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If you have a specific person to look up in a war cemetery, go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site www.cwgc.org and use the excellent search facility there.
On arrival at a cemetery, you will find the registers and visitors book behind a little bronze door set into a wall somewhere near the entrance (usually).

A few other ideas (market days etc) on
www.northernfrance-within90minutesofcalais.co.uk

Angela

In Albert, the Musee Somme 1916, alongside the huge church int he centre, gives an atmospheric view of the battle.  The Albert area, as said above, is one of the epicentres of Somme battlefield touring; don't miss the "Lochnagar Crater" near La Boisselle. It is signposted off to the south of the Albert-to-Bapaume road as "La Grande Mine".  It is a jaw-droppingly vast crater, resulting from one of the chain of underground mines that were exploded along the front-line on 1 July 1916, first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Thiepval has an interesting little visitor centre, with good explanations of that part of British action on the Somme.  There is a good visitor centre at Beaumont Hamel (Newfoundland site, mentioned several times above) that spells out how the Newfoundlanders formed their own regiment to come over and fight, and the huge death and disablement rate among those who did.

For an overall explanation of the build-up to the Great War you cannot do better than the Historial de la Grande Guerre museum, at Peronne.

If you go to up Ypres, you will of course know about the incredibly moving daily 8pm ceremony under the Menin Gate, when the Last Post is played.

Never leave money, important documents or valuables in the vehicle when you park at war sites; sadly these are sometimes targeted by thieves.

Angela

We visited the Albert, Thiepval area one year. We stayed at a hotel in Cambrai, as we had been on a 4 x4 trip in the area, which took us to the battlefields around Cambrai.

Being 50 somethings, our grand parents(sadly no longer alive)and parents could recall both world wars. Both my Grandfathers served in WW!, both were lucky enough to survive. One had a stiff leg (shrapnel) the other chest problems (he was gassed). Both would rarely talk about their experiences.

 So for us it was quite moving to see the graves. (Possibly also because we both served in the RAF) to me it reinforces the debt we owe our previous generations. Worth the trip.

Unfortunately our service persomnnel are still losing their lives in conflicts today.

Just take lots and lots of paper hankies when you visit these sites. You'll need them!

Best of luck,

Graham

Quote: Originally posted by graham48 on 06/6/2008

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Just take lots and lots of paper hankies when you visit these sites. You'll need them!

Best of luck,

Graham

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