Remembrance Day 2018

As mentioned in last week’s Armistice post, Jo and I were successful in the Heritage Lottery Fund ballot for places to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, on the evening of 11 November. Sue Tallentire, one of our volunteers was also in London that weekend, having won a place in the People’s Parade, past the Cenotaph, that took place earlier in the day. Here, she describes her weekend.

I was lucky enough to have an email saying we had places in the People’s Procession on Sunday 11th November. I wanted to do this for my paternal grandfather. I proudly wore a First World War Army Cyclist Corps badge. My Dad was a Bevin Boy so I also wore the Association Badge. I have since learnt from the Ministry of Defence that he went into the Royal Artillery, but was too late to find a badge to wear.

Torches in the moat of the Tower of London, (photo Victoria Oxberry)

As I write this, we have just come back from an amazing weekend in London. Friday 9th November we made our way to The Tower to see the Lights in the moat and what a wonderful sight. 

Saturday we went to the Albert Hall afternoon service and I found it very emotional. We were asked to stand and hold photos of the dead. Having done work for Durham at War diaries etc. I felt as if I knew these soldiers. 

Sunday 11th we were up and out early, waiting a few hours before we started to march. What an honour and a privilege. One of the most moving times was when the veterans had marched and were returning as we all waited, we clapped and cheered them. Very touching. 

Unfortunately the BBC coverage stopped as we reached Admiralty Arch and turned down Whitehall. All our family and friends never got to see us. 

We completed our weekend and visited the Shrouds of the Somme. Another emotional experience and spoke to the artist who had created them. 

Altogether a whole weekend’s experience I will never forget. All this starts from my volunteer work on the First World War and transcribing diaries.

Victoria's Weekend

On the Saturday night, I was staying with a friend about 15 minutes’ walk from the Tower of London and also saw the torches lit up in the moat. I decided that I would return to the Tower for 11am the next day, avoiding the crowds at the Cenotaph. 

On Sunday morning, down at the Tower, I stood by the Thames, and the wind blew the strains of The Last Post across the water from HMS Belfast. Until that point, it had been a cloudy and drizzly day, but at 11am, the wind got up and blew the clouds along, and the sun shone brightly in a blue sky. It was strange walking back, thinking that from that moment, 100 years ago – as I have so often written of on the blog – the fighting was over. 

Later that afternoon, it was time to get ready for the service at Westminster Abbey. As you can imagine for an event attended by the whole Royal Family, the Prime Minister Theresa May, and the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, there was strict security. The security checks were to begin at 4:30pm, closing at 5:30pm to ensure guests were seated before the arrival of the dignitaries. Jo and I were staying right by the Abbey so met to leave at 4:30pm, only to find the end of the queue was several streets away. We managed to bump into the people attending from the North East War Memorials Project, and I saw an old manager of mine from when I worked at a different archives.

Westminster Abbey after the service (photo Victoria Oxberry)

After passing though security, and being welcomed into the Abbey, it was a bit haphazard finding where to sit. We were told to head one way, and then someone else took us back, which you can actually see in the very first interior shots of the BBC coverage of the service. We were right the first time though, and found seats at the back row, in the upper half of the nave. 

Much of the service took place inside the choir, sanctuary, and high altar, which wasn’t visible from the nave, even if you were sat on the front row. There were screens mounted onto the columns which showed when someone was doing a reading. The choice of words were very interesting, in particular the address by Archbishop Justin Welby (and former Bishop of Durham), who spoke about the political events in the aftermath that led to the Second World War. The music came from the organist, the wonderful choir, and the magnificent Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.

The order of service and commemorative book

Whilst it was undoubtedly an honour to attend the service, now that I have been able to watch it on the television, I have a greater sense of the occasion. 

The anniversary of the Armistice may now have passed, but the Durham at War project will continue for a little while longer yet. The fighting might have been over, but there was still much to be done.

Great Rejoicings

Headline from the Shields Daily News, 7 November 1918 (British Newspaper Archive)

In early November some people knew that peace could be imminent. Reports were saying there would be a meeting of Allied and German representatives on 8 November 1918 to discuss the terms of an Armistice. Many of these reports appeared in newspapers of 7 November, but some papers also reported another story, emphasising that it was not confirmed by the Foreign Office. The Liverpool Echo’s late edition read:

‘At four o'clock this afternoon, Reuters issued a statement based, apparently, on an official American message, to the effect that Germany's representatives signed our armistice terms 2:30 this afternoon. This news was at once issued in stop press form, but about five minutes later, the message was cancelled.’

This became known as the False Armistice. Colonel Hubert Morant, originally commanding officer 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, now 147th Brigade, received a letter from his wife, Helen, dated 7 November 1918 which suggests that she must have read one of these reports. While we don't have this letter, Morant's response on 12 November says, 'In your letter of the 7th you say you are 'thrilled at the signing of the Armistice', a bit previous wasn't it?'

For those in the army, the fighting would continue until they were told to stop. The war diary entries for 11 November 1918 vary in their acknowledgement of the Armistice. It had an immediate impact on those in the front lines, such as 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in Belgium. Their diary entry reads:

‘Battalion continuing in pursuit of the enemy and formed an advance guard to the 124th Brigade. Message received about 10am that an Armistice was signed and that hostilities would cease at 11am; as a consequence, the battalion occupied billets in the vicinity of NEDERBRAKEL. An outpost line was formed east of Nederbrakel. One other rank accidentally wounded whilst on outpost duty.’

9th Battalion were in France, working on bomb craters. Their war diary entry says how the battalion was presented with a bouquet and address from civilians.

Colonel Morant wrote in a letter to his wife on 11 November, 'Peace! It sounds incredible and one can't now even believe it. I wonder what it will mean that we'll have to do, we know nothing so far.'

D/DLI 7/424/3(32) ‘Here is the photo, taken after [the theatrical] dinner. I [Captain PHB Lyon] am completely invisible, except for one ear and one eyebrow, on the floor at the back’, Graudenz, Germany, 18 November 1918

It was different for those in prisoner of war camps. Captain Percy Lyon of 6th Battalion, DLI, had been in a camp on the northern coast of Germany since May 1918. His personal diary entry reads:

‘Last night rumours grew more frequent and more ominous every hour. Most of them have since proved false, noticeably that which said that the people had revolted and among other things pinched 600 of our parcels! There certainly seems to have been disturbances, but none of them were serious, and this morning things are quiet again... The Armistice appears to have been at last signed, and all we know really about it is that it provides for the immediate return of allied prisoners. The feeling here is absolutely indescribable. It is like a dream come true. All our forebodings vanish at the appearance of about 500 [food] parcels early in the morning.’

For the family of Private James Hodgson of Lanchester, who served with 15 DLI, it was a different story. When British prisoners of war began to return home, James Hodgson was not amongst them. His aunt wrote to the War Office seeking news, eventually hearing that James had died in a German hospital near Aachen on 11 November 1918.

At Harperley camp, here in County Durham, where German military prisoners of war were held, 27 men died of Spanish Flu between the 7 and 23 November, including five on Armistice Day.

Also on the home front, a student at St Hild’s College wrote:

‘When the bells at last rang out there was a rush of about 10 staff, 129 students, 19 servants, and one dog (Kerry) to the Chapel. We sang oh! how we sang! Later peculiar noises were heard emanating from the dormitories and a procession of up-turned basins beaten by tooth-brushes and dustpans beaten by brooms, etc. passed my door. In the evening we had a dance in the Gymnasium with all the lights on and later we ate all the chocolate we had stored in the cellars for air-raids.’

Many local newspapers were published weekly, so when the Armistice was declared on Monday 11 November, the papers had several days to prepare reports on the local celebrations that occurred all over the county. The following are from the County Chronicle and Auckland Chronicle, both of 14 November.

Headline from the County Chronicle, 14 November 1918 (D/WP 4/42)

In Durham City

‘The official message was made known to a vast concourse of people assembled in Durham Market Place in the early afternoon by the Mayor... Addresses appropriate to the occasion were made... cheers were raised, and re-echoed again and again round the old Market-square... and the Durham miners, and the Band of the 52nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers interspersed the memorable proceedings with patriotic and popular airs.’

In Crook

Lights were noticed on the fine tower of St. Cuthbert’s Church at night, each light said to represent a fallen hero identified with the church. 

In Stanhope

The bells and buzzers in the local quarries were all set going. The German prisoners at work in the quarries downed tools, as did lots of the quarrymen. 

In Wolsingham

Immediately flags, banners, and bunting, were floating from windows, and workmen taking “French leave” were soon streaming out of the works. Large numbers of Canadian soldiers were soon in the town from Shull Camp... a hastily arranged dance at the Parish Hall was kept swinging from 7 till 2 next morning.

In Frosterley

The children were supplied with fireworks free by a local shopkeeper.

In Willington

An effigy of the Kaiser was suspended from a clothes-line in one street.

In Coxhoe

Towards night, the inhabitants were delighted to display lights in their windows as in pre-war times.

In Horden

The rag-time band was out, and the streets lined with people. Rockets were sent up by the local soldiers and squibs, crackers, and fireworks of every description were going all day and night by the children. The pits were left open, but many failed to be present on Tuesday.

In Thornley

Unfortunately, the rejoicing over the Armistice was marred by the receipt of the news at the same time of the death in action of Second Lieutenant John Youll, Northumberland Fusiliers, the young Thornley officer who recently gained the Victoria Cross.

The County Chronicle editorial read:

The armistice terms are not terms of peace. The final treaty of peace may not be signed much before Christmas, but we know there is now an end in fighting and so we look forward to many new phases and to a vast amount of reconstruction. We shall need all the skill, the care and anxious thought of those upon whom will devolve the tasks that lie ahead, to bring order out of chaos. There is a tremendous responsibility in which we must share alike but we shall approach the problems with all the greater courage and fortitude for having gone through the fires of a devastating war.

Cover of the programme for the original Durham Hymns performance, July 2016

Marking the centenary of the Armistice

Durham County Council have worked with the Northern Echo to produce a special supplement, on sale now, with part of the proceeds going to the British Legion. It features includes stories from the Durham at War project, and profiles some of our volunteers. 

Myself and Jo from Durham at War will attend The National Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 11 November 2018, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. Members of the Royal family, and religious and political leaders will be joined by members of the public who have contributed to the Centenary on a national, regional and local level. 

Recognising the huge contribution the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and its First World War projects have made to the Centenary, the Department for Digital, Media and Sport invited HLF to nominate people to attend the Service. As a result over 300 people who have been involved with HLF funded First World War projects across the UK will be attending the Service on Sunday. It will be broadcast live on BBC 1 and Radio 4. 

Durham at War was made possible by a grant of £475,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which distributes the heritage share of National Lottery funding, supporting a wide variety of projects across the UK. HLF has invested £97million in 2,200 First World War Centenary projects.

Durham Hymns

The Gala Theatre will be hosting two performances of Durham Hymns, at 2:30pm and 7:30pm on Sunday 11 November, tickets are still available. 

Hope

Millennium Place will feature a new art installation called Hope, by Aether and Hemera, from 9-15 November. Commissioned by the council, it features a large-scale text sculpture composed of hundreds of colour-changing LED tubes, along with speakers projecting voices retelling local people's experiences of the war.

Many of the stories are contained within letters, diaries and memoirs at Durham County Record Office. 

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral will be hosting one of our life size Tommies with their own silhouettes for There But Not There. 

On Saturday evening, 10 November, a Festival of Remembrance will take place at the Cathedral,  and on Sunday morning a Remembrance Service will be held. 

Pages of the Sea

On selected beaches around the UK, over the course of several hours, a portrait of an individual from the First World War will emerge from the sand. And then, as the tide rises, be washed away as we take a moment to say a collective goodbye. 

In the North East, these are:

Redcar - Theophilus Jones, 18th Durham Light Infantry, of Darlington, died in the Hartlepool Bombardment

Roker Beach - Hugh Carr, Royal Engineers, of Houghton-le-Spring

Seahouses - William Jonas, Middlesex Regiment, of New Washington

Beacons of Light

At 7pm on Sunday 11 November, over 1300 beacons around the United Kingdom and beyond will be lit. In County Durham, this includes Coxhoe, Ferryhill, Stanley, and many, many more. Page 47-48  of this pdf lists them all for County Durham, but please check locally for details. 

The Durham County Council website has a list of services and parades taking place around the county, and provides details of related road closures: http://www.durham.gov.uk/armistice100

William McNally VC

Sergeant William McNally's Victoria Cross paving stone, image courtesy of John Attle

Saturday 27 October 2018 will see Murton honouring its Victoria Cross hero, Sergeant William McNally, just as they did 100 years ago. A commemorative paving stone will be unveiled on Murton village green, with villagers, veterans, servicemen and women, local dignitaries and members of McNally's family coming together to pay tribute.

The ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph at 11am on Saturday, 27 October, and will be followed by a free exhibition about McNally at the Glebe Centre on Sunday, 28 October, and Monday, 29 October, from 10am to 4pm. Murton Parish Council have led and funded the project, with support from Murton Heritage Society, Murton Welfare Association and East Durham Area Action Partnership. 

On 27 December 1918, the Newcastle Journal ran an article describing the ‘enthusiastic reception’ given by Murton to Sergeant William McNally as he was on leave before visiting Buckingham Palace to receive his Victoria Cross from the King.

“The entire population turning out to do him honour. Murton is very proud of her soldier sons, and not without just reason, for 1300 local lads have joined the colours during the war. Of these, nearly 200 have paid the supreme sacrifice, and 40 distinctions have been won in the field, including a VC, DCMs, and other honours. 

Sergeant McNally who is 24 years of age, was born at Murton, and previous to enlisting was a putter at the colliery, being esteemed by his employers and fellow workmen alike. On September 3 1914, he enlisted in the 8th Yorkshire Regiment, and in October 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal, shortly afterwards receiving a bar to the medal. 

Sergeant McNally being driven by ES Wood, colliery manager. People Past and Present Archive (murt0065)

The gallant soldier was met by several prominent gentlemen, including Mr ES Wood who drove him in his motor car. Soon after three o’clock the procession started from the Village green, East Murton, gay with bunting, to the hero’s home at 11 Shepherdson Street. In the procession, which was headed by the Murton Prize Band, were representatives of the Miners’ Association and other local bodies. 

Later there was a crowded meeting at the Miners’ Hall to make a presentation. The Reverend GW Anson Firth presided, and in an appropriate speech heartily welcomed Sergeant McNally. 

Mr ES Wood, on behalf of the inhabitants, presented the sergeant with a gold watch and chain, and on behalf of Mr and Mrs JS Escott a silver cigarette case, and on behalf of himself, a beautiful gold pendant for his chain. In doing so, he related the deeds which won for the sergeant the coveted distinction...

Sergeant McNally, VC acknowledging the gifts, said that he had only done his duty the same as any other British soldier would have done.

The inhabitants of Murton intend to make a public testimonial to the hero worthy of the deed. The miners have already headed the subscription list with a sum of £100, and the South Hetton Coal Company and Mr WO Wood have generously contributed to the fund”. 

McNally’s was the last Victoria Cross to be awarded to a soldier from County Durham for actions in the First World War. You can read more about the event on Saturday on the Durham County Council press release, and about Sergeant McNally’s actions on Durham at War. 

Imperial War Museum, London

Weeping Window, Imperial War Museum, London, (V Oxberry)

On Wednesday 17 October, I visited the Imperial War Museum in London which has the Weeping Window poppies on display. This forms a nice bookend to the centenary period for me, having seen Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in 2014. It was very evocative to have the poppies pouring from a small window in the tower, as though from a puncture wound. 

Weeping Window, Imperial War Museum, London, (V Oxberry)

Aside from the permanent First World War gallery, the IWM has several special exhibits commemorating the war, its end, and its aftermath. From a sound and video installations, to photographic evidence of the different nationalities returning home, and lands still in conflict. You can find out more on their website.

Living with the Peace

D/DLI 7/773/2 First page of the sketchbook belonging to Captain Henry Wilkinson, 1918

Durham Cathedral has a new exhibition called Armistice: Living with the Peace on display in the The Collections Gallery, Open Treasure. It is open now and runs until 2 February 1919, and is included in the entrance to Open Treasure. 

Durham County Record Office has loaned the diary and sketchbook of Captain Henry Wilkinson of the Durham Light Infantry who spent the end of the war in a prisoner of war camp in northern Germany. You can read his story on Durham at War. 

There But Not There, Durham Cathedral

In the cathedral itself, seated in the pews and in the DLI Chapel, are transparent silhouettes, part of 'There But Not There', a nationwide commemorative installation to remember those who never returned home from the First World War. These will be on display until 13 November 2018. We hope to have one of our life size Durham at War Tommies joining the cathedral display for Remembrance Day.

© Durham County Council

Conference round up

Friday, 28 September, saw the Durham at War team not only in final preparations for the 2018 conference taking place the next day, but also hosting 80 school pupils for a mini conference. The students, from five schools across the county, had either just begun GCSE history or were interested in taking it next year. 

It begun with historian Andy Robertshaw giving a talk called ‘Mud, blood, and bandages’, about medicine during the First World War, and its impact on medicine today. Looking around the Council Chamber, the students were scribbling away making notes. They also asked some interesting questions of Andy after his talk. The second part of the afternoon was run by Durham at War (Jo) and Gabrielle Reddington, Durham County Council Secondary School advisor. It was a workshop that explained and gave examples of different types of historical sources, how to use them, aimed specially to help students and their teachers answer a GCSE history exam question.

And then Saturday was upon us.

Poppy Bake Off entries

It was an absolutely fantastic day. The Durham Room was filled with stalls and displays from community groups which attendees were able to browse over a cuppa before the talks got underway. There was also the drop off point for the wonderful Poppy Bake Off entries. Our resident volunteer balloon modeller was also on form with bouquets of balloon poppies.

Councillor John Lethbridge, Chairman of Durham County Council and Mayor of Durham, opened the conference with some kind and impassioned words about the Record Office. This was followed by a welcome from the Durham at War team and Sarah Sproates from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The first talk of the day was by Steve Shannon, revealing the process of identifying the remains of a body found near Zonnebeke, Belgium, in 2014. Steve’s work led to the official burial and marking with a Commonwealth War Graves headstone, of Private Thomas Edmundson, 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Steve then handed over to Jim Busby, joining us for a third time from Winnipeg, Canada. Jim’s story started at the other end to Steve’s, he had a name, Andrew Rosmus, but no grave location. Jim’s work led him to locating Rosmus’ final resting place, as yet unmarked. He has submitted his evidence to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is currently waiting for a decision.

Tucking into the bakes

Tea break, and time to judge the Poppy Bake Off. During the first talks, Record Office staff were busy prepping the wonderful cakes for sampling. I knew it was successful as there was barely any left by the time I got there! But it was great to see everybody tucking in and casting their vote.

Andy Robertshaw returned from the previous day to be our keynote speaker, this time giving us a thought provoking talk on the end of the war. One point he made that has stuck with me is that we sometimes forget, when we are looking back at war at the things that happened and the decisions that were made, that we have the benefit of seeing the whole picture. Those men didn’t know what was coming next, didn’t always know what the enemy had planned.

Next, it was my turn to talk about Colonel Morant and 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and Margaret Eason to talk about her research into officers of the battalion. Margaret, who wrote the blog’s Very British Romance series, overcame a case of nerves, as she stood up and talked with great passion and humour about some of the men whose stories she has told on the Durham at War website.

Evenwood, Ramshaw, and District Local History Society told us about the making of their film ‘In the Pink’, which is available now on DVD with accompanying book. Their website also lists upcoming screenings.

The film was made with Crackin’ Toast, and director Rosie Anderson talked about their involvement. Then she sent us off for lunch in tears from singing the beautiful song she wrote about Sally Smith, wife of Private Fred Smith.

George Muirhead talking about Adolphus Hudleston Williamson

After a delicious lunch, we began the afternoon session by revealing the winners of the Poppy Bake Off. There was a three way tie for second place (luckily, due to an ordering error we had enough prizes). Margaret Eason, Clare Singleton, and Jean Longstaff each won a poppy china mug designed by Susan Rose for the Royal British Legion. In first place was Wolsingham School, who won a poppy mug and a signed copy of Andy Robertshaw’s book ‘Feeding Tommy: Battlefield Recipes for the First World War’. I think it’s lovely that the book will be put into the school library.

Paul Frodsham, archaeologist with Oracle Heritage Services, was our first afternoon speaker, telling us about Lidar and giving us some of the results from the latest Durham at War Lidar project. He emphasised how these results show how important it is to preserve our First World War heritage, as so much physical evidence has already been lost.

Next, Mel Brown and Fiona Johnson revealed some hidden histories to us. Mel told us about the impact of the war on children in the county, and steps that were taken to protect them. Fiona gave us the stories of two formidable women she had found. 

John Banham of Tudhoe and Spennymoor Local History Society introduced us to their film ‘Behind the Lines’ about nurse Kate Maxey who received the Military Medal. The premiere of the film takes place later this month, and will be available to watch on YouTube from 22 October.

Volunteers with the DLI Collection told us about the work they do at Sevenhills, then onto George Muirhead’s talk. George spoke about the wonderfully named Adolphus Hudleston Williamson, son of a Whitburn baronet, who served as a captain with the Royal Navy during the war. 

Lastly we had John Sheen who has given the project huge support over the years, through the loan of his photograph collection, his knowledge, and chocolate from his trips to Belgium. Being involved in the project helped inspire John to pursue a Masters degree in Britain and the First World War. In his talk, John took us through the research he has been doing for his dissertation. Looking at the men of the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Green Howards that passed through a casualty clearing station due to their attack and capture of Contalmaison on 10 July 1916, he has built up a picture of the backgrounds of the men, including finding that the majority were from Durham and Teesside. 

With no time for an open session, County Archivist Liz Bregazzi gave some closing remarks, and that was the conference. To toot our own horns for a moment, we have received fantastic feedback from the people attending, and it is always heartening to know that people have really got something from the day.

It is important to say that while this was the final Durham at War conference, it is not the end of the project, we will still be here for a little while longer yet. 

Margaret's balloon poppies

Conference programme released

We are pleased to announce that we have finalised the programme for this year's Durham at War Conference. There are still tickets available for the event which takes place 9am-4pm, Saturday 29 September 2018, County Hall, Durham. Tickets are £5 and include a buffet lunch and refreshments. You can book online on the Record Office Shop.

Join us for the Durham at War Conference 2018

Durham at War Conference, 29 September 2018, 10am-4pm (refreshments and stalls from 9am), County Hall, Durham

This year’s Durham at War Conference is open to the public and will host a series of talks by project volunteers about the First World War with a local connection. Subjects include the identification of bodies found on the Western Front; the ‘Shiny Tenth’ (Durham Light Infantry), archaeology, the life of a naval officer, and women in the county.

Andy Robertshaw 

There will also be a keynote speech by Andy Robertshaw, lead historical consultant for Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of War Horse, and historical advisor on the 2017 film Wonder Woman. He is a regular consultant and on-screen expert for a host of TV and radio shows, including Time Team, The Trench Detectives and Who Do You Think You Are? Andy has also spearheaded numerous archaeological investigations along the Western Front.

Peace cake made for celebrations in Maryborough, Queensland, 1919, State Library of Queensland

We are also having a Poppy Bake competition. It can be any sort of bake that you can think of (cake, biscuit, pastry…) and it could be made in the shape of a poppy, it could be decorated with poppies and/or flavoured with poppy seeds. There are exciting prizes to be won so let your imaginations run riot!

Tickets are £5 and include a buffet lunch and refreshments. You can book online on the Record Office Shop.

The beginning of the end

D/DLI 7/531/1 Embroidered souvenir postcard

The German Spring Offensive, masterminded by General Erich Ludendorff, drew to an end in July. The British and French armies had suffered heavy losses but had resisted the German attack, however, the German army was left exhausted and demoralised.

On 8 August 1918, the allied forces, including nine British divisions, four Canadian divisions, and five Australian divisions, and supported by 2,000 guns, 450 tanks and 1,900 aeroplanes, attacked east of Amiens in northern France. The German front line broke as the British advanced over 15 miles, inflicting on the German Army 30,000 casualties, including 13,000 prisoners. After this battle, the German Kaiser and his generals knew that the war was lost. General Ludendorff called it the 'black day of the German Army'.

This began the final 100 days of the war. The Allied armies launched attack after attack. Their casualties were heavy but this relentless pressure forced the German Army to retreat almost to the borders of Germany itself.

RELAWM13307.086 Colour patch of 26th Battalion, Australian Infantry Force, Australian War Memorial Creative Commons Non-Commercial License 3.0 

Several men, originally from County Durham were in action on this opening day of the Battle of Amiens, serving with the Canadian and Australian forces. These included John Bailes, born in South Wingate, and John Edward Green, born in Sunderland, both serving with different battalions of the the Australian Infantry Force.

Another soldier was Henry Ellemor, born in Seaham Harbour in 1890. In 1911 he emigrated to Australia with his brother and worked as a miner until he enlisted as a private with 26th Battalion, Australian Infantry Force, in September 1915. Ellemor arrived in France a month into the Battle of the Somme and found himself fighting at Flers.

On 8 August 1918, Private Ellemor went into action at Amiens, where he was shot in the back and legs. He was evacuated to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station at Vigancourt, but sadly died of his wounds later that day.

D/DLI 7/226/15 Amiens Cathedral, and bomb damage to nearby buildings c.1914-18

On Wednesday 8 August, Prince William and Theresa May attended a service at Amiens Cathedral, to remember those lost, and to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the end of the war.

The Danger Tree

The Danger Tree, opening in Stockton, August 2018

Are you looking for something different and educational to do this summer holiday? Launching today, Stockton-on-Tees plays host to The Danger Tree, an augmented reality First World War exhibition. 

Artists Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot have produced oil paintings showing fields of flowers, that when viewed with the Blippar app on a smartphone or tablet (tablets will be available to borrow), will be enriched with animation, music, and poetry.

The exhibition takes its name from a landmark near Beaumont Hamel, France, used by the Newfoundland Regiment of the Canadian Army in the run up to the Battle of the Somme. Whilst performing trench raids, a clump of trees, reduced to a lone, leafless tree trunk, about halfway into no-man’s land was used as a reference point. One of the only markers in the area, it was used a gathering point for the men to start their trench raids prior to the battle. It was also about where the wire had been cut for the Newfoundland Regiment to get through and make their attack on 1 July 1916. Unfortunately, the Germans had also located this landmark, and many men were killed in its vicinity. After the war, the Canadian government bought the land and a Newfoundland Memorial Park was created. Whilst the original tree is long gone, a replica stands in the park to honour those who lost their lives there. 

The Danger Tree, Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel, France (photo public domain)

The Danger Tree exhibition is being held at the Wellington Square shopping centre, with one of the units being made to look like a bombed out art gallery.

This free exhibition has been produced in association with The Royal British Legion, and has already visited Liverpool and Manchester among other locations. 

Free

Unit 24
Wellington Square (near Debenhams)
Stockton-on-Tees

Opening times:
Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Please note; during Stockton International Riverside Festival (3-5 August) the exhibition will be open 1pm – 7pm.

From 10-29 September we will be hosting education visits Monday to Thursday, with public visits Friday and Saturday only.

Bus-les-Artois memorial

The Pals' memorials at Bus-les-Artois, France, photograph by permission of Brian Stobie

“Our battalion was reserve - with the exception of D Coy - to the 93rd Infantry Brigade, 31st Division in the 8th Army Corps commanded by General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston. The other battalions in the brigade were the 15th (Leeds Pals) West Yorkshire Regiment, and the 16th and 18th (Bradford Pals) West Yorkshire Regiment. The Leeds Pals, with our ‘D’ Coy, were to be the first wave over the top, followed at half hour intervals by each battalion of the Bradfords.” 

– Charles Moss, 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

A memorial stone dedicated to the Durham Pals is being unveiled at a ceremony in France this weekend.

The stone has been installed in the small hamlet of Bus-Les-Artois where 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (18 DLI) – known as the Durham Pals – were stationed in the lead up to the Battle of the Somme.

Installing the Durham Pals memorial at Bus-le-Artois, France, photograph by permission of Brian Stobie

The official unveiling of the memorial stone will take place on the evening of Saturday 30 June 2018, during a commemorative service attended by Durham County Council Chairman Cllr John Lethbridge and members of the DLI Association.

Cllr Lethbridge said: “It is extremely important to recognise the sacrifice of the Durham Pals and we are delighted that a permanent memorial has now been installed in an area the battalion had such strong links with”. 

Close up of the Durham Pals memorial, Bus-le-Artois, France, photograph by permission of Brian Stobie

The Pals, were part of the attack at Serre, at the northern end of the Somme battlefield. By 5 July, the battalion that had gone into the trenches on 30 June almost 800 strong, had suffered almost 500 casualties, including 70 dead. One of the survivors was Lance Corporal Charles Moss, and you can read extracts from his memoir of this battle:

http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.com/2016/06/charles-moss-hendon-beaches.html

and, the full transcript on Durham at War http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/material/597/

In 2016, a fundraising appeal culminated in the installation of two memorial benches, one on the Durham riverbanks where the 18 DLI began their journey to France, and the other in Thiepval to mark the end of their fateful journey into battle. 

Directions to the Pals' memorials, photograph by permission of Brian Stobie

John Scott Youll VC Ceremony

John Scott Youll Victoria Cross paving stone, next to the a stone remembering those who worked at Thornley Colliery

Last week on the blog we told you about John Scott Youll (Northumberland Fusiliers) winning the Victoria Cross. The ceremony took place on Friday 15 June 2018 and this week we have some photographs. 

Vice Lord Lieutenant Alasdair MacConachie and Reverend Jon PL Whalley CF

As well as local residents wanting to pay their respects, those in attendance included the Vice Lord Lieutenant Alasdair MacConachie, representatives from the East Durham Area Action Partnership, and from the 5th Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (5RRF). Lieutenant Colonel S Burton gave a reading and the service was led by the chaplain to the 5RRF, Reverend Jon PL Whalley CF. 

Information panel telling the story of John Scott Youll

The commemorative paving stone has been laid alongside the mining memorial (Youll had been an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery), and is less than 500m from The Villas, where John Youll had lived.

John Scott Youll VC

D/Ph 150/63 Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll

Today, 15th June 2018, a ceremony takes place to unveil the commemorative paving stone in honour of John Scott Youll winning the Victoria Cross. Youll grew up in Thornley and went on to serve with the Northumberland Fusiliers. On 4 September 1918, he was presented with the medal by the King. A few days later, he was honoured by his own community. The Sunderland Echo of 11 September 1918, printed the following report. 

D/DW 1/3(30) The Hippodrome, Thornley, c.1910

Thornley’s VC Honoured

There was an enthusiastic gathering at the Hippodrome Theatre, Thornley, on Tuesday night, when Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll was publicly honoured is recognition of his having gained the Victoria Cross. The testimonial had been organised by the War Memorial and Welcome Home Committee, appointed some time ago to make arrangements and raise funds for a memorial to the fallen and for extending a welcome home to the fighting men at the conclusion of the war.

Second Lieutenant Youll, who is due to leave home immediately for the front, was born at Thornley on June 8th, 1897, his parents and grandparents being residents of the village. He attended the Thornley Council School until he was fifteen years of age, when he commenced work at Thornley Colliery in the electric-power station, serving his apprenticeship as an electrician. Later he attended the technical classes held under the Durham County Council at Wingate. As soon as he became nineteen he joined the Royal Engineers (Durham Territorials). After twelve months in England he served as a sapper in France for six months, being then recommended for a commission. He was gazetted in June 1917, and proceeded almost immediately to France. While there he experienced much hard fighting, being recommended for the Military Cross and mentioned in despatches for attending to wounded men during six hours of terrible shell fire. He was personally decorated by the King of Italy with the Italian Silver Medal and Star, which is understood to be the highest honour that the Italians can bestow on any soldier who is not of their nationality.

The testimonial, which was provided by a large number of small subscriptions, took the form of a handsome gold watch and chain and large silver cigarette case.

Mr JHB Forster, of Spennymoor, general manager of the Weardale Coal Co, presided at the presentation. Captain JE Rogerson, chairman of the Weardale Coal Co, handed over the gifts, and referred to the high honour that the gallant officer had brought to his native village.

Lieutenant Youll made a modest reply.

Mr D Hagen, treasurer of the Recognition Fund, and the VC’s old schoolmaster, referred with pride to the fact that he had been so closely associated with Lieutenant Youll in days gone by.

Mr JT Simpson of Thornley, chief engineer of the Weardale Coal Co, said he felt as proud as anyone, because Second Lieutenant Youll came to him in 1912 to serve his apprenticeship. 

A vote of thanks to Captain Rogerson and Mr Forester was moved by Mr W Laidler (chairman of the War Memorial and Welcome Home Fund), and seconded by Mr Orange.

A selection of scholars from the Thornley Council School sang ‘Blighty’ and ‘The Village Blacksmith’.

Un honneur

This week we have a blog post by John Sheen.

Those of you who read the blog regularly will recall the events I recorded last year when the village of Saint Seurin de Cadourne, France, honoured the memory of Colour Sergeant Gawin Wild MBE MM, 26th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Irish). Those that are not familiar with the story can read it here:

http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.com/2017/05/gawin-wild-honoured-in-france.html

Exactly one year on, my wife and I returned for a further two ceremonies in the village. The Mayor of Saint Seurin de Cadourne had agreed that a plaque should be mounted on the cemetery wall.

The plaque on the cemetery wall tells the story of Gawin Wild in French and English (photo by John Sheen)

Unlike last year, when we had a perfect day, it rained cats and dogs, but no one was put off and quite a crowd turned out to both events. Furthermore the owner of the chateau where Gawin lived in retirement also agreed to a plaque being placed on the wall of the chateau next to the front door.

The British effort improved by two, not only my wife and I, but the British Consul from Bordeaux, Madam Dominique Olley, and the Chairman of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Northumberland), Major Chester Potts, also attended. 

Major Chester Potts, RRF Association, reads a letter of thanks, next to him is Mr Gérard Roi (Mayor of Saint Seurin de Cadourne), Madam Dominique Olley (The British Consul), and the trumpeter, also owner of the chateau, Mr Bernard D'Halluin (photo by John Sheen)

Once again we were greeted with enthusiasm and at the chateau the owner took everyone in out of the rain. Then after the unveiling of the plaque, back in for a glass or two of champagne and some food. 

John Sheen and Major Chester Potts after the unveiling of the plaque. The blue flower in our lapels is the French equivalent of the poppy. The cornflower, ‘Les Bleu’ was said to grow in abundance in the trenches around Verdun and as such was adopted as the sign of remembrance (photo by Mrs Sheen)

Then it was back to the local restaurant for a traditional French ‘long lunch’. Here we had a nice surprise as we were presented with a bottle of six year old local wine which had been specially labelled for the occasion. 

A commemorative bottle of wine with a photograph of Gawin Wild on the label (photo by John Sheen)

David Devigne, who started the work to have Gawin Wild honoured, is a talented artist and presented me with this drawing of a Tyneside Irish soldier resting on his rifle along with the words of the ‘Minstrel Boy’. 

The drawing by David Devigne