Re: Somme
Got back from a tour of the battlefields and graves of the Somme at 12:15 this morning. We managed to miss the media at the larger memorials by rejiggling the schedule and as a special request we visited the Pals memorial. It`s set quite a way from the main road, up a track and is situated at the corner edge of the woods, just in front of the trench line. The forest is pine and Saturday when we visited gave respite from the hot sun. Through the forest, which is dotted with shell holes, you reach the forward trench and then Railway Hill cemetary, where 57 of the Pals are buried. This cemetary as all war cemetaries in France and Belgium is meticulosly maintained by the Commenwealth War Graves Committee. At each cemetary is a small vault in the wall which holds a record of all the graves at that site together with a visitors book. The site, once the coach parties had left was incredibly peaceful, with a spectacular view over the surrounding countryside and the memorial of Accrington brick and black marble does stand out as something special due to its location and design. I`d recommend anyone visiting that area to stop off, make a short walk and pay your respects to the brave men of the area.
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" Crashes "
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