Many of you will know about the most highly decorated soldier of World War One, William Harold Coltman VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar. In turn, many have joined me as we have stood at the grave of the most highly decorated officer, Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC, near Ypres in Belgium whilst reading the citation to what many have said is
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If you have not already looked at the start of this Vinter Brothers story then I strongly urge you to do so. Click Here, to fully understand why Derek needed to take this very special battlefield tour. It had been a long journey for Derek in terms of time, from finding the Vinter brothers medals to re-uniting them with the family was over 30 years. But the
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Many of you who have joined me on a battlefield tour of World War One will have stood with me at The Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony. It has always been a highlight and for most a very memorable event. But recently they had one of the most memorable evenings ever as the ceremony was performed for the 30,000th time! Read this exclusive
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“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 a medical dressing station near Essex Farm. It was written
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My interest in World War One was most significantly ignited by having to read at University the outstanding poetry by men such as the famous Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. I was compelled by stories referring to the ‘monstrous anger of the guns’(1), and the men ‘drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots of gas-shells dropping softly behind.(2)’ The interest soon turned into a
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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 (full story by Clicking Here) so moved by his experience he has visited again; read the account below in Mike’s own words. To read Ambers, Mike’s daughters account of this battlefield tour Click Here. The problem with Matt Limb Battlefield
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Mike Stokes had previously visited the location in Germany where his grandfather was interned as a Prisoner Of War. But, Mike wanted to visit the area in France where he was taken prisoner and go on a battlefield tour of The Western Front. With this in mind Mike asked us to put a bespoke battlefield tour together for him. He knew that his Grandfather was in
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Lance Corporal John Richard Nisbet (Jack) served with 458 West Riding Field Company, Royal Engineers, 49th West Riding Division. He landed at Le Harve on 21th June 1915 and his first real experience of the Great War was on Tuesday 13th July 1915 when his unit was subjected to heavy bombardment on the banks of the Yser canal. The 49th Division then formed the Divisional
Read More →The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration for British and former Commonwealth forces awarded for bravery in battle on land with the following requirement - 'for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire' The Medal was established on 25th March 1916 but backdated to 1914 with the… Read more… →
The Dambusters – A Great Success? →
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… Read more… →
Last Soldier to Die in World War One →
Some recent research has thrown light on the last soldiers to be killed on 11 November 1918. The research clearly shows that In the closing minutes of World War One, the 11:00 cease-fire within touching distance, a handful of soldiers died. Just after 0500 on the morning of 11 November… Read more… →