Paul Garlington - Battlefield Historian

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Battlefields aside, there are times in this part of France when you are glad you have your camera with you.Instagram: pa...
07/05/2017

Battlefields aside, there are times in this part of France when you are glad you have your camera with you.
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With lunch set out in the boot of the Discovery, we were ready for a few moments rest after a hectic morning. And then t...
06/05/2017

With lunch set out in the boot of the Discovery, we were ready for a few moments rest after a hectic morning. And then this storm arrived ...
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The road across the Bouzincourt Ridge down to Aveluy would have rung to the sounds of soldiers' boots as units made thei...
05/05/2017

The road across the Bouzincourt Ridge down to Aveluy would have rung to the sounds of soldiers' boots as units made their way up to the front line. From this point, troops would have been able to see the battle raging on the horizon. A sobering experience ...
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Lealvillers and many of its neighbouring villages, would have been familiar to British soldiers as they made their way t...
03/05/2017

Lealvillers and many of its neighbouring villages, would have been familiar to British soldiers as they made their way to their billets or back to the front line. We passed by the church when following the footsteps of Uncle Frank (21713 Pte F Anderton) with the 6th Borders and the old photo shows the same spot as he would have seen it. Note the machine gun post by the church.
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A peaceful scene: a village nestles into the folds of the Picardy countryside. This view faced the 8th and 9th Devons in...
02/05/2017

A peaceful scene: a village nestles into the folds of the Picardy countryside. This view faced the 8th and 9th Devons in Mansell Copse who looked towards the German lines opposite, which ran across the edge of the field in the foreground. The village of Mametz was fully incorporated into the German defences, with the small, grey building in the cemetery in front of the church (the Shrine) being a particular strongpoint. Although Mametz would fall on the day of the attack, 1st July 1916, a machine gun placed here would play havoc with the Devons' advance.
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Behind the wayside crucifix lies Redan Ridge No. 3 Cemetery, which is situated north of Beaumont Hamel on the old German...
02/05/2017

Behind the wayside crucifix lies Redan Ridge No. 3 Cemetery, which is situated north of Beaumont Hamel on the old German front line. Striking in its quiet beauty, this tiny cemetery contains only 50 graves.
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Where the Bray and Peronne roads cross near the village of Fricourt, lies a small communal cemetery containing the grave...
26/04/2017

Where the Bray and Peronne roads cross near the village of Fricourt, lies a small communal cemetery containing the graves of a Blenheim aircraft crew, Pilot, Observer and Wireless Operator from 59 Squadron shot down during a reconnaissance mission on 22nd May 1940. Two days before, the German Panzer Division had thundered through this area.
A generation earlier, close to this spot, Siegfried Sassoon watched the opening of the Battle of the Somme and commented on the action unfolding before his eyes. "Fricourt," he said, "half-hidden in clouds of drifting smoke, blue, pinkish and grey. I am looking at a sunlit picture of Hell, and still the breeze shakes the yellow weeds, and the poppies glow under Crawley Ridge ..."
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The last of the Great War survivors may well have passed into History, but memories of their sacrifice and that of their...
11/11/2015

The last of the Great War survivors may well have passed into History, but memories of their sacrifice and that of their fallen pals will live on when we continue to wear our poppies and commemorate them in acts of remembrance around cenotaphs and war memorials.

Why not join me in commemorating them where they fought and fell, especially in the coming year which sees the centenary of the Somme?

03/07/2015

Six weeks into his service, making the leap from civilian to military life, Frank would have been through a whirlwind of change. NCO's would have made it clear to all recruits that they were "not tied to yer mother's apron strings now!", though I get the impression that Frank never was in spite of the deep bond he had with his parents and siblings.
It is difficult to follow exactly what Frank was up to day by day, because the battalion war diary has been destroyed, according to museum sources. Pity. However, his routine would have been much like any other training unit as they were prepared in earnest for a war that had by that time gained frenetic momentum.
At this stage, there was no shortage of uniform and equipment, which the recruits of 1914 had suffered. Industry had mobilised in this area at least and, although he would have probably spent time in 'Kitchener Blue', the Melton blue serge uniforms which plugged the gap, he would have soon been in khaki and feeling a proper soldier. Webbing equipment was a bone of contention for the recruits, though. This was the strapping worn over the uniform to carry accoutrements such as the bayonet, entrenching tool and helve, water bottle, mess tin, back pack (valise), haversack and, of course, bullets, which were held in 5-round chargers. The recruits wanted the canvas 1908 Pattern webbing, which was considered to be the absolute best and could be put on like a waistcoat in spite of its weight.
Frank would have been issued with the 1914 Pattern webbing, which was a response to the unprecedented demands on the Army purse caused by the needs of the largest volunteer army in History - Kitchener's New Army. Cheaper to produce, it was made of leather and worked on the same waistcoat principle, but that wouldn't have cut it with Frank and his mates: they were proper soldiers and they wanted proper kit. The appearance of the 1908 Pattern webbing would be issued to them all too soon, however; a harbinger declaring their training was over and they were to be posted for active service. More of Frank's training to come ...

30/05/2015

29th May 1915: Frank, having set off by train the day before, was posted to his regimental 3rd Battalion for his statutory training. Behind him was the routine of medical inspection, which had recorded him as 5ft 6in tall and weighing 10st 5lbs. His age was also noted down: 22 years and 7 months.
Also behind him were the tearful goodbyes of his sorrowing family, his parents Frank and Catherine, his brothers and sisters, Mary, Annie, Dick, Joe and Kitty, who so desperately did not want him to go. For a loving son and brother, these were memories which would almost certainly return to him during the quiet times.
There were to be few of those, however, at least during daylight hours. On arrival, Frank would now go through the lottery of uniform distribution - collarless grey-back shirt, high-waited khaki trousers with braces, thick socks, puttees, army boots, khaki uniform jacket, snake belt. If it didn't fit, look to swap or make do.
To come would be the training - more of that later.
In later posts, more of Frank's exact details will be revealed.

28/05/2015

And Frank's anniversary? On 26th May 1915, Frank signed up with his mate Bob - their service numbers, one number apart, show that Frank went through first. From then on, it was all go.

25/05/2015

Early start. Another hectic day in prospect with the team. Thiepval before breakfast.

24/05/2015

Hello to all new followers! At this moment in time, the team are enjoying a well earned beer in the hotel bar, after 12 hours exploring the Somme. Will upload photos soon. Another early start tomorrow.

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