spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Share Posted 29 September , 2013 Almost a 6 hour round trip, but I had to see it in the flesh before it gets covered up again and disappears under the scrubland from whence it came. A good number of volunteers were busy with their trowels as I turned up. Amazing detail, even after the best part of a century! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 From there I visited FREDA, the NZ Rifle Brigade's mascot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 Leaving the model behind, I made my way to the German Military Cemetery. I spotted this concrete structure on the way, which turned out to be part of the original coal store and weighbridge of Brocton Camp. The camp railway ran behind the wall, which passed a range of ASC stores back in the direction of the model. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 The German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 The crews of 4 Zeppelins shot down during WW1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 29 September , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2013 Of the 4,941 burials at the German Cemetery: 2,143 died during WW1 and 2,798 during WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy1807 Posted 1 October , 2013 Share Posted 1 October , 2013 Hi I went to Cannock Chase last June I have some pictures aswell. and finally this was in the British War Cemetery just before the German Cemetery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 1 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2013 Hi dannyboy, Ive been meaning to make the trip for a while, but the opportunity to see the Model before its covered over again sealed the deal. As you can see from my 'signature' I have a relative who was killed at Messines, so anything related to it is of interest. Someone mentioned on another thread, that if you need a 'Flander's Fix' on home soil, then Cannock is the place. I would have to agree. Just wished I had made a weekend of it as there is plenty more to see if you go looking. Maybe next time? Regards, Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 2 October , 2013 Share Posted 2 October , 2013 Myself and my wife are lucky enough to live on the edge of Cannock Chase. We did a little volunteer work on the Messines model last week, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The archaelogists on site were a great bunch, very helpful and knowledgeable. There are a fair few remains of the camps, including the hospital and other concrete remains. There is also a hut, rebuilt at Marquis Drive visitor centre - There is information on the camps and it is furnished as it would have been during WW1. http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/chasecamps/default.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 2 October , 2013 Share Posted 2 October , 2013 Thanks all for your kind comments. We loved working with our vounteers and having so many interested and knowledgeable visitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OXI390 Posted 3 October , 2013 Share Posted 3 October , 2013 I still have a back ache from my volunteer work but it was so rewarding the bug has well and truly bitten. The experts on site were a great crowd, very helpful and knowledgeable, sad that these things come to an end. For those from far and wide who would like to know a little more about The Chase in the years between 1914 -1919 there is an excellent little book, well worth reading. ‘A TOWN FOR FOUR WINTERS’ by CJ and GP Whitehouse tony2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2013 I still have a back ache from my volunteer work ‘A TOWN FOR FOUR WINTERS’ by CJ and GP Whitehouse tony2 I bought a copy at the visitors centre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 3 October , 2013 Share Posted 3 October , 2013 Hi If anyone is interested, Ive researched the CWGC cemetery mentioned above and also all the WW2 burials in the German War Cemetery (together with a few odd WW1 burials). Regards, Graeme PS. Good work on the subject of the thread. Most interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louvain Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Does anyone know when this monument is due to be covered up again? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Does anyone know when this monument is due to be covered up again? Thanks I think it may have been covered up already. Worth checking their blog, but I think they were covering it last week once the 3D imaging was complete? Regards, Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted 15 October , 2013 Share Posted 15 October , 2013 Been there today (Tuesday 15th Oct) ....... The model is in the process of being re-covered. It was about 70% re-covered today, the people tending the model have started to cover the actual area with black nylon or rubber material strips (about 3 metres wide) on top of which they were spreading lots of sand. I assume that top-soil will then be placed on top of the sand before turf or seed is placed on that to allow nature to re-claim the worked area. There is a small part of the model still 'on show' BUT that will soon be covered and buried for who knows how long. If you are going to go and look go tomorrow or at the very latest Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKY Posted 25 October , 2013 Share Posted 25 October , 2013 APPEAL FOR HELP Got this message through asking for volunteers this coming weekend to finish the project : Dear All I am sure that you were all pleased to be part of such an important and prestigious project that has been featured on National and Local news, Midlands Today and Inside Out, and will shortly be on Countryfile. However, we need one last push to finish the backfil and preserve the model for ever. Kirsty would love to see as many people as possible this Saturday and the following Tuesday(29th) and Wednesday (30th) October. Please email me if you can come but even if you cannot email just turn up, We need your help and Kirsty, Martin and the team will be so grateful. Look forward to hearing from you Jo Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 On Countryfile BBC1 now, later on iPlayer, Cannock Chase. Scale model of Messines http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_one_london/watchlive Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 There has just been a feature on the model on BBC's Countryfile - it should be available on BBC IPlayer for those in the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 Never to be seen again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 There was also a scale model of Messines at Petit Pont Belgium Where is Petit Pont? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXzpBn3PDnY Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 An interesting clip from Papers Past The Evening Post 23/1/1922 (scroll down) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 19 May , 2015 Share Posted 19 May , 2015 You can download the No Man's Land report on our work here http://www.staffordshiregreatwar.com/resources/messines-model-cannock-chase-excavation-and-survey-2013/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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