This is the story of a British couple, George and Ann Shreeve, who made a life and raised family in France after the First World War. Leopold George Shreeve (known as George) was born in 1886, in St Pancras, London, the youngest of 10 children. We know that he Read more…
We took a drive out in honour of ANZAC Day to visit some of the local villages that are especially associated with Australian and New Zealand Forces. Digger Cote 160 had organized a small ceremony at dawn in Pozières, a church service was held in the afternoon at Bullecourt and Read more…
We have been heartened to see so many flags flying at half-mast, in our corner of the world, in honour of Prince Philip. It has been a reminder of the respect held for him internationally; itself a reflection of the respect he had for other nations, races and cultures. We Read more…
This morning John and I went alone to London Cemetery and Extension where we held a short ceremony of remembrance and laid a wreath. This year we also remembered those outside of the military who have given their lives in the service of others.
It’s hard to plan anything at the moment. One never knows what will be possible until the last minute. However the third Sunday of September is traditionally the day that we commemorate the action of the 47th (London) Division at High Wood so, in glorious sunshine, we headed up to Read more…
At the beginning of September 1944 this area was freed from the German occupation. In military terms the losses were light, but in family terms they were devastating. In London Cemetery this morning, 76 years on, the gardeners were out in force, cutting the grass, weeding and trimming the hedges, Read more…
Back at the beginning of March, taking advantage of the winter calm, we visited the Louvre at Lens. It’s been closed for while but now that it has reopened it seemed a good moment to share this visit with you. The first thing that struck me is how close it Read more…
Captain Cecil Robert Tidswell served with the 1/Royal Dragoons in the Boer War and in India. He was awarded the Kings Medal with five clasps during the Boer War. He served with the Cavalry for two years on the Western Front before transferring to the Royal Flying Corp believing that Read more…
This morning, for the first time in many years, John and I marked the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme on our own. We chose the spot at Carnoy from which the 7th Battalion, the Buffs, part of the 55th Brigade, went over the top. the Official History Read more…
Recollections of “Bill” Bailey’s widow Pat In the winter of 1946/7 a small package in a buff MoD envelope, was delivered to me where I lived in South East London. I was excited, for I knew it contained the one personal effect that I had asked to be returned from Read more…