AndrewThornton Posted 19 September , 2018 Share Posted 19 September , 2018 On 07/08/2016 at 22:45, neverforget said: I hope that you make it, and that your first visit turns out to be as unforgettable as mine was. One or two more pictures: A couple of close-ups of the original Old Contemptibles Standard The shell case that I found in New Trench, before and after an hour under the ice-blaster at work. Just visible at the nose end is what appears to be a speck of original red paint showing through a couple of layers of rust. I might take it back in next nightshift and see if I can blast any more layers away I was very interested to see the Branch Standard of the Acton Branch in these photos from two years ago. The Standard was originally laid up in the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields on 14 July 1974 with five other Branch Standards, but were removed when the Crypt was converted into a cafe. The Standards were eventually disposed of by the church authorities, which was a great shame as the Chums had put their trust in St Martin-in-the-Fields to look after them, as well as their memorial that was in the Crypt but was destroyed following the conversion work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 19 September , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, AndrewThornton said: I was very interested to see the Branch Standard of the Acton Branch in these photos from two years ago. The Standard was originally laid up in the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields on 14 July 1974 with five other Branch Standards, but were removed when the Crypt was converted into a cafe. The Standards were eventually disposed of by the church authorities, which was a great shame as the Chums had put their trust in St Martin-in-the-Fields to look after them, as well as their memorial that was in the Crypt but was destroyed following the conversion work.thankfully It's truly tragic to think that these items are not revered in the way that I'm sure we all think they deserve. This particular one thankfully fell into the safe hands of Monsieur Benoit Mottre, who is the chairman of the Last Post Association at Ypres, and completely dedicated to the memory of the British soldiers who defended his city. My son and I stayed at his Menin Gate apartment during our visit, and we were bowled over by his hospitality and dedication to the cause. I would highly recommend his apartment to anyone visiting Ypres for more reasons than one. He is, as they say, a diamond geezer. Edited 19 September , 2018 by neverforget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewThornton Posted 19 September , 2018 Share Posted 19 September , 2018 That's good to know that it is being looked after by someone who hopefully appreciates that the Standard was very important to the Chums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 19 September , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2018 I'm 100% sure that he does. He payed a considerable sum to take it into his care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 one question: on #3, there is a picture of a grave with the words "over him now the red poppied grow". Can you give me the reference of that grave? Or at least which cemetery?? M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 45 minutes ago, Marilyne said: one question: on #3, there is a picture of a grave with the words "over him now the red poppied grow". Can you give me the reference of that grave? Or at least which cemetery?? M. That is a very good question MM, I'd like to know too; I don't think I've ever seen an inscription with poppies mentioned. I'm sure Mr Plumb will have the info. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 20 September , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 September , 2018 1 hour ago, Marilyne said: one question: on #3, there is a picture of a grave with the words "over him now the red poppied grow". Can you give me the reference of that grave? Or at least which cemetery?? M. 41 minutes ago, Fattyowls said: That is a very good question MM, I'd like to know too; I don't think I've ever seen an inscription with poppies mentioned. I'm sure Mr Plumb will have the info. Pete. I'm sorry to say I'm not too sure, as it was one of my son's photos. However, I will ask him to look through his collection to see if we can find out for you. I have a hunch that it may be either Vis en Artois or Arras, but I will find out tonight if I can. If only he had photographed the whole gravestone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 22 September , 2018 Author Share Posted 22 September , 2018 On 20/09/2018 at 12:19, Marilyne said: one question: on #3, there is a picture of a grave with the words "over him now the red poppied grow". Can you give me the reference of that grave? Or at least which cemetery?? M. On 20/09/2018 at 13:10, Fattyowls said: That is a very good question MM, I'd like to know too; I don't think I've ever seen an inscription with poppies mentioned. I'm sure Mr Plumb will have the info. Pete. My son and I are both pretty sure that it was at the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery at Arras. My son remembers that we had just been to the site of Albert Plumb's death near Triangle Wood. Whilst we were there we scattered some poppy seeds in the field, and then went directly to the Arras Memorial to find his name on the wall. Gary recalls that the inscription seemed very apt and poignant to us in the light of our actions a few minutes previous. This is the message he just sent me which might hopefully narrow down the search: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 23 September , 2018 Share Posted 23 September , 2018 Thanks for that!! I'll know approwimately where to look for it!! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverforget Posted 23 September , 2018 Author Share Posted 23 September , 2018 You're welcome. I only hope we have remembered correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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