Commercialisation of 2014

[cdr]

interesting little film on the 2014 commemoration.

(Remembrance beer, poppy chocolate, maybe special cheese and pralines !!)

http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/3824/Binnenland/video/detail/1593837/Verjaardag-WO-I-te-commercieel.dhtml

Carl

[bruce]

Interesting.

It starts in Tommy's, the tobacconist shop just down from the Menin Gate, then to Tyne Cot, Voormezelle Number 2 Cemetery, under the Gate and then to the chocolate shop four doors up towards the Gate from Tommy's.

I suppose the shop owners have to make a living, and if it wasn't for the Great War, who would visit Ypres? So one can hardly blame commercial businesses exploiting their selling points.

Bruce

[auchonvillerssomme]

I cant wait to see what goes on to ebay, shrapnel balls a quid each anyone? anyone?

[CROONAERT]

Menin Gate ashtrays, bayonet brooches, Douaumont Ossuary paperweights, commemorative coin sets, replica miniature demarkation bornes, etc, etc.... all been commericially available since the 1920's and 30's so 'tat' certainly isn't a new enterprise on the old battlefields. They're just updated versions of the pilgrimage souvenirs that locals and groups have made money on for many centuries all over the world really.

[Guest exuser1]

Am sure Del Prado will release their series of Great War soldiers , Airfix will re box all their kits , and some very expensive re prints will hit the book shelves , and e bay will be awash with dodgy badges found on the Somme

At present am reading a book on the Vienna conference of 1814 , one chapter deals with a visit to the Waterloo battlefield in 1815 and the street market selling souvenirs ,from drums to weapons and old lace .