A lot of Canadian troops fought in the Westhoek during the First World War. They were also involved in the first gas attack in the Westhoek on 22 April 2015, more specifically in and around Sint-Julien, part of Langemark-Poelkapelle. They managed to recapture a small wood that would later be named Kitchener's Wood. 

It was not until the 1980s that the question came from Canada as to whether anything remained of the Kitchener's Wood in Saint Julien. Specifically, it was Canadian Captain Jack Patten of the Canadian-Scottish Regiment who asked the question. And that was the occasion for the erection of a monument in the Wijngaardstraat in 1997 and the start of the tradition of many Canadian visits to St Julian, which continues today 35 years later. 

Robert Missinne and Ignace Bentein, leaders of the Kitchener's Wood committee, were awarded the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers by the Canadian Ambassador in Brussels on Thursday 13 March 2015 for their efforts.

A meeting for all the committee's staff and sympathisers was organised on Friday 14 March 2025 at local primary school.

 



Click here voor more information on the medal.







Robert and Ignace also received a belt from their Canadian friends of the Calgary Highlanders. 









Jef Dekeyser who designed the Kitchener’s Wood-monument.

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