Author Archives: DH

How trench talk changed the English language

Posted on December 19, 2012 by DH

The trenches of World War I were the birthplace of many a modern English phrase, notes The Guardian newspaper. ‘Binge’, ‘fed up’, ‘washed out’, ‘cushy’, ‘snapshot’ and ‘bloke’ are among the words the paper lists as having their origins in the conflict. Many … Continue reading →

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CWGC unveils first Belgian info panels

Posted on December 18, 2012 by DH

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed the first of up to 65 Visitor Information Panels in Belgium. They are at Ypres Town Cemetery and Extension and the Potijze Chateau Cemeteries. Some 500 such panels are due to be installed … Continue reading →

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Two brother officers

Posted on December 17, 2012 by DH

‘The daily newspapers published casualty lists, and also extracts from The London Gazette. Naturally we looked through these for possible news of friends.  ‘One day I saw my brother’s name – commissioned a second lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters. I … Continue reading →

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Douglas Haig lecture at National Army Museum

Posted on December 17, 2012 by DH

Leading historian Professor Gary Sheffield will be assessing how much credit Sir Douglas Haig deserves for allied victory on the Western Front at the National Army Museum on 17 January. The lecture, entitled Douglas Haig: Was He the Accidental Victor … Continue reading →

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Captain George Sandeman, Ist Royal Hampshire

Posted on December 16, 2012 by DH

Captain George Amelius Crawshay Sandeman 3rd Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment (att. 1st Battalion) Missing in action 26 April 1915 Aged 32 Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres. George Sandeman was the son of Lieutenant Colonel George G Sandeman and his … Continue reading →

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Hidden dangers of war

Posted on December 15, 2012 by DH

‘In the shallow ditch outside that Le Touret farm, among the black mud now nearly dry, were to be seen a variety of old grenades brown with rust, tumbled in with tin cans and broken harness. ‘I looked at them … Continue reading →

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World War I New Zealand soldiers shown of Flickr

Posted on December 15, 2012 by DH

Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) is using photsite Flickr in a bid to find out more about the country’s World War I soldiers. The museum has added a large number of photographs that were taken in … Continue reading →

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Choosing your religion

Posted on December 14, 2012 by DH

‘Every soldier was supplied with an identity disk to be worn around his neck, on which was embossed his name, number, regiment and religion. A member of my company, one Eastwood, when asked for his religion replied: “What are you … Continue reading →

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Remembrance garden planned for Guards Museum

Posted on December 13, 2012 by DH

A £600,000 fundraising appeal is aiming to create a ‘haven of remembrance’ at the Guards Museum – within the Wellington Barracks site near Buckingham Palace in London. Soil taken from battlefields in France and Belgium will be used in the … Continue reading →

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Private Alfred Ell, 1st Middlesex

Posted on December 13, 2012 by DH

19838 Private Alfred Ell 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment Killed in Action 24 October 1918 Age 33 Buried at Romeries, France. Son of George Ell, of London; husband of Lilian Daisy Ell, of 151, Offord Rd, Barnsbury, London N1. Private Ell … Continue reading →

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