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Not an aeroplane bomb, but possibly a bomb mortar 6in H E (stokes newton), another first for me in having seen one.

A small horde of First World War ordnance, not surprisingly the farmer has it flagged ready for DOVO SEDEE rounds. I think this os the first time in all my years that I’ve come across a bomb that will have been dropped by an aeroplane. There’s always something new to be seen, found or learnt.

"After Pilckem Ridge, there were only a handful of us left from my platoon. An Officer,lost in the confusion of battle, came up to us and asked 'Who are you? are you the West Ridings,' and a wag with us answered 'No, we're the bloody Welsh Walkings,'he said. 31st July 1917 - Began the Third Ypres.

Once pontoon bridges would have crossed the Ieper/Ijzer Canal during the First World War supplying front line areas, evacuating the wounded back across the canal to the Advanced Dressing Stations, over a hundred years later beautiful evening colours as the sun goes down on a tranquil Summer evening.

On this day 8th July 1923, the Brooding Soldier Memorial was inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by a number of relatives of the fallen soldiers and during the greater part of the ceremony four Canadian veterans stood motionless at each corner of the column with arms reversed and head bowed.

Apparently on Trip Advisor we're in the top 10% of things to do worldwide...many thanks to pilgrims, battlefield visitors who put their faith and trust in us.

In the First World War Noyon was completely wiped off the face of France. It then took around two decades to rebuild, today as you walk around the centre and in the Cathedral the markings of allied bombings of 1944 are only too visible.

No walking across the Millennium bridge in Ieper (Ypres) yesterday due to works, I walked the long way but pleased as I spotted a few scattered poppies set back from the Menin Gate Memorial. I welcomed the opportunity to stop as I walked through to just gaze pondering at the names in front of me.

Memorial to Maczek - 1st Polish Armoured Division memorial to the liberation on 6th September 1944. Nice to see, apparently inaugurated in Ieper 6th September 2024.

Battle of Messines 7th-14th June 1917. Irish Peace Park commemorates the Irish of Ireland sitting on a section of the Messines & Wytschaete Ridge. An idea born by two Irish men which through their commitment & dedication saw coming to fruition with the memorial being inaugurated in November 1998.

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It’s hard to imagine that on this day, 28th May 1940 that men of the Royal Warwickshire, the Cheshire Regiment & Artillery were herded into a barn and murdered with the S.S. commencing the atrocities by throwing stick grenades into the barn in what became known as the Wormhoudt Massacre.

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27th May 1940 Remembering the Le Paradis - British soldiers of Norfolks and Scots amongst others who were massacred by members of the SS Totenkopf Rifle Regiment.

A cold one out on the Ypres Salient battlefields today, 13c but a nippy wind making a chill factor of about 6c. Poelkapelle British Cemetery, a concentration of cemeteries after the First World War, headstones (graves) as far as the eyes can reach a staggering 6,230 of the 7,479 are unidentified.

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Such a beautiful display of Spring colour across Tyne Cot Cemetery at the moment, coupled with the call of a cuckoo makes for tranquil reflection.

AI…eh? There are enough cemeteries and headstones around us without having to create an AI image…to then go one step further by placing information on it where there is no epitaph on the CWGC records or actual grave is false and not accurate.

To The ANZACS What a day to remember And never forget! What a day to keep sacred For a hundred years yet! And let them know Of the sacrifice Made for Homeland Where right never dies. It was right against might, Because Anzac was right. Because Anzac was just. #AnzacDay #Australia #NewZealand

#OTD the Capture of Hill 60, 17th - 22nd April 1915. At 10 second intervals mines were exploded under Hill 60, Ypres Salient. The explosion was accompanied by a heavy bombardment of the hill lasting about 15 minutes immediately after which the hill was stormed & captured by the Royal West Kents...

Last night I had a genuine fear & feeling of sickness as to what I & the world were going to wake up to. Do world leaders not realise that most of us ‘ordinary’ human beings want to do a decent days work, maybe take one holiday a year & enjoy time with family & friends. Dangerous times we live in.

Happy Easter Bank Holiday weekend!

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On this day 1st April 1918 the forming of the Royal Air Force. "Without any formal inauguration the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps became merged into one body under the title of the Royal Air Force. #OTD #RAF #RFC #RNAS #RoyalAirForce