Ian C Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 I just wondered if anyone recognised this town? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Hi Paul Nothing that is marked as being of either of those places I'm afraid. Regards IanC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 And finally three photos to remind us that while Mr Watson was travelling the Western Front in 1938 to record the remains of the Great War, the storm clouds of war were gathering again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Thanks Ian - the photo of the town you asked about looks like Armentieres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 What an outstanding and deeply interesting thread, great stuff. I agree with Paul, it certainly looks like Armentieres. Great thread. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 19 March , 2009 Admin Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Armentieres agreed or maybe Bailieul? Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Michelle - I think you could have something there; the Beffroi would be off to the right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philypres Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Hello, a good afternoon from North of France. Yes, it's Bailleul, vieuw to the direction of Meteren. Sorry for my Alzheimer language. Your friendly philypres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 The first second I saw the photo I was sure for 99% it was Bailleul (Belle) indeed, even before I saw what Philypres wrote. (But I must say I am not very familiar with the centre of Armentières). After seeing his posting I am sure for more than 99%. Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPAE Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Bob and Ian, Thank you for the time and effort you must have put into this thread. Another enlightening project would appear to have concluded. Mr. Watson would surely have hoped that his pictures would benefit later generations. They certainly have with me. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 19 March , 2009 Admin Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Glad that my grey cells are still working Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 22 March , 2009 Share Posted 22 March , 2009 Some nice pictures there. I am intrigued by the OP in the mill at Puisieux.......it looks relatively unscathed to be at this location, and the Germans were not in the vicinity in September 1917. As the date is specific...15/09/1917....could it be elsewhere? There was Puisieux farm near Moy (St Quentin), close to front line, British held in late '17, but I'm not sure Watson went down there. There was also a mill at Baizieux, near Henencourt, concreted by British spring 1918, but I don't think it's that one. I'll try and make some enquiries, any info/thoughts meanwhile welcome. Ian , as suspected the mill picture is not Puiseaux....it is Puzeaux Mill, further south near Chaulnes. I made an enquiry to a French friend, who said he thought Puzeaux......looking up 20 Years After (p. 575, supplementary volume), the same photo apears, as Puzeaux. Probably a spelling/filing mistake by Watson. Regards, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 22 March , 2009 Share Posted 22 March , 2009 PS further to above, Puzeaux Mill does not exist nowadays, Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick D Posted 22 March , 2009 Share Posted 22 March , 2009 I bet it took some pulling down ! Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 31 March , 2009 Share Posted 31 March , 2009 A while ago Bob G. sent me this pic of the Watson collection. Assignment : find where that is in Ypres. My reaction : piece of cake ... Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 31 March , 2009 Share Posted 31 March , 2009 The wide road ... the slight bend ... And most of all the three towers, with from left to right : St.-Jacobskerk Belfry of the Cloth Hall St. Martin's Cathedral ... And sure, it was indeed the Menin Road, near the "water tower" (Not in my photo, just to the left of it.) I made sure that 2 of the tops of the spires (St.-Jacobskerk and the Cathedral) are a little bit visible. The building with the black roof on the left (flats) was built some 10 years ago if I remember correctly, replacing the new building in the B/W photo. Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin.green14 Posted 18 April , 2009 Share Posted 18 April , 2009 Hi, Fascinating pictures, I believe there was three bunkers at Alberta Farm designated AII 60, 61 and 62. AII 60 being called Alberta. I have a War Diary that states, “Latter similarly distributed in THE BUND, a large concrete structure near ALBERTA FARM, & CANOPUS TRENCHES”, does anyone have any idea which one is The Bund. Thurlows book 'The Pill-boxes of Flanders' can be viewed here:- http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa/document/9245?REC=2 Best regards Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelley Posted 20 April , 2009 Share Posted 20 April , 2009 I thank all who have contributed to this thread. It's amazing! Did we ever come up with a Borry Farm shot? Cheers Shelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unitedsound Posted 30 July , 2009 Share Posted 30 July , 2009 Should this thread be transferred to "Classic Threads"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 19 June , 2010 Share Posted 19 June , 2010 Hi A few more of Mr. Watsons photos. Frezenberg, Zonnebeke. I was just looking through this excellent 'old' post and came across the picture in post 182 and wonder if anyone can identify the location. Is it possible to get a modern picture, please? Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterhogg Posted 20 June , 2010 Share Posted 20 June , 2010 Bernard P., thank you for resurrecting this thread. I had forgotten all about it and it's made me dive back into my dusty old 20 Years After series. I spent a nice part of the afternoon going through these photos on the Forum. Lovely to see. What an interesting time it would have been to have visited these areas in the 20's and 30's. (A pity there were not more photos of Mrs Watson, I might add. Poor woman seemed to have to spend the whole time poking her head into bunkers. Mr. Watson seemed to want to only capture her behind.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripeyman Posted 23 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 23 December , 2011 I have an envelope that has what I think is the word HAISHE written by Mr Watson upon it. There are four negatives, does anyone know where this may be ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripeyman Posted 26 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 26 December , 2011 I have an envelope that has what I think is the word HAISHE written by Mr Watson upon it. There are four negatives, does anyone know where this may be ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripeyman Posted 26 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 26 December , 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripeyman Posted 28 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2011 Out of an envelope that has Ploegsteert written upon it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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