Category Archives: 1917
In the Footsteps of the 1st Queen’s
At the end of May I ventured once more to the battlefields of Flanders. There was no specific reason for my trip, more a desire to return after nearly nine months away, for what might be my only visit this … Continue reading
Posted in 1914, 1917, 1918, CWGC, First Ypres, Passchendaele, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Remembrance, Research, Surrey Regiments, WW1, Ypres
Tagged 1st Queen's, Flanders, Gheluvelt, Langemarck, Meteren, Ypres
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A Lucky Escape
I am often struck when reading the recollections of soldiers in the First World War how much luck, providence, fate – call it what you will – seems to factor in their accounts. As such the following story caught my … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, CWGC, Remembrance, Research, WW1
Tagged east kent regiment, nine elms, shot at dawn, the buffs, william munday
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‘The bayonet was freely used’ – The 3/4th Queen’s at the Battle of Broodseinde 4th October 1917
The 3/4th battalion of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) was a territorial battalion that been formed in 1915 and went overseas in June 1917, joining 62nd Brigade, 21st Division, in August. Although the battalion spent some time in the … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, Passchendaele, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Surrey Regiments, WW1
Tagged 3/4th queen's, broodseinde
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Alfred Pollard VC
Today marks the centenary of the action for which Second Lieutenant Alfred Oliver Pollard was awarded the highest decoration for gallantry, the Victoria Cross. During this centenary of the First World War a commemorative paving slab is being laid in … Continue reading
Posted in 1917, Arras, Centenary, Gallantry, Wallington, War memorials, WW1
Tagged Alfred Oliver Pollard, Arras, Gavrelle, HAC, Honourable Artillery Company, Pollard, VC, Victoria Cross
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‘A mad scheme in my opinion’: The 1st Queen’s attack on the Hindenburg Line 23/04/1917
The 1st Battalion of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) did not participate in the opening phase of the Battle of Arras from 9th April, but on 15th April as part of the ‘fresh’ 33rd Division, moved into support north … Continue reading
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 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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