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…
Derrick Sykes, the Flight Engineer in one of the Halifax Bombers that crashed near woods at Fontaine l’Etalon on 25th June 1944 should not been flying that day. He was due to be married and his leave had started that morning. However the raid being early he chose to fly Read more…
76 years ago today 102 Squadron set out on a daylight bombing raid to target a V1 Flying-bomb launch site at Montorgueil Farm. The V1 Flying bomb, also known as the doodlebug, was developed in 1939. The first was launched on London on the 13th June 1944. At its height Read more…
This week we commemorated the centenary of the death of Sam Pickersgill on behalf of his family. They had stayed with us in 2014 and had planned to return in person on the 21st March this year. When France went into lockdown this became impossible so they sent the wreath Read more…
Today we marked 75 years of peace in Martinpuich. The Mayor had asked us all to stay clear from the memorial while he marked the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe so we walked up one hour later to lay our wreath, bringing us in Read more…
This is not the ANZAC Day we planned but here at the Silent Picket in Martinpuich the courage and sacrifice of the ANZACs are not forgotten. ‘At every cost,’ they said, ‘it must be done.’ They told us in the early afternoon. We sit and wait the coming of the Read more…
18th March 2020 – update The Australian Embassy in France has announced that this year’s ANZAC Day ceremony at Villers-Bretonneux will be cancelled. Original Post 25th April 2020 The ANZAC Day Ceremony will be held again at 5:30am on the 25th April 2020 at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. Read more…
Our first commemoration of 2020 took place in London Cemetery by High Wood. It was just the two of us, John with his camera and me with flowers and a small wooden cross. We had received an email from the niece of John Davidson who was killed on the 3rd Read more…