War graves Commission

And one just "re-discovered" ...

Here

This week I got a phone call from the local minister. There was to be a service commemorating the life of Robert Beveridge, a local lad who was called up in 1916 and killed at Paaschendael in 1917. He won the MM in between. However, his name had been missed from the parish war memorial. The service was to put that omission right.

I could not attend. I had a class to teach unfortunately. However, I believe a documentary is being made about Robert and this should be released later this year. Perhaps to coincide with Armistice Day?

More info here
 
Accrington Pals

Over the last couple of years we've finished European tours with an afternoon around the Somme, it's not far from Zeebrugge. Being from Accrington we visited Railway Hollow last year, where the Pals went over the top on the first day of the Somme. Looking at the trenches and the view across to where the German guns were is something I'll never forget. Even now the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the thought of that place, that morning, when that whistle blew. Thiepval and Tyne Cott are also unbelievable, but spoilt by noisy laughing school parties. If you're visiting try going to an out of the way quiet site.

For a bit of balance, try a german cemetary as well. Very different, but also very sombre and just as moving.
 
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My great uncle was killed in WWI He was in the Northumberland Fusiliers, I know he fought at Mons as he had the Mons Star and at least 2 other campaign medals besides. I have tried to find his records but they were destroyed in a bombing raid in WWII. I have visited his grave a few times but other than the fact that he was wounded by machine gun fire and subsequently died at Bailleu field hospital, I haven't been able to find out where he fought. Apparently, things were in such disarray due to the high mortality rate that new regiments were being formed from the remainders of others that had been wiped out. My father and I were both named after him.

My other relative was killed on the Somme in the closing days of WWI in the final push from Amiens.

I think there are some things that should never be forgotten.
 
Micky said:
I've recently found, and visited, my great grandfathers place of rest just outside Ypres. Got his son now to go visit at Bernafay Wood, Montauban.

:beerjug:
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Finally visited Frank Taylor (junior) earlier this year. He was 20 years of age, he was my grandmothers brother. My own grandfather survived the Somme, I have his medals. His father in law and brother in law joined up at the same time... and were both killed. I've now visited both Frank Taylors, father and son, may they rest in peace with my eternal love and thanks....

:beerjug:

Micky
 

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Don't accept it ...

ricardo said:
Thiepval and Tyne Cott are also unbelievable, but spoilt by noisy laughing school parties. If you're visiting try going to an out of the way quiet site.

For a bit of balance, try a german cemetary as well. Very different, but also very sombre and just as moving.
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I have taken school trips to the battlefields on many occasions. God help any of my pupils who behave in that way. Having said that, they only know that because I have impressed this upon them and like most kids, they act well when they are asked to.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in speaking to young people who behave in that way and have done so in the past. I can understand that many adults might be reluctant to speak to kids these days but in the circs I think a quick ... "Excuse me I think you should know that your behaviour offends me. Can you tell me where your teacher is please?" would quieten most kids,

If they don't quieten down, find the teacher and give THEM the bollocking. They're letting their pupils down by failing to expect high enough standards.

I've done that too!:rolleyes:
 
My Granddad (on dads side) was an "Old Contemptable" - a regular soldier prior to WW1 and was in the BEF. Got a chest load of medals (bless him) including the DCM and MM. Mentioned in despatches twice. A lovely chap who I remember when a little girl sitting on his lap playing with the funny lumps on his arms. Found out later that it was shrapnel from when he was blown up and buried in the trenches. John William Brooks DFM MM - I am very proud of him!:bow
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Two other relatives on Mums side who didn't come home.
2nd Lt Roper Henry WHITROD - Kings Liverpool Reg. KIA 14.05.1918. A boy soldier in the Coldstream Guards was given his commission but as he wasn't posh enough (!) not in the Guards! Buried Gwalia Cemetery Belgium - its right in the middle of a field and you have to walk along a grass path bang smack through the farmer field! ! In 1918 the area was covered with tents containing injured soldiers and Gwalia was filled up with boys who died of their wounds.

Pte Arthur Frederick WHITROD 8th Btn Royal Fusiliers KIA 7/7/1916. Battle of the Somme. No known grave and on Theipval. Using field maps of the time I have traced the trench from where he would have attacked the village of Ovillers - uphill towards enemy fire - and have "adoped" an unknown grave in the nearby CWGC cemetery just outside Ovillers. Most are unknowns as the boys were left for months lying where they fell and so identification was impossible. Went over with group of lads from work - one played the last post on bugle, one read a piece by war poet, all had grit in our eyes by the end of it - it was like Uncle Arthur was finally being buried 90 years after he was lost.

They are never forgotten .
 
ricardo said:
Over the last couple of years we've finished European tours with an afternoon around the Somme, it's not far from Zeebrugge. Being from Accrington we visited Railway Hollow last year, where the Pals went over the top on the first day of the Somme. Looking at the trenches and the view across to where the German guns were is something I'll never forget. Even now the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the thought of that place, that morning, when that whistle blew. Thiepval and Tyne Cott are also unbelievable, but spoilt by noisy laughing school parties. If you're visiting try going to an out of the way quiet site.

For a bit of balance, try a german cemetary as well. Very different, but also very sombre and just as moving.
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Have to agree that the Pal Memorials are very moving indeed.

During a trip to Ypres and the Somme last year my brother and I saw a few school parties and I have to say I was very impressed with the behaviour of the youngsters. Whilst visiting the Devonshires trench on the Somme we got talking to the teachers of one group who explained that the battlefield trips are very popular and always oversubscribed.

The contrast between the CWGC and German cemeteries is very stark. I've visited the German cemeteries at Langemarck and Lommel. Langemarck is probably the saddest place I've ever visited with an almost tangible sense of young lives tragically wasted. Lommel was quite simply overwhelming, simply due to the sheer numbers of crosses stretching out in front of the visitor.
 
My Grandad

http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2775915

Went to visit the grave a couple of years ago,the war graves were there along with general graves
got to be the best kept graveyard ive ever seen- immaculately kept

visited it twice with my Dad over the past couple of yrs(first time my dad had seen his dads grave -hes in his 70's now)
on the first visit one of my young sons buried a tiny plastic soldier by the headstone in the dirt , the next time we visited whoever tends the grave must have found it as the little soldier was placed at the bottom of the headstone but just on show- it seemed very poignant
 
My wife found out just the other day that her great grandad was killed in WW1. The family history on that side is quite obscure so we don't know much about him other than his name was John Bury and the info from the CWGC.

I doubt we will ever get the opportunity to visit his grave but he's not forgotten anymore.

RIP
 
Apologies for ressurecting an oldish thread but it seemed the best place for it,

Just come back from Ypres after visiting my Great Uncles Memorial ( no grave unfortunately )

Story is that 40 odd years ago my Dad applied to the War graves Commision for the location and details of his Uncle, they said they would be in touch if they found anything.

Well they did, 3 weeks ago my dad got a letter to say they had found some remains that were of his Uncle, and that he had been on the Ploegsteert Memorial since it was built something which was unknown to the family until then ( details given by the government at the time were sketchy to say the least having read the letter they sent )

So obviously I booked some time off work and made the trip on my bike to visit him, Being the first family member ever to visit the memorial and the Wood in which he was killed was an experience which puts most other things into perspective :bow

My and my Mate went knowing very little about the Great War,but after 4 days of visiting all the relevant sites in and around Ypres it is something I know we will both never forget.

To top it off the Weather was perfect all week :D

Anyone who has not been is missing out on so much.

R I P Great Uncle Albert Peace at Last
 
Farmboy said:
Ploegsteert Memorial
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I was there on Tuesday :thumb2


Ypres08121.jpg
 
Off to Normandy on weds and looking forward to it.

I did the ww2 sites last year and was very moving :rose

I have also just finished reading the book "Birdsong" which is about WW1.

If you havn't read it.... do.

you won't be dissapointed.

Jon :beerjug:
 
Farmboy said:
Apologies for ressurecting an oldish thread but it seemed the best place for it,
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no need to apologise for raising this subject again.

Trippy put up a brilliant link to the Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate a few days ago, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142777 and as I said then I was part way through doing research on my Grandfathers campaign in and around Ypres. This has probably been one of the best weeks for uncovering information, - or to be more accurate finding people that have the information and have passed it to me. This is a brilliant forum for research and questions, -
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums a lot of users really know their stuff, - a couple of which have sent me pdf’s of War Diaries and amazing records of my Grandfather. I have discovered that whilst we always thought that he had been blown up (he eventually survived after 3 months in Bolougne Hospital) on Christmas Eve he was actually injured 2 days prior to that, - it took 2 days to get him out of the front line! Found out that he fought at High Wood, and as we had thought was blown up on Hill 60 South of Ypres. An excerpt from the War Diary (I have spent all afternoon straining my eyes to read the hand writing from 1916 and type it out so that my mother can read it).

16/12/16 Coy and Specialist training. Sniper section on DICKEBUSCH range

17/12/16 10.30am Church Parade 11am C.O. inspected camp
18/12/16 12 noon Orders received postponing relief of 18th Bn Lon Regand Bn ordered to be ready to move instantly.
2pm “Stand down” received.
19/12/16 3.45pm Bn paraded and marched to HILL 60 Sub Section, relieving 18th Bn Lond Regt. D left, C centre, B right front line, A Coy in reserve at RAILWAY DUGOUTS, HQ at LARCH WOOD
21/12/16 1 O.R. killed, 4 O.R. Wounded
22/12/16 Capt. A.C. TREMBATH (2/5 East Surrey Regt att’d) and 3 o.r. KILLED 2/Lts K. I. NEWELL & T.E. WEBSTER wounded (at duty); 12 o.r. Wounded
24/12/16 Bn. Relieved by 24th Bn Lon Regt. H.Q. & 2 platoons D Coy to RAILWAY DUGOUTS, 2 platoons D Coy to FOSSE WAY; A Coy at BATTERSEA FARM; B & C Comp at CHATEAU BELGE
27/12/16 2/Lts H S ELTON and J.M. BAILEY to Heavy Branch; MGC(TANKS)
30/12/16 “C” Coy to BATTERSEA FARM, relieving “A” Coy, whowent to CHATEAU BELGE.

Signed off H. H. Kemble. Lt Colonel
Cmdg 1/23rd Bn The London Regt.
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This is my thread over there:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96580

Unfortunately you will not be able to see the pictures until you are registered. – And if you interested in this sort I thing I would recommend registration and then have a read of this thread:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40572

One of the best things that I have read on t’internet! Give yourself a free couple of hours!
 
blimey charlie Trippy missed you by a day,

Was there at 1000hrs Wednesday Morning, then off to Ploegsteert Wood.

I was on a bike orange KTM Adventure if you saw one around it was probably me.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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