trenchtrotter Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Well, hello all! I am back from my annual March trip and thought I would update you about my adventures. I have to say it was a very rewarding trip in many ways. Took in some new areas on the way down to the Somme and visited Fromelles, Aubers Ridge and Neuve Chappelle. Also visited a grave of a Gunner who served with the 31st TMB, RGA at Chapelle d'Armentieres Old Cemetery. He was only in France for a month before being shot dead by a sniper. I have had his medals for a number of years and finally got to pay my respects. On the Somme the trip aquired an unintentional Austrailian / Canadian theme and also a focus on the heart of the battles (Sept 1916 through to Dec 1916). Saw more unexploded ordnance than I have seen for years and found evidence of trenches and dugouts I have never seen before. On the whole the weather was absolutely great. Some t shirt days in the mid sixties but little rain and certainly no layers needed. Had the mother of electric storms with a huge hail storm but luckily had just completed our days walk so werent caught out in the open!! Some nice beers at Le Tommy and our local hotel / bar was as good as ever. Took some excellant photos (over 300) and had some poignient finds in the fields that have led me to connect with 22 soldiers (I am still researching but can promise an interesting thread all of its own!) Some insignia found also. I will start updating this thread with some pictures and details over the next few days! Hope you enjoy! Regards TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Salivating at the prospect! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 I've told you before about drooling everywhere Bruce!!! TT, I'm very much looking forward to the rest of your thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 That is what comes from being broken down by age and sex...well..age anyway! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Hurry up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 TT Welcome back - look forward to hearing all of the detail at the next meet at the OC's which is now currently pencilled in for the 17th April (see forum pals thread). You also missed a great conference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluevanman Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Look forward to hearing all about the trip m8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterhogg Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Looking forward to your photos too! I must say all these trips by Forum members makes me very jealous, but in a good way! cheers, peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 29 March , 2010 Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Looking forward to it TT. T-shirt days? We could only dream of those! Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 29 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Heres a couple from day 1...a warm 18.5 degrees (65 F)! Ration Farm Cemetery and Le Trou Aid Post.... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 29 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 29 March , 2010 Gunner Ernest Halls grave...... Anyone have info on 31 TMB RGA? TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACRAE Posted 30 March , 2010 Share Posted 30 March , 2010 TT Did you meet the VC winners family in Eiper, if i recall correct they was from the Veale family . Nice to see the medals although the VC was copy the rest was genuine. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Dan, Alas no, never actually made Ypres! Heres some concrete for those concrete buffs.. Fleurbaix, Fromelles and Aubers areas. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 VC Corner, Fromelles.... After this its down to the Somme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Warloy Baillon Cemetery Extension. Inky Bill is buried here! The photo turned out moody and atmospheric! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Munitions... Stick Grenades, cache of German shells and a motley collection! Much more ordnance around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 . . Will post some more general views of the walks and then some images of field finds. Anyone want to see more ordnance let me know! Regards TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 30 March , 2010 Share Posted 30 March , 2010 TT Keep 'em coming. Don't mind what they are (apart from ones of yourself of course ) Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluevanman Posted 30 March , 2010 Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Yes bring on the field finds m8,mouth watering at the prospect.I know from previous trips that you have a knack for stumbling across green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluevanman Posted 30 March , 2010 Share Posted 30 March , 2010 I spent some time on Aubers Ridge a few years ago and there is indeed a lot of concrete around,my interest at the time was with the Guards Division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Rab, Me old mucker...good to hear from you. Missed your company! You will like the finds...patience. Your interest in the Aubers area is understandable and I will revisit. Regards TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
532SQN Posted 30 March , 2010 Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Great pictures can not believe the shells that are still about. Cheers Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Rick, They are everywhere. Keep following the thread....Canada will feature heavily in a very personal and special way! Regards TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Heres a huge shell....the length of my back from waist to head. You can see another in the background. There were four unexploded shells in the field all same calibre..same gun firing blind? TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 30 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2010 Pozieire Memorial from La Boiselle / Contalmaison Road. T shirt day! TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now