Mark Hone Posted 28 January , 2006 Share Posted 28 January , 2006 It would be great to meet up and get some photos of the Baker Pals on the Somme around 1st July. As we are now within a few months of the event, could we start a roll call of probable attendees? God willing I shall be there with a colleague and 15 of my school battlefield tour veterans. I shall probably be recognisable in my Bury Grammar School CCF claret and primrose rugby shirt. (Pink and yellow to Oi Polloi and those who don't mind incurring the wrath of former Lancashire Fusiliers). I also, to quote my good friend John Hartley, 'look like a History teacher'. Told you you'd never hear the end of this, John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 28 January , 2006 Share Posted 28 January , 2006 So - my reputation for the speaking the truth remains unsullied. Unfortunately, I shall not be able to meet up. My trip this year is to the Salient and in the Spring. Hope to see you at a WFA meeting soon (now 2nd Fridays) - did you know your former student is now Branch Chairman? Which, perhaps, enhances your reputation as a history teacher John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beckett Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 Mark, I am now working on being there for the 1st and would really like to catch up if possible. See my profile pic (still OK except I have more grey hair) and will be wearing a dark blue Pals polo shirt Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 I will be at Paul Reed's expo at L'val on those dates. Looking forward to both the expo itself and seeing a few 'heads' during my first trip to battlefields. Des Dunno what I'll be wearing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Bachelor Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 Desmond, There speaks a man with too many clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 I am toying with the idea of having a t-shirt printed front and back with Des7 on Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burlington Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 I will be there 28/6-3/7 Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 Count me in, I'll wear a poppy so you can recognize me also this year will probably be tearing my hair out as Seb will be with me! So a balding, screaming, poppy wearing woman should not be too hard to find! Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 I will be there in spirit, but my body will not get me that far these days. I hope it is a truly memorable event for all who can make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 29 January , 2006 Share Posted 29 January , 2006 Angie, if we do get together we will take lots of piccies, well I will anyway and post them on the forum for all to see what a mottly crew we are when on the Battlefields! Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 31 January , 2006 Share Posted 31 January , 2006 Anybody else scooting around at that time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 31 January , 2006 Share Posted 31 January , 2006 I will be there and in the Salient in May so will not see you. Des - I'd rethink the T-shirt "motto", the French might mistake it for something sinister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPotter Posted 12 February , 2006 Share Posted 12 February , 2006 Remarkably my wife didn't vote down my proposal of a visit this year, though it will have to be incorporated into a family holiday, so I sincerely hope to be there too. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodge Dowson Posted 12 February , 2006 Share Posted 12 February , 2006 I will be over for the 1st and at Contalmaison in the morning, Rodge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchwalker Posted 18 February , 2006 Share Posted 18 February , 2006 will be there from thursday Lochnager 7.30am marching to Thiepval and on to Serre in the Evening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 19 February , 2006 Author Share Posted 19 February , 2006 Unfortunately we probably won't be able to make both Lochnagar and Serre due to the restrictions on our coach driver's hours. We'll probably hold a short act of commemoration near to our hotel at 7-30 am, before going on to Thiepval. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 20 February , 2006 Share Posted 20 February , 2006 Mark, I'm sure your party will like that just as much as it will be more personal, I will be at the sunken road as usual at 7:30am. We all have our own preferences. We used to go to Lochnagar in the early years but found the Sunken road more poingnant for us. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john w. Posted 25 February , 2006 Share Posted 25 February , 2006 I will be there just keeping an eye open on where to go and sorting an Itinerary. Am stopping in Peronne amd working my way upwards. Would like to meet other PALS along the way.... suggestions I see but I need to be positive John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john w. Posted 16 March , 2006 Share Posted 16 March , 2006 Will be going to Longueval Sat pm.. and decided after looking at Rose Coombs book to wander the St Quentin canal and environs John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliecoco Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Hi, I am just so excited, but I will also be there along with IanW and Cynthia! We are just confirming the arrangements now. I'm not sure what our itinerary is at present, but I'm just so pleased to be going and hope to meet as many other 'pals' as possible. I'm looking forward to learning more as well as visiting some of the 'boys' that I have researched over the last few years. Roll on July, Yippee. Alie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 6 April , 2006 Share Posted 6 April , 2006 hello All I had no plans to be on the Somme for the 90th Anniversery. I had contacted BBC local radio and plans were set in motion for me to be in the studio on Sunday 2 July and talk about the 1/8 and 1/6 Warwicks attacking the Heidenkopf Redoubt. However, could not resist the temptation of being on the Somme and following the two Warwickshire Territorial battalions at 07:30 on Saturday 1 July. So, I am now going over with a couple of mates. Too late to book anywhere now. We are going to take a couple of small tents and rough it and live on egg and chips in the Tommy Bar. Look forward to meeting fellow Baker's Pals when I am there. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 6 April , 2006 Share Posted 6 April , 2006 Hi All Will be at Lochnagar at 0730 1st July as I will be with the Leger party Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted 7 April , 2006 Share Posted 7 April , 2006 Despite the crowds and the marathon and all the other objections, I too have succumbed. Will be over from 29th to 3rd. Staying in Albert in a v nice chambre d'hote that I booked last week. If any Pals see a harrassed looking bloke with too many cameras, flapping around a green MX5 - That's me! Come and say hello. I don't bite. Chris C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffLeese Posted 30 April , 2006 Share Posted 30 April , 2006 We'll be there from 27th to 1st July, staying in Peronne. Then on to Normandy. We're hoping to follow the progress of some friends from the NE, involved in a Living History project. We'll probably visit the Longauval exhibition before departing for Normandy late on the 1st. Do any pals have any suggestions regarding commemorations/visits etc? We're from North Staffordshire, so our main interest is the north of the attack sector - was it 46th Division? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 1 May , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 May , 2006 Our tour is now coming together. On Friday 30th June, the focus will be a 30th Division battlefield walk, Maricourt to Montauban, culminating in our laying a wreath at the Pals' memorial in Montauban. I also plan to visit La Boisselle, where one of the boys' great-grandfathers was killed on 4th July. Our intention is to visit Paul Reed's exhibition in the afternoon, Delville Wood and some other sites. On 1st July we hope to attend the Thiepval ceremony and the Pals' service at Serre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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