Search Results for: Ypres

Book Review of The 51st (Highland) Division in the Great War – An Engine of Destruction, by Colin Campbell. The 51st Highland Division was officially formed in 1908 in a reorganization of the Territorial Army, as a collation of all the kilted Highland regiments. Over the years that followed, until its deactivation in 1967, the…

Hill 60 had been taken by the Germans in November 1914 during the Battle of First Ypres (Flemish: Ieper). Due to its height it provided an excellent vantage point over Ypres, Zillebeke and the surrounding area. Battle of Hill 60 The British blew several mines under the area on 17th April, and captured it with very few…

Breaking the Fortress Line 1914 offers a fascinating new perspective on the German offensive against France and Belgium in 1914. In graphic detail it describes the intense fighting that took place around the forts and fortified cities that stood in the path of the German invasion. The ordeal began with the German assault on the…

Lieutenant General Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO, (5th May 1880 – 5th June 1963,) was a British Army Officer of Belgian and Irish descent who saw active service in three major conflicts spanning over six decades. His life and military career are widely recognised as legendary amongst various…

The archeological department of the Flemish intercommunal CO7 have discovered the remains of nineteen soldiers from the First World War. The remains of nineteen soldiers that were killed in action during World War One were discovered in the past days in Langemark-Poelkapelle. According to the first information, there are at least 2 German soldiers and 9 British…

Memorial Plaque of Jack Dimmer. (Credits: Andy Arnold) A few years ago I worked for the London Borough of Merton. Based at the Civic Centre in Morden, for nearly two years every day I walked past a small plaque in the foyer to Lieutenant Colonel John Dimmer, VC. I was recently reminded of this when…

This photograph from my collection shows a Sergeant from The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Helpfully it is signed by the soldier ‘Yours truly Sgt. J. Wyeth’. However on searching the First World War service records and medal index cards (MIC), I could not find a soldier who matched those details. However, there is a…

Studio portrait of Major (Maj) Henry William Murray VC DSO and bar DCM (Credits: AWM) Australia’s most decorated soldier of the First World War will have his medal group – including the revered Victoria Cross – on display at the Australian War Memorial. Lieutenant Colonel Henry William Murray VC CMG DSO & Bar DCM was described…

While the Allied Generals were nearing panic as the Germans approached Paris, Marshal Foch quickly realised the German intent and that the Schlieffen plan was unravelling. In a master piece of military diplomacy he persuaded Filed Marshal French to join the Attack on the exposed flank of the Germans as it wheeled to the east…

The bravery of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders soldiers earned them respect – the uniform earned them the legendary nickname The Ladies from Hell. It was a name given by the Germans to the kilted regiments of the British Army during World War One, including the Argylls whose ranks were swelled with Falkirk men. Among them…