the sign was taken as a war souvenir from either a British or Canadian trench following the Battle of Passchendaele (3rd Ypres), but the use of the term "YPERN" is strange. As far as I can tell, "Ypern" is the term (exonym) used by the Germans for "Ypres". This would suggest that the sign was originally erected by the Germans. Also, the use of kilometers also suggests German origin, as British, Canadian or Australian troops would have miles. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to shed some light on this sign. Regards, Earl Chapman Montreal, Canada

don't know if I can be of any help, but would like a photo fo the sign - end to my e-mail - I got some old books on WW1, I can check them but can I have a photo of it, just for me to have delilah ----- Original Message ----- From: "Earl Chapman" <earl.chapman@sympatico.ca> To: "Great War MailList" <Greatwar-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:37 AM Subject: [GREATWAR] WW1 Signboard | We have a WW1 trench sign on display in the Officers' Mess of the Black Watch of Canada in Montreal. It consists of two boards mounted to a post. The top board is rectangular with the engraved name "PASSCHENDAELE", while the lower board is shaped like an arrow with the engraved name "YPERN 12.5 Km". It would therefore appear that the sign was located at or near Passchendaele with the lower arm pointing in the general direction of Ypres. It was always thought that the sign was taken as a war souvenir from either a British or Canadian trench following the Battle of Passchendaele (3rd Ypres), but the use of the term "YPERN" is strange. As far as I can tell, "Ypern" is the term (exonym) used by the Germans for "Ypres". This would suggest that the sign was originally erected by the Germans. Also, the use of kilometers also suggests German origin, as British, Canadian or Australian troops would have miles. | | I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to shed some light on this sign. | | Regards, | Earl Chapman | Montreal, Canada | | ------------------------------- | To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message |

could YPERN be the Flemish spelling of YPRES? John Drewell in Vancouver BC ==================== ----- Original Message ----- From: "Delilah" <diamond6468@mindspring.com> To: <greatwar@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 7:15 AM Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] WW1 Signboard > don't know if I can be of any help, but would like a photo fo the sign - > end > to my e-mail - I got some old books on WW1, I can check them but can I > have > a photo of it, just for me to have > delilah > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Earl Chapman" <earl.chapman@sympatico.ca> > To: "Great War MailList" <Greatwar-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:37 AM > Subject: [GREATWAR] WW1 Signboard > > > | We have a WW1 trench sign on display in the Officers' Mess of the Black > Watch of Canada in Montreal. It consists of two boards mounted to a post. > The top board is rectangular with the engraved name "PASSCHENDAELE", while > the lower board is shaped like an arrow with the engraved name "YPERN 12.5 > Km". It would therefore appear that the sign was located at or near > Passchendaele with the lower arm pointing in the general direction of > Ypres. > It was always thought that the sign was taken as a war souvenir from > either > a British or Canadian trench following the Battle of Passchendaele (3rd > Ypres), but the use of the term "YPERN" is strange. As far as I can tell, > "Ypern" is the term (exonym) used by the Germans for "Ypres". This would > suggest that the sign was originally erected by the Germans. Also, the > use > of kilometers also suggests German origin, as British, Canadian or > Australian troops would have miles. > | > | I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to shed some light > on > this sign. > | > | Regards, > | Earl Chapman > | Montreal, Canada > | > | ------------------------------- > | To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > | > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >