Trench Lincs 15th June 2025
- trenchlincs
- Jun 15
- 12 min read
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Good Morning,
I am now safely back in Blighty after my Portuguese sojourn and have ten days to prepare for the next wedding when my step-son, Matthew, will finally take the plunge into the world of married bliss!
This week, you will find all of the usual news about the forthcoming events in our area as well as my take on the Chemin de Dames and the 2025 battlefield visitor. I hope you enjoy the read?
FORTHCOMING EVENTS.
The East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA Branch meets again on Friday 11th July at 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HA. All welcome.
The speaker is Chris Johns whose talk is entitled; “Dear Billie” – Killed on Flying Duty. The Changing Role of Castle Bromwich (Birmingham) Airfield During the Great War.
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Next Meeting - Spalding & South Lincs Branch WFA - Thursday, June 26th - A summer evenings ramble with Paul - Meeting 7.30pm at Sutterton Parish Church, Station Road, Sutterton, PE20 2JH.
This month, Spalding Branch foregoes the usual indoor lecture meeting for their traditional summer evening "Out and About" ramble in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside looking at and discussing interesting memorials, monuments and buildings. Led by Chairman Paul Berry, the tour departs from Sutterton Church, Station Road, Sutterton, PE20 2JH at 7.30pm. Whilst Paul is not giving anything away by revealing where he will be leading the tour, past events have always been highly interesting and enjoyable. If you don't wish to drive yourself, car sharing is available and encouraged.
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The Leadenham Military History Group’s next meeting will be on Tuesday 24th June, at Leadenham Village Hall with a start time of 7.30pm.
I am pleased to let you know that I will be the speaker on this night when I shall talk about ‘The Robin Hoods at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916 and the Subsequent Court of Enquiry.’
The opening day of the Battle of the Somme was a disastrous day for the British Army which sustained some 57,000 casualties, of whom, 19,000 were killed. Little progress was made on this day and yet, only the 46th Division faced a Court of Enquiry. Why?
If you missed this talk in Lincoln and Spalding last year, come along and find out. Everyone welcome.
View across the battlefield at Gommecourt from the British front line.
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The next presentation in the Friends of Lincoln Tank 2025 season of talks will be held on Thursday July 31st when group Chairman, Richard Pullen, will talk about ‘The Armament of the MKIV Tank and its Crew.’
The venue as usual is the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG. 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Everyone welcome.
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Another group who meet at the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG are the Lincs Aviation Society.
I now have great pleasure in advertising their forthcoming events, which take place on the third Thursday of each month - entry is £2 for members and £3 for visitors.
The next speaker event will be on Thursday 19th June when Alwyn Killingsworth will talk about ‘The Handley Page Hampden AD874 Accident.’
Please arrive 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
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Next Meeting - Lincoln & North Lincolnshire Branch WFA – Monday, July 14th - Doors open 7.00pm for prompt start at 7.30pm - Venue: Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG.
This evening will see the branch Chairman, Mike Credland, deliver his annual lecture on the Story of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry. More detail to follow.
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I have news of an unusual but what I believe will be a very interesting outing for June to Saltfleetby National Nature Reserve on the north Lincolnshire coast. [Locals tell me it is pronounced Soller-bee – Ed]
Meeting at 10am on Friday 20th June, Chris Sanderson will be our host for a gentle three hour walk and talk where we can view the remains of the WWI coastal defences that still exist on the reserve, and believe it or not, Chris tells me that there is an area of land that resembles the Menin Road in Belgium, and Chris gives a talk based on the events of autumn 1917 from the diary of a soldier who fought on the Menin Road with the King’s Liverpool Regiment.
Following the tour and talk, there will be the opportunity for a light pub lunch should you so wish.
So that I can confirm the numbers attending, please will you let me know if you are joining the tour? Thanks. New faces always welcome.
STOP PRESS – Nine people have signed up already. Please let me know if you want to join the party.
Meet 9.45am at LN11 7TS. The Reserve car park.
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Please click on this link to read the first Tank Memorial Ypres Salient newsletter for 2025.
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I apologise in advance for not printing the next story in full, but being away, I have just not had the time to ‘unpack’ all of the stories sent to me this last week. Therefore, please do click on the link below to read of a ‘True British Hero’, Sidney “Timbertoes” Carlin.
Decorated for gallantry in the Great War, Carlin rose through the ranks to Commissioned Officer and despite losing a leg in action, he became an RFC pilot with a good number of confirmed kills. He enjoyed a colourful life between the wars before re-joining the RAF in 1939, where he again flew combat missions despite being over 50 years of age.
David Gray from Peterborough Military History Group takes up the story; ‘One of our Peterborough Military History Group members, Simon Wilson, submitted the attached story for inclusion on the Research page of our group website. As it seems to be a subject that would interest you, I asked Simon if he minded me sending it to you if you wanted to use it in TL at any time and he said it would be fine.’
It really is a remarkable tale and I do hope that you will click on the link below to read the full story.
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Matt Colley came across this news article from 1953 which covers a Lincoln Old Contemptible, and as the 12th June anniversary falls in this week’s edition, I have reproduced the article for you to read.
The Death of Chum Ernest Gilbert, of the Lincoln Branch – 10 June 1953
Lincolnshire Chronicle – 12 June 1953
CITY DEATH OF OLD CONTEMPTIBLE
A member and former Treasurer of the Lincoln Branch of the Old Contemptibles’ Association, Mr Ernest Gilbert, of 14, Cooling Street, Lincoln, died at his home on Wednesday. He was 70 years old.
A native of Billinghay, Mr Gilbert enlisted into the Second Battalion of the Royal (sic) Lincolnshire Regiment in 1904. He was transferred to the First Battalion of the Regiment, and was in the first batch of troops to go to France in 1914. He returned to England in 1919 “without a scratch.”
At the close of the war Mr Gilbert joined the Territorials, and the Home Guard for a time during the Second World War.
Mr Gilbert led a great military life and was highly respected among his many friends.
He worked at St Swithin’s and the Brayford depots of the East Midland Electricity Board, and retired about five years ago.
Mr Gilbert, who had been bed-ridden for the past 18 months, leaves a widow, three daughters and one grand-daughter.
The funeral service will be at St Peter-at-Gowts Church, Lincoln, tomorrow (Saturday) at 10.45 a.m., and interment will be at Canwick Road cemetery. Canon G. Houlden (Vicar), will conduct the services.
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This week the Colour by CJS picture focusses on a Gallipoli casualty.
Second Lieutenant Aveling Francis Bell.
Aveling was from Surbiton, Surrey, he was educated at Wellington College and then went to Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Aveling Bell enlisted on the outbreak of war and was granted a commission in October 1914.
He sailed from the UK on 28th June 1915 as part of 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers bound for the Dardanelles.
They landed in Gallipoli on 15th July and were very soon occupying front line trenches, where he distinguished himself in a number of actions including an attack on Kabak Kuyu on 12th August.
Advancing in darkness in skirmishing order his men came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire and during the action he was killed.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Aveling Bell was 20 years old.
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THE CHEMIN DE DAMES.
At the outbreak of war, the German Schlieffen Plan came into operation. This was to advance through neutral Belgium in a wide sweep keeping the German right flank as wide as possible. At the same time, the left flank was to deliberately retreat back into Alsace-Lorraine so as to encourage the French to push forward into a trap of their own making as the wide sweeping right flank would encircle them from behind.
As ever, when contact between armies occur, the best laid battle plans go out of the window. The stubborn resistance of the BEF at Mons and Le Cateau held up the German advance, the Belgian forts and army delayed the right flank sweep for more than two weeks and the sheer pomposity of the German general staff who rebelled against orders to retire so as to suck in the French on the left flank, ensured that the Schlieffen plan went awry.
There followed a series of Franco-German battles that we know as the Battles of the Frontiers through the autumn of 1914 with the French suffering catastrophic numbers of casualties as they attacked in suicidal full frontal charges in their blue tunics and red trousers.
Following the retreat to the Marne, Joffre’s counter attack, involving the BEF steadied the line in early September and as the Germans were pushed back to the Aisne, both sides started to dig in and where possible, the Germans occupied the high ground from the Swiss border to the English Channel and this ever increasing network of trenches and fortifications became the Western Front for the next four years.
One such high ground ridge was the Chemin de Dames (The Ladies Way), a chalky ridge running east to west and so named by Louis XV as a route for his two daughters to travel along in privacy.
Click here for an overview The Chemin des Dames
Our day started at the eastern end at the village of Berry au Bac. Following the heavy fighting further north in March and April 1918, the remnants of six British Divisions that had been badly mauled in the German Spring offensive were sent to a ‘quiet’ sector of the line for a rest and a refit. This quiet sector was the Chemin de dames, and therefore, it came as quite a shock when the Germans launched the next phase of their spring offensive in May 1918 in this area and many good British soldiers were killed in the desperate struggle to hold the Germans back.
Berry au Bac has a large CWGC cemetery nearby known as La Ville au Bois, and we stopped to pay our respects. The Chemin de Dames is best known for the May 1917 Nivelle Offensive which included a large number of French tanks, Renault FT17, Schneider and Chamond, and therefore, it is no surprise that the French Tank Corps memorial is sited at Berry au Bac. There is a Schneider tank on display, the Renault FT17 that was there on my previous visit was missing, there is a large memorial wall to the dead French Tank Corps troops and a personal memorial remembering General Estienne, said to be the founding father of French tanks and French tank warfare.
La Ville au Bois CWGC cemetery.
Schneider tank at Berry au Bac.
French Tank Corps memorial.
Memorial to General Estienne, founder of the French Tank Corps.
Turning westward, we continued our journey along the top of the ridge, and despite me having seen it before, you are still staggered by the idea that General Robert Nivelle believed that he could break the German line here in 1917 by attacking full frontally and severely uphill.
Our next stop was at Hurtebise Farm, the scene of fierce fighting in September and October 1914 and May 1917, and also a hallowed location in French history as Napoleon defeated the Prussian General Blucher here in March 1814, although Blucher and Wellington would get their revenge a year later at Waterloo.
At a French car boot sale in Brittany some years ago, I bought a very nice piece of trench art, a 37mm German shell case nicely etched with decorative patterns and the word Hurtebise engraved on it. I had it with me as we stopped to take photographs of the restored Hurtebise Farm and the dual 1814/1914 monument. The farm was also the scene of a brave French rear guard action in May 1940 and this is remembered on a plaque on the farmstead boundary wall.
French trench map of Hurtebise Farm, autumn 1914.
The 1814-1914 French memorial at Hurtebise Farm.
Memorial to Napoleon Bonaparte is nearby.
Carrying on for another 500 yards, you arrive at the Caverne du Dragon (Dragon’s Cave) museum. This is situated in what was the old French front line and consists of a series of underground caves that the French utilised. At this point, the opposing front line trenches were so close, that the defenders could hear each other talk and easily throw grenades at each other. (Left of map below)
Unfortunately, you are not allowed into the caves unless on a guided tour, and as we parked up, around 100 French school children arrived in two coaches for a pre-booked visit, and we would have had to wait for 90 minutes for our tour. So reluctantly, we drove on and could only see the display cases in the main hall - some items pictured below.
Continuing our journey, we stopped at the totally rebuilt village of Cerny en Laonnois, this was the centre of the 1917 Nivelle offensive, for a mid-morning coffee break. There are many monuments and memorials on the Chemin de Dames, and we stopped at many of them, including this one to the French 36th Basque Division, men who came from the Spanish border region to fight for France.
But, whilst in Cerny en Lannois, I spied a white stone column that looked very British in its design, so after finishing my coffee, I walked over to it and was not surprised to see that it commemorated the men of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who fought and died here in May and June of 1918.
At the very west end of the Chemin de Dames, you come to Fort Malmaison, another 19th Century French fort which was open to visitors on my last visit, but which was closed and locked up on our recent visit. However, adjacent to the fort is one of the largest WWII German cemeteries, and although we understand the narrative of the German Blitzkrieg of May and June 1940, visiting this cemetery gives you an idea of how much resistance the French put up to the German offensive.
German crosses at Fort Malmaison.
Returning to the car, we retraced our steps back to the Plateau Californie observation platform. A towering structure which you can climb and which gives the observer a bird’s eye view over the whole of the 1917 Nivelle offensive battlefield. Today, the countryside is idyllic and picturesque farmland dotted with rebuilt villages, and it is obviously very difficult, like at Verdun, to understand the sheer scale of the fighting and the number of casualties that occurred here.
The Plateau Californie observation tower.
However, the landscape is also dotted with numerous cemeteries representing and remembering the war dead from each combatant nation, French, British, German and Italian.
We made a deliberate decision to stop at least one cemetery from each nation and I have attached a selection of photos below with the cemetery names, should you wish to go and find them one day.
Craonelle French cemetery.
Soupir combined French and German cemetery.
Italian cemetery also at Soupir.
Headstones for brave German soldiers including a Jewish man. He could not have imagined what the National Socialists would inflict on his community in the next 15 years.
Vendresse British cemetery.
Many early 1914 casualties can be found in Vendresse cemetery.
After completing our tour of the cemeteries, we headed to Fismes to visit a most unbelievable military museum that sits in the old Sucrerie (sugar factory). This museum is a treasure trove of items superbly displayed and is a story in itself which I will write about in full next week.
Final stop of the day was at the British memorial at Soissons. Sadly, arriving at 16.50pm the gates had been locked at 16.30, and we couldn’t gain full access to the tablets of names. [The memorial is now fenced and locked each day due to the anti-social, mainly drug related behaviour in the vicinity – Ed].
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Robert Seymour Prior, DSO, MC and Bar, was commanding the 8th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment but after the British losses at the opening of the German Spring offensive in March 1918, he was given command of the 11th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment.
It was with 11/Cheshire’s that Prior headed for the Chemin de Dames, to take command and re-fit and re-build the battalion following their earlier mauling. As I mentioned previously, the Chemin de Dames was seen as a quiet sector where rest and recuperation could take place, but on May 27th 1918, the Germans launched a surprise offensive against this French held sector of the line and the resting British understrength divisions found themselves in the midst of a second maelstrom.
On this day, Lieutenant Colonel Prior, gallantly led his men into the attack and was killed in action. His body was never identified and today he is remembered on the Soissons Memorial, so I was very sorry not to be able to get a photograph of his name, as amongst my small but meaningful collection of Great War items with known provenance, I am the proud owner of Lieutenant Colonel Prior’s South Lancashire cap.
The British Soissons memorial. Open to the public 10am to 4.30pm.
Next Sunday, I will pen a piece about the military museum at Fismes and share my thoughts on the huge CWGC cemetery at Etaples, which we visited on the last day of the trip as we made our way north back towards Eurotunnel.
IN MEMORIAM - The Lincolnshire Regiment 15th June.
1915
14029 Sergeant Percy Arthur Evison, 2nd Battalion, aged 38. Buried in Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, France.
1917
242222 Private George Ashton, 5th Battalion, aged 19. Buried in Loos British Cemetery, France.
240919 Lance Corporal H Elliott, 5th Battalion. - Ditto. –
43065 Private Ernest Frederick Bradley, 1st Battalion, aged 20. Buried in Croiselles British Cemetery, France.
203345 Private A Kent, 4th Battalion, aged 18. Buried in lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France.
1918
52431 Private Fred Smith, 7th Battalion, aged 18. Buried in Acheux British Cemetery, France.
9423 Private Albert Bertie Hazelden, 6th Battalion, aged 27. Buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
I shall send out details shortly for the walk on the 20th at Saltfleetby, so, if you want to join the party, please let me know.
Until next week
All best wishes
Jonathan
© Jonathan D’Hooghe
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