"Return to the Wood" Tour, 1916

[The Scorer]

This was the tour arranged by the South Wales Branch of the WFA.

 

We travelled from South Wales on Wednesday 6th July and stayed for five nights at the IBIS Hotel, Amiens. Sadly, our first night there saw Wales being defeated in the European Championships, but this didn't unduly affect our welcome - although the Portuguese waiter certainly enjoyed himself!

 

Our first proper event was the Welsh National Service of Commemoration at Mametz Wood on Thursday 7th July, and a full report of this is in the Centenary Projects section. The service was followed by a reception in the town of Mametz where were royally entertained by the locals and by the Band and Drums of the Royal Welsh. In the evening, we travelled to the Basilica at Albert where we were entertained by the Treorchy Male Voice Choir, who were in fine form.

 

The morning of the second day was taken up by a service at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, where we were all asked to find a grave belonging to a soldier from the 38th (Welsh) Division. In the afternoon, the tour split for talks in Mametz or visits to Lochnagar Crater and "The Glory Hole".

 

The third day was similar to the second, except that there were three services of commemoration, at Dantzig Alley Military Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial and Heilly Station Military Cemetery. The Band and Drums of the Royal Welsh accompanied all four services over the two days, and we were joined by the Risca Male Voice Choir at Thiepval.

 

Our final full day was to have been started by a "Dawn Vigil" at Mametz Wood, but given the proposed time (4.15am!), your correspondent declined to get up (or even stay up!) in order to join this. I'm not sure whether it did take place - but I congratulate anyone who was there! Instead (and at a more realistic time!), the majority of the party spend the day visiting some of the other cemeteries associated with the 38th (Welsh) Division. Personal crosses and wreaths were laid at these places, and several moving stories were heard.

 

After (for some) a late night watching the Final of the European Championships, the party returned home on Monday, tired but very glad that we'd made the trip. I'd like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the trip for all their hard work. Especial thanks should go to Phil Davies and his family, David Hughes, Terry Powell and John Dixon. I should also thank the staff at the hotel and our drivers from Mainline Travel - and if I've left anyone out, I am sorry!

[17107BM]

And what a tour!

 

Thanks for posting Up. Give us some Pic's to look at! Danzig Alley Cemetery being one if you have.

 

Cheers Pal.

 

 

[J Banning]

I was with a group at the 4.15am vigil at the wood on 10 July. There were around 20-25 of us, including one chap who had travelled to France especially for it. I do not know the reason that the person who organised it did not attend but the chap was understandably a bit disappointed at the lack of any organisation, in such contrast to the excellent commemorative event of 7 July. It was left to me to explain the fighting on the 10th - luckily I had some war diaries and after action reports on my iPad - and I was able to read from forum member Bernard Lewis's excellent Swansea Pals book too. We walked from opposite Strip Trench to the Dragon, then up to Caterpillar Wood and then, eventually, into Mametz Wood itself. A special morning for us all. Here's a photo of the some of the vigil group:

 

[J Banning]

A short video of the dawn birdsong on 10 July at Mametz Wood - looking up Death Valley

 

 

A couple of other images from that morning:

 

 

 

 

[Roger H]

The birdsong is particularly moving.

[Bernard_Lewis]

Well done, Jeremy. Very hard to step up at short notice!

 

Bernard

[J Banning]

Thanks Bernard, it was fine - I do a lot of that!

I have re-read my original post and hope it is taken in the way it was intended. There was more a mood of 'I hope the person who organised this vigil is ok' as opposed to any discontent at the non-show. What was important was to be there and remember. The sound of birdsong in Death Valley that morning will stay with me for a long time.

JB 

[David Ridgus]

Terrific stuff Jeremy. Hope to be taking a school party there next year. Don't rate my chances of a 4.15 vigil with teenagers though!

 

David

[KIRKY]

Great thing to do!

Tony

[The Scorer]

I wasn't the person who organised the vigil - in fact, I don't know who did - but I'm afraid that ten past four was just too early for me!

 

I'd like to congratulate everyone who did go, though; it must have been very moving. I haven't been able to look at the video yet, but I will do so as soon as I can.

 

I'm sorting out my photos of the trip at present, and when I've done this, I'll see what I can do about posting them. One question, though: I save all my images onto DVDs and once I'm happy with the results, I delete what's on the photocard. Is it easier to take images from the card and upload them here, or can it be done from a DVD? Thanks.