Back to the Somme: Part 3

| May 30, 2023

 The Artillery Barrage Light gauge railways delivered ammunition to the frontline. Prior to the attack on 1 July 1916 a seven-day barrage fired 1.5 million shells. Of these it is estimated 1/3 of them were duds. The Canadian Expeditionary Force’s battalions took part in the Battle of the Somme but much later than the events […]

Back to the Somme: Part 2

| April 30, 2023

The Commanders The Somme was where the British and French armies met occupying a 25-mile front mostly to the north of the River Somme. The battle of 1 July 1916, was the largest operation of the Great War and started with 500,000 men, mostly volunteers of the Pals battalions. The Pals did not have the […]

Wounded Horse in Stone

| May 29, 2022

A War Horse Story In 2006 while on tour with an English friend across the landscapes of the Western Front, we happened upon the horse memorial at Chipilly. Time was of the essence, our host and driver wanted to show us as much as possible, I managed to ask for a quick stop to roll […]

Howitzer of the Somme

| April 30, 2022

Mother…Film… It takes a while…the penny drops…the pictures produce the synapses (the passing of messages to communicate). Having returned to 2005 I find my file of images for the 9.2 inch dazzle painted “gun” at the Imperial War Museum. Surely, at the time, I will do something with these? And surely I did…mind 17 years […]

Great War Honours to the Canadian Scottish

| February 27, 2022

1915 and the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion Distinguished Service Order Major Gilbert Godson-Godson DSO London Gazette: 22 June 1915 Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty’s Birthday. No citation. Occupation: City of Vancouver. Department Head. Prior service: Second Boer War (Corps of Guides and South African Constabulary. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Mentioned in […]