Category Archives: News

Stow Maries airfield to be restored for Centenary

Stow Maries airfield, one of the most complete World War I aerodromes in the UK, is set to be completely restored, following a campaign by a group of volunteers. In World War I pilots flew from the Essex base on … Continue reading

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Belgium’s Fort de Loncin recalls devastation of 1914

One of the major focuses of Belgium’s commemorations to mark the Centenary of the outbreak of World War I will be the Fort de Loncin. The fortress, one of 12 that formed a defensive semi-circle around the city of Liege, … Continue reading

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Memorial to Christmas Truce footballers

In December 1914 the field behind the cross contained a crop of turnips, but that didn’t stop men of the German and British armies playing football between their front lines. The author Henry Williamson, who served with the London Rifle … Continue reading

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France considers pardons for World War I deserters

A report requested by France’s Ministry of Veteran Affairs recommends that French soldiers who were executed by their own side during World War I should have their records reassessed. France 24 reports that a document delivered to France’s Ministry of … Continue reading

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Jeremy Paxman slams David Cameron’s Centenary comments

Broadcaster Jeremy Paxman has criticised UK prime minister David Cameron for comments he made about how Britain will mark the centenary of the World War I. Cameron promised a ‘truly national commemoration’ to mark the Centenary of the outbreak of … Continue reading

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A campaign has been launched to commemorate VC winner Private Samuel Harvey in his adopted home town of Ipswich. Private Harvey, of 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, won his medal at the Battle of Loos in 1915. An account … Continue reading

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Missing Australian soldiers identified at Fromelles

The CWGC has erected headstones to mark the graves of five newly identified Australian soldiers of World War I. Private William Barber, Private Thomas William Francis, Private William O’Donnell, Private Thomas Henry Bills and Private John Gordon McKenzie, were among … Continue reading

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Derry Journal tells tale of soldier shot at dawn

The Derry Journal reports how a 19-year-old soldier from the Inniskilling  Fusiliers was shot at dawn and how an officer refused to be involved with the execution. The newspaper also states that Private Robert Hope was shot for desertion in … Continue reading

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Three South African soldiers re-buried at Tyne Cot

Three unknown South African soldiers, who died while fighting on the Western Front in 1917, were re-interred today at a ceremony at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. The service was organised by the South African Embassy, located in Brussels, and … Continue reading

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CWGC searches for family of World War I NCO

Research by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) has identified the grave of Company Serjeant Major (CSM) Andrew Gale of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Belgium. CSM Gale … Continue reading

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