[WBA-Josh]

In September I am going to Mons and Tournai in Belgium. Mons is where the first British action of World War 1 took place and there is a bridge on the outskirts of Mons called Nimy Bridge where the first British Victoria Cross' of World War 1 were awarded. Here is the story if you're interested - http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/nimy.htm

I work in Carbis Bay Beefy so I may have seen you last year without recognising you. You are pretty unmistakeable though given your resemblance to a humpback whale with legs.  

[Alouion]

Like your post Baggieman. Sounds like we have a lot in common on the travel front. I worked in East Germany some years ago and visited Kracov and Auschwitz during my time there. If you organise trips out that way you could do worse than Leipzig,Dresden and Prague, all of which are fairly close to each other. You can do Colditz too,which is en route.
Like you I am much travelled, having done the RTW flights 3 times in all. Favourite place is probably Hong Kong followed closely by Saigon. Least favourite and definitely most scary was Manila in the Philippines. It appeared to me and my travelling buddy that we were the only 2 people in the city who were not carrying firearms.
We are back in Thailand for 3 weeks later this year followed by a 35 day Caribbean cruise in the new year. We are also discussing doing Route 66 as well in 2018.
Loving retirement!

[BaggieMan]

In September I am going to Mons and Tournai in Belgium. Mons is where the first British action of World War 1 took place and there is a bridge on the outskirts of Mons called Nimy Bridge where the first British Victoria Cross' of World War 1 were awarded. Here is the story if you're interested - http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/nimy.htm

I work in Carbis Bay Beefy so I may have seen you last year without recognising you. You are pretty unmistakeable though given your resemblance to a humpback whale with legs.  

Josh, that's very interesting as one of my main interests is the Military & Political history of the Great War - the Somme in particular which I have been visiting for many years either personally, escorting groups of adults, school groups and Staffordshire & West Midlands Army Cadets.

I was 'on the Somme' six times last year including being fortunate enough to get tickets for the commemoration ceremonies on 1st July, the centennial of the commencement of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.

My interest really started in 1987 when, upon the passing away of my father, I inherited a photograph of a group of 'Tommies' riding on an 8" howitizter and trail along a leafy lane. In the centre of the photograph was my grandfather who, through extensive research, I found was serving with 286th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. More research and I actually discovered where and when the photograph was taken and have visited the exact spot several times.

If you ever go to the Somme let me know as I have written an extensive easy read/follow guide book which I give to the participants in the groups I escort or indeed, maybe you could join one our groups next year. Are you a member of the WFA?

You will find Mons Le Cateau and the area of the 'Old Contemptible's' fascinating - enjoy your trip!

[WBA-Josh]

Thanks to my father I have a big interest in the first world war (so much so I am looking at going back to uni next year to study archaeology and history to hopefully become a battlefield archaeologist) and I would like to go to the Somme in the future. What is the WFA Baggieman?

I was in Lille back in March and whilst there I went on a battlefield tour. The tour consisted of going to Fromelles (http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/others/fromelles.html) and then onto some memorials including the site of the 1914 Christmas truce. The tour was concluded with a couple of hours in Ypres which is a lovely little place with lovely people. I also went on a solo day trip across to Mons which was lovely. So lovely in fact that I am going back again as well as going to Tournai.

[BaggieMan]

Josh, the Western Front Association (WFA) is a national group dedicated to preserving and commemorating the Great War and the memory of the fallen.

I've been a member for many years and attend the monthly meetings of the North Staffordshire branch. The meetings usually consist of a speaker on a specific subject such as trench warfare, naval activities, munitions etc etc - in fact a great variety of subjects. The cost of membership is minimal and I find it very rewarding.

These are the links:

http://westernfrontassociation.com/

There is a branch covering Devon and Cornwall.

http://westernfrontassociation.com/uk-br...chair.html

The beauty of the Somme battlefields is that the topography has barely changed in 100 years with a lot to see and explore. The Ypres Salient and other areas have suffered from development over the century hence my preference for the Somme.

Hope this helps.

[aries22]

Baggie Man, have you visited the Normandy beaches? We were on holiday there and went to Arromanches and there are landing craft still in the water there.

[BaggieMan]

Aries, yes I have visited the Normandy beaches a couple of times which I found very interesting. Being more a war of movement unlike the Great War, Normandy is one of the few places where you can actually see the evidence.

On the contrary, the Great War being more static, the battlefields are littered with remains and evidence particularly on the Somme which remains today, one hundred years on, a mainly rural farming area that has changed little since the Great War.  I have trench maps for 1916 and even the woods, the roads and tracks are identical to those found on modern Ordnance Survey maps. Exception of a ring road and a McDonalds of course!

[4evaabaggie]

Lest we forget.

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.