Every Family has a story to tell……….Welcome to mine
At the start of the Great War the population of Byford in Herefordshire, including children, was 148 and Mansell Gamage 116, giving a total of 264 inhabitants. 51 young men enlisted from the two villages and 13 of those sadly died. The others returned, but life would never be the same for them after their … Continue reading A Family at War (Part 1)
After the end of WW1 and the Paris was treaty was signed, the league of nations was formed with the basic function of maintaining world peace. Almost 20 years later and Europe was brought to its knees once more with the atrocities of War. This blog isn't an attempt to apportion blame or go over … Continue reading Was WW2 Inevitable?
Is today's modern warfare any different to the way in which we previously fought wars? Absolutely for me thats a Yes! Today's war, if you want to even call it war, is vastly different to previous wars such as WW1 or WW2. Trying to fight against the threat of global terror, or wars in Afghanistan … Continue reading How the mechanics of war have changed……..
So what do you think the future holds for us "Genealogists"? Where do we see the future of our hobby, record keeping and archives, or is there even a future? Anybody who has been researching their tree for around twenty years will never have envisaged how the shape of researching your family tree would look … Continue reading So What does the future hold?
I am now the very proud owner of the Royal British Legion commemorative Poppy pin to remember those that sadly lost their lives 100 years ago at the 3rd battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele. The details of how this project came about and what went into the making of these commemorative poppy pins … Continue reading Royal British Legion Passchendaele 100 Pin
Today I am now the very proud owner of the London Mint's excellent commemorative coin for the 100 year anniversary of the 3rd Battle of Ypres - Passchendaele. The coin comes in an excellent commeroatvie presentation pack and is a real quality piece of memorabilia. See attached pictures. I have also ordered the Royal British … Continue reading Passchendaele 3rd Battle of Ypres Commemorative coin and Royal British Legion Passchendaele Poppy
My Father-in-law, whilst digging in the garden, had the good fortune to find this commemorative knife, which looks to have been designed as a letter opener. From what I can make out, it appears to be made from a shell casing. If anybody knows any different or has discovered a similar item, I would love … Continue reading Passchendaele – 3rd Battle of Ypres Digging up the past
Those of you that have following my blogs, will already know that my 2 x great grand father, John Edwin Barnes sadly died at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. Earlier this year I was able to visit the National Arboretum in Staffordshire which holds over 300 memorials to those that have sadly been lost in … Continue reading National Arboretum Remembering Gallipoli
My dear old Nan, Martha Annie Barnes was born on 21st April 1911 in Stevens Hospital, Dublin, the only child of John Edwin Barnes and Elizabeth Daniels (Lizzie). The family home at the time was 7, Woodfield Place, Dublin. John Edwin Barnes was a soldier in the Essex Regiment of the British Army and was … Continue reading The Dublin Connection
The attached pictures are of the Helles Memorial, Turkey and show the name of my 2 x Great-grandfather John Edwin Barnes. John Edwin Barnes served as a Private in the First World War in the Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion, Serial number 8987. He was killed in action in Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April 1915. His … Continue reading Helles Memorial Gallipoli
