29-01-2008
John's Holiday
When John Earls and three friends went on holidays, they visited grave sites and war memorials mainly associated with World War I, as they sought out memorabilia associated with family members. Below are some points from John's presentation.
- We were supposed to go a few years ago. A friend from university wanted to see his grandfather's name on the Mennin Gate, and I wanted to see the grave of the uncle after whom I was named. So four of us arranged to go.
- We started in Amiens, seeing its memorials, cathedral, and other sites.
- Colin, who was our tour guide, was very good. He gave us all the details for each of the sites that we visited.
- Everywhere you went, there were poppies.
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission looks after the graves, and does a very good job.
- Even though the First World War was almost a century ago, live ammunition, shells, and hand grenades are found on a daily basis.
- There are many cemeteries - they're everywhere - about 65,000 Aussies are buried in them.
- In one incident, in Belgium, the Allies dug under the German trenches, and packed the tunnel with explosives. The explosion was heard in London.
- The tourists also went to Normandy, where they saw a World War II memorial to an event where the English built gliders made of hardened cardboard, which they used to fly in soldiers 30 at a time. One glider landed in the water, and all of the soldiers drowned.
Last changed: 03:21:24 04-10-2008