THE BATTLE of Passchendaele has been described as a "national trauma that we have a duty to remember," as events took place around Europe to mark the 100th anniversary of the conflict.

South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies made the comments on Monday, as he attended a service in at the Welsh Memorial Park in Langemark, near Ypres, to pay his respects.

Among the units who participated in the Battle of Passchendaele were the 38th (Welsh) Division, the 29th Division – including the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment – the Welsh Guards, the Welsh Regiment and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Several memorial stones were unveiled at the service to commemorate those who fell in the battle.

Mr Davies said: "It was deeply moving to take part in the service and pay tribute to all of those who gave their lives in the Battle of Passchendaele.

"The sheer magnitude of human life lost on this foreign battlefield is almost unfathomable today, and is a national trauma that we have a duty to reflect on.

"Countless Welsh servicemen and women participated – and it was an honour to see memorial stones unveiled to commemorate the Welsh divisions who fought in the First World War.

"A hundred years on, we owe our eternal gratitude to those who gave their lives in such tragic circumstances.

"We will never forget the sacrifice they made."