George II was the last British monarch born outside the British Isles of Great Britain; George was born and brought up in what is now known as Northern Germany. He became king in 1727, then during the War of the Austrian Succession, George II fought at the Battle of Dettingen on 27 June 1743; as…
Over the years some people have questioned remembrance and the wearing of a poppy, saying we are Glorifying War. It is worth remembering that Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, are not about war, but about the people who fought in the war and paid the ultimate sacrifice or were so badly injured their wounds haunted…
The names of Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing are world-famous for the first recorded ascent of Everest on 29 May 1953, but can you name anyone else involved in the expedition? Chances are, unless you have some personal interest, you cannot and it is a sad fact that so often it is only the summit…
It is without a doubt a phrase that is well known; The Dambusters. Be that for one of the best war films ever produced, with my old friend Richard Todd (Click Here for More) taking the part of Guy Gibson or the epic achievements of a Royal Air Force squadron in May 1943. Operation Chastise,…
“In Flanders Fields” is one of the most famous poems from World War One and is often credited as the reason why the ‘poppy’ was chosen as the flower of remembrance. The poem was written by Canadian physician John McCrae while serving in the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium, on 3 May 1915 at…
In England, on 23 April, we celebrated St George’s Day, the patron saint of England. George was credited with slaying the dragon and it became a day when a traditional English meal is served of Roast Beef & Yorkshire pudding; and by my own observations, the tradition still endures, now a display of Union Flags,…
The first professional footballer soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross was “Donny” Bell. Donald Simpson Bell was born on 3 December 1890 to Smith and Annie Bell, who resided in Queen’s Road, Harrogate, and attended Harrogate Grammar School. He was married to Rhoda Bell. Before the war, he had been a footballer, and had played…
Many of you who have travelled to the battlefield of France and Belgium with me will know that if there is one thing I hope you take away it is that you will forever remember the men who paid the ultimate price. A charity that will not let us forget and works hard to help…
You may have seen our news article about Mike Stokes travelling to find the place where his grandfather was taken Prisoner of War in 1918 so moved by his experience he has visited again; read the account below in Mike’s own words. To read Ambers, Mike’s daughter’s account of this battlefield tour Click Here. The problem with Matt…
I had the great pleasure of receiving the following soon after returning to the battlefields of France and Belgium with Mike and Amber Stokes, Mike has visited before but this was Amber’s first time and here are her thoughts and impressions. My interest in World War One was most significantly ignited by having to read…