Mouscron – The Carrier Memorial at Risquons-Tout

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Magicfingers

On 25th May 1940, on the western outskirts of Mouscron, at the little village, at the time, of Risquons-Tout, the 1st Bn. East Surrey Regiment fought a minor defensive battle before continuing the retreat towards Dunkirk.  Continue reading →

Posted in World War II | 6 Comments

Mouscron Communal Cemetery & War Memorial

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Magicfingers

I see no CWGC sign outside these cemetery gates, so it’s a good job I’d done my research.  Continue reading →

Posted in Belgian Military Cemeteries, Belgian War Memorials | 16 Comments

The Wizernes Bunker Complex – La Coupole

Posted on June 4, 2022 by Magicfingers

So, we have a huge concrete dome structure up on a hill which, whatever its purpose, doesn’t look quite right, does it? Continue reading →

Posted in World War II | 8 Comments

La Plaine Au Bois – The Wormhoudt Massacre

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Magicfingers

Now, there’s a peaceful, pastoral, scene for you. Continue reading →

Posted in World War II | 30 Comments

World War II in Flanders Fields

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Magicfingers

Twenty nine months on, and at last I found myself back on the battlefields again.  Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, World War II | 18 Comments

The Tin Nose Shop

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Magicfingers

American sculptor Anna Coleman Ladd adds the finishing touches to a face mask for an injured French soldier in her Paris ‘Studio for Portrait Masks’, most likely in 1918.  Continue reading →

Posted in Soldiers | 4 Comments

2022 – Post-Pandemic Plans

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Magicfingers

Accompanied by a few photos of the flagpole and poppy memorial at the entrance to Randalls Park Crematorium in Leatherhead in Surrey, let’s take a look at the state of play of theBigNote as of April 2022.  Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | 22 Comments