SGWT Advent Calendar: 3rd December 2025

Writing to his young daughter, Pte Edward Stanley offered a promise shaped by the English countryside they both knew:

“When the birds return to the hedgerows, I’ll be there too.”

It is a line full of gentleness, a father trying to reassure a child that the seasons would turn & he would come home with them.

His letter survives. He did not.

I think of Edward, of that unfinished promise & the countless families who waited for someone who never stepped off the train. This Advent, as we share a new snippet of a letter each day, sharing the voices that remind us of the human cost behind every name etched in stone.

SGWT Advent Calendar: 2nd December 2025

Soldiers letters often spoke of the longing for normal life, things we take for granted today.

In 1915, writing to his fiancée, Private Percy O’Brien of the Leicester Regiment captured this perfectly in a single line:

“When I come home, the first thing I want is a bath.

The second is you.”

It’s the perfect mix of humour and honesty.

This Advent, we’re opening one letter each day, revealing the voices that rarely make the history books but tell us the most about the human experience of war.

SGWT Advent Calendar: 1st December 2025

Soldiers’ letters home in the First World War share a familiar rhythm: a blend of reassurance, understatement, and the quiet details of daily life.

With letters censored, what survived on the page was often the monotony of trench routine and the instinct to protect loved ones from the truth.

One line captures this perfectly. Writing to his mother from the Western Front, Private George Coppard tried to lift her worries with a flash of humour:

“Mother, don’t worry, the rats don’t bite often.”

This December, we’ll be sharing 24 snippets of letters home, written by those serving from the First World War to modern conflict.

You'll see the written word full of courage, love, humour and hope.

Follow along as we open a new window every day.

SGWT Advent Calendar 2025

Every December, Sophie’s Great War Tours opens a little window into the past. Three years ago, we started a simple idea: an Advent calendar for history lovers, 24 days of daily posts that honour the people, places, and objects that shaped the world we live in.

In 2022, we focused on military objects. From trench art to gas masks, each post revealed how much a single object can say about a life lived at the front.

In 2023, we turned to specific battlefield sites, exploring the landscapes that still hold the imprint of history, the quiet ridges, forest edges, mine craters, and shattered towns where extraordinary moments unfolded.

Last year we looked at the stories of unsung heroes whose stories deserved to be told.

Every year has been different but each December has reminded us of the same truth: history becomes real when we connect with the people who lived it.

This Year’s Theme: Letters From the Front

For 2025, we’ll be sharing snippets from letters of those that served in conflicts throughout the 20th Century. Some are hopeful, some are heartbreaking, some are unexpectedly funny, warm, or wonderfully ordinary. All of them are human.

These letters are windows into courage, boredom, fear, love, frustration, humour, and hope. They remind us that behind every uniform, every medal, and every battlefield, there was a voice and someone waiting at home to hear it.

If you’re someone who cares deeply about history, remembrance, and the personal stories that bring the past to life, this year’s calendar is for you.

Join Us This December

Follow along on our social channels from 1st December as we open each envelope, unfold each page, and bring a new voice from the past into the present.

More Than a Tour Company: The Heart of Sophie’s Great War Tours

When I first started Sophie’s Great War Tours, I imagined we would simply be a travel company, organising journeys to the First World War battlefields and sharing the history with care. My aim was to tell the stories accurately and sensitively, honouring the men and women who gave their everything.

But very quickly, I realised we were becoming something far deeper.

Again and again, families arrived with a name… a photograph… a fragment of a story passed down through generations. And what they left with was connection. Understanding. A sense of belonging to their own history.

One recent journey reminded me exactly why we do what we do. Bill and his family joined us to follow in the footsteps of their relatives remembered on the Western Front. What began as a tour became days of reflection, discovery, and storytelling piecing together lives lived, choices made, and legacies carried forward.

It wasn’t just history; it was family time. It was remembrance made personal.

That’s what Sophie’s Great War Tours is today. Yes, we guide people across the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Yes, we bring the history to life with research, expertise, and care.

But more than anything, we help people find their story.

We help families stand where their relatives once stood. We help them understand service, sacrifice, and love in a new way.
And we give them space to remember, not just the war, but the people.

The tours have grown into something I never expected, yet exactly what I hoped for: a place where history meets heart.

If you’d like to explore your own family story or simply walk the battlefields with an experienced guide and a listening ear I’d love to help you begin that journey.

15th September - Battle of Britain Day

On 15th September 1940, the skies over southern England became the stage for one of the most decisive days in modern military history. Known as Battle of Britain Day, it was the culmination of months of relentless aerial combat between ‘The Few’ as they would be later known (fewer than 3,000 Allied airmen serving from July - October 1940) against far superior numbers of the Luftwaffe.

By September, the Luftwaffe had already launched sustained attacks aimed first at RAF Fighter Command’s airfields, radar stations and aircraft production sites, before shifting towards London and other major cities in the Blitz. Yet 15th September was different: it was the day Hermann Göring ordered a massive, concentrated assault on the capital, intended to draw out the RAF for destruction. Instead, it became the moment the RAF proved not only its resilience, but its mastery of air defence.

The Luftwaffe sent two major waves of attacks, more than 1,500 aircraft in total across the day. Early in the morning, radar stations picked up large formations crossing the Channel. What followed was the full mobilisation of RAF Fighter Command, with Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park directing No. 11 Group from Uxbridge. The pressure on his pilots was immense; many had already endured weeks of near-constant sorties.

The RAF launched 17 squadrons in response to the first wave alone. Fierce dogfights erupted across the skies above Kent, Surrey, and the approaches to London. Spitfires tangled with Bf 109s, while Hurricanes targeted the bombers.

By afternoon, a second, even larger wave approached. Once again, the RAF rose to meet it. Churchill himself visited Uxbridge’s operations room that day, observing the unfolding battle. His presence gave rise to his later words that “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

By evening, it was clear the Luftwaffe had failed to land a decisive blow. The Germans lost 58 aircraft, compared with the RAF’s 29. While both sides had endured heavy losses throughout the summer, this day was symbolic: the Luftwaffe had tested British defences at full force and been repelled.

This turning point undermined Hitler’s confidence in Operation Sea Lion, the planned invasion of Britain. Without air superiority, any attempt to cross the Channel was impossible. In the months to come, the Blitz would intensify, but Britain had won the first strategic battle fought entirely in the air.

For historians, 15 September illustrates more than just tactical brilliance. It was a triumph of integrated defence: radar technology, the Dowding System of command and control, the courage of young pilots, and the resilience of civilian ground crews all played their part. The day crystallises the larger truth of the Battle of Britain that victory came not from any single factor, but from a collective defence system that worked under extreme pressure.

Today, Battle of Britain Day is commemorated as a moment of national endurance and innovation. For those of us who walk the airfields, visit the preserved operations rooms, or stand beneath the white cliffs of Dover, it remains a reminder of what was at stake in 1940: the survival of Britain against the might of Nazi Germany who had not yet suffered a blow.

1st September 1939 - Nazi Invasion of Poland

On this day in 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering the beginning of the Second World War. The occupation was devastating in every way with around 17% of the population losing their lives.

The Warsaw Ghetto was established in 1940 and at its peak, 400,000 Jews were imprisoned there under horrific conditions. Four years later, another 200,000 civilians would be killed trying to liberate their city.

Around 85% of the city was totally destroyed, those scenes at the end of The Pianist for example, linger in my mind.

Today Warsaw is a fascinating mix of Gothic spires, communist-era blocks, and sleek modern skyscrapers. Whether you’re drawn to its poignant history, vibrant food scene, or welcoming accommodations, Poland’s capital offers something for every traveler.

What to See and Do in Warsaw

Old Town: Warsaw’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to determination. Reconstructed after the war with painstaking attention to detail, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Wander the cobblestone streets, admire the colorful facades, and don’t miss the Royal Castle.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews: Modern and thought-provoking, this museum is one of Warsaw’s most important cultural institutions. It chronicles 1,000 years of Jewish life in Poland, offering powerful stories and interactive exhibits.

Warsaw Uprising Museum: For a deeper understanding of Warsaw’s spirit, the Uprising Museum is a must. It tells the story of the 1944 resistance against Nazi occupation, blending artifacts, film, and immersive installations.

Ghetto Walls: See remaining fragments of the ghetto wall and on the ground, see where the ghetto once stood.

Where to Eat in Warsaw

Warsaw’s culinary scene is as diverse as its history, traditional Polish comfort food meets global influences.

• Zapiecek: A local favorite for hearty pierogi (dumplings) and classic Polish fare.

• Specjały Regionalne: A rustic spot serving traditional dishes like bigos (hunter’s stew) and potato pancakes.

• Hala Koszyki: A renovated food hall where you can sample everything from sushi to modern Polish tapas, all under one roof.

• Stary Dom: Elegant and timeless, this restaurant serves refined Polish cuisine in a historic setting.

Where to Stay in Warsaw

Hotel Bristol: Historic elegance, survived the war, steps from the Royal Route.

Why Travellers Love Warsaw

“the city breaths historym you can feel it in every street, but, the vibrancy of modern life is there to be enjoyed and celebrated”.

23rd August 1914 - Battle of Mons

After the declaration of war, the British Expeditionary Force mobalised for Europe to face the oncoming German Army. They would meet and engage for the first time around the little Belgium town of Mons.

Vastly outnumbered, the British forces fought with determination along the banks of the Mons-Conde Canal. Their resistance was fierce, holding back the Germans for a crucial day, but ultimately, the weight of numbers forced a retreat. Here is a brief overview of how the 23rd August played out for both sides.

Early Morning: Deployment and First Contact

• The BEF’s II Corps, commanded by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, held a 20-mile defensive line along the Mons–Condé Canal. The British forces, numbering around 70,000 men, were stretched thin against the 160,000 German troops advancing south. The first German probes began at dawn, with cavalry and infantry patrols testing British positions. Skirmishes flared near Obourg, Nimy, and Mariette bridges.

Late Morning: The Opening Engagements

• At Nimy Bridge, the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers under Captain Ashburner faced repeated attacks. The defence was so tenacious that two Victoria Crosses were later awarded here to Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Private Sidney Godley for manning machine-guns under devastating fire. To the east at Obourg, the Royal Irish Regiment repelled waves of German infantry. Accounts describe how disciplined British rifle fire – the famed “mad minute,” capable of 15 aimed rounds per soldier per minute, inflicted heavy casualties. German soldiers initially believed they were under sustained machine-gun fire.

Early Afternoon: Pressure Mounts

• By midday, German artillery was brought forward, subjecting British positions to increasingly heavy shellfire. The 3rd Division was hammered by assaults along the canal, particularly at St. Ghislain and Mariette, where bridges became focal points of desperate fighting. Despite being outnumbered, the BEF inflicted severe losses on the Germans. However, the weight of numbers and artillery superiority began to tell.

Mid-Afternoon: The German Push

• Around 3 p.m., German troops forced crossings east of Mons, threatening to outflank the defenders. Fierce fighting at Nimy and Obourg gradually overwhelmed British defenders, with units withdrawing only after sustaining heavy casualties. Communication difficulties meant that some units held on longer than intended, suffering almost to annihilation.

Evening: The Order to Retreat

• By 5 p.m., with German forces pressing across the canal and the French Fifth Army withdrawing on the BEF’s right flank, Field Marshal French ordered a general retreat. The withdrawal was conducted under fire, with rear-guard actions fought by exhausted units. The British pulled back in good order, but the battle had cost over 1,600 British casualties in a single day. German losses were far heavier, with some estimates exceeding 5,000.

Legacy of the 23rd August 1914

The stand at Mons demonstrated the professionalism of the pre-war British Army. Though forced to retreat, the BEF had inflicted disproportionate casualties on the German army and bought valuable time for the Allies. However, it became obvious to many very quickly, that war would not be over by Christmas, not with the numbers of men involved and the technology of the day.

What Can I see in Mons Today?

Your expert guide can weave together pertinent locations that allow you to imagine the fierce actions of resistance, followed by the fighting retreat. Here are some must see stops:

Nimy Bridge - Standing on the bridge, visitors can picture these desperate hours, where a handful of men held back overwhelming German numbers.

Nimy Bridge Mons

St. Symphorien Military Cemetery - Tucked away on the outskirts of Mons, St. Symphorien Military Cemetery is often described as one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking cemeteries of the First World War.

Spend time at the grave of Lieutenant Maurice James Dease VC. Dease commanded a machine-gun section at the Nimy Railway Bridge. As the German army pressed hard against the British line, Dease and his men came under intense fire. Despite being repeatedly wounded, Dease stayed at his post, directing and operating the machine gun to hold back the German advance and cover the retreat of his men. He refused to leave his position until he physically could no longer continue. Even then, he insisted on making sure the gun was still in action before finally collapsing. Dease died later of his wounds. Dease’s actions that day earned him the Victoria Cross, the first to be awarded in the Great War.

Here lie Private John Parr, the first British soldier killed in action in August 1914, and Private George Edwin Ellison, the last British soldier killed in action on 11th November 1918. Their graves are just metres apart, create a powerful symmetry that makes this cemetery unique in the world.

British and German soldiers are buried here. For visitors, this offers a moving reminder that sacrifice was shared, no matter the uniform.

Regular visitors to Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries will be struck at how different the design is here. It is landscaped with mounds, mounds, trees, and curved pathways, giving it more a secret garden feel, discovering new soldier stories at each turn.

Mons Grand Place

The Grand Place of Mons - fighting took place in the town itself in both 1914, but also in 1918 when the Canadians fought into the town, liberating it on 11th November. The Grand Place is a charming centre and offers a wonderful lunch stop for hungry battlefield tourists.

Visit Mons

At Sophie’s Great War Tours, we believe history is best experienced where it happened. Our tours are designed for history lovers who want more than just dates and names, we bring the stories of Mons to life, combining detailed knowledge with a sincere appreciation of the past.

Get in touch with Sophie’s Great War Tours today to begin planning your visit to the Mons battlefields. Together, we’ll turn history into an unforgettable journey.

Britain Goes to War - 1914

On this day in 1914, Britain declares war on Germany.

What began as a European crisis quickly became a global catastrophe. Over the next four years, more than 16 million people would be killed, including almost a million from Britain and her empire. The war would reshape borders and see nations disappear but it would also sow the seeds for another global conflict.

More than a century on, those men and women who were shaken from their ordinary lives and asked to do the unimaginable, deserve to be remembered. That’s where Sophie’s Great War Tours comes in. Their story, our history is shared on the battlefields where it happened. Our tours take you to the fields of Flanders, the trenches of the Somme, and the towns forever marked by war. We walk the ground where young men once stood. We tell their stories, not just of how they died, but how they lived, hoped, wrote home, laughed with comrades, and faced unimaginable fear.

When you walk with us, you honour those who gave everything. You connect the past with the present. And you carry their memory into the future.

Contact us today to discuss your very own battlefield tour.

Virtual History

Today one of our passionate guides is taking history beyond the battlefield and into the classroom with a special Zoom lecture on the Battle of the Somme for students.

We’re proud to support schools by bringing the stories, sacrifices, and lessons of the First World War directly to young learners, making the past personal, powerful, and unforgettable.

This is just one of the many ways we bring history to life, whether on-site or online.

If you’d like to draw on our experience in bringing history to life, get in touch today to explore how we can best support your educational goals.

It's Global Travel Advisor Day!

Let’s recognise the incredible skill, patience, & passion of travel advisors who manage logistics, provide expert insights & keep travelers safe & inspired every step of the way.

Just a quick reminder of how we can support you here at Sophie's Great War Tours:

Trip Planning & Itinerary Creation
Crafting custom travel itineraries tailored to a guests preferences, budget, and needs.

Research & Booking
Researching the best deals across all elemts of travel, be that flights, accommodation or car rental. Staying up-to-date with travel restrictions, visa requirements, and local guidelines.

Problem Solving & Support
Handling cancellations, delays, and rebooking due to weather, strikes, or emergencies.

Building Relationships
Networking with tourism boards, hotels and others to get the best perks and upgrades for our guests. We have money can't buy exlusive access on a range of accommodations and excursions.

In short, we travel advisors are planners, negotiators, problem-solvers, researchers, and trusted guides, all rolled into one.

So don't be shy, come and ask us for help, it's rarely a first for us!

Here's a pic of some of my favourite travel advisors♥️

Travel to Thailand with Sophie’s Great war Tours

Visiting Thailand has long been a dream of mine, and I finally got to fullfil that in March 2024.

When most people think of Thailand, images of turquoise waters, golden temples, and vibrant night markets instantly come to mind. It’s a country that promises postcard-perfect beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, and a deep sense of spirituality. But beyond the stunning scenery and lively culture, Thailand also holds powerful stories from its complex past, none more haunting than the infamous Burma Railway of the Second World War.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, culture, or historical reflection, Thailand offers a travel experience unlike any other. Here’s why Thailand deserves a top spot on your travel bucket list.

1. A Tropical Escape: Beaches, Resorts, and Relaxation

Thailand’s southern coastline is a dreamscape of white sands and crystal-clear waters. One standout destination is Aleenta Phuket, a boutique luxury resort that embodies barefoot elegance and personal service. Whether you’re lounging by your private pool, indulging in a beachfront spa, or enjoying farm-to-table dining, Aleenta is the perfect place to decompress after a long flight, or before embarking on more adventurous travels.

With nearby islands like Phi Phi, Similan, and James Bond Island just a boat ride away, this part of Thailand is a magnet for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts alike.

Get in touch if you're thinking about your next escape, we have access to some exclusive special offers including complimentary half board.

2. City Lights and Cultural Delights: Bangkok

After some well-earned beach time, many travelers head north to Bangkok, a city where tradition and modernity dance side by side. Here, glittering skyscrapers overlook ancient temples like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. A boat ride through the Chao Phraya River reveals hidden corners of the old city, while bustling markets offer everything from street food feasts to handmade crafts.

3. A Journey Through History: The Burma Railway

No journey to Thailand is complete without acknowledging the country’s profound Second World War history. Known as the Death Railway, the Burma Railway was built under harrowing conditions by Allied prisoners of war and forced laborers, linking Thailand to Burma (now Myanmar).

Today, you can visit Kanchanaburi, the province where much of the railway was constructed. Walk across the Bridge on the River Kwai, made famous by the novel and movie of the same name, and explore the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, a moving tribute to the thousands who lost their lives during the railway’s construction.

It’s a deeply emotional experience, contrasting starkly with the paradise landscapes.

Get in touch today and let our experts plan your trip to this fascinating and welcoming country.

OTD in 1770 - Boston Massacre

OTD in 1770, the Boston Massacre unfolds. What started as a street brawl on King Street, Boston escalated when a lone British soldier opened fire & chaos ensued. It inflamed anti-British sentiment & paved the way for the American Revolution.

Private Hugh White was the only soldier guarding the King’s money stored inside the Custom House on King Street. It wasn’t long before angry colonists joined him and insulted him and threatened violence. Reports of what happened next remain unclear but the story goes that White fought back and struck a colonist with his bayonet. In retaliation, the colonists pelted him with snowballs, ice and stones. Bells started ringing throughout the town—usually a warning of fire—sending a mass of male colonists into the streets. As the assault on White continued, he eventually fell and called for reinforcements.

Reinforcements arrived creating a defensive position in front of the Custom House.

Violence escalated, and the colonists struck the soldiers with clubs and sticks. Someone reportedly said “fire.”. Once the first shot rang out, other soldiers opened fire, killing five and wounding six.

For anyone wanting to immerse themselves in this hugely important period of history, we heartily recommend staying at The Inn At Hastings Park, Lexington.

Perfectly nestled in Lexington, Massachusetts, just 15 miles outside Boston, the Inn at Hastings Park provides unrivaled hospitality and exceptional culinary experiences. The Boston area’s only Relais & Châteaux property, the Inn features stylishly luxurious accommodations that celebrate Lexington’s historic heritage with a contemporary American aesthetic. Come and enjoy an immersive food and wine destination unlike any other in New England.

Contact Sophie’s Great War Tours for special rates: sophie@sophiesgreatwartours.com

Prestigious Award Win for SGWT - Second Year Running

I'm delighted to announce that for a second year running, Sophie's Great War Tours has been named, 'Military Heritage Tourism Operator of the Year 2025 - Europe'.

Judges pointed to the extensive expertise within our sector, dedication to customer service and client satisfaction with an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.

None of this would be possible without my excellent team. A big thank you to all those amazing guides that work tirelessly for our customers, and to Tracy in operations.

As an IC with the brilliant Simplexity Travel Management Ltd - all of our customers are financially protected, have access to 24/7 support while away and can access some of the best travel products globally.

If we can help you with your travel plans this year, please do drop me a message.

Advent Calendar - Day 24 - Fabian Ware

Our last advent post is very pertinent for us guides. It’s a man that we engage with every day of the job and indeed a man most people will interact with in some way every week.

Today we look at Fabian Ware.

Major-General Sir Fabian Arthur Goulstone Ware was the founder of the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC), now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Fabian was born in Bristol on 17 June 1869 to Charles and Amy. He was to graduate from the University of Paris with a Bachelor of Science and go on to teach in schools across the UK. He married Anna and they had two children together.

He would go onto have an influential career in education in South Africa and also as newspaper Editor back in the UK, but for today we focus on his work during the Great War.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Fabian tried to join the British Army but was rejected on the grounds of being too old at 45 years old. Determined to do something with his skills and for his country, he gained an appointment as the commander of a mobile ambulance unit provided by the British Red Cross Society. When on the Western Front, he was struck by the lack of an official mechanism for managing the graves of those killed. He saw the dead and dying and realised that these soldiers needed to be documented in some way, so that permanent records and graves could be established.

Ware met with the Adjutant-General to the Forces, Nevil Macready in mid-February 1915 to discuss the future of his units work. With the support of Macready, the British Army formally recognised a Grave Registration Commission (GRC) on 2nd March 1915. The GRC's work would map and record the names and locations of burials. By May 1915, 4,300 graves had been registered and by August, the number was 18,173.

Fabian’s role naturally led him to become something of a negotiator and intermediary between military and civil forces both in France and Britain. He would work on negotiations attempting to resolve areas of disagreement between the two nations, particularly that of land expropriation for the cemeteries. The negotiations resulted in an "expropriation bill" which was presented to the French Chamber of Deputies in July. Ware shepherded the bill through its passage, urging prominent British figures such as the adjutant-general and King George V to support it. By May 1916, the GRC had selected 200 sites for cemeteries. The law was passed by the French government on 29 December 1917. It gave Britain the ability to control their war graves in "perpetuity of sepulture" and provided for the establishment of a British authority to manage the cemeteries.

When Will Gladstone MP the grandson of former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, was killed in action on 13 April 1915, his family attempted to have the body exhumed and returned to England. Despite a ban on exhumations established by French General Joseph, his family received special permission to take the body and bury it in Hawarden, Wales. Ware saw this as an establishment of a two tier system - one for those with influence and money and not something your average soldier’s family could partake in. In response, Ware pushed for a ban on future exhumations. This policy would cause deep divisions amongst the British public, but with the benefit hindsight, I believe it was absolutely the right decision.

The GRC was formally integrated into the Army in May 1916 as the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries (DGRE). Representatives from across the dominions of the Empire were members. Ware moved to London to continue the running of the organisation, eventually employing 700 people! The DGRE had expanded to include an Italian and an Eastern section; the latter included Salonika, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.

As Ware's work with graves continued, discussion about a "double identity disc" (previously there was only one per soldier) began. Ware wrote Macready on 21 June 1915; in the letter he included a sketch of a pair of discs made of compressed fibre – one could be removed and the other left with the corpse. On 24 June his proposal was accepted and four million were ordered. Discs began arriving in large numbers in mid-November. Such discs were issued to soldiers throughout the rest of the First and Second World War.

While director, Ware was made a temporary brigadier-general on 12 August 1916. The DGRE regulated graves, from the space between grave markers, to the way in which they were to look. He attempted to resolve differences between soldiers of different religious affiliations, decreeing for instance:

"On no account should [Egyptian] Mohammedans be buried in Christian consecrated ground, Jewish graves were to be marked with a double triangle on a stake [and] under no circumstances should a cross be erected over an Indian Grave."

Efforts to neaten the cemeteries had begun in early 1916 when Ware invited Arthur William Hill, assistant director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to tour the cemeteries and advise upon further planting efforts. Hill visited 37 cemeteries and wrote a report on how to plant them. This is precisely why so many visitors remark upon how beautiful the cemeteries are today - so much thought was put in at the very beginning.

By April 1917 the DGRE had registered over 156,500 graves; at least 150,000 in France and Belgium, 2,500 in Salonika and 4,000 in Egypt.

On 21 May 1917 the Imperial War Graves Commission was established by royal charter, with the Prince of Wales serving as president and Secretary of State for War Lord Derby as chairman.

In June 1917 Ware proposed a £10 budget per grave (equivalent to £708 in 2023 terms), which became the standard sum for the IWGC. On 9 July a committee organised by Ware, consisting of the Director of the Tate, Charles Aitken, the author J. M. Barrie, and the architects Lutyens and Herbert Baker, toured the cemeteries in order to form a plan for the post-war activities of the commission. The committee met on 14 July and decided all cemeteries should have a general theme. They agreed there would be four variations on the theme: monumental, garden or woodland, village, and town cemeteries.

Upon Ware's invitation, author Rudyard Kipling was appointed the commission's literary adviser in October 1917. On 22 November Ware formally announced that there would be no difference "between officers and men lying in the same cemeteries in the form or nature of the memorials". In 1918, Edward Lutyens, Baker, and Reginald Blomfield were appointed the commission's principal architects. By April 1920, there had been 128,577 re-interments in France and Belgium and the IWGC was managing 788 cemeteries.

Ware fought hard for the Treasury to commit to an endowment fund to permanently look after national monuments which was secured in 1932.

Second World War

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Ware was recalled to serve as director-general of Graves Registration and Enquiries at the War Office on 30 August 1939. In Autumn 1940 Ware began working on a programme to memorialise civilian dead as a result of the war. Despite support from the King and Registrar General, the Commission struggled to record all information—particularly the addresses of next of kin. After Ware toured some of the areas with the most deaths, local authorities were enlisted to help. By releasing various announcements and a radio broadcast by Ware in November, the IWGC had collected information on more than 18,000 people.

Ware died on 28 April 1949 in Barnwood House Hospital, Gloucester, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Amberley on 2nd May. His grave has an IWGC-style headstone. There are memorial tablets to him in St George's Chapel at Westminster Abbey and in Gloucester Cathedral.

Legacy

The length of this post tell us something of the man, his dedicated to the task of ensuring men would never be forgotten. We could go on in much greater depth, but let’s reflect now on why Ware is so important to us today.

Without Ware's vision and leadership, the standardised and dignified commemoration of war dead might not exist. There could have been scattered, inconsistent burial practices, leaving soldiers' graves unmarked or poorly maintained. Families might have struggled to locate or visit the final resting places of their loved ones. Today, we will walk past village cemeteries, see monuments with hundreds of names, drive past military cemeteries in France, Belgium and further afield of course, and that is all down to the idea and drive of one man. His principles of equality, that all war dead regardless of rank, nationality, or social background, deserved the same level of care and commemoration are truly moving when you enter a CWGC.

Thank you Fabian.

Advent Calendar - Day 23 - Queen Elizabeth II

When I think of the word service, there is one person that shoots to the front of my mind, Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II, reigned for an extraordinary 70 years from 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign was marked by significant historical, cultural, and societal changes, and she played a pivotal role in shaping modern monarchy. She became a symbol of continuity and stability through all of this change.

As Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II met with more than a hundred world leaders, including 13 U.S. Presidents and numerous other heads of state. Her diplomacy, often understated but impactful, helped maintain the UK's global influence. Her soft power was a vital tool in forging international relationships.

Her unwavering sense of duty and commitment to public service was a cornerstone of her legacy. From a young age, she famously pledged to devote her life to service, a promise she fulfilled across her seven-decade reign. This work ethic earned her respect and admiration worldwide.

Wartime Role

On 13th September 1940, just six days after the Blitz began, five high explosive bombs were dropped on Buckingham Palace. The Royal Chapel, inner quadrangle and Palace gates were hit, and several workmen were injured. Rather than flee the city under attack, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, remained at Buckingham Palace. This was a hugely successful move for British propaganda.

Princess Elizabeth was just 13 years old when war was declared. Like many children living in London, Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret were evacuated to avoid the dangers of bombing raids. The two girls were sent to Windsor Castle.

On 13th October 1940 Princess Elizabeth gave her first address from the drawing room of Windsor Castle as part of the BBC’s Children’s Hour in an attempt to boost public morale. She spoke directly to the children who had been separated from their families as part of the evacuation scheme.

“Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all. To you living in new surroundings, we send a message of true sympathy and at the same time we would like to thank the kind people who have welcomed you to their homes in the country.”

As the war continued, Princess Elizabeth was asked to play more a role in promoting both resilience to the situations the country was facing, and supporting public campaigns such as “Dig for Victory”.

On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Princess Elizabeth undertook her first inspection of a military regiment during a parade at Windsor Castle. She had been given the role of honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards. When Princess Elizabeth turned 18 in 1944, she insisted upon joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army. King George made sure that his daughter was not given a promoted rank so she started as a second subaltern , later being promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain.

Princess Elizabeth began her training as a mechanic in March 1945. She undertook a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot, qualifying on April 14. Newspapers at the time dubbed her “Princess Auto Mechanic.”

On 8th May 1945, the war in Europe ended. In London, thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate, flooding Trafalgar Square and the Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace where the King and Queen greeted them from the balcony. Princess Elizabeth and her sister were desperate to soak up some of this atmosphere, so perhaps for the only time in her life, Elizabeth slipped into the crowd, her uniform cap pulled well down over her eyes. She described the “lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.” There are even reports that the princesses joined a conga dance through the Ritz Hotel as they celebrated with the crowds. “I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.” she recalled.

Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy is that of a monarch who dedicated her life to her people, adapted the institution to the modern age, and became a beloved figure both at home and abroad. Her impact will be remembered not only in the history books but also in the hearts of those who lived during her remarkable reign. Her wartime work symbolises her dedication to public service and remains a celebrated part of her legacy.

Advent Calendar - Day 22 - Simon Wiesenthal

Simon Wiesenthal was a Jewish Austrian Holocaust survivor and arguably the most famous of Nazi hunters. He worked tirelessly to bring those to justice that had escaped it just after the Second World War. He said,

“when history looks back, I want people to know the Nazis weren’t able to kill millions of people and get away with it."

Simon was born on 31st December 1908, in Buczacz (Buchach), Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, then part of Austria-Hungary, now Ternopil Oblast, in Ukraine. His father, Asher Wiesenthal, was a wholesaler who had emigrated from the Russian Empire in 1905 to escape the frequent pogroms against Jews. A reservist in the Austro-Hungarian Army, Asher was called to active duty in 1914 at the start of the First World War. He died in combat on the Eastern Front in 1915. Simon, his younger brother Hillel, and his mother Rosa fled to Vienna as the Russian army took control of Galicia. The two boys attended a German-language Jewish school. The family returned to Buczacz in 1917 after the Russians retreated. The area changed hands several more times before the war ended in November 1918.

At the outbreak of war in 1939, the city of Lwów was annexed by the Soviets and became known as Lvov in Russian or Lviv in Ukrainian. Wiesenthal's stepfather, still living in Dolyna, was arrested as a capitalist; he later died in a Soviet prison. Wiesenthal's mother moved to Lvov to live with Wiesenthal and his wife. Wiesenthal bribed an official to prevent his own deportation under Clause 11, a rule that prevented all Jewish professionals and intellectuals from living within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the city, which was under Soviet occupation until the Germans invaded in June 1941.

By mid-July Wiesenthal and other Jewish residents had to register to do forced labour. Within six months, in November 1941 the Nazis had set up the Lwów Ghetto using Jewish forced labour. All Jews had to give up their homes and move there, a process completed in the following months. Several thousand Jews were murdered in Lvov by Ukrainian nationals and German Einsatzgruppen in June and July 1941.

In late 1941, Wiesenthal and his wife were transferred to Janowska concentration camp and forced to work at the Eastern Railway Repair Works. He painted swastikas and other inscriptions on captured Soviet railway engines, and Cyla was put to work polishing the brass and nickel. In exchange for providing details about the railways, Wiesenthal obtained false identity papers for his wife from a member of the Armia Krajowa, a Polish underground organisation. She travelled to Warsaw, where she was put to work in a German radio factory. She spent time in two labour camps as well. Conditions were harsh and her health was permanently damaged, but she survived the war. The couple was reunited in 1945, and their daughter Paulinka was born the following year.

Every few weeks, the Nazis staged a roundup in the Lvov ghetto of people unable to work. These roundups typically took place while the able-bodied were absent doing forced labour. In one such deportation, Wiesenthal's mother and other elderly Jewish women were transported by freight train to Belzec extermination camp and murdered in August 1942. Around the same time, a Ukrainian policeman shot Cyla's mother to death on the front porch of her home in Buczacz while she was being evicted. Between Cyla and Simon, 89 of their relatives were murdered during the Holocaust.

Forced labourers for the Eastern Railway were eventually kept in a separate closed camp, where conditions were a little better than at the main camp at Janowska. Wiesenthal prepared architectural drawings for Adolf Kohlrautz, the senior inspector, who submitted them under his own name. To obtain contracts, construction companies paid bribes to Kohlrautz, who shared some of the money with Wiesenthal. He was able to pass along further information about the railroads to the underground and occasionally left the compound to obtain supplies, even clandestinely obtaining weapons for the Armia Krajowa and two pistols for himself, which he brought with him when he escaped in late 1943.

According to Wiesenthal, on 20 April 1943, Second Lieutenant Gustav Wilhaus, second in command at the Janowska camp, decided to shoot 54 Jewish intellectuals in celebration of Hitler's 54th birthday. Unable to find enough such people still alive at Janowska, Wilhaus ordered a roundup of prisoners from the satellite camps. Wiesenthal and two other inmates were taken from the Eastern Railway camp to the execution site, a trench 6 feet (1.8 m) deep and 1,500 feet (460 m) long at a nearby sandpit. The men were stripped and led through "the Hose", a six- or seven-foot wide barbed wire corridor to the execution ground. The victims were shot and their bodies allowed to fall into the pit. Wiesenthal, waiting to be shot, heard someone call out his name. He was returned alive to the camp; Kohlrautz had convinced his superiors that Wiesenthal was the best man available to paint a giant poster in honour of Hitler's birthday.

On 2nd October 1943, according to Wiesenthal, Kohlrautz warned him that the camp and its prisoners were about to be liquidated. Kohlrautz gave Wiesenthal and fellow prisoner Arthur Scheiman passes to go to town, accompanied by a Ukrainian guard, to buy stationery. The two men escaped out the back of the shop while their guard waited at the front counter.

After several days in hiding, Scheiman rejoined his wife, and Wiesenthal was taken by members of the underground to the nearby village of Kulparkow, where he remained until the end of 1943. Soon afterwards the Janowska camp was liquidated; this made it unsafe to hide in the nearby countryside, so Wiesenthal returned to Lvov, where he spent three days hiding in a closet at the Scheimans' apartment. He then moved to the apartment of Paulina Busch, for whom he had previously forged an identity card. He was arrested there, hiding under the floorboards, on 13 June 1944 and taken back to the remains of the camp at Janowska. Wiesenthal tried but failed to commit suicide to avoid being interrogated about his connections with the underground. In the end there was no time for interrogations, as Soviet forces were advancing into the area. SS-Hauptsturmführer Friedrich Warzok, the new camp commandant, rounded up the remaining prisoners and transported them to Przemyśl, 97 kilometres (60 mi) west of Lvov, where he put them to work building fortifications. By September Warzok and his men were reassigned to the front, and Wiesenthal and the other surviving captives were sent to the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp.

By October the inmates were evacuated to Gross-Rosen concentration camp, where inmates were suffering from severe overcrowding and a shortage of food. Wiesenthal's big toe on his right foot had to be amputated after a rock fell on it while he was working in the quarry. He was still ill in January when the advancing Soviets forced yet another evacuation, this time on foot, to Chemnitz. Using a broom handle for a walking stick, he was one of the few who survived the march. From Chemnitz, the prisoners were taken in open freight cars to Buchenwald, and a few days later by truck to Mauthausen concentration camp, arriving in mid-February 1945. Over half the prisoners did not survive the journey. Wiesenthal was placed in a death block for the mortally ill, where he survived on 200 calories a day until the camp was liberated by the Americans on 5th May 1945. He weighed 41 kilograms (90 lb) when he was liberated.

Within three weeks of the liberation of Mauthausen, Simon had prepared a list of around a hundred names of suspected Nazi war criminals, camp guards, commandants, and Gestapo members. He presented it to the American Counterintelligence Corps at Mauthausen. He worked as an interpreter, accompanying officers who were carrying out arrests, though he was still very frail. When Austria was partitioned in July 1945, Mauthausen fell into the Soviet-occupied zone, so the American War Crimes Office was moved to Linz. Wiesenthal went with them, and was housed in a displaced persons camp. He served as vice-chairman of the area's Jewish Central Committee, an organisation that attempted to arrange basic care for Jewish refugees and tried to help people gather information about their missing family members.

Simon worked for the American Office of Strategic Services for a year, and continued to collect information on both victims and perpetrators of the Holocaust. He assisted the Bricha, an underground organisation that smuggled Jewish survivors into the British Mandate for Palestine. He helped arrange for forged papers, food supplies, transportation, and so on. In February 1947, he and 30 other volunteers founded the Jewish Documentation Center in Linz to gather information for future war crimes trials. They collected 3,289 depositions from concentration camp survivors still living in Europe. However, as the US and the Soviet Union lost interest in conducting further trials, a similar group headed by Tuviah Friedman in Vienna closed its office in 1952, and Wiesenthal's closed in 1954. Wiesenthal, employed full-time by two Jewish welfare agencies, continued his work with refugees. As it became clear that the former Allies were no longer interested in pursuing the work of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, Wiesenthal persisted, believing the survivors were obliged to take on the task.

Though most of the Jews still alive in Linz had emigrated after the war, Wiesenthal decided to stay on, partly because the family of Adolf Eichmann (one of the Holocaust’s main architect’s lived just down the road). Eventually Eichmann was captured in South America and sentenced to death.

As the decades rolled on and time passed, Simon’s services became less of interest. He was enrolled as a Mossad operative, maintaining the records of hundreds of Nazis at large.

Known as "the Mare of Majdanek", Hermine Braunsteiner was a guard who served at Majdanek and Ravensbrück concentration camps. A cruel and sadistic woman, she earned her nickname for her propensity to kick her victims to death. She served a three-year sentence in Austria for her activities in Ravensbrück, but had not yet been charged for any of her crimes at Majdanek when she emigrated to the United States in 1959. She became an American citizen in 1963. Simon was first told about Braunsteiner in early 1964 via a chance encounter in Tel Aviv with someone who had seen her performing selections at Majdanek, deciding who was to be assigned to slave labour and who was to murdered immediately in the gas chambers. When he returned to Vienna he had an operative visit one of her relatives to clandestinely collect information. Wiesenthal soon traced Braunsteiner's whereabouts to Queens, New York, so he notified the Israeli police and the New York Times. Simon tried hard to have her extradited to Germany but this did not happen until 1973. Her trial was part of a joint indictment with nine other defendants accused of killing 250,000 people at Majdanek. She was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1981, was released on health grounds in 1996, and died in 1999.

Wiesenthal received many death threats over the years. After a bomb placed by neo-Nazis exploded outside his house in Vienna on 11 June 1982, police guards were stationed outside his home 24 hours a day.

Simon would ultimately spend his entire life searching for Nazi soldiers that were involved in the Holocaust. He finally retired at the age of 92. Wiesenthal died on 20 September 2005, age 96. He was buried in Herzliya, Israel.

Conclusion

Wiesenthal’s is credited with tracking down over 1,100 Nazi war criminals. He relentlessly pursued justice, shaped how the world addresses crimes against humanity and preserves the memory of genocide. His work is a reminder of the need to remain vigilant against hatred and to seek accountability for injustices.

Advent Calendar - Day 21 - Arthur Currie

General Sir Arthur William Currie will go down in history as one of the Great War’s most capable leaders.

He had the unique distinction of starting his military career on the very bottom rung as a pre-war militia gunner before rising through the ranks to become the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Corps.

Arthur Currie was born on 5th December 1875 to William Garner Curry and Jane Patterson on their farm near the hamlet of Napperton, Ontario, Canada. He was the third of eight children and they grew up on the homestead of his paternal grandparents, John Corrigan and Jane Garner. Currie's grandparents had emigrated from Ireland in 1838 to escape religious strife, and upon their arrival in Canada they had converted from Catholicism and Anglicanism to Methodism, changing the family name from Corrigan to Curry. Arthur Currie modified the spelling of his surname from Curry to Currie in 1897.

Arthur would go on to train and qualify as a teacher.

On 6th May 1897, Currie joined the Canadian Militia as a part-time gunner for the 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment. He achieved the rank of Corporal in 1900 and was soon after offered an officer's commission. A commission however, was a expensive prospect as officers were expected to provide their own uniforms and to donate their pay to the officer's mess. This was a fact that would plague Arthur for many years to come, resulting a big financial scandal that would follow him to the trenches. Currie was discouraged by his financial prospects as a teacher; and thus left teaching to take up work in insurance.

Currie took on his role as militia officer seriously, studying textbooks, getting to the firing range and attending any workshop offered.

By September 1909, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 5th Regiment. In August 1913, Currie's five-year term as commander of the 5th Regiment came to a close and he faced a forced retirement from the Canadian Militia at the age of 38. Just in time, he was approached to take command of a new militia regiment, the 50th Regiment Gordon Highlanders of Canada.

At the outbreak of war, Arthur was promoted to Brigadier-General and he took command of the 2nd Brigade, sailing to the UK with them in October 1914. After training in the UK, they arrived in Ypres in April 1915 in time to take part in the Second Battle of Ypres where the Germans used gas on masse for the first time on the Western Front. Currie stayed cool under pressure and organised 2nd Brigade’s vital defence of Ypres.

The following year, the Canadians moved over to the Somme sector shortly after the opening of the batte. Arthur proved himself to be the master of the set-piece assault, designed to take limited objectives and then hold on in the face of inevitable German counterattacks.

By late 1916, the four Canadian divisions were in France, gathered together as the Canadian Corps under the command of Sir Julian Byng. This Corps was to play a big role in the next planned offensive at Arras, and Currie was tasked with analysing the Somme battles in order to plan for Arras. He attended lectures, spoke with senior and junior officers, questioned them for their experiences and ideas, and in turn gave a series of lectures on his findings.

In response to the Verdun visit, organisational changes were made to the platoon structure within the infantry battalions that would later become corps-wide changes. In his report, Currie evaluated not only the French tactics but also what the Canadians had done wrong in the fighting on the Somme. Currie summarized the primary factors behind successful French offensive operations as: careful staff work, thorough artillery preparation and support, the element of surprise, and a high state of training in the infantry units detailed for the assault.

Currie, in command of the 1st Canadian Division, was responsible for the broad southern sector of the Canadian Corps advance and expected to make the greatest advance in terms of distance. The attack was to begin at 5:30 am on Easter Monday, 9th April 1917. By the end of the first day, the 1st Canadian Division had captured all of its first line objectives and the left half of its second line. The next morning by 9:30 am, fresh troops had leap-frogged existing battalions to advance to the third objective line. To permit the troops time to consolidate the third line, the advance halted and the barrage remained stationary for ninety minutes while machine guns were brought forward. Shortly before 1:00 pm, the advance recommenced and, by 2:00 pm, the 1st Canadian Division secured their final objective.

When Byng was promoted to general in command of the British Third Army in June 1917, Currie was raised to the temporary rank of Lieutenant-General on 9 June, and given command of the entire Canadian Corps. He was called into action for the Battle of Hill 70, which General Haig called one of the finest minor operations of the war.

The Canadian Corps was then transferred from Lens to Ypres to take part in the Battle of Passchendaele. Currie was tasked with continuing the advance started by the now exhausted II Anzac Corps in order to ultimately capture Passchendaele village and gain favourable observation positions and drier winter positions. Rather than one mass assault, Currie designed a series of well-prepared, sharp attacks that allowed the Corps to take an objective and then hold it against the inevitable German counterattacks. By 30th October, the Canadians, aided by two British divisions, gained the outskirts of the village in a driving rainstorm, and then held on for five days against intense shelling and counter-attacks, often standing waist deep in mud as they fought. The Canadians' victory came at the cost of 15,654 casualties, including 4,028 killed.

The final year of the war would send further tests and achievements the way of the Canadians. On each occasion, though losses were not trivial in number, Currie’s meticulous plans allowed for great gains over tricky terrain, including The Battle of Canal du Nord, a brilliantly executed operation that used an unexpected point of attack to achieve a breakthrough.

After the war, Currie was appointed Inspector General of the Armed Forces and was then promoted to full general on 10 December, the highest ranking position in the Canadian forces. Currie intended to use the position to reform the military. However, in the post-war period, military funding was cut and Currie encountered significant opposition from the military bureaucracy to organizational changes. Deeply unhappy, Currie retired from the military, and in May 1920 accepted the position of principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University in Montreal.

Currie suffered two strokes and died on 30th November 1933 at the age of 57 at Royal Victoria Hospital from bronchial complications brought on by pneumonia. His civilian and military funeral on 5 December was held in Montreal and was the largest to that point in Canadian history.

Conclusion

Currie was a meticulous planner who prioritised preparation and detail. He continually adapted tactics to the realities of trench warfare, and integrated artillery, infantry, and engineering units in coordinated assaults, laying the groundwork for combined arms tactics. Currie understood the importance of empowering junior officers and soldiers, promoting a culture where everyone understood their role in the mission. This decentralised approach allowed Canadian units to maintain momentum even under difficult circumstances, a major factor in their battlefield success.

Currie's success wasn’t just tactical—it reshaped Canada's national identity. His leadership during the war elevated Canada’s status on the world stage, proving the effectiveness of Canadian troops and contributing to the country’s post-war independence from British control.

Follow the Canadian Corps on the Western Front

Sophie’s Great War Tours have a number of Canadian Corps experts. If you would like to follow in their footsteps, understand their missions and successes, we’d love to show you.

Advent Calendar - Day 20 - Albert Gill

Sergeant Albert Gill is a Victoria Cross recipient. His actions clearly mark him out as someone that served and saved, thus making the SGWT advent calendar.

Albert was born in Birmingham on 8 September 1879. He joined the Army soon after leaving school and was posted to India with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He served his full time with the colours and upon finishing his service was placed on the reserve.

After leaving the Army Albert followed his father and brother into employment as a tube drawer (a metalworker who made metal tubes) with Earle, Bourne and Co Ltd of Heath Street (later Delta Metals) which at the time specialised in making bed frames.  He spent six years with the company and it is reported that he began work with the General Post Office around 1907 sorting the mail at the head Post Office in Birmingham.

When war was declared, Albert was recalled to the colours with the 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC).  The Battalion was under the command of 6th Brigade in the 2nd Division. Albert would land in France on 13th August 1914 and he would see action throughout 1915.

It was on the Somme that Albert was to perform an act of heroism that would claim his life and preserve his name forever.

On the morning of 27th July 1916, the 1st Battalion KRRC were to attack with the 23rd Royal Fusiliers on their left.  They advanced as the artillery bombardment lifted to the next line of attack but the advance was hampered by the undergrowth and rifle fire from the German trenches.  The first objective, known as Princes Street trench was taken with few casualties and Albert was in the supporting company who passed through the first wave of attackers and on to the edge of the wood.  ‘A’ Company, to which Albert belonged, had suffered a high number of casualties including all of their bombing section, the name given to teams specially trained in the use of hand grenades.  At around 9.00am the Germans launched a counter attack and managed to pin down the British troops in the wood.  The undergrowth aided the snipers and there was a distinct possibility that a gap which had developed between the KRRC and the 23rd Royal Fusiliers would lead to the Battalion being cut off. It was at this time that the actions of Gill were to result in his death.  He organised his men into bombing parties and then, as the location of the enemy snipers was unknown, he stood up to draw their fire so that he could direct the fire of his men to the enemy.  Albert was hit almost immediately but his actions ensured that the German counter attack was repulsed and Delville Wood was taken later that day.  At the end of the battle the KRRC had suffered 14 officers and 308 other ranks killed or wounded.

On 10th August 1916, Albert’s Company Commander, Captain Stafford wrote to Albert’s wife and expressed:

‘Your husband was shot through the head and must have died at once.  He would have known nothing about it.  He was one of the most valued men in my company, a man whom anyone would be proud to call friend.  He was loved by his platoon, of which I am sorry to say only four or five men remain.  You should be justly proud of your husband in his life and death.  He had one of the finest natures I have ever known.  No words of mine can express my sympathy with you in your terrible sorrow.

The London Gazette proclaimed Albert’s VC citation as follows:

For most conspicuous bravery.  The enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers.  Serjeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged.  Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth and commenced sniping at about twenty yards range.  Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men.  He was killed almost at once but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance.  By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation

Albert’s wife journeyed to Buckingham Palace to receive Albert’s VC. In 2000, it was purchased for £60,000 by the Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection and is displayed at the Imperial War Museum.

Visit the Locations

What I love about Albert’s story, is that it is possible to stand on the spot where Albert gathered his men, willing them on and supporting them. You can look into the thick undergrowth and imagine how difficult it was for the men to spot and engage their enemy. You can also imagine this brave man sacrificing himself for his comrades. Just across the way from the wood is Albert’s final resting place.

Walk in Albert’s Footsteps

If you’d like to follow Albert’s journey or indeed any other soldier, contact us today to arrange your own private bespoke tour.

Advent Calendar - Day 19 - Frank Whittle

Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle was an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force officer. He is credited with co-creating the turbojet engine. His work throughout the war would redefine the British aviation industry and all of us alive today benefit from his original ideas and tireless work.

Frank’s story below is technical, scientific and full of internal battles with both private industry and Government departments. I have tried to focus on the key moments of his life.

Frank Whittle was born in Coventry, UK to Moses and Sara. The family moved to Leamington Spa where his father, a highly inventive practical engineer and mechanic, purchased the Leamington Valve and Piston Ring Company. Here a young Whittle got stuck into the equipment and could perform practical experiments.

Frank joined the RAF and reported to RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire as an Aircraft Apprentice in 1923. However, he was only to last two days as he failed the medical. Determined to succeed, he took medical advise on how to bulk up and went on a special diet and physical training programme. Despite putting on an additional three inches to his height and chest expansion rate, he failed the medical again. Undeterred, he applied again under an assumed name and presented himself as a candidate at the No 2 School of Technical Training RAF Cranwell. This time he passed the physical and, in September that year, 364365 Boy Whittle, F, started his three-year training as an aircraft mechanic in No. 1 Squadron of No. 4 Apprentices Wing, RAF Cranwell.

While the strict discipline of RAF life was not in keeping with Frank’s adventurous and rebellious streak, his skills for designing and building caught the attention of the Wing Commander, who put him forward for officer training at RAF College Cranwell. This was a dream come true as Frank would also train to fly.

A requirement of the course was that each student had to produce a thesis for graduation: Whittle decided to write his on potential aircraft design developments, notably flight at high altitudes and speeds over 500 mph (800 km/h). In Future Developments in Aircraft Design he showed that incremental improvements in existing propeller engines were unlikely to make such flight routine. Instead he described what is today referred to as a motorjet; an air compressor using a conventional piston engine to provide compressed air to a combustion chamber whose exhaust was used directly for thrust – essentially an afterburner attached to a piston engine driven air compressor.

Whittle graduated in 1928 at the age of 21 and was commissioned as a pilot officer in July. He ranked second in his class in academics, won the Andy Fellowes Memorial Prize for Aeronautical Sciences for his thesis, and was described as an "exceptional to above average" pilot. However, his flight logbook also showed numerous red ink warnings about showboating and overconfidence.

Whittle continued working on the motorjet principle after his thesis work but eventually abandoned it when further calculations showed it would weigh as much as a conventional engine of the same thrust. Pondering the problem he thought: "Why not substitute a turbine for the piston engine?" Instead of using a piston engine driven compressor to provide the compressed air for the burner, a turbine could be used to extract some power from the exhaust and drive a compressor, similar as in a turbocharger. The remaining exhaust thrust would power the aircraft.

On 27th August 1928, Pilot Officer Whittle joined No. 111 Squadron, Hornchurch, flying Siskin IIIs. His continuing reputation for low flying and aerobatics provoked a public complaint that almost led to his being court-martialed. Within a year he was posted to the Central Flying School, then at RAF Wittering, for a flying instructor's course. He became a popular and gifted instructor, and was selected as one of the entrants in a competition to select a team to perform the "crazy flying" routine in the 1930 Royal Air Force Air Display at RAF Hendon. He destroyed two aircraft in accidents during rehearsals but remained unscathed on both occasions. After the second incident an enraged Flight Lieutenant Harold W. Raeburn said furiously, "Why don't you take all my bloody aeroplanes, make a heap of them in the middle of the aerodrome and set fire to them – it's quicker!"

Whittle continued to refine his ideas. While others criticised and suggested that his assumptions would never work, his friend Pat Johnson remained convinced of the validity of Whittle’s ideas and had him submit a patent. Since the RAF was not interested in the concept they did not declare it secret, meaning that Whittle was able to retain the rights to the idea, which would have otherwise been their property. Johnson arranged a meeting with British Thomson-Houston whose chief turbine engineer seemed to agree with the basic idea. However, BTH did not want to spend the £60,000 it would cost to develop it, and this potential brush with early success went no further.

Frank would continue to meet with engineering giants, trying to find funding to build prototype engines. He could barely afford the patent renewal fee when it became due in January 1935, and because the Air Ministry refused to pay it the patent was allowed to lapse. Shortly afterwards, in May, he received mail from Rolf Dudley-Williams, who had been with him at Cranwell in the 1920s and Felixstowe in 1930. Williams arranged a meeting with Whittle, himself, and another by-then-retired RAF serviceman, James Collingwood Tinling. A partnership was proposed that allowed them to act on Whittle's behalf to gather public financing so that development could go ahead. This plan was to pay off and in 1936 Power Jets Ltd was created.

The Air Ministry still saw little immediate value in supporting Whittle’s efforts, so Power Jets entered into an agreement with British Thomson-Houston to build an experimental engine facility at a factory in Rugby, Warwickshire. Work progressed quickly, and by the end of the year 1936 the prototype detail design was finalised and parts for it were well on their way to being completed, all within the original £2,000 budget. German counterparts however, had received much more state support, and ultimately the Luftwaffe beat the British efforts into the air by nine months.

Finally the Air Ministry became interested in Whittle’s work and decided to fund further development. The paperwork came through in March 1938 and further work was subject to the Official Secrets Act.

In Germany, Hans von Ohain had filed for a patent in 1935, which in 1939, led to the world's first flyable jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, powered by the Heinkel HeS 3. There is little doubt that Whittle's efforts would have been at the same level or even more advanced had the Air Ministry taken a greater interest in the design.

Whittle's smoking increased to three packs a day and he suffered from various stress-related ailments such as frequent severe headaches, indigestion, insomnia, anxiety, eczema and heart palpitations, while his weight dropped to just nine stone. To keep to his 16-hour workdays, he sniffed benzedrine during the day and then took tranquillisers and sleeping pills at night to offset the effects and allow him to sleep.

On 30th June 1939, Power Jets could barely afford to keep the lights on when yet another visit was made by Air Ministry personnel. Whittle ran the third reconstructed W.U. at 16,000 rpm for 20 minutes without any difficulty. The Ministry agreed to buy the W.U. and then lend it back to them, injecting cash, and placed an order for a flyable version of the engine, referred to as the Power Jets W.1 and Power Jets W.2. By then, the Ministry had a tentative contract with the Gloster Aircraft Company for a simple aircraft specifically to flight-test the W.1, the single-engine Gloster E.28/39.

When war was declared, everything ramped up at speed and Power Jets would have 70 employees by September 1940.

The definitive W.1 of 850 lbf (3.8 kN) thrust ran on 12 April 1941, and on 15 May the W.1-powered E.28/39 took off from Cranwell at 7:40 pm, flying for 17 minutes and reaching a maximum speed of around 340 mph (545 km/h). Within days the aircraft was reaching 370 mph (600 km/h) at 25,000 feet (7,600 m), exceeding the performance of the contemporary Supermarine Spitfire fighters.

The stress on Whittle was expressed in a 27 May 1941 letter to Henry Tizard:

The responsibility that rests on my shoulders is very heavy indeed. We are faced with two alternatives – either we place a powerful weapon in the hands of the Royal Air Force or, if we fail to get our results in time, we may have falsely raised hopes and caused action to be taken which may deprive the Royal Air Force of hundreds of aeroplanes that it badly needs.

On 10th December 1941 Whittle suffered a nervous breakdown, and left work for a month. However, by the end of January 1942, Power Jets had three engines. A month later, flight trials began, which reached speeds of 430 mph (690 km/h) at 15,000 feet.

In January 1944 Whittle was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours. By this time he was a group captain, having been promoted from wing commander in July 1943.

After negotiations, Power Jets was to be nationalised for an offer of £135,500. Whittle had already offered to surrender his shares so he would receive nothing at all while Williams and Tinling each received around £46,800 for their stock.

After the war, Whittle accepted a post as Technical Advisor on Engine Design and Production to Controller of Supplies (Air); was made a Commander of the US Legion of Merit; and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1947. During May 1948 Whittle received an ex-gratia award of £100,000 from the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors in recognition of his work on the jet engine, and two months later he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

During a lecture tour in the US, Whittle again broke down and retired from the RAF on medical grounds on 26 August 1948, leaving with the rank of air commodore. He joined BOAC as a technical advisor on aircraft gas turbines and travelled extensively over the next few years, viewing jet engine developments around the world.

Whittle died of lung cancer on 9th August 1996, at his home in Columbia, Maryland. He was cremated in America and his ashes were flown to England where they were placed in a memorial in a church in Cranwell.

Frank Whittle's story is an enduring example of British ingenuity and perseverance. Despite initial resistance and funding challenges, his achievements underscored the importance of investing in research and development. His work inspired generations of engineers and inventors.