Trench Lincs 22nd June 2025
- trenchlincs
- 7 days ago
- 15 min read
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Good Morning,
Welcome to this week’s Trench Lincs. Last night was the longest night for daylight and the nights are now officially drawing in again! I shall be advertising the Lincoln WFA Christmas lunch in the first July edition of TL, so if you fancy this always sold out event, keep an eye out in a fortnight.
109 years ago on this day, the great British bombardment of the German lines commenced on the Somme in anticipation of an attack to be made on June 29th 1916. In reality, with incessant rain, Sir Douglas Haig, postponed the attack until 1st July, and this day has now gone down in British military history as the bloodiest day in the Army’s annals.
The events of the 1st July 1916 as it affected the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Robin Hood Rifles) is the subject of my talk at Leadenham Village Hall this coming Tuesday night, 24th June at 7.30pm. I do hope that you will come along and listen. Everyone is very welcome.
Then on Thursday 26th, my stepson Matthew will marry his bride to be, Ruby. All in all, it promises to be a busy week.
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.
George Duke KIA 1st July 1916 with the Robin Hoods. [Note the black brass buttons and badges of a Rifle battalion. Want to know more?, come along on Tuesday night. - Ed]
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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 held on Thursday 17th July when Colin Wylie will speak about ‘Flight Safety.’
Please arrive 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Flight Safety! not to mention the ladder.
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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 also hold a short AGM with full details to follow and then we have pleasure in calling on Mike Credland to deliver the Chairman's Annual Lecture. Mike has delivered many excellent, well researched and illustrated talks in the past, and this year his subject will be "The History of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry".
This richly illustrated presentation gives the history of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry from its formation in 1794 until being disbanded in 1920. The unique talk puts together untold stories of the Regiment, especially during the Great War, and includes many unpublished photographs.
Mike Credland is currently Chairman of the Branch, and Vice-Chairman of the Friends of Lincoln Tank. He designed a new Memorial to the 46th (North Midlands) Division for placement on the site of the Hohenzollern Redoubt near Loos in memory of those of the Division who lost their lives in the badly planned attack here on 13th October, 1915, and two other memorials here in Lincoln; one to the Lincolnshire Regiment at Sobraon Barracks on Burton Road, Lincoln, and the Lincoln Tank Memorial located on the roundabout at the north end of Tritton Road. He also researched and wrote a book entitled "The First World War Memorials of Lincolnshire" which was published by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology (if you don't have a copy, it is highly recommended you obtain one) and was awarded the British Empire Medal in Queen Elizabeth II's 2018 New Year's Honours List for First World War Heritage and Remembrance.
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Peter Garland writes in with further news from the Lincoln and North Lincs WFA branch and he comments;
"Linesman" Trench Mapping Device available to hire from Lincoln Branch WFA.
Some years ago, Lincoln Branch WFA purchased a tablet device running the "Linesman" Trench mapping/trench location programme which uses GPS to "geo-locate" the user in the landscape, and display the appropriate trench map for that location according to a date/time period selected by the user. The device has come in very useful over the years the Branch has owned it, enhancing the enjoyment of people taking part in our battlefield tours by showing them exactly where they are standing in relation to the once extensive trench systems that are now long gone, leaving little or no evidence of their location.
From the start, it has always been Branch policy to allow bona-fide battlefield tourists to hire the device from us, so, we would like to remind you we do have it, and you can hire it, subject to the following conditions:
a) A security deposit of £100.00 is required from the hirer, which is fully refundable on safe return of the device, in good condition, with no visible damage.
b) The hirer agrees that they WILL NOT download any other programmes or apps onto the device, or modify or attempt to modify the device's existing operating system.
c) The device uses GPS, and does not come with any data plan or other connectivity, and may not be used for accessing the internet, social media apps or similar.
The device comes in a see-through weatherproof cover, with operating instructions and charging cable, and can be hired by contacting Peter Garland on 07933-287316.
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Please click on this link to access the latest copy of The Tiger newsletter, courtesy of Michael Doyle.
And click on this link for the latest news from Metheringham Airfield.
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Steve Baldwin and Neil Strange are continuing their good work over the summer with a number of new CWGC Cemetery tours in Lincoln, Leicester, Loughborough etc. I am delighted to advertise these tours and I hope some TL readers will book to join the tours.
If you do go along, please take a snap or two and write me a short report.
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As part of Steve Baldwin’s excellent research that he does for the CWGC tours listed above, Steve has also let me have details of another Old Contemptible that he has come across.
Leon Posnett’s OC grave marker is still in situ, and as these are sadly often stolen, please drop me a line if you would like to visit Posnett as I do not like publishing locations. [I know that TL subscribers would not steal an OC marker, but Trench Lincs is now available each week to the public through my web site, and I cannot control who reads about it there – Ed]
Steve writes; ‘Here are the photos of Leon(ard) Posnett which I showed you yesterday. I was unable to improve the Headstone quality, but here is a transcription of it.
TREASURED
MEMORIES OF
LEON
DEARLY BELOVED
HUSBAND OF
ETHEL M POSNETT
DIED FEB 2. 1942.
AGED 55.
UNTIL THE DAY BREAK.
ALSO HIS DEAR WIFE
ETHEL
WHO DIED DEC 31.1964
AGED 92 YEARS
Leon Posnett enlisted 24th May 1906 into King's Royal Rifle Corps and was captured in 1915 and became a POW for the duration of the war, until repatriated on January 4th 1919.
He lived at Sydney Terrace (Street?), Bargate, St. Botolph's, Lincoln.’
Leon Posnett's headstone and OC grave marker.
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In Trench Lincs edition 8th June, thanks to Simon Roots we were all treated to an immense piece of research by Simon into the life and death of his ancestor, ‘Nobby’ Roots who was killed on D-Day but not in the D-Day landings on 6th June 1944, but in a tragic air accident which also claimed the life of Peter Cadman. Both men were hugely experienced pilots and yet died due to a technical issue which caused the aircraft to crash.
Whilst I was recently away, Mike Credland, in a similar theme, dropped me a line into another unusual D-Day casualty, albeit a few days after the 6th. On this occasion, the death was as a result of a serious war crime by the Germans.
Mike takes up the story; ‘With the 81st anniversary commemorations of D-Day stories abound of the planning, landings and aftermath. One of those stories has connections with Lincolnshire and relates to an Australian airman based with No.106 Squadron at RAF Station Metheringham.
Very briefly;
At 00:35hrs on 6th June 1944 Flight Sergeant Stanley Kevin Black took-off from RAF Metheringham with his No.106 Squadron crew in Avro Lancaster NE150 to bomb enemy communications in Normandy. They were shot down over St Jean-de-Daye and 5 of the 7 crew were killed. F/S Black baled out and on landing in enemy territory he became attached to men of the US 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who had landed 18 miles from their intended drop zone. They gathered around the village of Graignes, well behind German lines, and were given assistance by the French villagers.
On Saturday 10th June the 17th SS Panzer Grenadiers attacked the 182 paratroopers in great force and by late evening the next day had overrun the Americans. Seventeen of the wounded were being treated in the village church, but after surrendering by waving a white flag, they were all executed by the Germans along with F/S Stanley Kevin Black. Forty-four civilians including two priests were rounded up and also massacred. The village was then ransacked and set alight with 66 houses, the church and school destroyed.
In 1986 a memorial was unveiled at Graignes church to honour the Americans and civilians killed in the Battle of Graignes including F/S Stanley Kevin Black aged 21. He was buried in Bayeux War Cemetery and also commemorated at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre.’
Not on my April 2025 trip, but the one before that, I visited Graignes, the scene of this heinous war crime, and I can confirm that it is a very sobering experience.
Battle of Graignes: An HQ Company's Heroic Last Stand in Normandy - Warfare History Network
Please click the link to read a full and detailed account of the heroic stand.
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Mike Credland has been on fine form this week and spotted a name in last week’s In Memoriam.
Mike writes; ‘I have in my collection the medals to Private Ernest Frederick Bradley whose name was included in your In Memoriam column last Sunday. Attached is a copy of the display case I put together some years ago and in the bottom right corner is the tribute medal presented to his parents by the parishioners of Whaplode St. Mary.
The son of John and Elizabeth Bradley, Ernest was born in April 1897 at Whaplode Fen near Holbeach and after leaving school became an agricultural labourer. During the Great War he enlisted at Holbeach with the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment who formed part of the 62nd Brigade of the 21st Division. Although he was recorded as being killed in several documents, the 1st Battalion War Diary (attached) shows little action on that date with no casualties mentioned. However, it is mentioned that 20 Other Ranks (OR's) were despatched to the front line carrying hot tea for the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, also in 62nd Brigade and in action at Fontaine-les-Croisilles (War Diary attached).
During their attack the 13th Battalion were subject to heavy artillery fire from 100mm and 150mm shells and they suffered 214 Other Ranks and 14 Officer casualties. No mention is made of Private Ernest Frederick Bradley, or the Lincolnshire Regiment, but the Diary records teas were served at the railway embankment and it is most probable he was killed at this time. A very poignant story.’
Thank you Mike. Indeed, it is a very poignant tale and is a fine illustration of how it was possible to simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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To complete my musings on my recent trip to Verdun, Meuse-Argonne and the Chemin de Dames, please find below my thoughts on the Fismes Military Museum and the Etaples CWGC Cemetery.
The town of Fismes was liberated by the Americans in 1918 and again in 1944. It appears that every family in the town kept souvenirs after both events and today, they are all on display in this most unique and fascinating museum. Probably, one of the best military museums that I have ever visited.
Unlike today’s university educated curators and archivists, this museum is not touchy feely, interactive, reliant on computer screens or wanting to sentimentalise warfare. Instead, through a series of full scale dioramas and displays it captures life in Fismes through both world wars and does so, by putting on show a truly remarkable exhibition of vehicles, uniforms, weaponry, ephemera and militaria.
I spoke with the owner and he told me that he started his collection aged 10 and eventually reached a point in mid-life when his wife gave him an ultimatum – ‘Either the collection goes or I do.’
Not wanting to lose either the collection or his wife, he purchased the last remaining buildings of the town Sucrerie (sugar factory) built in 1872 and now on two floors, the Sucrerie houses this immense and historically important collection.
Click on this link to see the museum web site Accueil | Musée France 40 Véhicules
My long suffering Spurs supporting friend, John Kirk, has been searching to buy a tripod for his Hotchkiss machine gun for quite some time, and yet I lost count of how many Hotchkiss tripods are on display at this museum – maybe the owner would sell one John?
Hotchkiss tripod and a complete set of Hotchkiss tools on display.
On arrival, you are greeted by a number of vehicles parked in the yard including this superb Renault FT17, beautifully painted in camouflage and as the owner explained, all construction work and vehicle renovation work is funded privately and carried out by a team of dedicated volunteers.
After putting out an appeal for more items, the owner was inundated by donations from the residents of Fismes and these include many personal items including letters and memorabilia from named US soldiers who were billeted with the locals in the town.
Another display that caught my eye was an immense glass fronted cabinet containing hundreds of soldier’s mess tins all engraved and etched, many of them with graphic sex acts! and happily, for once, no ‘Trigger Warnings!’
The full size dioramas on each floor illustrate scenes from both the French, American and German view point and cover both world wars. Especially interesting is the diorama showing the Doughboys fighting through the cellars of the houses in Fismes in October 1918, there’s no holding back on the graphic detail on display.
With a shop selling modern books, military clothing etc., and surplus contemporary memorabilia (maybe a tripod John?) a period bar selling refreshments and a supermarket next door should you want a snack, the Fismes museum is well worth a visit, but note that like many French institutions, they close for lunch from noon to 2pm.
Here is a collection of some of my photos.
French Colonial uniforms were 10 a penny!
Oh no! Not another tripod.
At the end of the week’s tour, it was time to head north for a return through Eurotunnel. Steve had never been to Etaples before and Mike hadn’t visited for twenty years, so we took a slight detour across country, skirted around Amiens and headed towards Etaples, just south of Boulogne.
Etaples grew to be a major site of Military General Hospitals and a base where wounded soldiers were stabilised before being evacuated across the channel back to Blighty. Inevitably, many died at Etaples from their wounds and what started as a small cemetery, is today second in size only to Tyne Cot in Belgium.
It is the only CWGC cemetery, where you will find many officers buried in their own plot. Usually, there is no differentiation based on rank, a General can be buried next to a Private, but as Etaples was a hospital cemetery, initially, officers were buried in their own plot.
As it was a hospital site open to all ranks and all regiments, it is a fascinating cemetery to visit as you can see headstones for all religions of the British Empire, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist and you will find headstones for small and somewhat obscure regiments, for example, The British west Indies Regiment and the South African Native Labour Corps to give just two examples.
I also came across this unique headstone, being the last resting place of the Vicompte de Tolle.
The Vicompte de Tolle.
As you might imagine, I just had to look him up and see who he was. Expecting to find a brave young man of French Aristocratic descent, I was somewhat amazed to find that he was in fact a Walter Mitty cum Billy Liar type figure, who, nonetheless, died in a tragic accident attempting to rescue other swimmers who were in trouble off the coast near Etaples.
The National WFA have written an article about him and you can click here to read the full story of his life.
The 'fake' French Aristocrat at Etaples | The Western Front Association
The Etaples base was well known to the ‘Dastardly Hun’ and despite it being a hospital base camp, the Germans bombed the site on a number of occasions and casualties from these bombing raids included many nurses.
Lincolnshire’s very own heroine, Sister Jane Bemrose MM, won her Military Medal for staying at her post during a German air raid. The Hospital was bombed on 31st May 1918. Every department sustained damage and nine members of staff and seven patients were killed and 60 injured.
For her actions during and immediately after the attack Jane was awarded the Military Medal.
The citation published in the London Gazette on 30th July stated that the award was “For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. She showed disregard of danger, and continued to attend the wounded in her charge during the heavy bombardment”.
Sister Jane Bemrose MM.
Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake
Gladys was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in December 1883, and enlisted in January 1916.
She arrived in England in September 1916 and was posted to Salonika where she served until August 1917.
Posted to France, she joined No.1 Canadian General Hospital at Étaples on 12th May 1918.
The area around Étaples was full of military camps and facilities and was frequently raided by German bombers.
About 10pm on the night of 19/20 May 1918 the 1st Canadian General Hospital was badly hit during a raid and many casualties sustained.
The Hospital’s diary recorded that “Fires were immediately started which offered a splendid target for the second part of the attack. The scene was immediately converted into a conflagration and charnel house of dead and wounded men”.
The morning after the raid the diary recorded that the total casualties sustained were 66 killed and 77 wounded.
Gladys was badly wounded in the attack and died of her injuries on 21st May.
Two other nurses died as a result of the attack Margaret Lowe and Katherine Maud Mary MacDonald.
The funeral of the victims took place in the evening of 22nd May at Étaples Military Cemetery.
Gladys Wake was 34 years old.
Postscript.
Remarkably film of the funeral still exists and can be found on the internet.
Sister Gladys Wake.
Another headstone that I spotted was for Matron Eveline Maud Dawson who died in april 1917. I looked up her life and found that she drowned when, according to this report, “the hospital ship Salta was mined on April 10th. Happily, there were no wounded on board, but five medical officers, nine nursing sisters, and 38 members of the personnel of the R.A.M.C. are missing, and presumed drowned. Heinous as the crimes of Germany have been in the last three years none are more dastardly than the war she has waged in defiance of all her obligations under the Geneva Convention, on sick and wounded men, and on doctors and nurses in attendance upon them. The following Casualties in the Nursing Service were reported on Monday, all those mentioned being members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve. MISSING, BELIEVED DROWNED. Sister T. Cruickshank, Matron E. M. Dawson, Sister E. L. Foyster, Sister G. Jones, Staff Nurse C. McAlister, Staff Nurse A. G. Mann, Staff Nurse F. Mason, Staff Nurse J. Roberts.
Both of the colourised photos of the nurses are from the Colour by CJS site, and are this week’s contribution from CJS.
Again, if you have not visited, I do recommend a visit to Etaples the next time you are in France, even if it is not a ‘battlefield’ trip. The nearby seaside town of Le Touquet is a great place to stay for a weekend.
IN MEMORIAM - The Lincolnshire Regiment 22nd June
1915
Captain John Dobree Durell Wickham, 1st Battalion, aged 30. Remembered on the Menin Gate, Belgium. (see below)
1917
1342 Private Charles William Cross, 10th Battalion, aged 22. Buried in Scunthorpe Cemetery, UK.
18604 Private George Henry Clayton. Depot, aged 22. Buried in Boston Cemetery, UK.
1918
52010 Private E S Gibson, 8th Battalion, aged 18. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, France.
26018 Private Henry Oliver. Depot. Aged 33. Buried in South Thoresby Churchyard, UK.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Captain John Dobree Durell Wickham (KIA 1915) above – was a pupil at Brighton College where his father was a Master and Head Master of the Lower School. Click on this link to read more about him.
John Dobree Durell Wickham (Ju. / Sc. 1892-03) — Brighton College - Remembering the fallen of Brighton College
John Wickham’s brother, Lister, was also killed in action with the Lincolnshire regiment on 3rd July 1916. Click below.
Lister Durell Wickham (Ch. 1908-13) — Brighton College - Remembering the fallen of Brighton College
I hope you all have a happy and fulfilling week, as I am sure we will as a family over the next few days.
Until next week,
All best wishes
Jonathan
© Jonathan D’Hooghe
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