#OTD in 1918, Gunner William Yardley of Old Hill, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 21st Heavy Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery. A fruiterer prewar, William was 35 at the time of his death. He is buried in Duisans Military Cemetery, Etrun.

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed - 3 at Loos, one in Ypres. The fourth, Cpl Albert Harrold was killed serving with 5th Bn Oxs and Bucks and is commemorated on the Menin Gate. For more info, follow this link: buff.ly/3ZewjAK%E2%8...

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed - 3 at Loos, one in Ypres. The fourth, Cpl Albert Harrold was killed serving with 5th Bn Oxs and Bucks and is commemorated on the Menin Gate. For more info, follow this link: buff.ly/3ZewjAK%E2%8...

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed - 3 at Loos, one in Ypres. The third of these, Cpl William Faulkner was serving with 187th Special Coy, RE - men who had specialist knowledge of chemistry. William is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

#OTD in 1915, 4 men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed - 3 at Loos, 1 in Ypres. The second of these, Private Joseph Rollason - aged 23 - was serving with 8th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt, attacking south of the Hulluch Road. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed - 3 at Loos, one in Ypres. The first of these, Private Harry Hill - aged 17 - was serving with 10th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment, whose objectives were around Hulluch & Puits no 14. Harry is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

The reminders of First World War are still very much present. In Auchonvillers, a discovery yesterday of a German HE shell (as our group was told), found during some minor construction. Just awaiting pick up now!

It's good to be back, even if only for a day ❤️ heading off to the accommodation in France now, ready to continue the rest of the tour.

#OTD in 1918, Pte George Jackson of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 8th Bn Royal Berks Regt in positions north of Ronssoy and Lempire. Aged just 18 years old, George's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

Back down to Kent to pick up the first school group tour of the academic year - looking forward to the tour, but not the early start tomorrow! 🤣

#OTD in 1918, Pte Frederick Jesse Downing of Blacakheath, Staffs died of wounds sustained whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Royal Scots in positions around Moevures. A schoolmaster pre war, Frederick was 34 years old and is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St Marc.

In full swing of making a load of nice things after harvesting. This time round, its batches of (L to R) gooseberry jam, chilli jelly and plum & apple jam, with all the produce either grown at ours or my in-laws. Can't wait to give them a try soon!

#OTD in 1917, Pte Alfred Hadley of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 10th Bn Royal Warks Regt in positions around Klein Zillebeke. Aged 22, Alfred's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Tynecot Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Sjt Herbert Slim of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards around Trones Wood, Guillemont and Ginchy. A prewar regular soldier, Herbert was killed at some point between 14th and 17th September. He is buried in Guards Cemetery, Les Boeufs.

Just 12 days to go until I'm back guiding in some of my favourite places with a lovely school from Wolverhampton. A four day trip, with 2 on FWW battlefields, and 2 on the D-Day landing beaches - a great way to get back into the swing of things to wrap up 2025 guiding with a bang!

#OTD in 1916, Pte Charles G Clarke of Blackheath, Staffs was killed in action whilst serving with 10th Bn Royal Warks Regt. A prewar labourer in a tube works, Charles was 23 years old when he was killed. He is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery.

#OTD in 1916, Pte William Leslie Law of Blackheath, Staffs died of wounds received at the end of August serving with 10th Bn Worcs Regt. William was just 24 years old and had been a labourer prewar. He is buried in Dranoutre Military Cemetery.

#OTD in 1916, Pte Roy Boswell of Old Hill Staffs died of wounds received on 01/09/16 serving with 74th Field Ambulance RAMC supporting troops of 24th Division around Delville Wood. Roy is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery and was 25 years old.

This is my flag.

#OTD in 1916, L/Cpl William Henry Nock was killed whilst serving with 1st Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers in positions around Ale/Beer/Hop Trenches. A prewar labourer, William was 23 years old and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1917, 4 men from Blackheath/Old Hill/Rowley Regis were killed around Langemark as part of 3rd Ypres. All 4 served with battalions as part of 48th Division. The third, Private William Hill served with 1st/6th Royal Warks Regt. He was 22 years old and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial

Thread: #OTD in 1917, 4 men from Blackheath/Old Hill/Rowley Regis were killed attacking around Langemark as part of 3rd Ypres. All 4 served with battalions as part of 48th Division. The first two, Ptes William Tibbetts and Albert Deakin served with 1st/8th Bn Worcs Regt.

#OTD in 1917, 36 year old Pte William Haywood of Rowley Regis was killed whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Worcs Regt near the position known as 'Alberta' near St Julien. A prewar quarryman, William's body was never found and he is commemorated on the Tynecot Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Pte George Ernest Harper of Old Hill, Staffs was killed during 3rd Bn Worcs Regt attack on the Liepzig Redoubt. Aged 24, George's body was never found and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1918, Pte Matthew Bagley of Blackheath, Staffs was killed in action whilst serving with 16th Bn Royal Warks Regt near Bucquoy and Achiet le Petit. Aged 27, Matthew was buried in Adanac Cemetery, Miraumont. He left behind widow Annie and 6 month old son, Harold.

#OTD in 1916, Cpl Samuel Hill of Rowley Regis, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Worcs Regt in positions around Skyline Trench - half way between Thiepval and Pozieres. Aged 24, Samuel was never found and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1917, 21 year old Pte David Andrews of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 7th Bn South Staffs Regt during an attack near the Cockcroft. David's body was never found and he is commemorated on the Tynecot Memorial. He left behind widow Elsie; they'd been married less than 4 months.

#OTD in 1916, Pte William Ewart Hadley of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 9th Bn Black Watch in positions near High Wood. Aged 18, William had enlisted at just 17 and he, with a few others from his Bn killed the same day, are commemorated on the Loos Memorial, not Thiepval.

Looking forward to spending the next few days on break away in Norfolk with Mr Beth and my sisters! Spending today in Wells-next-the-Sea, where of course I have to get a picture of the war memorial, afixed to the wall of the memorial club @britwarmemorial.bsky.social

#OTD in 1917, Pte Charles Ashman of Old Hill, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 9th Bn The Loyal North Lancs Regt on the Westhoek Ridge. A prewar waggoner, Charles was 40 years old at the time of his death. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Today is the 107th anniversary of the death of Pte James Rowley, a young man whose life I discovered last year in a box of artefacts at a militaria fair. I've adopted James and was lucky enough to visit his grave in November last year - buff.ly/016rE90

Today is the 107th anniversary of the death of Pte James Rowley, a young man whose life I discovered last year in a box of artefacts at a militaria fair. I've adopted James and was lucky enough to visit his grave in November last year - buff.ly/016rE90

#OTD in 1917, Pte Joseph Roberts of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 1st/5th Bn Royal Warks Regt in positions near St Julien. A prewar brass finisher, Joseph left behind a widow Mary and daughter Gladys and was 35 years old. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Of all the items of ephemera I have collected over the years, this is, I think, my favourite —a tiny silver diary owned by a 10 year old boy who lived in Arras during WW1. One entry says "Grandma was killed by a shell on the Grand Place". He talks of his uncle who was serving. A real gem #WW1 #FWW

#OTD in 1944, Father Tadeusz Julian Jachimowski, codename "Nakasz", was murdered by the Germans during the Wola Massacre. He was ordained as a priest in 1914, and he provided spiritual guidance to soldiers during the First World War.

No biggie, just an American president suggesting the federal government would take over New York City if he doesn’t like who they choose as mayor. Will of the people, be damned. As @wkamaubell.bsky.social says, “That is called FASCISM!”

New YouGov polling. A monumental failure of our political class to educate, a monumental failure of our media to report fairly, for a generation

Hill 70 - at listener's request. Our latest podcast is out tomorrow morning #WW1 #FWW

#OTD in 1916, Pte William Fredrick Partridge of Blackheath, Staffs died as a result of wounds received serving with 10th Bn Worcs Regt, possibly received on 29th July. William was 26 years old and left behind a widow, Alice. He is buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension.

#OTD in 1916, Pte John William Carter of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 2nd Bn South Staffs Regt, who were relieving units in the west of Delville Wood. A miner prewar, John was 36 years old and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He left behind widow Annie and 10 year old Doris.

#OTD in 1918, Lt Joseph Harold Cartwright of Old Hill, Staffs and 34th Sqdn RAF was killed in a training accident whilst flying a Sopwith Dolphin. A student teacher prewar, Joseph was just 19 when he died. He is buried in the family plot in Cradley Heath (St Luke) Churchyard.

As of yesterday, we've left the black country behind and have made the move to Shropshire! We're absolutely delighted with our new home and cannot wait to get stuck in with making the changes we want to... but dont worry, those gorgeous floor tiles are staying!

#OTD in 1916, Pte Frederick H Bridgewater of Blackheath, Staffs went missing whilst serving with 14th Bn Royal Warks Regt during an attack on positions around the South East corner of High Wood. A bricklayer prewar, Frederick was 23 years old and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, L/Cpl Arthur Clay of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Worcs Regt in attacks on positions near Ovillers. Aged 23, Arthur's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Pte John Henry Woodward of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Worcs Regt in attacks on positions near Ovillers. Aged 24, John's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, 23 year old Pte Leonard Bastable of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 11th Bn Royal Warks Regt, which had been engaged on 15th July in positions around Pozieres. Leonard's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Pte Harry Hill of Blackheath, was killed whilst serving with 5th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry in trenches near Achicourt. A pre war coal miner, Harry was 20 years old when he died and is buried in Agny Military Cemetery.

Final tour of the academic year is go! Looking forward to three days in Berlin to start my summer, although don't think the weather is on side for this one!

Final Western Front tour of the academic year done! Glorious weather, with a fantastic group of students and teachers. And now, enjoying the crossing in the quiet lounge. Just one more trip to go - to Berlin - and then summer break is here! ❤️

Moody skies over Notre Dame de Lorette this morning. The dark clouds are still lingering, but the sun is definitely making a good go of breaking through.