Origins of the Passchendaele Salute 2017
John Slough had the idea to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele 2017.
To mark the centenary it was decided that a 100 gun salute would be a fitting tribute. John is able to do this because he has a collection of Great War guns which can be brought into action to fire this Salute, he is arranging the gun teams and horses.
The date of the end of the Battle is set in stone, 10 November 2017.
The site for the firing of the 100 Gun Salute will be held at the Fort de Seclin, near Lille in France.
The significant part played by the Canadian Army was the reason why we asked the High Commissioner of Canada to be the Patron.
We would like a gun team from each of the allied countries involved in the Battle to fire a gun at the Salute.
On a personal note John's grandfather, Albert Slough, who was a Sergeant Fitter in the Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action at Hill 60 in October 1917, in the Battle of Passchendaele.
The Patron
Mrs Janice Charette, High Commissioner for Canada
The Canadian Army were successful in taking the Passchendaele Ridge in 1917 and so it was considered to be appropriate to invite the High Commissioner for Canada to be our Patron.