Visiting the Somme is a truly momentous and very sobering experience. It is often hard to believe the sheer scale of conflict gone before, when you are looking out across the lush Belgian and French fields that were the setting of some of the most gruesome, and horrific battles of the First World War. A trip to these battlefield, and the various cemeteries in the region, provides a unique experience for reflecting on the sacrifices made of this generation, so that we today can enjoy our current freedoms.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in these two world wars; and does a fantastic job of maintaining these historic sites.
To assist with any trip you may have planned, they have just released new essential information for anyone travelling to the Somme this summer 2016. The link to this can be found here: http://www.cwgc.org/the-somme/visiting-the-somme.aspx
I strongly recommend a visit to this historic region - any trip here is a truly unique experience.
Showing posts with label Ypres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ypres. Show all posts
Friday, 8 April 2016
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
4 Big Historical anniversaries in 2015
2015 is the
- 200th anniversary of Waterloo [Sunday June 18 1815], more details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo
- 800th of Magna Carta, [June 19 1215] more details here:http://magnacarta800th.com/
- and the 100th of the WW1 battle of Ypres, where so many Northumberland soldiers lost their lives. The battle was fought between late April and May 1915 over many weeks: it featured many terrible things including the first use of gas in an attack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Ypres
Later in the year we will celebrate the 600th Anniversary of the battle of Agincourt on St Crispin's Day - Friday 25th of October 1415- when the English Longbow changed the course of military history in the pas de Calais led by Henry V. But for me the memories during the April / May 2015 months will be of the First World War.
On the 3rd May 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, Major John McCrae MD penned "In Flanders Fields", after “Sixteen Days of Hell” tending the wounded at the Essex Farm dressing station near Ypres in the so called “Ypres Salient”, Belgium.
It is now the key WW1 poem. http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm
- 200th anniversary of Waterloo [Sunday June 18 1815], more details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo
- 800th of Magna Carta, [June 19 1215] more details here:http://magnacarta800th.com/
- and the 100th of the WW1 battle of Ypres, where so many Northumberland soldiers lost their lives. The battle was fought between late April and May 1915 over many weeks: it featured many terrible things including the first use of gas in an attack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Ypres
Later in the year we will celebrate the 600th Anniversary of the battle of Agincourt on St Crispin's Day - Friday 25th of October 1415- when the English Longbow changed the course of military history in the pas de Calais led by Henry V. But for me the memories during the April / May 2015 months will be of the First World War.
On the 3rd May 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, Major John McCrae MD penned "In Flanders Fields", after “Sixteen Days of Hell” tending the wounded at the Essex Farm dressing station near Ypres in the so called “Ypres Salient”, Belgium.
It is now the key WW1 poem. http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm
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