The Military Service Act 1916 – One Hundred Years On

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Magicfingers

074You might not know this, but exactly 100 years ago today, on the 27th January 1916, the British Government passed the Military Service Act, which made all single men between the ages of eighteen and forty one liable to be called up for compulsory military service.  Conscription had begun.

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French Flanders: The Nursery Part Seven – Desplanque Farm Cemetery

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Magicfingers

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Five hundred yards as the crow flies north east of Ration Farm Military Cemetery, our next stop finds us at Desplanque Farm Cemetery. Continue reading →

Posted in French Flanders, The Nursery: Bois Grenier to Houplines | 12 Comments

French Flanders: The Nursery Part Six – Ration Farm Military Cemetery

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Magicfingers

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A little less than a mile north east of Bois-Grenier, our next stop sees us at Ration Farm Military Cemetery… Continue reading →

Posted in French Flanders, The Nursery: Bois Grenier to Houplines | 6 Comments

Nurse Jessie Morton’s Autograph Book Part One

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Magicfingers

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Talking of little books, as we did last time (before I forget, those of you who have read the previous Butte de Warlencourt post will find I have added a couple of documents you might find of interest at the end of that post), here’s another one. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Documents, Maps & Artwork | 5 Comments

Travels on the Somme Part Eighteen – The Butte de Warlencourt

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Magicfingers

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The Butte de Warlencourt from the Albert-Bapaume road. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Documents, Maps & Artwork, The Somme | 45 Comments

A Peaceful Christmas to One and All

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Magicfingers

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Snowy Flanders fields, north east of Zillebeke lake.  Happy Christmas everyone.  Thanks for tuning in this year.  This little site has been up and running for five years now, but it would all be a little pointless without you lot.  As far as 2016 is concerned, we shall continue our travels in French Flanders, later visiting Fromelles and Nieppe, as well as a considerable number of cemeteries to the north and north east of Ieper that I have yet to show you.  Plus some more Somme stuff.  Hopefully it will keep you informed and entertained.  So from Baldrick and me, hope 2015 was a good one, and hope 2016 is even better.  Cheers!

Posted in Zillebeke | 12 Comments

French Flanders: The Nursery Part Five – Brewery Orchard Cemetery

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Magicfingers

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A dank day and a rather dank place, I’m afraid to say.  This is Brewery Orchard Cemetery, and there used to be an orchard here.  And presumably a brewery. Continue reading →

Posted in French Flanders, The Nursery: Bois Grenier to Houplines | 10 Comments