rugby 🏉 mad Harlequins 🃏 season ticket holder, passion for military history, Talbot House Warden, Great War Group member and WHW IC, always the happiest with a 📚, a good 🇧🇪 🍻 and being in 🇧🇪
Brothers Edwin and Edgar Howell were both killed on 5 August 1916. The remains of both men were discovered during excavations on the Pozières battlefield in 1937. Edgar was identified by a matchbox, and Edwin by an identity disc. 📍London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval 🇫🇷
#OnThisDay during the #SiegeOfColchester - 5 August 1648, Fairfax's secretary notes that they could take the town by storm but saw no reason to when illness would do it for them: "Let them eat horseflesh and maggots till the Flux (already among them) increase their diseases".
PHOTO OF THE DAY. The Beatles during the Revolver recording sessions (1966).📷 google images
FACT OF THE DAY. 5 August 1966. Revolver by The Beatles was released in the UK. It marked the group’s most innovative use of studio technology. It’s since become regarded as one of the greatest albums in the history of popular music and probably the group’s best album.
Happy #WorldOysterDay 2026. #Colchester, #BritainsFirstCity has been associated with oysters since at least #RomanTimes. There's even a type of oyster - the #ColchesterNative - named after the City. More: www.visitcolchester.com/food-and-dri...
Today in 1914, after Germany declares war on Belgium and begins invading that small country, Great Britain declares war on Germany to defend Belgium. A treaty obligation from the 19th century, Great Britain will finally return to Europe for war. #WW1 #FWW #GreatWar
HMS INDOMITABLE photographed from HMS INFLEXIBLE while they were shadowing the German battlecruiser GOEBEN and the light cruiser BRESLAU off Sicily on 4 August 1914. 📸 IWM (SP 2879)
4 August 1914: Following the expiry of its ultimatum to the Belgian government, Germany declared war and began the invasion of Belgium. The initial objective was the capture of the heavily defended city of Liege with its major rail and road crossings on the Meuse River.
4 August 1914: Following the German invasion of Belgium and the German government's summary rejection to guarantee Belgian neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany at 11 pm. Earlier in the day, the British government had issued orders for general mobilisation to commence.
Today in 1914, since the Schlieffen Plan says you get to France through Belgium, Germany declares war on Belgium to pave the way for the invasion (and no doubt quick capitulation) of France. Everything according to plan! Nach Paris! Durch Belgien! #WW1 #FWW #GreatWar
#OnThisDay during the #SiegeOfColchester - 4 August 1648, A soldier came into the town saying "that he had come from Sir M. Langdale's army, who would himself come to help us within 7 days". He was found to be one of Ireton's troopers who had some distaste from his commander...
A unique headstone belonging to Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC, who died of wounds while serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War. His is the only Commonwealth military headstone to bear two Victoria Crosses. 📍Brandhoek New Military Cemetery 🇧🇪
PERSON OF THE DAY. 4 August 1962. Marilyn Monroe died (aged 36) in a bedroom of her Los Angeles home due to a suspected overdose of barbiturates. Forensic tests put the time of death between 8:30PM and 10:30PM. Her housekeeper said she found Marilyn dead at 3:00AM on 5 August 1962.
FACT OF THE DAY. 4 August 1914. British government declared war on Germany to begin its involvement in the “Great War of 1914-18”. It was this decision that tipped the balance in favour of the Allies in the conflict and ensured Germany’s defeat.
"The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime" - British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, 3 August 1914
Germany wanted to avoid the dreaded 2-front war. But today in 1914 Germany declares war on France. Initiating the 2-front war! Gentlemen, start your engines! Let the Schlieffen Plan commence! On to Paris! Nach Paris! #WW1 #FWW #GreatWar
3 August 1914: With Germany poised to attack Belgium and France, the British government issued orders for the Territorial Force to be mobilised. The following day, general mobilisation was ordered. Throughout July, the army had been preparing for mobilisation as the crisis in Europe deepened.