Lance Corporal William Wucher of the 12th Battalion Middlex Regiment was laid to rest, alongside three comrades in Meaulte Military Cemetery, 106 years ago today. He had enlisted at the age of 20, on 2nd September 1914, just as the war started, and on 16th March 1915, while still under Read more…
Newfoundland Park in January is bright, clear and all but empty. Fine spiders’ webs linking the maples down the avenue, brush our faces as we walk through. By the side of the 51st Highland Division Memorial the same spiders have spun gossamer threads through the grass, just visible in the Read more…
John and I attended nine reburial services this week on the Somme and in the Pas-de-Calais. We were once again moved by the care and respect shown by the team of people who laid these soldiers to rest. We thank the JCCC for making us so welcome. The first commemoration, Read more…
In Delville Wood on the 15th of July we remember the South Africans who fought here 105 years ago and we remember them through you. We remember the soldiers whose Zulu war cries put fear into their enemies, cries repeated in their honour at 7:00 on 15th of July 2016. 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.
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…