Category: Uncategorized
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The Wilfredian League of Gugnuncs
Over the years I have collected masses of ephemera (or “Army Crap” as my wife refers to it) relating to the Great War. One of the first items I bought many years ago was a small enamel badge which said “On War Service 1915”. These badges were issued to men who worked in factories doing…
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Beyond the Front – Fampoux
In out latest podcast, we visit one of the lesser-known battlefields of the Great War, the small villages of Fampoux and Roeux which are located to the east of the city of Arras. On the 9th of April 1917, Fampoux and the formidable Hyderabad Redoubt stood in the way of the 4th Division, but they…
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The three VCs of Thatcham
For many towns, the honour of having a Victoria Cross winner from the town is an immense source of civic pride. Streets and parks are often named in honour of the towns heroes. Given the scarcity of the award, with only 1355 having been awarded since its inception in 1856, it’s quite understandable why the…
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The truth is out there.
Firstly, apologies for the lack of blog updates, unfortunately I’ve had COVID and updating the blog hasn’t been top of my list of priorities – I know, any excuses! I did manage however to post a new podcast update the other day, and in the pod we paid a visit to one of my favourite…
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Better late than never
In late 1914, Arthur Osman who was the editor of the “Pigeon Fancier” magazine approached the War Office to offer to set up a pigeon service for the British Army in France and Belgium. The British were surprisingly behind the Germans and French in terms of their use of pigeons, both Germany and France having…
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The satire’s in the sinking.
A quick search of a well known online auction site will reveal thousands of items related to the Great War. I’ve seen more artifacts made of wood from HMS Iron Duke, which sunk at Jutland, to make me think that she must have been the only ship in the British navy made entirely of teak.…
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The first red rose to die
This morning I had the great pleasure of being interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire, talking about a man called Charles Edward Wilson. “How very different is your action to that of the men who can still go on with their cricket and football, as if the very existence of the country were not at stake!…
Footsteps of the fallen 