In March there have been 15 rededication ceremonies in France and Belgium, many attended by surviving family. Hats off to the team from the JCCC, CWGC and the regiments who organised them so smoothly. These ceremonies are open to the public and we would encourage you to time your trips Read more…
Yesterday, a rededication service was held at Douchy-les-Ayettes, for Corporal Frederick (Bertie) George Jeffs of the Royal Flying Corps. The Rev’d Dr (Sqn Leader) Kate Bruce RAF, Station Chaplain at RAF Coningsby, conducted the service, with reverence, thought and care. Members of RAF XI(F) Squadron were in attendance and gave Read more…
At 11:00 on the 1st July every year, in between their commitments at various ceremonies on the Somme, the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band come to Longueval to honour all the men who played the pipes to rally the troops during the Great War. The Pipe Band is like a big Read more…
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…
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…
17 March 2019 update – The CWGC has confirmed that these ceremonies have been postponed. We’ll let you know when they are rescheduled. Original Post The Royal British Legion informs us that “resulting from good original records and subsequent research by the CWGC and Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre of 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…
C’est magnifique! Sunday saw hundreds of people gather in Villers-Bretonneux to stand in solidarity with the people of Australia who have been overwhelmed by the ongoing wildfires. The commemorative badges were sold out half an hour before the start of the march. Among the largely local crowd many Australian and Read more…