Had such a great time on Anglia Tours guide training, as always. Thank you to everyone involved: the office for organising, guides who volunteered to do stands. And a big thank you to everyone for being such great colleagues and friends! One more tour to go in 25, but now on to 2026!

usually posting open calls,I thought why not trying other way round I might need a writing retreat for academic year2026/27 for1 to 3months Interested to host historian of late HabsburgMonarchy's Diversity? Any suitable fellowships around that I can apply for? thanks in advance, tamara

Right, Normandy in May with the fam. Aiming to spend at least 1 full day history dadding, maybe the whole family, maybe just me and 6yo history fan, Teddy. If one was to look to do and see as much 1944 as possible, where should one be going? (Teddy likes planes and tanks).

Had a few days away from social media whilst I've been on holiday in Malta for my mom's 60th birthday! Still today and tomorrow to go and my 2nd visit to this island has not disapointed! Tell you what though, its weird seeing Christmas decorations go up in 20+C weather! 🤣

The inscription of 2nd Lt Bovey in Lijssenthoek who died of wounds received in the Bluff Sector whilst leading a patrol. 'And so make life, death and that vast for-ever one grand sweet song.' Aged 23, son of Alfred and Jennie Bovey of 165 St John's Hill, Battersea.

The inscription of 2nd Lt Bovey in Lijssenthoek who died of wounds received in the Bluff Sector whilst leading a patrol. 'And so make life, death and that vast for-ever one grand sweet song.' Aged 23, son of Alfred and Jennie Bovey of 165 St John's Hill, Battersea.

Italian WW1 trench near Bosco Malo (Hudi Log) on the Carso, dug in summer 1917, untouched since then (except by brush fires in 2021).

They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. Remembrance Sunday 2025

The 11am silence on Armistice Day, London, 11th November 1925.

They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. Remembrance Sunday 2025

#OTD in 1917, Pte Thomas Willetts of Blackheath, Staffs was killed whilst serving with 14th Bn Worcs Regt (Pioneers). A prewar labourer, his body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Tynecot Memorial. 35 year old Thomas left behind widow Emily and children Florrie, Doris and Thomas.

Zohran Mamdani in New York Catherine Connolly in Ireland Rob Jetten in the Netherlands Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly The rise of the far right is not inevitable. If we work together, we can dare to hope.

#OTD in 1917, Pte John Blakeway of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 205 Coy Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) in positions at Fitzclarence Farm. Aged just 19, John was buried in The Huts Cemetery.

#OTD in 1916, Pte Wilfred Dunn of Rowley Regis was killed was serving with 2nd Bn Worcs Regt whilst involved in an attack on positions ending at BENNET Trench, between Lesboeufs and Le Transloy. A pre war coal miner, Wilfred's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

It's almost like every warning from economic experts about Brexit was true. Imagine that. And yet, many people who voted for Brexit are now turning to Farage - the very architect of Britain's economic downfall. The absolute madness of all this.

Since I like stats - more people were killed and injured in mass shootings in the US yesterday than in the UK in 2023-2025. Unless today and tomorrow are unusually quiet more people will be killed and injured in mass shootings in the US by wednesday than in the UK since 2020.

Gotta love Private Eye. Always cuts through the crap.

#OTD in 1916, Pte John Edward Beale of Old Hill DOW received whilst serving with 14th Bn Worcs Regt. A miner prewar, he left behind widow Harriet and 2 children - Dorothy and John. John is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt l'Abbe. His brother Harry was killed 3 months later in Iraq.

#OTD in 1918, Sapper Clifford Simnett of Blackheath, Staffs was killed in action near CHERENG whilst serving with 74th Div Signal Company, R.E. His original grave was located in Baisieux Churchyard but was concentrated in 1929 to Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt.

My next book comes out on the 30th November 2025 & I have updated a blog explaining the rationale behind it which you can find via the link below #WW1 #FWW #Norfolk #Gallipoli #history stevesmith1944.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/t...

Delighted to announce that we're adding to the Moore clan! What's that phrase about new house, new baby?! 😊 Coming April 2026. Can't wait to meet you, little one ❤️

Thread: Today has marked the 110th anniversary of the actions at the Hohenzollern Redoubt - a truly dark day for the men of 46th North Midland Division and their families. If you'd like to know more about that day, you can read my blog and listen to a podcast I've recorded (posted below):

#OTD 13 October 1915. An awful day for the counties of the North Midlands as their fathers, husbands and sons met a bloody repluse in their attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, a phase of the Battle of Loos. #ww1 #genealogy

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and are all commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The fourth Pte Solomon Wilding was 21 yrs old and serving with 1st/5th South Staffs Regt: buff.ly/47MG1MQ

A very dark day for the 46th (North Midland) Div

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and are all commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The third, Pte James Sidaway was 19 and serving with 1st/5th South Staffs Regt: buff.ly/47MG1MQ

#OTD in 1915, 4 men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and are commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The 2nd, Pte James Townsend was 31 and serving with 1st/5th North Staffs Regt. He left behind widow Laura and children Mary, Beatrice & Annie

#OTD in 1915, four men from Blackheath/Rowley Regis/Old Hill were killed during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and are all commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The first, Pte David Meakin was 17 yrs old and serving with 1st/5th South Staffs Regt: buff.ly/47MG1MQ

#OTD in 1917, Pte Captain Law of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 1st Bn Royal Warks Regt near JOLIE FARM during the First Battle of Passchendaele. Aged 22, Captain's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Pte Ernest Smith of Old Hill, Staffs was killed serving with 1st Bn Warks Regt in trenches east of Les Boeufs. Aged 21, Ernest's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Bits and pieces seen left on the wall at Ulster Tower yesterday afternoon, which the group were fascinated with. Including a driving band, a round still with cordite in and the remains of a boot. I wonder who it belonged to...

Somme poppies, taken yesterday on the path to @hawthornridgeca.bsky.social A lovely day with another great group. Back in the UK for a week, before a tour a week for the next three weeks 👍

The first day of the first tour in October. Gorgeous weather to accompany us today, before we head down to the Somme tomorrow.

THREAD: #OTD in 1917, 8 men from Blackheath/Old Hill/Rowley Regis were killed during the Battle of Poelcapelle - the joint worse day for casualties for the area - only 1 has an identified grave. Pte Edmund Barnsley, 22 - 1st/5th Bn York and Lancaster Regt - Tyne Cot Cemetery (1/3)

#OTD in 1916, Pte William Edwards of Blackheath, Staffs was killed serving with 3rd Bn Worcs Regt in support trenches near STUFF REDOUBT. A prewar bricklayer, William left behind widow Rose and children Lily, Arthur, Rose, William and Caroline. He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery.

#OTD in 1918, Pte John Percival Gaden of Blackheath, Staffs was killed on an attack on HOLLOW COPSE - near Oppy - whilst serving with 2nd Bn Royal Berks Regt. Aged just 19, John's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

#OTD in 1916, Driver Thomas Robinson of Blackheath, Staffs was killed in action whilst serving with 94th Bde RFA. His body was not identified post war and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Thomas was 38 and left behind widow Eliza and 5 daughters - Sarah, Beatrice, Ada, Nellie & Rose

#OTD in 1918, Pte Charles Jones of Old Hill, Staffs was killed in action serving with 1st/6th Bn South Staffs Regt in positions south of Montbrehain. His body was never found and Bert is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

#OTD in 1918, Pte Bert Adams of Blackheath, Staffs was killed in action serving with 1st/5th Bn South Staffs Regt in positions south of Montbrehain. His body was never found and Bert is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.

#OTD in 1918, 23 year old Pte Walter Ewart Woodhouse was killed in action serving with 1st/5th Bn South Staffs Regt in positions south of Montbrehain. After the war, Walter's original grave in Pontruet was concentrated into Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery.

… Pte. Brown had his arm shattered, but continued on through an intense barrage until he arrived at the close support lines and found an officer. He was so spent that he fell down the dugout steps, but retained consciousness long enough to hand over his message…. He was 19 yrs old!

Fully embracing my new stage of life. Living in a small countryside town, becoming part of the local history society, becoming part of the community.... Oh, and winning Best Homemade Jam at the inaugural Shifnal Festival of Creativity! Very pleased with my win, can't wait to do it again next year!

#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.