'My bucket list trip to find relative's name on WW1 memorial'

Sadie Nine found Pte Robert Palmer's name on the Menin Gate war memorial

Every year millions of people across the world pay their respects on Armistice Day, 11 November, to those who fought and lost their lives in past conflicts.

Some stay close to home, but I wanted to make my own personal journey of discovery to see my great uncle's name on the Menin Gate — the memorial in Ypres, Belgium to the soldiers who lost their lives during World War One and whose graves are unknown.

Wreaths are laid all around Ypres as people pay their respects

My great uncle Robert Palmer died somewhere on the Western Front in France/Belgium during World War One, although my family does not know exactly when he died, or his age.

He was just a young man cut down in his prime, as were thousands of others and their names appear on the Menin Gate monument.

It has always been a huge desire of mine to go and see it, pay my respects and to also remember my grandad, George Randall, who lied about his age to be able to enlist and fight in the war and was gassed in the bunkers at Ypres.

He survived, but suffered for the rest of his life and died an early death.

These two brave men, and the thousands of others, deserve my love and respect.

Sadie Nine also wanted to see where her grandfather George Randall fought

My great uncle was an "unclaimed" soldier - they had his name but they did not know who he was or where he was from, as there were so many Palmers around.

My family think he was probably in his late-teens, but we do know he was from somewhere in London.

Robert was my nanny's [grandmother's] brother who, together with another sibling, were split up at an early age and put into children's homes.

Those were tough times for the family. Harsher days that thankfully don't resemble modern family life, but they provide tales me and my relatives still talk about.

Robert spent time at a workhouse before joining the Army, where we believe he became a rifleman with the Kent Yeomanry.

My nanny knew her brother had been killed in Ypres and so, a few years ago, my sister brought my mum out here.

They were able to claim him, to give answers as to who the person on the Menin Gate was - otherwise his story would have been completely lost.

Sadie visited some of the trenches used during World War One, where her grandfather was gassed

So, very early on Tuesday, it was my turn and I travelled via the Eurotunnel to Ypres for Armistice Day.

It has always been on my bucket list.

By 09:10 GMT it had already been an incredibly moving day as I had never seen so many poppies in my life, and there were thousands of people there.

I set about finding my great uncle's name, spending hours and hours searching for him. There were 45,000 names and we went through them all.

It took me all day but just before the light left, late in the afternoon, I found it.

I was overcome with emotion. It was amazing to finally be there and see it for myself.

The Menin Gate is dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the Ypres Salient of World War One and whose graves are unknown

Seeing the names of so many soldiers, including from the US, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand, was so moving and absolutely exhausting.

I'm thrilled I'm alive to be able to say thank you to everyone else who lost their lives and everyone who fought.

The memorials really humble you, they are just one of those things we should all go and see.

Everyone is here for the same reason - to recognise the people who gave up their tomorrows so we could have our today.

My trip to Ypres is something I will never forget.

Sadie Nine will be talking about her trip to Ypres during her show on BBC Essex at 12:00 GMT on Sunday and it will be available on the BBC iPlayer after broadcast.