Category: Remembrance
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Known unto God
The sight of a grave, shrouded in mystery and anonymity, carries a profound weight that echoes through the corridors of time. The grave of an unknown soldier stands as a poignant reminder of sacrifice, valor, and the untold stories that lie beneath the earth. When confronted with such a sight, one cannot help but be…
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Reflections and Reverence
Stepping foot into a war cemetery is a profound and solemn experience that elicits a range of emotions. It is a place where the weight of history and the sacrifices of countless individuals converge, leaving visitors with a deep sense of reflection, reverence, and remembrance. The quiet rows of headstones, meticulously maintained gardens, and the…
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Mark VII – officer and “conchie”
As many of you who listen to the podcast will know I have a love of collecting personal memoirs of men who served in the Great War. Naturally, they vary in quality, and if I am honest, probably in historical accuracy as well! There are many “classics” of personal narrative, such as “Goodbye to all…
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A little piece of Australia
One of the absolute pleasures of podcasting is the chance to speak to passionate and enthusiastic individuals whose determination to preserve the heritage of the Great War is nothing short of inspirational. My guest on this week’s podcast, Helen Roberts, was an absolute joy to interview. Having grown up in rural Wiltshire, Helen remembered seeing…
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The 48 hour VCs – Hill 60
The battlefield area of Hill 60 just to the southwest of Ypres will always be one of my must-see areas whenever I am guiding someone around the Salient. There are, in my mind, few places left around Ypres that match the description given by the late great Richard Holmes of the battlefield being “a strip…
Footsteps of the fallen 