TWO Saddleworth air cadets are taking part in an historic pilgrimage of remembrance at the Menin Gate, in Ypres, to honour the fallen marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Alison Clowes and Alan Wright are among 2,200 members of The Royal British Legion from around the world taking part in the Great Pilgrimage 90 on August 8, which will be one of the largest events in the charity’s history.

The tribute echoes the Legion's commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the conflict 90 years ago, when 11,000 people visited the battlefields to pay tributes to those who died.

In 1928 the Legion organised for thousands of veterans, war widows and family members to visit the wartime battlefields of The Somme and the Ypres Salient. It was called the Great Pilgrimage and it culminated with a march through Ypres to the Menin Gate on August 8, which is being recreated.

Alison, aged 31, from Clarksfield, a civilian instructor at 2200 (Saddleworth) Detached Flight Squadron, will take part in her first official duty as a standard bearer and has recently completed training to undertake the prestigious role.

Alan has been chosen to lay a wreath.

"The Saddleworth branch of the Legion approached the air cadets to see if they could help carry the standard at parades, as the members were getting too elderly to carry them," said Alison.

"But our cadets are too young so I offered to help out instead.

"I was part of a group of Greater Manchester Air Cadets who were at Menin Gate for the 100th anniversary of the RAF in April, so I am looking forward to returning to show my support and appreciation to those who put their lives forward for our future."

A series of tours to WW1 trenches, battlefields and cemeteries from August 5 will culminate with a spectacular two-mile march to Ypres’ Menin Gate featuring 1,100 standard bearers and 1,100 wreath layers.

A service of commemoration will take place under the gate marking the start of The Hundred Days Offensive, including readings from the UK's Ambassador to Belgium and the Archbishop of York, with music provided by The Central Band of The Royal British Legion.

Then 1,100 wreaths will be laid which will contain messages written by school children from across the UK.

Bob Gamble, The Royal British Legion’s head of commemorative events, said: “Ninety years to the day on August 8th 2018, more than 2,200 members of The Royal British Legion will carry standards and wreaths along the same route to the Menin Gate in Belgium, to commemorate the last 100 days of World War One – thereby representing an entire generation that served while defending their country.

“That pilgrimage culminated in a march through Ypres to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate Memorial for a ceremony to commemorate the launch of the Hundred Days Offensive and in remembrance of those who never returned.”

Communities from across the UK will be well represented including 48 branches from North and East Yorkshire, 47 from Devon and 67 from Northern Ireland. All 23 branches in Scotland will be represented.

Members from Legion branches as far afield as Brazil, Thailand and Hong Kong and China will also be paying their respects on the pilgrimage.

For more information go to www.britishlegion.org.uk or https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/.

2,200 members of The Royal British Legion representing communities from across the UK and around the world will march through Ypres (Belgium) to the Menin Gate, carrying 1,100 standards.

A service of commemoration will take place under the gate marking the start of The Hundred Days Offensive, including readings from the UK's Ambassador to Belgium and the Archbishop of York, with music provided by The Central Band of The Royal British Legion. 1,100 wreaths will be laid which will contain messages written by school children from across the UK.

Why: Ninety years ago, 10 years after the end of the Great War, The Legion organised for thousands of veterans, war widows and family members to visit the wartime battlefields of The Somme and the Ypres Salient. It was called the Great Pilgrimage. It culminated with a march through Ypres to the Menin Gate on the 8th August, which is being recreated.

The 8th August marks the beginning of The Hundred Days Offensive which led to the end of the First World War.

When: Wednesday 8th August 2018

Where: Ypres, Belgium

Timings: (all timings are in CET)

• 0900-1000: Participants start arriving in Ypres, and will come together at the sports ground on Minneplein Road, Ypres

• 1100: Participants begin to form up on Elverdingastraat Road

• 1145: Invited guests will start arriving at the Menin Gate

• 1200: The Parade will begin through Market Square, past the VIP dais and onto the Menin Gate. They will be led by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland

• 1300: The Parade will arrive at the Menin Gate and the One Hundred Days Ceremony begins

• 1345: The ceremony will finish and the Parade will march back to Elverdingastraat road

• 1430-1630: The entertainment will begin in the Market Square. Performers include The London Welsh Male Voice Choir, The Central Band of The Royal British Legion and singer song writer Sam Jefferson

• 1630: Event ends

To register for attendance at the event please email Bethan Herbert, Press Officer, The Royal British Legion at bherbert@britishlegion.org.uk stating your name, organisation, contact details and your preference to be positioned on the parade route or at the Menin Gate ceremony.

Interview opportunity

Alison Clowes, 31, from Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, will take part in her first official duty as a Standard Bearer at GP90. The Air Cadet has recently completed training and is looking forward to getting involved.

Alison said: "The Saddleworth branch of the Legion approached the Air cadets to see if they could help carry the standard at parades, as the members were getting too elderly to carry them. But our cadets are too young so I offered to help out instead.

"I was part of a group of Greater Manchester Air Cadets who were at Menin Gate for the 100th anniversary of the RAF in April, so I am looking forward to returning next month to show my support and appreciation to those who put their lives forward for our future."