Somme 1916

[patcham seagulls]

Now I'm certainly not ex military, not particularly patriotic.

But returning from holiday yesterday, Mrs Seagulls and myself visited the Thiepval war memorial just outside Albert, north France.
For those remotely interested it's approximately 30 mins north-east from Amiens.

This structure is 45 metres (apparently 10 million bricks!!) high to commemorate the 72,000 casualties killed in 5 months of horrific combat over a 3k battlefield, regrettably these men's bodies were either unidentifiable or completely missing.

Other battles of course were also being fought up and down the valley simultaneously, and also have their own numerous memorials. (Approximately 1.2 million died). In those days logistics meant bodies, or remains, were not flown home!

While there I came across a name on one of the numerous pillars identical to my own, (Surname and initial) and after returning home today, decided to research this particular casualty.

Turns out today is the 100th anniversary of this guys passing (17-8-16)

Although I'm not convinced I am related to this particular individual, this visit and trip to the war museum in Albert has highlighted to me just how big a sacrifice many of these guys undertook on behalf of future generations.

So tonight I will raise a glass to Arthur. RIP.

 

[severnside gull]

It's often very hard to take in the scale of the slaughter (I use the word advisedly as the traditional "sacrifice" seems to me to try to exonerate the generals responsible for such careless loss of life).
It's the small things that give it scale and meaning. Cheers Arthur!

 

[happypig]

Last year I visit the British war cemetary in Souda, Crete. Not massive on any scale comparable to WW1 but seeing the ages of the men/boys buried there is very moving, especially as I had my 18 year old son with me.
I'd recommend a visit to one of them for a few minutes quiet reflection and thankfulness.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

I got to go on a school trip to visit battlefields and cemeteries around Ypres in March this year, was an incredible day. The sheer scale of some of the cemeteries is unbelievable, especially the German Cemetery at Langemark where 40,000 Germans are buried in mass graves. Learnt so much about the First World War, the highlight for me was getting to pay my respects at the grave of my Great Grandfather who gave his life in October 1917.

On the subject of The Somme I found the BBC series "The Somme, from both sides of the wire" a brilliant series. Recounts stories from both Allied and German troops and explains where both sides went wrong. Recommend it if it's still on iPlayer.

 

[robinsonsgrin]

i blagged my way onto a school trip to the somme a good few years ago now...(as a teacher!). it was sobering and awesome - in context of the sheer vast numbers of graves you saw. went to albert and also thiepval... would recommend to anyone. a way of paying respect to those who never returned and gave us the chance to moan about which stand sings the best!

 

[AmexRuislip]

Now I'm certainly not ex military, not particularly patriotic.

But returning from holiday yesterday, Mrs Seagulls and myself visited the Thiepval war memorial just outside Albert, north France.
For those remotely interested it's approximately 30 mins north-east from Amiens.

This structure is 45 metres (apparently 10 million bricks!!) high to commemorate the 72,000 casualties killed in 5 months of horrific combat over a 3k battlefield, regrettably these men's bodies were either unidentifiable or completely missing.

Other battles of course were also being fought up and down the valley simultaneously, and also have their own numerous memorials. (Approximately 1.2 million died). In those days logistics meant bodies, or remains, were not flown home!

While there I came across a name on one of the numerous pillars identical to my own, (Surname and initial) and after returning home today, decided to research this particular casualty.

Turns out today is the 100th anniversary of this guys passing (17-8-16)

Although I'm not convinced I am related to this particular individual, this visit and trip to the war museum in Albert has highlighted to me just how big a sacrifice many of these guys undertook on behalf of future generations.

So tonight I will raise a glass to Arthur. RIP.

That's brilliant.
If your curiosity gets the better of you, you could try searching for any links to yourself on the National Archives website.
It's really interesting
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

 

[Blazing Apostle]

My Great Grandad Alfred Henry Bailey Pte 2nd Royal Berks was killed in action on the Somme 100 years tomorrow so will be raising a glass in his memory

 

[The Birdman]

Many British war graves around the world I have seen some of them in Thailand France Germany my ancestors fought in Tibet and India Boliva France Germany Holland on the seas on the Italian Landings also the convoys to Russia and it goes on.
Friends have died in the Falklands Northern Ireland Etc. It always sad to see the ages and sacrifices young men and women have given or Great Britain. Let's be strong and peaceful.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

The small cemetery in Gibraltar is another which gives one a sobering glance into the past. The ages and occupations are given on the gravestones of the men and boys who lost their lives during the Battle of Trafalgar

 

[knocky1]

Many British war graves around the world I have seen some of them in Thailand France Germany my ancestors fought in Tibet and India Boliva France Germany Holland on the seas on the Italian Landings also the convoys to Russia and it goes on.
Friends have died in the Falklands Northern Ireland Etc. It always sad to see the ages and sacrifices young men and women have given or Great Britain. Let's be strong and peaceful.

Exactly. Thanks for teaching me some history. I had never heard of the Tibetan expeditions the last one in 1903 of 2-3000 men.

Paste and copy of the aftermath for anyone interested.

Craster was the most senior fatality of the expedition. With Tsechen taken, Macdonald successfully attacked Gyantse Dzong on July 6th. For breaching the defences a Victoria Cross was awarded to Lieutenant John Grant, and its Indian Army equivalent, the Indian Order of Merit First Class, awarded to Havildar Pun. On August 3rd the force arrived at Lhasa. Although the Dalai Lama was not present to authorise any treaty Younghusband insisted on one, to be signed by the Dalai Lama’s representatives. This agreement, signed the day after Younghusband’s arrival in the city, recognized Britain’s priority rights to trade with Tibet, formalized the Sikkim frontier, pledged Tibet not to have relationships with other powers, and declared that Tibet would pay a large indemnity for British losses. It did not seem to matter that Tibet had little worthwhile to trade, that China still claimed suzerainty, that the country did not have the financial resources to pay the compensation, nor that the Dalai Lama had not authorized the agreement. Younghusband had got to Lhasa, and Curzon could now feel confident that Russian armies would not come marching over the Himalayas.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I'll be visiting Belgium in 9 days time for Bank Holiday weekend and will be visiting Ypres, Menin Gate and Sanctuary Wood. I've never been to the WW1 battlefields, it's been long overdue.

 

[atfc village]

My Gran's Uncle is listed at Thiepval died aged 46 was his 100th anniversary on 5th August ,his younger Brother died a few months before aged 17 and has a grave at The Norfolk Cemetery at Becondel Becourt . I was lucky enough to visit in 2008.

 

[Norman Potting]

Both my Grandfather and his father served during WW1, both had close escapes and survived for which I should be thankful. One daughter has visited Ypres, the other is going in the autumn.

 

[patcham seagulls]

During the day we also visited the Canadian memorial, which is staffed by students from Newfoundland.

The Canadians also suffered horrendous loses simultaneously 6-8k away from the Theipval memorial site.
Here the original trenches have been left in place.
And the Canadian students explain how, and where the soldiers fell.

Essentially after 2 weeks constant ariel military bombardment from the allied forces, the senior officers expected the German lines to be decimated, and provide little if any resistance.
The German lines however had built superb shelters, and had also broke the allies lines of communications.

When the Canadians went over the top into no mans land, they were expected to reach a village 3k past the German trenches.
Geographically the Canadians were disadvantaged as they descended down the hill, as their silhouettes were visible and they had no cover to shelter from any machine gun fire.

They lost in excess of 700 men in approximately 30 minutes and made around 50-100 yards in distance.

Another terrible account of loss, for almost non existent returns.
And to make matters worse, this example was being repeated across a 45k area.

20,000 men died on 1-7-1916, with another 30,000+ maimed and injured for life.
58,000 people in 1 day!
That's every single man, woman and child in the Amex for 2, or 3 home games.
Puts things into perspective

 

[Biscuit Barrel]

Every other week I stand and sing the line "we stand or fall for Sussex By The Sea". To me it is my clubs anthem that I sing with pride. The men of the Sussex regiment during World War 1 sang the song knowing that they would actually stand or fall for Sussex By The Sea. As we know, the vast majority did fall.

 

[andys320]

During the day we also visited the Canadian memorial, which is staffed by students from Newfoundland.

The Canadians also suffered horrendous loses simultaneously 6-8k away from the Theipval memorial site.
Here the original trenches have been left in place.
And the Canadian students explain how, and where the soldiers fell.

Essentially after 2 weeks constant ariel military bombardment from the allied forces, the senior officers expected the German lines to be decimated, and provide little if any resistance.
The German lines however had built superb shelters, and had also broke the allies lines of communications.

When the Canadians went over the top into no mans land, they were expected to reach a village 3k past the German trenches.
Geographically the Canadians were disadvantaged as they descended down the hill, as their silhouettes were visible and they had no cover to shelter from any machine gun fire.

They lost in excess of 700 men in approximately 30 minutes and made around 50-100 yards in distance.

Another terrible account of loss, for almost non existent returns.
And to make matters worse, this example was being repeated across a 45k area.

20,000 men died on 1-7-1916, with another 30,000+ maimed and injured for life.
58,000 people in 1 day!
That's every single man, woman and child in the Amex for 2, or 3 home games.
Puts things into perspective

Presumably that is Vimy Ridge, Thiepval, very moving, some perspective to numbers that died in truly awful conditions.

Have also visited graves at Casino from WW2, very moving

 

[theboybilly]

..... Learnt so much about the First World War, the highlight for me was getting to pay my respects at the grave of my Great Grandfather who gave his life in October 1917.

3rd Ypres....Passchendaele. My granddad served throughout the Great War and was involved in this battle too

 

[Binney on acid]

I've been to Montecassino. It's completely and utterly mind blowing.

 

[robinsonsgrin]

During the day we also visited the Canadian memorial, which is staffed by students from Newfoundland.

The Canadians also suffered horrendous loses simultaneously 6-8k away from the Theipval memorial site.
Here the original trenches have been left in place.
And the Canadian students explain how, and where the soldiers fell.

Essentially after 2 weeks constant ariel military bombardment from the allied forces, the senior officers expected the German lines to be decimated, and provide little if any resistance.
The German lines however had built superb shelters, and had also broke the allies lines of communications.

When the Canadians went over the top into no mans land, they were expected to reach a village 3k past the German trenches.
Geographically the Canadians were disadvantaged as they descended down the hill, as their silhouettes were visible and they had no cover to shelter from any machine gun fire.

They lost in excess of 700 men in approximately 30 minutes and made around 50-100 yards in distance.

Another terrible account of loss, for almost non existent returns.
And to make matters worse, this example was being repeated across a 45k area.

20,000 men died on 1-7-1916, with another 30,000+ maimed and injured for life.
58,000 people in 1 day!
That's every single man, woman and child in the Amex for 2, or 3 home games.
Puts things into perspective

yes we too inadvertently stopped there... a small part of canada in france. very moving.

 

[robinsonsgrin]

Every other week I stand and sing the line "we stand or fall for Sussex By The Sea". To me it is my clubs anthem that I sing with pride. The men of the Sussex regiment during World War 1 sang the song knowing that they would actually stand or fall for Sussex By The Sea. As we know, the vast majority did fall.

i agree, which brings us back to 'going up to win the cup' debate... no brainer for me.