Tower Poppies and the Imperial War Museum Library

The installation 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' at the Tower of London has generated a lot of publicity along with calls for it to be kept. I was lucky to have visited the poppies at the Tower back in September (still very busy but nowhere near the mad rush that was to come). I found the installation very thought provoking and moving. Certainly many of the people around me commented how beautiful it was and yet how tragic as every poppy represented a life lost. 

When I got home that evening I decided to check out if there were still spots left to help plant the remaining poppies. As I had left it fairly late the spots were all filled but the organisers had just opened up spots for removing the installation. So today I will be going along for a three hour shift to help remove the installation.

If anything comes from this years remembrance day and commemorations, then it will at least be healthy debate and a better understanding. The media have loved the Tower Poppies as they can write piece after piece either praising or criticising them. This has got people talking about the role and style of remembrance which is only a good thing.

On a final brief note there is a petition regarding the funding of the Imperial War Museum and planned closure of its Library and study center.
Please take a moment to check out and sign the petition.
Petion is Here

Battle of Mons and the first VC of the War

 This weekend saw the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Mons. I was fortunate enough during the summer of 2012 to go on an in depth recce of not only Mons but also the route of the subsequent retreat. When people remember the Great War it tends to be 1916 onwards (with perhaps the exception of the battle of Loos). I found the recce to be fascinating as we covered such a large distance and such a varied set of engagements, from infantry battles to cavalry clashes to large engagements such as Le Cateau.

Plaque at Nimy Bridge (Authors Collection)

The plaque above is from the location just under Nimy Bridge where Lieutenant Dease and Private Godley won their Victoria Crosses. While these were the first of the war they would not be the last to be earned on the retreat that began after the Battle of Mons (only one day later Captain Grenfell would earn his during the action at Audregnies and Captain Bradbury would earn his during the engagement at Nery). 

Mons saw the much smaller BEF come into contact with the German 1st Army, that the BEF were able to put up a fight and extricate themselves shows the professionalism of the regulars and reservists. 

The grave of Lieutenant Dease at St Symphorien (Authors Collection)

Lieutenant Dease is buried at St Symphorien which is a remarkable Commonwealth War graves Cemetery. Behind German lines for the vast majority of the war, it is laid out in a very different manor. It also features the first and last BEF and Canadian casualties of the War. 

Private Godley survived the action at Mons, was taken prisoner and survived the war being present with his Victoria Cross by the King in 1919.