95th Anniversary

I have just come back from visiting the Somme. On November 5th 2011, I stood amongst the Gueudecourt battlefield and where Thomas and the 1st battalion soldiers were killed 95 years earlier (and some are still buried there today). It was so quiet while I was standing there looking around.

It was good to be able to "play" the battle attacks on the land instead of looking at maps and trying to visualise it. I took photos of the battlefield and will be placing them on the website.

While visiting the Somme, I also went around to every cemetery and/or memorial which had the 73 soldiers and photographed their headstone or name. I will be placing these pictures on the individual soldier pages on my website (hopefully over the next week).

ANZAC Day 2011

I attended the local Piangil Service today and laid some hibiscus flowers (from my garden) with the burial co-ordinate written on the wrapping.

I am currently watching the Villers-Bretonneux drawn service. It has been a little surreal (maybe not the correct word) because while I am listening to /watching this service - knowing that Thomas and the other soldiers names are there (actually they just showed their part of the wall on TV) I am replying to two new sets of family members who has just contacted me.

November 5th 2011, Gueudecourt, France

95th Anniversary

This year on November 5th it will be 95 years since Thomas and the other 1st battalion soldiers were killed.

I had hoped to return to Gueudecourt (I was there with my dad in 2006 for the 90th anniversary) and go to where (I now know) Thomas and the others are buried (on the battlefield).

Well, with some planning I have booked and paid for my trip and I will be standing on/near their graves on November 5th this year. I have also organised (hopefully) to visit all the cemeteries and memorials where all the 1st battalion soldiers are buried or have their names commemorated. I will take photographs of their names or graves and place these onto the website on the individual soldier's pages.

Website FINISHED!

This is to say that I have finally finished the website. I will in the future be updating it with photographs of the soldiers as family members contact me and hopefully have a picture of their soldier.
I will also update the website with any new information/maps/pictures I come across.