qahtan Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 Hi, my Father was a 20 Year man in the Coldstream Guards, and was also one of the Old Contemptables. What was the aim for the Old Contemptables. thanks. qahtan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt York Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 The term 'Old Contemptibles' refers to the men of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) at the outbreak of war in August 1914. The term comes from the reports that Kaiser Wilhelm referred to Britain and it's 'contemptible little army', adopted by the men as a badge of pride, and regarded as an honour after the end of the war to be referred to an 'Old Contemptible'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 To defeat the central powers?.To liberate Belgium?.To defend the Empire? Sorry,I'm not being funny,but could you be a bit more specific,please? (The "Old Contemptables" was a nick-name derived from the Kaiser for the regular army of 1914) Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 gahtan could be referring to the Old Contemptibles Association, which was a veterans 'club' open to those who qualified for the 1914 Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qahtan Posted 27 February , 2003 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2003 Yes, you have answered my question, to liberate Belgium. But now I have another question. I thought the Old Contemptables ,were in fact that ‘Contemptable little band of men’ that went into the battle first. I do have my Fathers Old Contempables Association member card also his lapel pin, on which gives Aug 5 to Nov 22. It’s within these two dates that I would like to know where they fought. Thanks qahtan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 gahtan Go to www.1914-1918.net Click on "Hell Revisited" Click on "Western Front" Pan down to the list of battles Read Battle of Mons, Battle of Le Cateau, Battle of the Marne, Battle of the Aisne, Defence of Antwerp, Battles of La Bassee, Messines and Ypres. That is what they did and where they were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 27 February , 2003 Share Posted 27 February , 2003 Get Mons: Retreat To Victory by John Terraine, I cannot believe you will find something comparable on the web, this will have a lot more facts plut he's a very respected historian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qahtan Posted 27 February , 2003 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2003 Thank you all for helping me. Now where is Saulty-Larbret. Same guy, my Dad was awarded the Albert- Medal for dravery there at a rail head. qahtan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 28 February , 2003 Share Posted 28 February , 2003 You can see the location of Saulty by clicking on this link. It is between Arras and Doullens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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