centurion Posted 20 July , 2012 Share Posted 20 July , 2012 The BEF General HQ was located at ST Omer from October 1914 to March 1916. Can anyone tell me exactly where (and a map ref would be very appreciated) Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 20 July , 2012 Share Posted 20 July , 2012 If it is any help the IWM web site has some sketches of about the correct date which show the 'Quarter Guard' and a room in the Infantry barracks used by the guard. I supppose it is likely that GHQ would have been set up in French military accomodation and , while by no means conclusive, QHQ would have had a Quarter Guard. If only the location of the infantry barracks was known! Old Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 20 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 20 July , 2012 Afraid I'm not a lot wiser. I'm planning my trip to France in September and the logistics of putting my animals in the combined cattery and doggery and then getting to the tunnel means that I need to stop a night shortly after getting across so I plumped for St Omer. I know that the RFC HQ used to be in a small chateau somewhere close to the Souvenir Cemetery (is the chateau still there?) so I thought I'd seek out it and the BEF GHQ in the morning before continuing on to the Somme area but I don't want to spend time vainly searching for things that might not be there anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3rn Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 RFC HQ is this building, I think, now the town hall of Longuenesse. Unfortunately it was closed for a two hour lunch (it being Friday midi) when we passed through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 I imagine there would be various buildings used throughout the Town. Might it be worth a look somewhere in here? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 37 Avenue Saint-Bertin acted as the quarters for both French and Haig. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 Thanks to all - I'm orientated now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 The RFC/RAF Hq is the same building as HQ BEF. 37 Rue St Bertin has been mentioned upthread, "home" to French/Haig. "Bobs" died at 50 Avenue Carnot. Used to be a plaque there. The English College which educated English Catholic boys(many to become traitors or martyrs depending on your pov) from Elizabeth's time to a few years before the Catholic Emancipation Act was on the site of the Hopital Militaire in Rue St Bertin. The Army Catering Corps Training Centre in Aldershot used to be called "St Omer Barracks", whence came that delight "Pommes St Omer." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 All the contemporary accounts I've seen of the RFC HQ tell of how it was too small for the RFC - difficult to see how the BEF General HQ could fit in there as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 20 Rue St Bertin was used to house George V when he visited the BEF GHQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 All the contemporary accounts I've seen of the RFC HQ tell of how it was too small for the RFC - difficult to see how the BEF General HQ could fit in there as well An early manifestation of the Crab prima donna mentality, no doubt. (With some very honourable exceptions.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 No 37 Rue St Bertin http://saintomer.pagesperso-orange.fr/rues/saint-bertin37_1.jpg The Street certainly has enough big houses next door to each other to house the BEF HQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 An early manifestation of the Crab prima donna mentality, no doubt. (With some very honourable exceptions.) Unfortunately I don't understand the point you are making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipperary Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 Hi Centurion about page 54 in the below linked book i think is a discription of the move to the small chateau by RFC .It also mentions staff of HQ being scattered in many buildings dotted about the ST Omer localitie.You may find it of some use.john http://www.archive.org/details/rfchq1914191800bariuoft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 21 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2012 Hi Centurion about page 54 in the below linked book i think is a discription of the move to the small chateau by RFC .It also mentions staff of HQ being scattered in many buildings dotted about the ST Omer localitie.You may find it of some use.john http://www.archive.o...4191800bariuoft Thanks - I already have it in the flesh so to speak. It was one of the "contemporary sources" I was referring to. If French and Haig lodged in the Rue St Betin and that's the street where they put George V it would suggest that it was at the epicentre of BEF GHQ. I shall certainly take a look at it - I think no 20 is open to the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3rn Posted 22 July , 2012 Share Posted 22 July , 2012 My suggestion was based on Baring's description (between the aerodrome & St Omer) and it being near the Souvenir cemetery (and red and white) but I appreciate the area was not short of chateaux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3rn Posted 22 July , 2012 Share Posted 22 July , 2012 The library on rue Gambetta was helpful when we asked about 10 Stationary Hospital but we didn't have time to pursue questions of the buildings on Saint-Bertin. Be interested in what you find, or what others know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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