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Author Archives: ww1geek
An Arras Mystery
Today marks the centenary of the death of Private Harold William Baker, 20th Royal Fusiliers, one of the men commemorated on Carshalton war memorial and who I wrote about in my book. Harold lived locally and attended St. Olave’s school … Continue reading
The 1st Queen’s 1914 Star Medal Roll
It has been a while since I last posted on here but I’ve been trying to fit in my ongoing research into the 1st Battalion The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) when time allows. One project I recently completed was … Continue reading
Posted in 1914, First Ypres, Projects, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Research, Surrey Regiments, WW1, Ypres
Tagged 1914 star, 1st Queen's, medal roll, Queens, Research, Surrey, WW1, Ypres
8 Comments
Sutton’s Somme campaign casualties
In my last post I listed the 38 men from Sutton and the surrounding area who lost their lives on 1st July 1916. On Remembrance Day, as the centenary of the end of the Somme campaign approaches, I thought it … Continue reading
Posted in 1916, Carshalton, Centenary, Remembrance, Somme, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Carshalton, Cheam, Remembrance, Somme, Sutton, Wallington, WW1
2 Comments
Sutton and the Somme, 1st July 1916
Like communities up and down the country, Sutton and the surrounding area were hugely impacted by the Battle of the Somme. Ten men from Sutton (representing 2% of the names on Sutton memorial) and 20 from Carshalton (8% of the … Continue reading
Posted in 1916, Research, Somme, Surrey Regiments, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Belmont, Carshalton, Cheam, Somme, Somme100, Sutton, Wallington
2 Comments
The story behind a lone headstone
To a passer-by, the headstone situated in the middle of the field might seem out of place, particularly if they are not aware of the history of the local area. But there are very few passers-by, for this is not … Continue reading
Posted in 1916, CWGC, Loos, Remembrance, Research, WW1
Tagged Commonwealth War Graves Commission, CWGC, Hohenzollern, Remembrance, Shellshock
5 Comments
“The whole attack had been a most costly failure” – The 1st Queen’s 15th July 1916
The average shopper in Guildford may be forgiven for not paying a visit to the church of Holy Trinity at the top of the High Street. The attention of those who do venture down the path at the side of … Continue reading
Mapping Carshalton’s First World War casualties
Recently I have been ‘mapping’ the men named on Carshalton war memorial to show where they lived in the area. My research into the men has really focused on them as individuals rather than looking at how the community was … Continue reading
Posted in Carshalton, Research, Surrey Regiments, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Carshalton, Carshalton casualties, Surrey, WW1
6 Comments
Three East Surrey VCs – Hill 60
Hill 60 had been taken by the Germans in November 1914 during the Battle of First Ypres. Due to its height it provided an excellent vantage point over Ypres, Zillebeke and the surrounding area. The British blew several mines under … Continue reading
Posted in 1915, Centenary, East Surrey Regiment, Gallantry, WW1, Ypres
Tagged Dwyer, Geary, Hill 60, Roupell, VC, Victoria Cross
3 Comments
The real-life Indiana Jones, the First World War, and the Natural History Museum
If you have ever visited the Natural History Museum in London you will no doubt have seen the statue of Charles Darwin on the main staircase in the Central Hall. You may however be forgiven for paying less attention to … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, East Africa, WW1
Tagged East Africa campaign, General Smuts, Natural History Museum, Royal Fusiliers, Selous
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Searching for William MacDuff – what can be learnt from new records?
Last week I attended the book launch for Michael LoCicero’s new book, ‘A Moonlight Massacre: The night operation on the Passchendaele Ridge, 2 December 1917.’ The book describes the action in which my Great Great Uncle William MacDuff was killed, … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, Border Regiment, Passchendaele, Research, WW1
Tagged Border Regiment, Lonsdales, MacDuff, moonlight massacre, Passchendaele, Westrozebeke, WW1
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