In Memoriam.

So you were David’s father,
And he was your only son,
And the new-cut peats are rotting
And the work is left undone,
Because of an old man weeping,
Just an old man in pain,
For David, his son David,
That will not come again.

…

Oh, the letters he wrote you,
And I can see them still,
Not a word of the fighting,
But just the sheep on the hill
And how you should get the crops in
Ere the year get stormier, And the Bosches have got his body,
And I was his officer.

…

You were only David’s father,
But I had fifty sons
When we went up in the evening
Under the arch of the guns,
And we came back at twilight –
O God! I heard them call
To me for help and pity
That could not help at all.

…

Oh, never will I forget you,
My men that trusted me,
More my sons than your fathers’,
For they could only see
The little helpless babies
And the young men in their pride.
They could not see you dying,
And hold you while you died.

…

Happy and young and gallant,
They saw their first-born go,
But not the strong limbs broken
And the beautiful men brought low,
The piteous writhing bodies,
They screamed “Don’t leave me, sir”,
For they were only your fathers
But I was your officer.

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Lieutenant Harry Leith Mackintosh MC was killed eighteen months later on 21st November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai.
He was an extremely popular member of the battalion.
He is buried in Orival Wood Cemetery, Flesquières, Northern France
(Plot I, row A, grave 26).

The citation for his Military Cross in the London Gazette is as follows:
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Ewart Alan Mackintosh, l/5th Bn., Sea. Highrs., T.F.
For conspicuous gallantry. He organised and led a successful raid on the enemy’s trenches with great skill and courage. Several of the enemy were disposed of and a strong point destroyed. He also brought back two wounded men under heavy fire.

 

Image by Woose

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Cross & The Willow. Gunner Farm.

This is my page, on my website, thoughts, reflections, photographs,research… this is where they will be going.

It was June 1996 that i first ventured onto The Somme (with one who wants to be a Scotsman named Ivor Lee having deserted Lancashire for heather and snow)  Some four years previously wife daughters myself visited Normandy Gold Juno Omaha beaches. Taking in the cemeteries of the area Commonwealth, American, German each and every one an impacting memory non moreso than Ranville.

It wasnt Normandy that inspired my need to know more, that began many years earlier. large in part to my father former Royal Engineer, who inducted the County Regimental system into my thinking, adding his collection of cap badges helped enormously. My Father in Law also a Royal Engineer Dunkirk,’ Y’ Division 5th British Infantry Division ‘The Globetrotters’ played his part also listening to to two ‘old men’ recount there tales while complimenting each other at the same time.

My late mothers father served in 1918, have always believed South Lancashire Regiment, nowadays am not so sure, he spoke of Beaumont Hamel, which would not not be a good fit if he South Lancs, better Lancashire Fusiliers!

As a very young boy he vividly impcated the destruction of that village, which in effect is two villages, Beaumont & Hamel, while the commune to which they belong includes a third Beaucort Sur Ancre. His reflections to one under the age of ten where early 1960’s, long before either understanding or an enquisitive mind could assimilate knowledge such as this, so the need to find out began albeit in my mid forties.

It was this in June 1996 that began this wonderful journey

The Quintinshill Disaster 22 May 1915.

1/7th Bn The Royal Scots (214 officers men) 13 railwaymen & passengers.

 

Source History of The Royal Scots (The Lothian Regt) (1st Regiment of Foot)

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Page reversal, from this date 20th August 2024 new edits at top of page.

No better place to start August 1914.

First Shots of the Great War were at Sea. 6th August 1914.

Own Collection.

HMS Amphion.

Koning Luise 

The publication above was produced for the All Faith Church Service arranged by West Lancashire WW1 Association formed from four historically associated societies in Ormskirk. To commemorate the beginning of the Great War it sustained its existence throught the war years till 2019, producing monthly biographies for three Lancashire County Libraries Ormskirk Burscough Skelmersdale, whilst i as author undertook to facilitate Parbold alone ( Not an area associated 1914 1920 with the geographical boundary of the town)

The Church Service evening of 4th Auigust 2014 was a resounding success, packed house in excess of 350 persons, Military Dress in abundnce, Lord Bishops of Liverpool present.. more importantly ‘the plate’ realised  £800 for Combat Stress.

Lest we should never forget.

 

The First Shots of the Great War on Land 7th August 1914.

Before the very start of the WWI, Togoland was a German protectorate, isolated from the rest of the German Empire. It was surrounded with the British Gold Coast in the west and the French Dahomey in the east.

Basically, Togoland was just a small German colony in the middle of the French and British colonies. When the British Empire declared war on the 4th of August, 1914, it was impossible for Germany to send military support to its colony in Togoland. There wasn’t much for Germany in Togoland and for the 660 Togolese police officers serving under 10 German sergeants to protect from the British troops, but there was an innovative piece of technology in the small town of Kamina, very important to the Germans.

It was a wireless radio station which was the only link between Germany and its colonies in Southwest Africa and in East Africa. The device was one of its kind at the time, very original and quite a benefit for any military in the world. Even though it wasn’t finished yet at the outbreak of WWI, the station was operational. It was soon clear to the Germans and the Togolese police officers that they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves, nor the country. So, their biggest fear was the radio station. It would have been a big asset to any military that controlled it.

As soon as the war was declared, troops from the Gold Coast Regiment (today’s Ghana) entered Togoland through the British Gold Coast and entered the capital, Lome. A patrol of the Gold Coast Regiment got in a factory in Nuatja where they confronted a group of police officers led by German sergeants. The police opened fired and Alhaji Grunshi returned it. He was the first soldier in British service to fire a shot in the war.

The next day, when the police commander was killed, resistance in Togo collapsed. The German technicians destroyed the radio station in Kamina on the 24th of August and on the 26th, the whole country surrendered to the British and French.

Credit to Tijana Radeska .Vintage News’

Mont St Eloi image shot from Vimy Ridge.( Image dated 2012.)

.

‘The Couins’

Couin British & Couin New British Cemeteries.

Two Crosses of Sacrifice 25 meteres apart.

 

Images all Richard Houghton.

Served as; Sjt R C Travis VC, DCM, MM. Couin New British Cemetery

Born; Dickson Cornelius Savage.

 

DCM Citation; For conspicuou gallantry in action. He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were firing at a working party. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work.

Killed in action near Rossingnol Wood 25th July 1918.

VC Citation; For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During ‘surprise’ operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjt. Travis, regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this Serjt. Travis with great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing party on which much depended to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O. and the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men.  — The London Gazette, No. 30922, 24 September 1918

Well known among the New Zealand Division for his exploits, his death affected its morale.

 

Bolougne Eastern Cemetery.

Many graves laid on reclaimed sand dunes hence laid flat.

 

Born in Liverpool, Lancashire.

Officers in the mess, ranks in the trenches! That was the decision of the burial officer, his alone, not always this way.

What you see below is in essence a mass grave. Hospitals aplenty multiple deaths daily. 

 

1940’s graves.

                                      Mix of RAF aircrews, Dunkirk retreat.

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Orrs 4th November 1918 Sambre Canal.

A War Poet… Lt Wilfred Owen MC flanked by two Lancashire Fusiliers 4th November 1918 Sambre Canal, Orrs.

Two Lancashire Fus VCs, One 2/ Manchesters, One Royal Engineers.

Crossed a canal under fire, on petrol cans roped together with an expected bouyancy of four bullet holes per 11 stone man per can. Previously on the 2nd November see below.

Yet a poet is the only one remembered, good poet yes, but even he was overshadowed by unsurpassed gallantry that day by many unrecognised / recognised acts of valour. 

But they only remember Owen!

James Kirk VC.

OC Commanding 16th Lancashire Fusiliers.

James Neville Marshall VC, MC Bar.

♦.

Crucifix Bazentin le Grand, Somme. Richard Houghton.

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2011 Winters Sunset Loos. Richard Houghton.

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2015 no graves retention work neccesitated the removal of them.

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Lt Col Gerald Cornock-Taylor CBE (General List officers)

Deputy Director Graves, registration & enquiries..

Son of John and Alice Cornock-Taylor, of Alvington House, Wimbledon Common, Surrey. Officer de la Croix de la Couronne (Belgium). He was Deputy Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries G.H.Q. (and Secretary to the Imperial War Graves Commission) from 13th Dec., 1917 until his death. Those under whom he served think it fitting to place on record in this book the great ability and the unstinted devotion that he gave to this duty, and the severe loss sustained by the Army and the Commission in his death.  ( Commonwealth War Graves)

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V G Muggleton.

“He did what he could”

Square shouldered grave non military in wartime, also used Post War 1947 for service personnel on active service but not in conflict.

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St Marks Church, Cowley Hill, St Helens, Lancashire.

The first Territorial Officer to fall in action from my home town.

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Redan Ridge dead ahead.

51st Highland Division Memorial marks the entrance of the Sunken Lane.

Erected in memory of all ranks if this fine divison for their part in the Battle of The Ancre which culminated the battle of The Somme… or did it ?

That honour surely belongs to 97th Bde

It was from this point men of the Lancashire Fusiliers ‘awaited the whistles to blow’ 07.30 1st July 1916, the obejective the wooded copse ‘The Burnwerk’ to right of image, they never got beyond the the bush immediate right of this magnificent memorial.

The bush hides what is Beaumont Hamel Cemetery.

Image Richard Houghton.

Image Commonwealth War Graves.

Other than being ‘trench mortered’ sat in the lane, the bank to left of cemetery ‘did for many’ sillouetted against the skyline, unaware of the bank it is said! 

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Thiepval.

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Lt Henry Webber aged 67 when killed in action Bazentin, Somme 21st July 1916.

7th Bn South Lancashire Regt.

He was transport officer, offered to take turn in line to allow another officer some much needed respite. Had three sons serving being subordinate to all.

“Yes Sir, when father spoke to son”

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/39319/henry-webber/

 

Delville Wood. 1921 bottom.

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Overlooking graves of Caterpiller Valley Cemetery, High Wood in distance.

Springtime 2018 beautiful cemetery. Richard Houghton.

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Bourlon Wood..

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Variants of stone used by CWWG in grave stone production.

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Richard Houghton

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Richard Houghton

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Roses for the Borders & Sussex.

Delville Wood Cemetery August 2018. RBL GP90 Wreath Layer.

 Royal Highlanders, obscured two, Royal Fusiliers. Delville Wood August 2018.

Delville Wood the cross, down to The South African Memorial & Museum.

Coach took in the museum, cemetery & surrounding fields of history was my choice, countless time have i been in the museum.

Images Delville Wood Richard Houghton.

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Flat Iron Copse October 2012.

Dragon from Flat Iron October 2012

Images Richard Houghton.

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27627 Pte S Tittensor.

The only casualty sustained by my family in two world wars, married my grandmothers sister on fathers side. 10th Loyal North Lancashires, wounded Monchy 9th April 1917 Battle of Arras.

Handed down is this, lain out wounded for three days before brought in, died at Bolougne buried Etaples. Met my aunt as a young boy couple of times never met their son, neither did Sidney his father. 

Employed as an auctioneers clerk in St Helens, his father William, was my fathers headmaster at Higher Grade School St Helens.

 

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Australian Battlefield northern end of Pozieres.

Imaged from the Sunken Road (leading to the cemetery of the same name) runs due north from the Pozieres Contlemaison Road, Pozieres Bazentin Road,

Overlooking Munster Trench (German) towards area of Windmill at Pozieres.

Blue dotted line the Sunken Road, triangle dots Sunken Road Cemetery, single dot the No 2 Canadian (approximate)

Munster Alley images, map Richard Houghton

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Walking the Aussie Battlefield Sunken Road Cemetery ahead 2017.

 

‘The Two Sunken Roads’

Imaged from Sunken Road Cemetery Contlemaison (Australian largely)  2nd Canadian Cemetery, Sunken Road, Contlemaison

Sunken Road Cemetery (Aus)

2nd Canadian Sunken Road

2512 Pte L A Sheffield 17th Bn aged 17 years, badly wounded Munster Trench, buried Delville Wood.

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Sunken Road Contlemaison (Aus)

All sunken road images Richard Houghton varying dates.

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High Wood London Cemetery Extension marked by the blossom trees, Image shot from Munster Trench nothern end Sunken Road.

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Abomination from CWWG not for the first or umpteenth time either.

London Cemetery Extension.

WW2 Kings Liverpool badge on three unknown Kingsmen, Italic letters, on a rod, should be on ‘ground’  Almost as crass as the Yorkshire Fusilier as inscribed upon a new grave set between Lancashire Fusiliers eitther side of him, as he was himself erected ADANAC Cemetery

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Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt :l’Abbe, Somme.

Series of photos depicting this rural backwater cemetery, confess to being among ‘my go to places’ pure serenity emotive evocative set in a beautifull location.

Station half, horse and cart down to the burial location, three to a grave in many cases, hence no cap insignia on graves, shown on ths cloister wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

William James Egan local man (Ormskirk).

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/270862/william-james-egan/

 

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https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/271904/h-miller/

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Schooled in Burscough, grandparents had the Red Lion public house Liverpool Road South. Sarah the first female death due to war since 1947.

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Double Crassier which overlooks today as it did 1915 The Loos Battlefield.

Imaged from The Vimy Ridge Memorial Parapet

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Mont St Eloi again from Vimy Memorial Parapet.

Richard Houghton 2012.

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Mauser rimless ammunition

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Philosophe British Cemetery serenity in the coalfields

Above and below hundred years apart, cemetery entrance.

Images Richard Houghton.

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Young Robert Wright buried St Peter & St Paul Ormskirk Parish Church.

One of many monthly publications 2014 through 2018 100 years every month presented in four Lancashire County Libraries single handed input.

Yes do it again in a heartbeat!

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Men of 21st Inf Bde, 30th Division 1st July 1916. Montabaun.

Still rest in one place Dantzig Alley Cemetery.

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As complete a casualty list as can be determined, for those men who served within their service period here at Lathom Park (Ormskirk Remount Depot)

Details individually can be seen at the appropriate page Remounts..Those who served.

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1772 Squadron NAS HMS Ringtail January 1945 prior departure Far East.

Five of this group below never returned.

 Fleet Air Arm, flying from  HMS Indefatigable ‘Air Operations’

24th July 1945, Sub Lt (A) Maurice Ian James Goodsell, 1772 NAS,
killed in action. Lee on Solent Memorial.
28th July 1945, Lt (A) Charles Peter Rodger (Steve) Stevens RCNVR, 1772 NAS,
killed in action. Halifax Memorial, Nova Scotia, Canada.
28th July 1945, Sub Lt (A) Anthony Michael La Grange SANF(V), 1772 NAS,
killed in action. Plymouth Naval Memorial.
10th August 1945, Sub Lt (A) Glyn Desmond Roberts DSC RNVR, 1772 NAS,
killed in action. Lee on Solent Memorial.
10th August 1945, Sub Lt (A) Thomas Chalmers ‘Glen’ McBride RNZVR, 1772 NAS,
killed in action. New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland.
Sources: The Friendly Squadron, 1772 Naval Air Squadron 1944-1945.  (1772 NAS formed at HMS Ringtail on 1st May 1944)

Image courtsey Lol Critchley Micheal Dawson.

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25th May 2013 Battle of The Atlantic weekend Liverpool.

All but a few Air Branch RN abandoned Liverpool for Burscough.

Recreation of an iconic image.

Micheal Dawson photographer.

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BOA 25th May 2013  at the original siting HMS Ringtail Memorial.

Image Micheal Dawson.

Respecting the fallen of 1918, 1943,1944. Last image grave of R M. W H Boulton

 

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Five R N graves WW2 one RM WW1. With cross of sacrifice / war stone.

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Thiepval 2015 scaffolding surrounded the memorial around 15 months re-work for 2016.

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French National Cemetery Rancourt, North of Peronne.

Images Richard Houghton circa 2012.

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There is always an ‘harvest’ to be gathered

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The distant Loos Battlefield in panorama imaged from Vimy Memorial.

Notre Dame from Zouave Cemetery, Souchez.

Images 2014 Richard Houghton.

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August 1913 1st Ormskirk Scouts previously (5th Southport) below drumhead service Ormskirk what is now the one way system adjacent Two Saints Car Cark. Brick bulding left rear still stands as does St Peter & St Paul Ormskirk Parish Church noted wprld wide for its tower and steeple.

 Isaac Allman Clifford Bales two orignial Scout Members both patrol leaders both fell 1st July 1916 Liverpool Pals. A number of Lathom & Burscough lads were Ormskirk Scouts whilst Rev A G Ozanne Curate (St Johns The Baptist) later padre Army Chaplain served as patrol leader 1915 /1916 until he left for war in 1917.

Scout images courtesy Dave Redwood.

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Flying Services Memorial Arras

Images Richard Houghton.

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‘Ubique’

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Rancourt North of Peronne… Allemand.

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Gnr Edward ‘Ned’ John Parfett. MM.MiD

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/320381/edward-john-parfett/

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f6ecbc09da9fee82JmltdHM9MTcwNjIyNzIwMCZpZ3VpZD0xYmNkMTJjOS1iYjUzLTY2MDMtMGI3OC0wM2VjYmFhODY3MzEmaW5zaWQ9NTI0Ng&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=1bcd12c9-bb53-6603-0b78-03ecbaa86731&psq=ned+parfett+titanic&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly90aXRhbmljLmZhbmRvbS5jb20vd2lraS9OZWRfUGFyZmV0dA&ntb=1

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Le Belle Alliance.

Richard Houghton

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January 2016.

‘A walker with his camera well worth a forty minute drive to be there’

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‘Rest Easy’ Memories dont ever die.

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Fanes Horse 19th Lancers Western Front 1915.

‘I was there’ 

Monthly Pictorial of The Great War

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‘I Was There.’

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‘Lions’ Brave with no ferocity.

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Ovillers Cemetery.

Taken from the high ground to the East of the Axis Road, the ground that leads South from Contlemaison Wood heading towards Le Boisselle, the house bottom corner is Ovillers.

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Overlooking Mash Valley shot from the Contlemaison – Le Boisselle Road enroute to Gordon Dump Cemetery.

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Panoramic view of Sausage Valley Gordon Dump Cemetery Cross.

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Gordon Dump Cemetery

Sausage Valley.

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1st Loyal North Lancashires on The Aisne September 1914.

Vendresse British Cemetery 18 Loyals rest here mainly 1st Bn, with a handfull of 9th Bn from 1918. 727 Graves exist only 327 are named, many unnamed Loyal are among them. Please refer to Pte’s  K Pye, A Brown ‘Lest we Forget’

The ‘winding road’ leading from Troyon behind camera to Vendresse downhill.

It was up this road the 1st Bn Loyal came to ‘plug the gap’ that had been formed between the Kings Royal Rifle Corps & The Sussex Regt.

Troyon ahead, the stand of trees hides a beautiful house, this was once the site of the Sucerie. it was here 1st Loyal made their stand, as did many others who replaced them in the ensuing days here on the Heights of the Aisne. A right turn in this lovely hamlet leads you onto ‘Ladies Way’ The Chemin Des Dames.

In 2003 the then lady of the house was the grandaughter of the owners of the Sucerie, the kitchen table was once the water wheel that powered the sugar (sucerie) factory.

Loyal Memorial Troyon to the 1st Bn Loyal North Lancashires.

Images Richard Houghton.

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Bonapartes Memorial on Ladies Way.

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Grave of Lt Louis Astoul 70th Regt of Infantry (Senegalese) 16th April 1917.

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Heights of Ladies Way Chemin Des Dammes.

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Vendresse Churchyard Extension. Aisne September 1914.

Vendresse images Richard Houghton

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Gorre British & Indian Cemetery, Beuvry, French Flanders.

Resting place of number of 55/57th Divisons (West Lancashire) T F. 

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Croonhaert Chapel Cemetery.

Richard Houghton.

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Early morning at Sangatte

14th Sept 2019 day one of two weeks.

Australian AVC / Royal Navy

Merchant Navies British Belgium

46th Bn AIF Percy Wm Holpen.

Merchant Navy, Royal Engineer,  29th Bn the Kings Liverpool (Dock Bn)

Queen Alexandra’s Imp Nursing Service.

Sister E B Radcliffe

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Tower Hill Memorial.

identified names of Harold Wright (Ormskirk) Percy Derbyshire (Burscough)

Images Ste Murgatroyd

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Soissons Memorial.

Richard Houghton September 2019.

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Sissonne German Cemetery.

16,450 (circa) graves, the original cemetery built upon the site of a German Military training area used in 1915. many are from the regfion of Saxony (Saxon Army Corps) 1914 battles. Later war many wounded were brought back here subsequently died. 10,700 are in individual graves, circa 4000 are in mass graves, of which only 410 are actually identified. A Bulgarian nurse and two soldiers are buried here also.

Source Ww1 Cemeteries

Richard Houghton September 2019.

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Terlincthun British Cemetery. Early morning 14th September 2013

Driving the coast route, Calais Bolougne taking in Sangatte, Terlincthun, Etaples, Bolougne East before striking South East to the Somme Battliefields.

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18th Infantry Divison Memorial High Wood.

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1914 Stood the St Helens Pals  11th Bn South Lancashire Regt.

This  is Higher Grade School Yard (boys). Those vertical windows and the wall to rear were exactly the same in 1963 when i stepped into this schoolyard for the first time. Then the outside toilets were situated top left corner, withan allyway which id suggest is existent on this phto leading out onto North Road then as it was in 1963.

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In 1915, the French Army built a narrow railway along the Somme Canal between Péronne and Froissy. Between 1916 and 1918 the railway was at the Allied front line, and transporting 1,500 tonnes of materials daily. At Froissy, the metre gauge Réseau Albert connected with the CFCD.

Section shown (roadside) enroute to Cappy, Somme

Images September 2019 Richard Houghton.

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St Quentin Canal nr Sains-Les-Marquinon September 2018.

Efficient in 1914 used by the Germans extensively, still used today, effectively.

Images Richard Houghton.

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Hooge Crater March 1999.

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German Cemetery Pont Nieppe 2014.

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Ledringhem French Flanders.

Beauty of this area of northern france is embracing Dunkirk retreat May June 1940. 

In the footsteps of the Warwicks & Cheshires.

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Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery May 1940

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Wormhoudt Massacre.

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Wormhoudt Massacre. 

 

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=8fd18d23844a9336JmltdHM9MTcwODY0NjQwMCZpZ3VpZD0xYmNkMTJjOS1iYjUzLTY2MDMtMGI3OC0wM2VjYmFhODY3MzEmaW5zaWQ9NTI2MA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=1bcd12c9-bb53-6603-0b78-03ecbaa86731&psq=massacre+at+wormhout&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGlzdG9yeWhpdC5jb20vdGhlLXdvcm1ob3VkdC1tYXNzYWNyZS1zcy1icmlnYWRlZnVocmVyLXdpbGhlbS1tb2hua2UtYW5kLWp1c3RpY2UtZGVuaWVkLw&ntb=1

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Images Wormhoudt Richard Houghton.

29th May 1940.

That wall… memorial under the loft access.

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Images Le Paradis  Richard Houghton.

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http://www.leparadismassacre.com/victims.html

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https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f48685f58c829400JmltdHM9MTcwODczMjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0xYmNkMTJjOS1iYjUzLTY2MDMtMGI3OC0wM2VjYmFhODY3MzEmaW5zaWQ9NTIxOQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=1bcd12c9-bb53-6603-0b78-03ecbaa86731&psq=le+paradis+massacre&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTGVfUGFyYWRpc19tYXNzYWNyZQ&ntb=1

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2304 Pte J Lickley 1/5thBn West Yorkshire Regt aged 17.

Son of Mrs. F. Lickley, of 25, Upper Newboro’ St., York. One of five brothers who volunteered in 1914.

Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery.

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Boom Ravine September 2018.

Scene of the 18th Infantry Div attack  Miraumount 17/18th Feb 1917 Ancre Operations.

 

Washed down hill due to heavy rains, shell shard, splinter, fragment a great deal of it.  Ripping through flesh as these did one be very seriously wounded if not dead.

This is NOT shrapnel, that is contained in the shell, these are pieces of THE shell

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Fricourt German Cemetery Mass Graves

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Messines Ridge seen from Tyne Cot April 2017

Ypres from Tyne Cot

Richard Houghton.

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The ‘legendry’ Mouse / Shell Trap Farm.

‘Cheddar’ The Seaforth’s Cemetery the individual graves are symbolic, the men are contained in the two mass graves depicted with the large stone memorials 18 ( mixed regiments) in the back one, 75 ( all 2 / Seaforth Highlanders) in the front. The memorial panel indicates other 2 /Seaforths whos bodies were lost in the fateful attack dated 25th April 1915 here on this ground.

 

My interest ‘initially’ lay in Mouse / Shell Trap Farm. From my home town St. Helens 5th (Rifles Bn) South Lancs Regt. 2 / Lt Frederick ‘Eric’ Brown,. Kia 4th April  Rifleman J E Lynn MiD 5th South Lancs. Nominated for the DCM which was downgraded. Mortally wounded 4th April, died of wounds 18th June 1915 buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery.

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Anything of interest, is interest.

Pair of vagrants en route to Hermies Hill British Cemetery, to see a couple of the lads.

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Transport column amidst destruction.

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The village of Beaumetz-les-Cambrai was captured by the enemy on the 22nd March, 1918, after an obstinate defence by the 51st (Highland) and 25th Divisions, and retaken in the middle of the following September.

Beaumetz-les-Cambrai Military Cemetery No.1 was made by the enemy after the fighting of March, 1918, and known to them as No.9 Military Cemetery; after the Armistice the graves of 307 German soldiers were removed to other cemeteries, and 33 of the British graves were regrouped.

Of these, three-quarters are unidentified; they belonged largely to the 51st Division, but partly also to the 25th, 6th, and 19th. It is composed mainly of collective graves.

118 individual persons (unidentifeid) in five graves.

 

8 interred.

13 interred.

14 Interred.

22 interred.

23 interred.

38 interred.

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Ploegsteert Memorial. 

Image Richard Houghton.

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2012… London Scottish Association Annual Loos Tour nearest weekend 25th Sept.

The Piper played ‘The Flowers’

‘Haunting’

Loos images Richard Houghton.

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Sacred Trinity Church (Salford) Sacred home ALL Lancashire ( Salford Brigade) Fusiliers of The Great War. 15/16th -19/20th Bns.

Matter not second regiment or your first, once a Salford (Lancashire) Fusilier, your always so !

In the years following 1919 Until they could parade no more, Thiepval Day 1st July was respected here year on year, then to the pub, as you would!

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Stood in London Cemetery looking into the Extension.

Images Richard Houghton 2018.

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Miraumont Communal Cemetery German held hands until March 1917 contains number of prisoners of war from the period.

Two airmen 1940 buried by the Germans.

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HMS Royal Oak (Scapa Flow) Sunk at anchor 14th October 1939 by U 47 Gunther Prien (Knights Cross)

835  men / boys of a complement 1234 were lost that night or died of wounds..

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Queens Park Recreation Ground, St Helens late summer 1914.

 ‘Fifth’ Battalion men South Lancashire’s T.F. (1/5 & 2/5th)

Signing the Foreign Service Declaration.

In June 1913 the last audit of the British Army the then established ‘Fifth’ required 1 Officer, 173 ranks for full complement.

The T F were ‘The original Pals’ in the event of a future war

Joseph Lee front..

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Unknown to all, but not to God.  Yet still revered, loved by the village.

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Haspres Village War Memorial.

The men of 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, 4th York Lancashire Regt who fell in liberation of Haspres are named.

Original postcard own collection, image of names Richard Houghton.

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Knightsbridge Cemetery, Newfoundland Memorial Park in distance.

Images Richard Houghton circa 2018.

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      26th July 1915 the first burials on The Somme.

          Pte E Williams.                   Pte W E Swanstone.                          Pte W. Tarver.

1st Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt.

   Sucerie Cemetery, Colincamps. 

 Two days later, same cemetery.

Pte W Hefferman. Royal Dublin Fusiliers 28th July 1915.

This is defined as Burial on the Somme, any man wounded prior to 26th July 1915 subsequently buried at a base hospital or other location has not been identified.

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Thiepval Memorial.

The ‘battles’ of The Battle of The Somme.

Images Richard Houghton long time ago.

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Not mine, source unknown.

Messines Ridge. Source unknown.

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Brandhoeck New Military Cemetery No3.

November 2014.

September 2016.

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Guillemont Road..Delville Wood to rear, Trones Wood left 2016.

Hard to imagine getting a salary for writing this… But am sure somebody did.

CWWG Meaulte Cemetery.. Finding (good) staff is getting hard !

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5th South Lancashire’s  Cpl John W Johnson L/H Grave nominated for the DCM*

*”Edit in St Helens Reporter” Action at Wood Lane between Delville – High Woods 2nd Aug 1916.

Maricourt British Cemetery, Somme.

Richard Houghton 2016

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Civilian Grave 1918 

‘He did what he could’

V G Muggleton.

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Iron Harvest on Redan Ridge.. not mine.

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This is mine… British Trench Mortar

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Rimless Mauser ammunition.. Not my image.

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Mass… ‘named’ – ‘unnamed’ just short of 18,500, then you have those with a grave.. four to a grave in many cases.

Fricourt German Cemetery many years ago.

‘Named en Masse’

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4th/5th June in World War Two.

Two dates/days in June overlooked forgotten ignored by the event one day later, D Day which history defines as 6th June 1944.

Retrospective 4/5th June 1940 is the accepted day of the final evacuation of Dunkirk, by which time the morning 5th June the small boats had arrived back at the Kent ports of Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover amongst others along the Kent Coast.

The most important weather forecast in history.

In 1944 4th June was the day when Grp Capt James Stagg CBE; OBE; FRSE; RAF Chief Meterorologist Officer Allied HQ advised Allied High Command that D Day 5th June 1944 should be delayed due to poor weather conditions.

Its no coincidence that the original date aligned with the days of Dunkirk, yet it is significant that history and modern perceptions ensure Dunkirk is forgotten. Yet had there been no evacuation in 1940 of 338,000 men, then surely there would have been little chance of prosecuting the war, let alone finding the troops to facilitate DDay, whatever the date.

In France 4th June 1940 there was still fighting, which would continue until 12th June 1940, only ceased by the surrender of the 51st Highland Division at St Vallery en Caux upon the Somme.

A Franco / British War Cemetery now stands near to the place of surrender.

Taken from the book Churchill’s Sacrifice ‘France 1940’ by Saul David

The politics behind the sacrifice of the 51st Highland Division were Churchill’s attempt to bolster France to keep them fighting. The additional despatched men of 52 Lowland Division 1st Canadian Divisons between 7th 13th June days after the evacuation take some understanding. It was known all was lost end of May 1940. The French demand that ALL RAF fighter squadrons be sent to France was rejected out of hand by Churchill.  Paris fell 14th June, France capitulated 15th June 1940.

A further 14,500 men French/ British were evacuated prior the French capitualtion from Cherboug in Operation Cycle.

Between 15th-25th June 1940 194,000 British, French, Polish, Czech, Belgians were evacuated fro TEN French ports on the Atlantic Coast in Operation Aerial.

It was during this evacuation which saw the RMS Lancastria sunk with th loss of 6,000 servicemen & civilians.

Lest we forget.

6th June 1944.

Piper Bill Millen, Lord Lovat’s Piper. His Lordship in the water in front. Millen said the man on his left was killed before he entered the water.

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Bony Somme Cemetery.  September 2019.

Images Richard Houghton.

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July 2024.

Cambrai East German graves to fore, British & Commonwealth to rear.

German Mass unamed grave, surrounded by Commonwealth Graves.

Commonwealth Graves, individual graves right of picture man to a grave (mostly) Inside right back to back, left row inside,  these are ‘trenched graves’ set your imaginations to consider how orientated, then individually, left ssie again appear trenched.

German graves to rear.

Unlike majority of German plots this is bright white, whilst many black iron with a sombre overbearing disposition to many.

All imaqes Cambrai East… Richard Houghton.

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Jonkerbos, Holland in Autumn year unknown. Unknown source.

 

Hermies Hill in Autumn 2015.

Richard Houghton.