Ypres 2010 - Pilkem Ridge / Langemarck

Pilkem Ridge
On the 24th October 1917, the Commanding Officer 250 Brigade led his Battery Commanders onto Pilkem Ridge.



“Fifty square miles of slime and filth from which every shell that burst threw up ghastly relics and raised stenches too abominable to describe; and over all, dominating all, a never-ceasing ear shattering fire and the sickly reek of the deadly mustard gas “
The history of the 1st Northumberland Bde RFA (TF) 1914-1919

Langenarck
After the BC’s recce, it was onto Langemarck, where the guns of 250 Brigade deployed. In 1917 Langemarck had been reduced to rubble, the Northumbrians using the floors of the demolished buildings to provide firm platforms.

Ypres 2010 - Ypres

Ypres Cloth Hall

Ypres Cloth Hall in ruins..


Ypres 2010..

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Ypres - Messines Ridge and Mine Craters

The 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917 commenced with the Battle of Messines and the blowing of the mines on the Messines Ridge. This was a preliminary operation aimed at straightening out the Ypres Salient and securing vital ground prior to the main 3rd Ypres Battle. As part of this operation 21 mines were dug into the Messines Ridge and detonated prior to the main assault. The mine craters up to 200 feet deep remain.

Kruisstraat Crater

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and a reminder of the Iron Harvest...nearly 3 million shells were fired at Messines, some did not explode.


Spanbroekmolen Crater

Ypres 2010 - Kemmel

When Northumbrian Gunners deployed there in 1915, the Bavarians opposite were observed raising a sign to intimidate the Geordies “Buck up Newcastle United”.

1915......


2010.....

Yrpes 2010 - Railway Dugouts Cemetery

During the period June to July 1815 to 1916 there were no major Battles in which the Northumbrians were engaged.A visit to Railway Dugouts Cemetery highlighted the fact lives were still lost.

Railway Dugouts Cemetery

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Major F.P. Paynter Royal Field Artillery
Frances Pendarves Paynter was born in 18182, and it is believed in the Alnwick area. He was educated at Barnard Castle School where he is commemorated on their Roll of Honour. In his civilian career he worked fro Barclays Bank, and enjoyed golf in his spare time. He was a resident of Gateshead.

He was commissioned into the 1st Newcastle-on-Tyne (Western Division, Royal Garrison Artillery),27th March 1901. promoted to Lieutenant 10th October, 1903. and to Captain 27th November, 1907. On the 28th July 1915 he was promoted to temporary Major.

Major Frances Pendarves Paynter was killed in action 10th January 1916 and is buried in Railway Dugouts Cemetery.





Major FP Paynter CWGC Record

Ypres 2010 - Hooge Crater Cafe

LUNCH !!!

Ypres 2010 - Sanctuary Wood Trenches

In June 1915 the Northumbrian Division moved into Trenches at Sanctuary Wood.

The Fiftieth Division 1914 - 1919 Everard Wyrall details their deployment;

"I.30 C8.8 to I.24.d.9.9 lay on both sides of Observatory Ridge-Zilibeke Road, the Right flank at the southern edge of Armagh Wood, and the northern at the south-eastern edge of Sanctuary Wood"



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Ypres 2010 - Northumbrian Gunners

The 1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA (TF) deployed 24th April 1915 along the Robaarsbeek, east of Poperinghe. The 1st Battery on the extreme left under some willows on the stream its self, the 2nd Battery on the right some 100 yards east of the brook, and the 3rd in an orchard in the centre. The Brigade Ammunition Column was a mile to the rear in a farm.


1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA (TF)

On the very day ninety five years later...............






4th Northumbrian (County of Durham)Howitzer Brigade RFA (TF)

The 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Brigade deployed 6th May 1915 under command of the 27th Division. At 20:00 the batteries advanced and went into action, the first Territorial field gunners to take part on the Ypres fighting.
The 4th Durham Battery deployed just north of the Menin Road, 3,000 yards east of Ypres. The 5th Durham Battery was 300 yards south of La Brique, 1,000 yards North East of Ypres. The wagon lines were 800 yards east of Vlamertinghe on the Poperinghe-Ypres Road, with the Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) at Brandhoek, where it was collocated with Brigade Head Quarters. The Batteries were within 2 miles of the front line.

Northumbrian (East Riding) Heavy Battery
The Northumbrian (East Riding) Heavy Battery moved into position just east of the Vlamertinghe – Elverdinghe Road. The Battery was placed under the command of th 4th Division.

Northumbrian Gunners 6th May 1915