Deborah (debris4spike) wrote,
Deborah
debris4spike

WWI ... # 3

And here we are at the middle day - the battle of Lens was one of the few that actually went OK.  The people in charge made good use of the ancient tunnels under the town (that had been built as the rock was being excavated) .  These were extended, and so the armies didn't have the problems of no-man's land on day 1.  Sadly the generals didn't believe it would be as good as it was, so failed to bring up the support the men needed.

I went through a small part of the New Zealand tunnels.


 photo Wellington Mines Arras 20_zpsprjwvsvd.jpg
 photo Wellington Mines Arras 12_zpsotq0yfkn.jpg
 photo Wellington Mines Arras 2_zpstuiixapu.jpg
And here I am ... complete with safety hat!
 photo Wellington Mines Arras 1_zpsuzmph6tr.jpg


One thing that has been special in Belgium is the sounding of the Last Post, every night, at the Menin Gate, Ypres.  That was how our first day finished.  To me it was doubly poignant, because Tim had learnt trumpet, and when he first brought his home Granddad picked it up, at age 81, and played the Last Post on it.  His only comment was that it wasn't the first time he had done that.

 photo Ypres 2_zpsmmwhvnsq.jpg
Waiting under the gate
 photo Ypres 32_zpsrtlmgfns.jpg
Claire's Great-Grandfather's name is here
 photo Ypres 22_zpsrengj8sv.jpg
Ypres  Cloth Hall - rebuilt
 photo Ypres 10_zps2kzub6jd.jpg


 photo Languemark 11_zpszs2wlwwp.jpg
 photo Languemark 10_zpspecgzmej.jpg
45,000 unknow bories are resting here
 photo Languemark 6_zpsjvo3zreu.jpg


And, finally another Canadian memorial - this time for those who died in the first gas attack.
 photo Canadian Gas Memorial 2_zpscl9h6lho.jpg
Tags: belgium, camera, france, granddad c, holiday 2018, wwi
Subscribe

  • Day Out In History

    As I said, on Thursday Christine and I had a great trip out to Dyrham Park ... a really lovely place. There is so much to see, I think we could have…

  • Some Lovely Sunny Days

    Mind you, when I walked into work this morning the frost was glittering in the grass. I was certainly glad I didn't need to drive, as my car was…

  • It's Obvious I Am Working Later ....

    After all, the sun is shining today! Yesterday we have heavy rain most of the day ... so much for having a day off to relax. So, in the end I spent…

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    default userpic

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
  • 2 comments