Monthly Archives: February 2013

Hessett war memorial, Suffolk

St Ethelbert’s church in Hessett, Suffolk, dates back to the 15th century and is famous for its medieval wallpaintings. Outside the church is a war memorial for the First World War with 14 names on it. Seven of these fell … Continue reading

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The effect of a shellburst as seen by a First World War soldier

A First World War soldier reflects on his first experience of shellfire. ‘And was I panic stricken? No. Not in the least. It would be hard to analyse my feelings as I gazed at the ugly brown hole in the … Continue reading

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Footballer and First World War VC winner Donald Bell

Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell was the only professional footballer to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War. A native of Harrogate, Yorkshire, he trained as a teacher at Westminster College, London, and was appointed assistant master … Continue reading

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Preston announces Centenary plans

Officials at the Lancashire town of Preston are eager to mark the Centenary of the First World War with some major events, reports the Lancashire Evening Post. Among the proposals are a plan project films of the war in the … Continue reading

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Portsmouth Naval Memorial shines light on Scottish rugby legend

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent will be visiting the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery on 19 February to unveil the latest information panels put in place by the CWGC. The panels carry information about the site … Continue reading

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Scunthorpe war memorial uncovered after 50 years

A First World War memorial that had been stored for 50 years at Scunthorpe’s Old Brumby United Church (formerly St Mark’s Methodist Church) is to be rededicated on 3 March. Website This is Scunthorpe reports that relatives of any of those … Continue reading

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Unknown New Zealand soldier to be buried at Messines

An unknown New Zealand soldier of the First World War will be buried at Messines Ridge British Cemetery in Belgium on 25 February. Archeologists discovered the remains in April 2012 and were able to identify him as a New Zealander … Continue reading

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Captain Charles La Coste MC

Captain Charles La Coste MC General List att. 1/8th West Yorkshire Regiment Killed in action at Poelcappelle, 9 October 1917 Captain La Coste is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial. There is also a La Coste listed on the Great … Continue reading

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Adrian Van Klaveren to lead BBC coverage of WW1 Centenary

Adrian Van Klaveren, the former Radio 5 Live controller who lost his job following Jimmy Savile scandal, will head up the BBC’s World War I Centenary coverage next year. Van Klaveren will oversee all of the corporation’s related programming across … Continue reading

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Leeds City Council makes bid to trace World War I soldier

Leeds City Council is attempting to trace relatives of a World War I soldier, whose name was found in a 100-year-old national roll book. A report in the Morley Observer states the book, one of just 14 published, was discovered … Continue reading

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