Author Archives: Magicfingers

French Hand Grenades of the Great War Part Two – The Percutante No. 1 (P1)

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Magicfingers

This is the French Percutante No. 1 defensive hand grenade, referred to in the trenches, as you might imagine, as the ‘pear’ grenade. 

Posted in French Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 2 Comments

French Hand Grenades of the Great War Part One – Grenade Modèle 1914

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Magicfingers

Now that’s what I call a proper Boy’s Own bomb. 

Posted in French Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 2 Comments

Strathdearn War Memorial

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Magicfingers

Well, I have dragged it out as long as I can, but this is the final memorial from my pre-Covid Scottish trip. And an unusual style of memorial it is, too. There are thirty names on the Great War Roll … Continue reading →

Posted in Highlands, Scotland, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 6 Comments

Italian Grenades of the Great War Part Four – The BPD Hand Grenade

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Magicfingers

Here we have the BPD hand grenade, one of the early defensive hand grenades used by the Italian Army during the Great War. 

Posted in Italian Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 2 Comments

Italian Grenades of the Great War Part Three – The S.I.P.E. Hand Grenade

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Magicfingers

Back in the world of hand grenades that look like hand grenades (at least to those of us of my generation), this is one of the most common types of defensive grenade used by Italian troops during the Great War. 

Posted in Italian Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 11 Comments

Italian Grenades of the Great War Part Two – The Carbone Type C Hand Grenade

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Magicfingers

Those of you with good memories might be thinking that I’ve shown you this type of wire-handled grenade before. 

Posted in Italian Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 4 Comments

Betchworth – St. Michael’s Churchyard, War Memorial & War Memorial Hall

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Magicfingers

Another locked church, I’m afraid,… …but the war memorial makes our visit worthwhile. The panels of the memorial list twenty nine men killed in the Great War, with the names of eight Second World War casualties on the angled base … Continue reading →

Posted in Surrey, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 6 Comments