Trench Lincs 20th July 2025.

Email your name to trenchlincs@gmail.com to be added to the subscriber list to receive Trench Lincs each week complete with all photos.

Good Morning,

I hope you enjoy this week’s offerings in Trench Lincs? You will find updated news of forthcoming events and snippets of interest from around the UK, Belgium, France and Australia and the highlight, I believe, is further news regarding Lincolnshire Heroine, Sister Jane Bemrose MM.

Whilst talking about Lincolnshire heroes, John Allen's tale of a chap born in the workhouse at Brigg who went on to play a major part in a successful rescue operation at sea, is also waiting for you below.

The Lincoln WFA Christmas lunch is now 95% booked, with just a couple of places remaining, so if you would like to attend, please drop me a note as soon as possible.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS.

The Lincoln and North Lincs WFA branch does not hold a speaker event in August, therefore, the next branch event will be Mike Credland’s annual tour of some of Lincolnshire’s war memorials, which this year, will be held on Sunday 10th August.

I will let you have further details shortly.

The 2024 Tour Party.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA Branch meets again on Friday 8th August at 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HA. All welcome.

Roy Larkin will speak about – “London’s Busses That Stayed At Home.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Next Meeting – Spalding & South Lincs Branch WFA – Thursday, July 24th – Spalding Baptist Church, Swan Street, Spalding, PE11 1BT - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Jerry Porter presents “Good Night Darling – God Bless You – Heaps of Love, Mother”.

'Good night darling – God bless you – Heaps of love, Mother’ written and presented by Jerry Porter, with additional narration by Kay Porter. We often hear of the men who fought and died in WW1, but it’s less common to focus on their loved ones. This talk tells the story of a mother (Jerry’s great grandmother) who lost a son. Based on a wealth of primary source letters, photos and artefacts passed down in the family, it illustrates her life on the home front, two of her sons’ preparations for deployment overseas, the younger one’s brief service in the front line and his mother’s perhaps surprising reaction to the news that he has been killed in action. It also covers her own experience of coming under enemy attack, and her visits to France in the early 1920s to visit her son’s grave. An intensely personal account, it nevertheless gives universal insights into war, family and loss.

What audiences have said: “A very moving and captivating first-hand account by a mother and two of her sons, of their experiences during WW1. The mother was Jerry’s great grandmother and the sons were his grandfather’s brothers. The use of contemporary newspaper reports, artefacts from the son killed on his first day in the trenches and the juxtaposition of speakers, where Jerry’s wife read the mother’s letters, added depth and authenticity to the presentation. Everyone I spoke to afterwards both really enjoyed and was deeply moved by the talk. Jerry brought home the meaning of ‘killed in action’ and how those at home were involved. I would thoroughly recommend this talk to everyone with an interest in the Great War”. “Superbly researched and very professionally delivered account of a mother's experience in WW1. Told with great empathy which was reinforced by Mrs Porter reading the words of the mother's letters. Excellent evening, thank you Jerry and Mrs Porter”. “Great talk and evening out. … a really outstanding talk at our seminar. The whole talk - content, PowerPoint and delivery - was excellent”.

Jerry Porter’s interest in WW1 was sparked as a child by listening to his grandfather's experiences as a very young gunner in France, and later by frequent visits to the battlefields of France and Belgium with his father. After a career in UK intelligence and security, with emphasis on support to military operations, Jerry now has time to devote to research and analysis on the four members of his family who served in WW1, three who survived and one who was killed in action in 1918. Jerry is now based in Huntingdon, Cambs.

Spalding Branch meets in a pleasant ante-room of Spalding Baptist Church, which is located on Swan Street in the town centre. On-street parking can be found outside the church. Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, but, please note that, as the front door cannot be monitored from the meeting room, you may need to ring the doorbell to gain access. Free refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting. Please do come along and join us for this highly recommended talk; you will be made very welcome.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

In addition, please find advance notice of the Spalding and South Lincs August outing.

Spalding Branch August Day Out - Saturday, August 16th - Lord Lovats Scouts Trenches + RNAS/RFC/RAF Sedgeford

Spalding Branch WFA have organised a visit on Saturday, August 16th, to the site of some Great War Traning Trenches created by the Lord Lovat Scouts. The site, which is on private land at Dreamy Hollow Woodland Campsite, Docking, (near Hunstanton) in Norfolk, is well worth visiting. Our guide will be Major Ian Dunning, who will provide a fascinating insight into the history of the Lovat Scouts, and will guide us through the trenches they built, explaining why they were created, and discussing the practical uses in regard to the Western Front, and their development as the war progressed. The tour takes about 90 minutes. Stout shoes/boots are recommended, and there will be a small charge of £5.00 (cash only please) to pay for access and the services of our guide.

Following this, Emrys Jones, Chair of Cambridgeshire Branch WFA, will guide us to the nearby site of the former RNAS/RFC/RAF Sedgeford airfield where we will look at an early SIGINT site, some local memorials including Old Hunstanton War Memorial and the Hippersley Hut, before finishing up in Huntstanton for some fish n'chips! (tour may vary according to weather and time).

Places are limited to a minimum of 8 and maximum of 15 people. Meet up in the car park of Sainsbury Supermarket, Scania Way, Hardwick Industrial Estate, Kings Lynn, PE30 4LR at 10.15 am before moving off in convoy to Docking. To book a place, please e-mail Paul Berry at paulberrywfa@outlook.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Leadenham Military History Group’s next meeting will be on Tuesday 22nd July, at Leadenham Village Hall with a start time of 7.30pm.

When Chris Finn will speak about “The Hardest Day” - The events of 18th August 1940, when the Luftwaffe attempted to destroy the RAF’s fighter bases.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 held on Thursday 21st August when Chris Finn will speak about ‘The Buccaneer in the First Gulf War.’

Please arrive 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Will you be in Belgium next Saturday? If yes, you may wish to attend the next remembrance event held by the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient group. Here are the details.

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Friends of the TMYS,

Forthcoming Event Saturday 26 July 2025

The next Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient event will be held on Saturday 26 July 2025 to commemorate the mass use of Mk IV tanks at the opening battle of the ‘Third Ypres’ campaign, more commonly known as the ‘Battle of Passchendaele’ on 31 July 1917.

The Ceremony will take place at the TMYS Memorial in Poelkapelle

Order of Service will be as follows:

1030hrs - Assemble at the TMYS Memorial

1100hrs - Commencement of the Remembrance Ceremony

Welcome & Opening address by the Master of Ceremonies

Carry Standards

Wreath laying

The ‘Exhortation’

Last Post

Minutes Silence

The Rouse

National Anthems – United Kingdom and Belgium

‘Kohima’ Epitaph

Close of our Remembrance Ceremony

A ‘Toast to the Fallen’ and 'Absent Friends' will be taken in Langemarck (at a Venue TBA)

There will be a pause for lunch. Our lunch venue on this day will be Eetkaffee Steenstraete, Provincieweg 2, 8920 Langemark-Poelkapelle Those wishing to dine with us at lunch, I will need you to let me know asap so that a table can be booked enabling us to be able to dine together. As you can appreciate Weekends are busy at this time of the year, this makes it difficult to get everyone seated at the same table if we leave the booking to the last minute.

After lunch there will be a short Ceremony to remember three members of the Tank Corps who lost their lives that day and are now buried in Potijze Château Lawn Cemetery.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Andrew Blow from Blow by Blow Productions writes this week; 'I hope this finds you well. I wonder if this will be of any interest for “Trench Lincs”. [It certainly is Andy - Ed]

Terry O'Halloran, who died aged 80 on May 3 this year, was for decades the volunteer Curator of the Museum of 31 Squadron RAF Association.

He was also seen as the Squadron Association Historian for this historic Squadron, first formed in 1916 and famous for being “First in the Indian Skies.” (31 Squadron btw has been reformed and now works from RAF Waddington)

Terry believed that the story of the RAF crews who dropped supplies to the besieged at Kohima and Imphal, and to the Chindits behind enemy lines, was never properly made clear to the British public.

Thus the 52 minute documentary "Dakota - Air Drops - Kohima" made here at Blow by Blow with Terry as scholarly Presenter, utilising old footage but mostly stills from the Museum collection. He was in a unique position to tell the story having met some of those involved when he himself was a young airman in 31 Squadron and later as Curator

The programme will play out on Sunday, August 10, at 7 PM (TBC) which is five days before the eightieth anniversary of VJ Day.

Soon there will be a link enabling registration to join the You Tube Watch Party. Could I add you to the list for notification? And would your readership be interested in receiving that link please?

If you need any more details please let me know'

As it so happens, my current leisure reading is about the Chindits and their campaign against the Japanese in Burma. I know that the Dakotas played a huge role in re-supplying the jungle bases at White City, Aberdeen and Blackpool etc., as well as helping, alongside a fleet of light aircraft, to take out the wounded and the sick.

This sounds to be a wonderful opportunity to learn more and if you would like to receive the joining link from Andrew Blow, please email him directly on andrew.blow@blowbyblow.co.uk

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Last week, Peterborough featured heavily following my afternoon tour with Matt Colley and attendance at the Peterborough Military History Group. This prompted a Peterborough story from John Allen, but one that also starts in Brigg in North East Lincolnshire.

John writes; ‘Thanks for the continuing copies of TL, which are most informative.

One area I have researched in the past, is about a man born illegitimately in Brigg Workhouse, and later living in Peterborough (a Freeman of the City) celebrated as a hero in New York.

His bravery awards and gold Marconi pocket watch are in a vault at Peterborough Museum. The rescue to which he contributed to in no small part, is still the record on `the high seas` today, apart from the Costa Concordia of late, in inshore waters.

I`ve given many illustrated talks on the subject, but in WW1 he volunteered for the RFC training pilots in Toronto on the use of airborne wireless telegraphy, but there the story of RFC service stops, the family in the USA can`t tell me anymore.

I enclose a "shortened" article I wrote for a Brigg magazine back in 2019.’

John’s article continues the tale; ‘A Son of Brigg becomes an American Hero

The following story was researched by John Allen, a licensed radio amateur from Kirton Lindsey, after a `chance` viewing on 04 July 2008, of three of a set of twenty-five, Lambert & Butler cigarette cards printed in 1909, celebrating the success of Guglielmo Marconi on the invention of wireless. Card number 12 carried an image of a Marconi Marine wireless operator in uniform by the name of John Robinson Binns. On further exploring the reverse side it was discovered that he was born in Brigg on 16 September 1884, with consequent research revealing his birth in the Glanford Brigg Poor Law Union workhouse, the first child of Mary Anna Binns.

His first home was at 2, Market Lane, Brigg, until around six years of age, whereupon he moved with his maternal grandmother Anna, to her son William Binns residence in Cobden Street, Peterborough.

Young John now went under the name of `Jack` and in his formative years took great interest in the invention of Samuel Morse and Alfred Vaile in their electric telegraph machine of 1837. To this interest in electro-technology Jack Binns at the age of 13 secured employment as a messenger, then progressing to the position of telegraph clerk with the Great Eastern Railway in Peterborough. Whilst in this employment, an accident at work nearly cost him the use of his legs, this major injury kept him in hospital for a year, which gave him an opportunity to further his studies.

In 1903 Jack joined the British Post Office in Newmarket as a telegraphist and found life fairly routine, but foresaw the invention of Marconi, transmitting signals without the use of landlines the way of the future. The Marconi International Marine Communications Company was formed in April 1900, and by the end of 1901 had six stations in England, and two in Ireland based around the coastline. Towards the end of 1904, Jack now 20 years of age travelled across the Pennines to attend the Marconi Training Centre at Seaforth Docks, Liverpool.

In April 1905, he joined his first ship, the liner Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, of the Norddeutscher Lloyd Line, built by the Germans to capture the `Blue Riband` for speed on the North Atlantic route to New York, it was also the first passenger ship to be fitted with `commercial` wireless apparatus. Jack saw service on three further German liners before a special Act of the Reichstag requested that all non-national wireless operators be removed from German ships on 24 June 1908. He then served in various ships plying across the Channel between Dover and Ostend in the testing of the Marconi Belgian station at Niewport, when this work was complete, he spent six months at the Marconi station at Crookhaven, Ireland.

In early 1909, Jack was appointed the `lone` wireless operator on the most luxurious liner in the White Star fleet, the RMS Republic (carrier of Royal Mail) which was fitted with wireless apparatus as a retro-fit. In this developing technology, the apparatus, as well as the operator`s accommodation, were built of timber in the form of a cabin on a convenient space on deck, in this case on the port side.

On Friday 22nd of January 1909, at 3-00pm, with a passenger list of 461 and general cargo, the RMS Republic slipped from her New York berth outbound to the Mediterranean. She carried over 400 tons of US Government cargo and US Navy payroll of $260,000 for the American Great White Fleet moored in Gibraltar, plus thousands of dollar’s aid relief for the victims of the Messina earthquake. It is also `treasure lore` that in addition to passenger valuables she carried $3,000 of silver ingots and $3,000,000 of American Gold Eagles (currency) consigned to the Czar of Russia.

When 175 miles west of Ambrose light, the ship ran into thick fog and although speed was reduced and all precautions taken, she was `run down` in the fog at 5-30am on Saturday the 23rd by the Italian steamer SS Florida. The Republic was cut to the waterline on her port side which severely damaged her wireless cabin, the engine room and ships generators, as she took in water, plunging the ship into darkness. The `stand-by` wireless apparatus & batteries carried, were safe along with the ships aerial (antenna) system, which enabled Jack to assemble this `stand-by` rig to send in Morse code the distress `cry` of CQD (this was the distress signal used before the introduction of SOS).

The nearest land station some sixty miles away at Siasconset, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, picked up the faint signal and alerted other ships to the rescue. The RMS Baltic inbound to New York, was the first to answer, but had already passed Nantucket, and consequently steamed back through the fog but was initially unable to locate the Republic. When the SS Florida collided, three passengers were killed on the Republic, and three crew on the Florida, which was carrying 830 emigrants, mostly refugees from the Sicilian port of Messina, which had suffered extensive damage from a deadly earthquake and tsunami on 28th December 1908.

Since the Republic had lost all engine and electrical power, the ships master decided to transfer the passengers by rowing boat and some crew to the Florida, which had a shattered bow, but her collision bulkhead was intact along with engine power, this ship was not fitted with wireless apparatus. Jack along with forty- four crew members, remained on the slow sinking Republic, his attendance was required as the Republic was the only one of the two ships equipped with wireless. From mid-day the fog became worse and the Baltic had to reduce speed when closing in on the stricken ships, wireless was not then directional, so explosive devices known as bombs had to be used in addition to foghorns.

After 7-00pm the Baltic came alongside the Republic, now sinking at the rate of one foot per minute, and after conferring with the Republics master, the Baltic steamed toward the floating Florida to transfer all the passengers again in small boats throughout the night, drenched in rain in a dangerous rolling swell, but in the short space of twenty-four hours, there had been two major transfers of passengers on the high seas, without the loss of a single life.

In short, the Republic finally sank, Jack Binns steamed back to New York on the Baltic, where-upon the passengers made a collection and later presented the crew members of the three ships with a bronze medal inscribed with CQD, the officers with silver, and four being cast in gold for the three captains and Jack Binns. Jack was celebrated as a hero in New York and received a `ticker tape` parade, he was treated like a modern day `pop idol`, but did his best to shun the publicity. He returned to Liverpool on the Baltic, where a mayoral reception awaited him in Peterborough, and the honour was bestowed on him with Freedom of the City. Marconi himself recognised Jack Binns gallant actions and in a London reception in his honour presented him with an inscribed gold pocket watch, he was congratulated in having been the first to show what wireless telegraphy could do to save life at sea.

Jack saw further service on other liners and was offered the ultimate wireless operators post on her maiden voyage, the pride of the White Star fleet, RMS Titanic, which he promptly turned down having fallen in love with an American lady which encouraged his move to the USA, with eventual marriage.

With the onset of World War I, he served with the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto, Canada, as an aviation and wireless instructor. Until his death on the 8th December 1959 in New York, he held various senior positions in the Hazeltine Corporation, including honorary chairman from 1957.

The Republic, with a probable billion- dollar gold secret, lies 40 fathoms below the surface of the sea, all but out of reach without the aid of significantly expensive diving and salvage equipment, she sank with all the passenger`s belongings and cargo, but she also sank with some politically sensitive and valuable secrets. No official inquiries were made public in either the US or by the British Board of Trade, whose president was Winston Churchill.’

John 'Jack' Binns - Hero from Brigg.

Thank you for that fascinating tale John.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our roving motorcycle reporter, John Pritchard has been out and about again, but this time, nearer to home. John reports; ‘I ventured out on the motorcycle today down a few country lanes nearby, and stopped outside St. Peter's Church at Rauceby.

In the graveyard I found an unusual headstone.

It is for G/6087 Clerk, L E Clarke, Woman's Royal Naval Service. 24th November 1918.’

I carried out some more research after receiving John’s photograph and discovered that Clerk Lucie Emma Clarke was born in Lincoln in 1893 and died from illness in November 1918. I assume she was working at Cranwell.

John Pritchard continues; ‘The second gravestone is positioned in a field directly opposite the church entrance, on the other side of a dry stone wall and visible from the roadside, looks to be a private headstone with RCA & RAAF emblems.

It reads: Pilot Officer Henry Eric "Harry" Rath & Sargent Karl Morris Miegel.

Died when their Vickers Wellington (T28341) crashed near here in the early hours of Monday 20th April 1942.’

Again, I looked up these two chaps and I can tell John that what you found is not a headstone but a memorial marking the crash site. Both men are buried in St. Andrew’s churchyard at Cranwell.

Henry Eric Rath was the husband of Lillian Edna Rath of Ontario, Canada and he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was just 21 at the time of his death.

Karl Morris Miegel was the son of Karl Thedor and Sarah Jane Miegel and hailed from Wahroonga in New South Wales, Australia. He served with the Royal Australian Air Force and was aged 27 when killed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Melvin Dobbs very kindly writes this week; ‘Another cracking Sunday morning read in Trench Lincs with tangents to explore at leisure!

What I like about this "magazine" is that it does not restrict itself to Great War articles, but over the recent years we have gone back as far as the War of the Roses, the Napoleonic Period, the South African War (Boer War) not forgetting the Zulu Wars, WW1 and ever more so, WW2, now courtesy of Ray Sellers: Korean Memorials, and the D’Hooghe family, the Vietnam War and Australia's contribution.

For my part I am always looking for items of historical interest (not always military) in churchyards and churches.

I have always said these places contain so much history within, both local and of national importance - a treasure trove of our Nation’s History.

So this week my submission is St. Peter's Church, Binton, Warwickshire containing the Captain Scott Window, Rolls of Honour and churchyard Crucifix memorial.’

The Captain Scott memorial window at Binton. Below is detail from two of the panels.

The panel above shows Captain Oates going to feed the dogs, thus sacrificing himself in the vain hope that the others would survive.

Binton's association to Captain Scott is explained below.

Binton churchyard memorial.

Binton Roll of Honour.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Continuing now with Ray Sellers’ travels around the world, last week it was Korea and this week Japan.

Ray comments; ‘Now on to Japan. PHOTOS 22-27 are in Nagasaki. The Peace park has many memorials, but this is the main one. It was pouring with rain whilst we were there. Also an example of an air raid shelter hewn out of the rock. The museum on site is a sombre place, but It’s still packed with visitors daily!

Sadly, the emphasis of the displays only shows how terrible the Atomic Bomb was for the Japanese, which of course it was! But, there are NO displays about how the country came to be in this situation, i.e., their brutal occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945, their War against China from 1937, their attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent Pacific war, and their brutal occupation of many Asian countries, and of course their barbaric treatment of Allied Prisoners of War. The same message was played out at the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum as well. I PERSONALLY, think the Allies were more than justified to use the atomic bombs.’

[Indeed they were Ray. Ian Prince’s recent talk at Leadenham makes a fine and sound argument for the dropping of the bombs – Ed]

Ray Sellers at the Peace Statue in Nagasaki.

Entrance to the bomb shelter.

Ray then continued thus; ‘PHOTOS 28-33, are of the Kamikaze Museum near Kagoshima. A local airfield was a training base for these pilots and the launch-pad for their attacks on Okinawa. The aircraft shown is a replica- but there are many original aircraft wrecks in the museum. It clearly shows the ONEWAY only fuel tank, and under the other wing, the single bomb load. PHOTO 29 is a memorial to the pilots involved, and No. 30 are some of the many memorial stones erected by the pilot’s families. PHOTO No. 32 is of pilots planning a raid. PHOTO N0. 33 is one of many examples of pilot’s last letters home to friends and family, collected by the man who set up the Museum.

Family memorials to Kamikaze pilots.

Last letter home.

Planning your last sortie.

Eventually, Ray arrived in Hiroshima and writes; ‘Finally PHOTOS 34-39 are of the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. As previously mentioned, it’s the same setup as Nagasaki but on a much larger scale, and with much more information about the genesis and danger of Nuclear Weapons. This too was packed out with visitors as can be seen at its main memorial. Also, at Hiroshima are the iconic ruins of the Industrial Promotions Hall part of which somehow survived the bombing, when everywhere else was vaporised. A constant reminder in todays troubled world!’

Model of the Hiroshima hall.

I have been inundated with photos this week, so have just shared a selection. If you want to see more of Ray's photos, please let me know.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am still fascinated by the clever work of the photo colourisers, and this week on the Colour by CJS page, another montage appeared similar to the one I featured two weeks ago of British soldiers who served on the Somme in the summer of 1916.

This week it is a montage of Victoria Cross winners. It is good to put a face to a name, and now being in colour it brings, in my opinion, these heroes to life once again. I hope you enjoy it?

During the First World War, 626 individuals from the British and Commonwealth forces were awarded the Victoria Cross—the highest honour for bravery in the face of the enemy. [628 were awarded to these 626 individuals. Arthur Martin Leake and Noel Chavasse each won a Bar to their original award – Ed]

These men varied in age, rank and background. Some were seasoned veterans, others barely out of school. Among them were high-ranking officers and ordinary privates, sons of aristocrats and sons of labourers, professional soldiers and conscripts. Some disciplined and dependable, others had troubled service records. Some took life, others saved it.

Yet all shared one defining trait: in a moment of extreme danger, they discovered a remarkable inner courage. With selfless resolve, they acted to protect their comrades or turn the tide of battle regardless of the personal cost.

The men featured here are a cross-section of those recipients.

1 Major General Clifford Coffin VC, CB, DSO & Bar, Legion of Honour (France), Croix de Guerre (France)

2 Private Tom Dresser VC

3 Private Thomas Ricketts VC, Croix de Guerre (France)

4 Corporal William Amey VC, MM

5 Private Michael Heaviside VC

6 Bombardier Charles Stone VC, MM

7 Lieutenant Arthur Martin-Leake VC & Bar FRCS

8 Captain Harold Ackroyd VC, MC M.D

9 Sergeant William Fuller VC

10 Private William McFadzean VC

11 Private William Ratcliffe VC, MM

12 Battery Sergeant Major Ernest Horlock VC

13 Sergeant David Hunter VC

14 Private Ernest Sykes VC

15 Captain Archie White VC, MM

16 Private Michael O’Rourke VC, MM

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next up is news from abroad. Belgium, Australia and France to be exact.

Long term readers of Trench Lincs will know of my great friend and our special Belgian correspondent, Nadine Dezaeytijd.

Nadine lives in the town of Ronse (Renaix to the French speakers), and Ronse was occupied by the Germans from 1914 -1918. During this time, the life of the civilians under German rule was harsh and often barbaric. We know this thanks to two surviving WWI diaries that are in the care of the town’s Historical Society.

Over many weeks, Nadine translated and sent us diary entries from Emmanuel de Gand and an unknown nursing nun who served in the town’s hospital. Many detailed horrendous punishments handed down to the citizens of the town, occasionally there was humour involved, and on rare occasions, we learnt of the defiance that the brave people of Ronse showed toward their occupiers.

As this week’s TL nearly coincides with Belgium’s National Day, 21st July, Nadine has kindly repeated a story of defiance and resistance that took the German occupiers by surprise.

Nadine takes up the story; ‘In 1831, Leopold Von Sachsen-Coburg, uncle of Queen Victoria and widower of Crown Princess Charlotte who died after delivering a stillborn son, was offered the throne of the Kingdom of Belgium, following independence from the Netherlands in 1830. Taking his oath as King on 21 July 1831, he became the first king of the Belgians. This has been commemorated every year as Belgian National Day, except for the years of occupation during WWI and WWII, as any sign of patriotism was strictly forbidden.

However, on 21 July 1915, the first National Day under German occupation, something happened in Ronse showing the people of the town were not the meek and submissive people the Germans thought they were.

These events were put on paper by Emmanuel De Gand who wrote in his war diary:

“21 July 1915.

Our National Day. The Germans who are convinced they have conquered us, want us to forget our free and glorious past. They forbade any form of demonstration of patriotism on our National Day, the anniversary of King Leopold’s inauguration as our first King. This year, they forbade to raise the National Standard which the inhabitants circumvented by all wearing homemade rosettes in the colours of our Standard. A mass was celebrated at 9 a.m. at Saint Hermes church honouring our soldiers who were killed in action whilst our Standard covered the altar. The church was completely full and many more were standing outside as the doors were wide open. After the service, our Anthem was played on the church organ.

In the afternoon, in glorious sunshine, men, women, children, all went out, proudly showing their three coloured rosettes. Towards 6 p.m. people gathered spontaneously in front of Mr. Van Ex’s factory, confiscated by the Germans and now a garrison occupied by some 200 Germans and those brave people started to sing our Anthem loud and clear again: ‘For King, for Freedom and for Justice’. The German soldiers, stupefied, not knowing what to do with that huge chanting and colourful crowd in front of them, were wise enough to turn a blind eye and returned, very quietly, it must be said, to their quarters.

Belgium may be conquered for now but will never submit nor be tamed.”

And, I end with the reassuring fact that, contrary to the usual way of German punishment for non-compliance with their orders, not a single reprisal followed this act of patriotism!’

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On the other side of the world, my good mate, Marcus Dunbar is currently following the British Lions across Australia as they take on the Aussies at Rugby Union. This last week, he was in Adelaide in South Australia and came across a multitude of memorials – so many in fact that he sent me over 70 pictures.

I obviously cannot show them all, so I have picked a small selection that I think you will find of interest.

Firstly, there is this fine statue of Lincolnshire’s very own explorer- navigator, Matthew Flinders. Born at Donington in March 1774, Flinders went on to explore and map much of modern day Australia.

Flinders died in 1814 and was buried in London. During excavations for the HS2 rail line in 2019, Flinder’s coffin was found and after analysis of his remains, he was reinterred back in Donington, Lincolnshire in July 2024.

I then chose memorial pictures to cover the Boer War, the Great War, World War two, and Vietnam. Here are Marcus’ pictures.

Adelaide's Gallipoli memorial.

Original Australian WWI field crosses.

Adelaide's Boer War memorial.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Peter Jacobs gets in on the act this week with news from France. Peter notes; 'Many thanks, once again for an excellent TL, gratefully received deep in the south of France. In keeping with your run of images of WW1 memorials, I attach another for your interest. Claire and I have been enjoying a wonderful holiday in beautiful (and hot) Provence, which you may know is a region of south-eastern France bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Italy. High up in the hills in the picturesque mediaeval commune of Tourtour I came across this WW1 memorial, which lists eight names. I notice two share the same surname of Verdaine - brothers perhaps? We are hundreds of kilometres south of what we know to be the Western Front, but clearly the commune provided its men and still remembers its dead.

We so happened to be here on Bastille Day, hence the floral tribute. Anyway, I leave it with you to do as you see fit, and thanks again for TL, it gave me something to read on a very hot Sunday morning.

Thank you Peter. It is important to remember the men from all regions of France who came to their country's assistance in its hour of need. I can't help feeling that Country meant so much more 100 years ago.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

However, I have saved the best for last. This week’s Piece de Resistance, was my visit to the home of the descendants of sister Jane Bemrose MM. A Lincolnshire born nurse who I featured in my article about the Etaples base hospital site south of Boulogne about three weeks ago.

Sister Bemrose was awarded a Military Medal for her devotion to duty during two German air raids against Etaples on 19th and 31st May 1918.

The family have a treasure trove of Jane’s artefacts and I spent nearly two hours poring over this wonderful collection, which includes her personal effects, her nurses belt [I measured it! She had a 25” waist! – Ed], her St. John’s Dog Tags, her overseas service chevrons, her uniform badges, and most importantly, her medals including the MM safely housed in their original Spinks case.

There were many other items of interest in the collection, including what I suspect are unpublished and unseen personal photos of her time at Etaples, including of the bomb damage, and a fascinating autograph book, in which many recovering soldiers and nurses have signed their names and penned and sketched personal ditties.

One that really caught my eye was this one.

Here is my translation of it in case you can’t read it or maybe don’t get the humour!

“The British Allies.

An Englishman and a Frenchman went to dine at a restaurant in Salonika and ordered Turkey without Greece [Geddit? – Ed]. Whereupon the waiter said I can’t Servia [Serve you! – Ed]. At this they got very angry and said there’ll be a Crimea [Crime here – Ed] if you don’t call the Bosphorous [Boss for us! – Ed]. When the Boss came he was very apologetic and said I don’t want to Russia [Rush you – Ed], but you can’t Roumania [Remain here – Ed]. They both went away Hungary! [Hungry-Ed].

(signed) PBR, S(t). J(ohn’s) A(mbulance) B(rigade) H(ospital), Etaples, France 15.1.17.”

It made me laugh out loud! If only we knew who PBR was?

Damage after the air raid.

When I wrote about Jane Bemrose last month, I used this colourised photograph to illustrate my article. Therefore, I was absolutely delighted to see amongst Jane’s personal effects, an original black and white copy of the photograph. It completed my morning, and what a morning it was too!

A big thanks to Jane’s ancestors, who wish to remain anonymous at this stage, for inviting me over to their home.

IN MEMORIAM - The Lincolnshire Regiment 20th July.

1915

2639 Private E Riley, 5th Battalion, aged 20. Buried in Klein Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.

1916

889 Sergeant H Smith, 5th Battalion. Buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, France.

Lieutenant Gerard Arthur Kirk, 1st Battalion, aged 29. Buried in Quarrington St. Botolph's Churchyard, UK. **

1917

31528 Private W Speight, 6th Battalion, aged 19. Buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

9732 Private E Green, 6th Battalion. – Ditto. –

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

** Lieutenant Gerard Kirk (1916 above) had a brother, Captain C G Kirk York and Lancs Regiment, who sadly was killed on exactly the same day, 20th July but in 1918. They were the sons of the late and renowned Sleaford architect, Charles Kirk, of Kirk and Parry.

I hope you all have a good week and I look forward to being in touch again next Sunday.

Until next week

All best wishes

Jonathan

www.jonathandhooghe.co.uk

e: trenchlincs@gmail.com

© Jonathan D’Hooghe