Northumbrian Gunner

Sunday, 11 November 2018

Hexham Remembers

Hexham War Memorial
November 2018

Hexham author Alan Grint published a book telling the story of the 149th (Northumberland) Brigade, the Territorial Battalions who fought in the First World War.

4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Hexham
5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Walker
6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Newcastle
7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Alnwick

The Brigade was part of the 50th Northumbrian Division which mobilised in August 1914. The Brigade would initially move to locations in the NE to defend the UK. In April 1915, they deployed to France moving into Belgium. Shortly after arriving the Territorials were thrown into the Second Battle of Ypres. The Northumbrian Brigade was the first Territorial Brigade to go onto battle as a formed unit and were awarded the Battle Honour St Julien.

The Brigade would go to be involved on the Somme in September 1916, Arras April 1917, and the Third Battle of Ypres in October 1917. In 1918, they faced the full force of the German Spring Offensives. The first German offensive, Operation Michael, was launched on the Somme. After intense fighting on the Somme, the Brigade was moved to the Armentieres Sector. It was here the Germans launched their second attack, Operation Georgette. Once again the Northumbrians were involved in heavy fighting. Having fought in two major offensives, the Brigade was moved to the Chemin des Dammes, a quiet sector. Unfortunately it turned out that this would be the location of the third German attack, Operation Blucher, after which the 149th Brigade ceased to exist due to the heavy losses sustained.

The 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Memorial Arch stands at entrance to Hexham Park adjacent to Hexham Abbey.

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
November 2018

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
Company Locations
November 2018

Hexham Abbey

Hexham Abbey was the location of an exhibition , Hexham Remembers, to remember and commemorate the First World War.

HEXHAM REMEMBERS

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Hexham Courant 4NF Recruiting Advert

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Parish Magazine from WW1

In Hexham Abbey on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday the County of Northumberland held a service of Remembrance and Reflection to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. The event was hosted by the Duchess of Northumberland.

Hexham Abbey
Tabernacle

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Northumberland Pipers

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Cassino Band Northumbria ACF

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Duchess of Northumberland

Remembrance Sunday 2018

Remembrance Sunday 2018 - Eldon Square Newcastle

Newcastle Eldon Square
Remembrance Sunday 2018

Newcastle Eldon Square
Remembrance Sunday 2018
Wreath Laying Party

Newcastle Eldon Square
Remembrance Sunday 2018
Two Silence

On the 11th November 1918 the Armistice that ended the First World War was signed in at 5:45 at Compiègne, France.

Signing of Armistice Compiegne 11th November 1918

The Guns would fall silent after four years of conflict at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month.

Friday, 9 November 2018

Saltwell Park 2018 - Field of Remembrance

Saltwell Park
Field of Remembrance 2018

North East Remembers - Saltwell Park

Saltwell Park
Field of Remembrance 2018
WW1 Commemoration Tree

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Saltwell Park
Field of Remembrance 2018
Pte Matthew Stephenson 8 DLI

In Memory of Private Matthew Stephenson

8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Lost as a POW on SS Scillin

14th November 1942

CWGC Information

Commemorated on the Alamein Memorial

Saturday, 6 October 2018

North East Remembers - HMS Calliope Dinner

To commemorate the end of the Great War, the North East War Memorials Project organised a series of events which brought together the communities of the North East with representatives from Ypres, Somme and Arras.

A dinner was held in the Wardroom of HMS Calliope to host the guests from Belgium, France and the United States. Hosted by the Royal Navy, guests also included civic leaders, and volunteers who assisted in the organisation of the weekend.

HMS Calliope

World War One Commemoration Dinner
HMS Calliope

World War One Commemoration Dinner
HMS Calliope - Commanding Officers Address

World War One Commemoration Dinner
HMS Calliope

North East Remembers - Saltwell Park

To commemorate the end of the Great War, the North East War Memorials Project organised a series of events which brought together the communities of the North East with representatives from Ypres, Somme and Arras.

In Saltwell Park a tree was planted together with soil from the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme. A ceremony was held as part of the commemoration. Civic leaders were joined by representatives from the Armed Forces, Veterans and cadets from Durham Army Cadet Force.

Saltwell Park

Saltwell Park
Opening Address

The soil from the battlefields of the Somme and Passchendaele was brought from Belgium and France in replica St Mary's Christmas Gift Tins by representatives from Ypres and the Somme.

Soil from Battlefields Somme and Passchendaele

The two tins containing the soil from the battlefields was handed over to the cadets from Durham ACF and placed at the roots of the tree that will commemorate the Great War.

Saltwell Park
Soil from the Battlefields of Belgium and France

Saltwell Park

Soil from Battlefields of Somme and Passchendaele

The tree was 'planted' by the Mayors of Gateshead and Newcastle and representatives from Ypres, Arras and the Somme.

Saltwell Park
Tree Planting Ceremony

Following the tree planting ceremony an act of Remembrance was held to remember the sacrifices if the Great War.

Saltwell Park
Regimental Associations Standards

Saltwell Park
Exhoration

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.

Saltwell Park
Regimental Associations Standards lowered

Saltwell Park
Closing Prayers

Saltwell Park
British Army / US Army

Sunday, 16 September 2018

Erquinghem Lys - Museum

Situated in Erquinghem-Lys is a museum which tells the story of the town with prime focus on the First and Second World Wars.

Erquninghem Lys Museum

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During World War One the town was briefly occupied by the German Army in October 1914 during the 'Race to the Sea'. It was captured by the British on 16th October and remained a few miles behind the British front line until the German Spring Offensive in April 1918.

Erquinghem Lys 1914

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders digging support trenches
at Erquinghem-Lys. October or November 1914.
© IWM (Q 50225)

In April 1918, the Germans mounted Operation Georgette, their second attack of their Spring Offensive. During the fighting the 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons were involved in heavy fighting and a counter attack in an attempt to stem the German advance. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties with 15 Officers and 391 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. During the fighting Private Arthur Poulter, from Leeds, was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded men whilst under fire from German machine guns, during an artillery barrage.

Private Arthur Poulter VC

Defence of Erquninghem April 1918

Defence of Erquninghem April 1918
Museum painting

The front gave way and the town was occupied by the German Army from April to September 1918.

Erquinghem-Lys
German Map

As a result of the fighting the town was razed to the ground; nothing more than a metre high was left standing.

Erquinghem Lys - Church Ruins

The town remained in German hands until it was retaken by the British in September 1918.

During World War 2, the Town was in the zone of occupation throughout the German Occupation from May 1940 till it was liberated on the 6th / 7th September 1944.