From 24 September – 27 September 2025, a group of Old Paulines visited the battlefields, graves and memorials which commemorate the 93 Old Paulines who fell on the Ypres Salient during the First World War.
The itinerary was fashioned to tell the stories of OPs who fell in the Salient and was led by tour guide Graham Seel. Graham is the former Head of Faculty Humanities at St Paul’s School and Author of Scholars and Soldiers: A history of alumni of St Paul’s School and the 1st World War, which can be read here: Volume 1: service and commemoration and Volume 2: The Ypres Salient and OPs.
Graham Seel
The OPs who attended the trip:
Simon Hardy (1974-79), Brian Jones (1961-66), Jeremy Withers Green (1975-80), Stephen Withers Green (1973-78), Stuart Bennett (1959-63), Nick Strowbridge (1967-71), Ron West (1974-80), Ben Dory (2005-10) and James Grant (1990-95)
On Thursday 25 September the tour focused on the southern sectors of the Salient, while Friday 26 September focused on the northern sectors of the Salient. The route provided a strong sense of the topography of the Salient, so important in gaining an understanding of the rhythm of the war around Ypres.
On Friday evening Simon Hardy, as OPC President, had the honour of laying a wreath at the Menin Gate on behalf of OPC and St Paul’s. He was joined by our two retired Colonels, Stuart Bennett and Nick Strowbridge.
Saturday saw us unveil a new plaque to commemorate the Paulines who fought and fell during the First World War in the St Georges Memorial Church. This was followed by a visit to the famous Talbot House, set up by Tubby Clayton OP.
The detailed itinerary contains the names of OPs associated with a particular location. The biographies of these OPs – along with maps and photographs – can be found in Scholars and Soldiers Vol 2.
Literature about the war in the Salient is substantial. The most famous contribution by an OP to this particular canon of work has emanated from the pen of Robert Laurence Binyon’s (1881-1888) – For the Fallen. This has overshadowed the work of others, some of which can be accessed below. In particular, a cover-to-cover read of Denis Oliver Barnett’s (1907-14) Letters gives a fascinating insight into the experiences of a young officer and acts as an excellent vade mecum for anyone visiting the Salient.
Denis Oliver ‘Dobbins’ Barnett (1907-14): In Happy Memory. His Letters from France and Flanders October 1914 – August 1915
P B ‘Tubby’ Clayton (1897-1905), Tales of Talbot House
E A, Mackintosh (1909-12): A Highland Regiment
R E Vernede (1889-94): Letters to His Wife – and – War Poems and Other Verses
In 1919 Michelin produced an illustrated guide, Ypres and the Battles of Ypres, an impressively short and accessible account.
OP Tour of the Salient: Topographical map
Thursday, 25 September
Friday, 26 September
Saturday, 27 September
