Who Goes There? Kitchener’s New Army
When this group of volunteers, the majority of whom are wearing civilian clothes, were photographed is unknown. The image is not sharp enough to reveal the cap badge on the officer standing […]
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Jakealoo
Stand Easy at Victoria, Mobilize!
On Sunday afternoon I spent several very enjoyable hours under hot sunny skies at Victoria, Mobilize! This two-day event was organized by VEMRA (Victoria-Esquimalt Military Reenactors Association) in partnership with Parks […]
100 Years Ago Today: Mobilisation of the Croydon Territorials
These were the scenes on Croydon’s North End street exactly 100 years ago today. The detail in this First World War real photo postcard is exceptional and The Queen’s (Royal West […]
Forward, All? Advertisers jump on the Great War Bandwagon
When Britain declared war on Germany 100 years ago today the news was greeted with great keeness throughout the Empire. In Victoria The British Colonist reported that “Victorians Displayed Great Enthusiasm in Receiving […]
“Victoria, Mobilize!: A City Goes to War” Aug. 9 & 10th, 2014
VEMRA (Victoria-Esquimalt Military Reenactors Association) is hosting a 2-day Living History event in partnership with Parks Canada at Fort Rodd Hill on August 9 & 10, 2014. Described as a “Downton Abbey”-style Edwardian picnic and Mobilization event it will feature open-air lectures, weapons demonstrations, music by the Regimental bands of the 5th […]
Who Goes There? Handley Page Pilots
Candid close-ups of First World War combatants are thin on the ground and so finding one taken at 5,000-feet is all the more exciting. This, and the wonderful expressions on the pilot’s faces, […]
An Old Sweat writes: Are We Forgetting the War?
Today I’m sharing a wonderful three-page article by an “Old Sweat” from the First World War. Unfortunately the author is unknown however his reminisces would suggest he was in the Cavalry and chose to put his thoughts on paper some years after the war. It’s possible the piece was written for a […]
CWGC releases 300,000 archival documents on WW1 soldiers
On July 8th the Commonwealth War Graves Commission made a significant update to their website to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. For those of us researching soldiers the most welcome […]
The Artists Rifles – In Their Own Words
A beautiful short film on the history of The Artists Rifles during the First World War, produced by Cass Productions for 1914 – Hampshire’s Big Theme. Many famous artists and writers joined the regiment including Paul Nash, Wilfred Owen and Edward Thomas. The 11-minute film showcases much of their work and […]
Corporal George Storie, 7th Battalion Royal Scots identified
Last week I was contacted by the great-nephew of Corporal George Storie who identified his great-uncle in my postcard of the 1/7th Royal Scots. Storie was a Musselburgh soldier who […]
Doing Our Bit 