Fovant

[Amor]

I recently bought a book on British Army Cap Badges by Peter Doyle and Chris Foster (excellent book in my opinion). On page 27 there is an article about badges cut into the chalk near the village of Fovant in England. Can anybody give details on whether this site is open to the public?

Rgds,

Alex

[Nigel Marshall]

Hello Alex,

You'll probably find an answer here; Fovant Badges Society

Cheers,

Nigel

[Nigel Marshall]

Here are the badges as they appear on Google Maps.

NB. the photo has been rotated through 180 degrees as the badges are cut into a North facing slope.

Cheers,

Nigel

[dfaulder]

See also: http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/great-war-mapping/great-war-sites-in-the-uk.html (A little West NorWest of Salisbury)

David

[Amor]

Many thanks for the replies.

Rgds,

Alex

[Moonraker]

The badges are on private land, but can be viewed from the A30 where, in a layby, is a very solid stone box for donations towards the badge's upkeep. (At least one previous collection box - an old GPO box, I vaguely recall - was stolen.) It's worth finding one's way along the bridle path above the badges for the views in general and, in in certain conditions, to see the outlines of the Great War camps.There are war graves in local cemeteries, the steps of the former camp cinema are incorporated in a modern bungalow, and there are traces of the camp railway.

Search this Forum for "Fovant" and you'll get more details. Not so far away is Bulford Camp, where New Zealanders carved a giant Kiwi in the chalk hillside in 1919 and east of Codford is a so-called "Rising Sun" cut by members of of the Australian Imperial Force during the Great War. It's sometimes confused with one of the Fovant badges.

Early in July a drumhead service is held near to Fovant to commemorate those who trained in the area between 1914 and 1918.

Moonraker