Category Archives: Ypres

For England and Alice

Posted on May 10, 2020 by ww1geek

In 1915 an interesting story appeared in several newspapers, concerning L/8863 Sergeant Cecil Robert Newman of the 2nd Battalion The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Cecil was born in Twickenham but lived in Mitcham. He was a pre-war Regular soldier … Continue reading →

Posted in 1914, First Ypres, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Remembrance, Research, Surrey Regiments, WW1, Ypres | Tagged | Leave a comment

Some day, some time we’ll understand

Posted on July 17, 2019 by ww1geek

On my recent trip to the battlefields of France and Flanders, I spent some time visiting the graves of men who were killed alongside my Great Great Uncle during a night attack on 2nd December 1917. One hundred men from … Continue reading →

Posted in CWGC, Remembrance, Research, War memorials, WW1, Ypres | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

In the Footsteps of the 1st Queen’s

Posted on June 18, 2019 by ww1geek

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 , , , , , | 4 Comments

The gory details

Posted on March 29, 2019 by ww1geek

I am often struck when reading newspaper reports or personal accounts from the war at just how frank they can be, in a way that you just would not see in newspapers these days. These accounts often include the ‘gory … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, CWGC, Gallantry, Research, WW1, Ypres | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The 1st Queen’s 1914 Star Medal Roll

Posted on March 19, 2017 by ww1geek

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 , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Three East Surrey VCs – Hill 60

Posted on April 20, 2015 by ww1geek

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 , , , , , | 3 Comments

Christmas Day casualties

Posted on December 23, 2013 by ww1geek

Earlier this year I accompanied a school group on their trip to Ypres, led by Steve Garnett of Gesta. The first stop on the salient was Essex Farm Cemetery, where John McCrae wrote his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. After … Continue reading →

Posted in 1916, Battlefield tours, Research, WW1, Ypres | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments