Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert trip

[emjayen]

I am planning a trip in March to Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Festubert. (after the Neuve Chapelle Anniversary)

I will be staying in Lille and driving to the battlefields and intend to do quite a bit of 'walking the ground'.

Are any Forum members aware of any museums, official or privately run in this area?

Grateful for any advice.

Michael

[SWorrall]

The museum which used to exist in the upper floor of Fromelles mairie was closed over a year ago and no local museum or exhibit now covers the Britsh battles in the area of Neuve-Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert, Boars' Head, etc. A new 'museum' or visitor centre for Pheasant Wood cemetery, is being opened at Fromelles, supposedly before July 19th this year (2014) just in time for the Australian commemorations of the battle of Fromelles 19 July 1916. The British losses along this sector of front are being air-brushed from history by the local population, as represented by the Association organising the new building. The materials in the old museum are not, it seems, being used in the new centre, which was constructed partly with money from Australia. The British 61st Division fought alongside the Australians at Fromelles, but that is also being largely, and deliberately, overlooked. The people behind the new centre are encouraging links with, and commemoration of, the Australian troops who fought there briefly, but wilfully omitting any mention of the British who fought there over a four-year period.

See this for a little more information: http://www.1914-1918.net/onthetrail/index.php/disquieting-news-from-fromelles/

Simon.

[Chris_Baker]

It's a bit further away and does not cover the area you mentioned, but a good little war museum exists in Loos-en-Gohelle. We can add details here if it is of any interest.

[michel knockaert]

There is also a good little war museum in Neuveille Saint Vaast, "musée militaire de la Targette", 48, route nationale (Arras Road).

Michel

[Fattyowls]

Michael

My friend Jack Thorpe has a little museum next to the CWGC Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard extension cemetery. He's open mid-March to mid-November but will happily open up if you email him and give him a couple of weeks notice. Erquinghem-Lys is about 12 miles from the centre of Lille near Armentieres and was just behind the front line for most of the war. I have to admit rather sheepishly that I've not yet visited the museum despite threatening to do so for the last few years; I have managed to either miss Jack or be in the area when Jack is in the UK. I should also say that Jack has become a friend at least in cyberspace; what he doesn't know about the Great War in his local area just isn't worth knowing and his English is excellent. I've just emailed him and he says that the museum "is a little in a mess" at the moment as he tries to get it all spruced up for the centenary. The cemetery is interesting too containing graves from October 1914 right through to 1918, some German graves from mid 1918 and one unidentified Russian. I must also declare an interest in one of the casualties; Lance Corporal Wilf Toman who played football for Everton, Burnley, Southampton, Stockport, Oldham and Newcastle before the war.

Feel free to send me a personal message if you are interested and I'll give you all of Jack's contact details; he will be very happy to see you.

Pete.

[emjayen]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for your suggestions - I never doubted the forum members!

I find the Fromelles situation particularly sad, and it is unbelievable that the battles of Spring 15, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Festubert have no permanent exhibit to the 40,000 British and Empire casualties in just over 2 months.

Will check out the locations given

Many Thanks

Michael

[bruce]

Take a flask with you, or do the trip in reverse.

There is no where in Festubert to even get a coffee (the Café du centre was bricked up years ago) but there is a bar in the square in the middle of Neuve Chapelle.

Bruce

[Chris_Baker]

Bruce is right - you are a in a bit of a desert, refreshment-wise. There are cafes in Fromelles, Laventie and further afield but aside from that it is pretty sparse. Nothing in Givenchy or Festubert. A bar near Windy Corner in Givenchy I visited with a pal a few years ago (I am not sure it is still there) looked at us as though we were from Mars when we asked if they had anything to eat. Same with a bar that is on the Rue du Bois not far from Le Touret. The café on the La Bombe / Port Arthur crossroads seems to open when it likes but it is quite good when it is open. There a good chip van in Neuve Chapelle most times!

[Fattyowls]

Michael

Have a look at this thread; ignore my risible "issues" with the Aubers Ridge and have a look at the catering and victualing advice from post 9 down. I can endorse Paul's recommendation of the Cafe St Cecille and what Michelle doesn't know about watering holes and the provision of fresh bread in your area of interest is simply not worth knowing. I am sure she has put other recommendations in other threads if you care to search for her content.

Pete.

[emjayen]

Thanks all again.

Refreshments were something I hadn't even considered until it was mentioned here. I was aware of the cafe at Port Arthur, but wasn't aware it worked it's own opening hours.

You have saved a lot of searching and prevented potential marital discord as 'Head Office' will be with me and is more accustomed to High St shopping!

Michael

[SWorrall]

Thanks all again.

Refreshments were something I hadn't even considered until it was mentioned here. I was aware of the cafe at Port Arthur, but wasn't aware it worked it's own opening hours.

You have saved a lot of searching and prevented potential marital discord as 'Head Office' will be with me and is more accustomed to High St shopping!

Michael

Drop the Boss off at Lille for some retail therapy, it is only up the road from Aubers. Lots of places to shop there.

Simon.

[bruce]

Actually, you could do a lot worse than stopping for a while in Lille.

There are plenty of restaurants, as well as the other shops, and you can get a 2 hour guided tour of old Lille from the Tourist Info office. It is worth taking the tour, if only to have some time in the cathedral with its "different" west wall.

Bruce

[spof]

And while you're in Lille....http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=173490&hl=musee

I haven't been yet but hops to do so this year.

[emjayen]

Thanks Guys,

That's Lille sorted!

Michael