I've just heard the Joss Stone /Jeff Beck version of Eric Bogle's No Mans Land. Its absolutely awful. If you know the song and want to hear how it should be sung, look up 'Green Fields of France' by (the wonderful) June Tabor. The best song ever written about that terrible conflict.

mind you, This years commemorations have done nothing so far to address some of the questions left unanswered at the end of the war. eg:-

How far is it to Tipperary?

The long long trail awinding. Where does it start?

Why has no one kissed a certain young lady from Armontieres for over 40 years? These are questions that must be answered

We spent a couple of hours in Armentieres in July this year. It abuts the border twixt France and Belgium, and Ploegsteert on the Belgian side of the border seems to be a typically decadent border town. The French cross the border to take advantage of cheaper tobacco, and the town is full of seedy looking bars and nightclubs.
We had a lunchtime drink in a local bar. Our request for Croques was accepted, but unfortunately the toaster chose that moment to give up working. We were instead presented with a platter of bread, meats and cheeses which went down rather well.

We were there to visit the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, and were directed a couple of kilometers along the road. There are not many graves around the memorial itself, but more than 11,000 names are listed, most of whom died at the infamous battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. Among the names we found that of my second cousin Private Christmas Hardiment of the Northamptonshire Regiment who died in that battle.

Keith

We WERE aiming to visit a war grave, near Amiens during our trip in May to include the Fset in Brittany, but now not not sure, but we will one day if noat then.

If you are in Amiens as we were, you might stop at the Chateau de Bertangles camp-site. Just down the road - in the village - is the original resting place of 'The Red Baron' - Manfred von Richthofen. Although his remains were disinterred (twice), his grave is still visible. He was shot down close by, and while staying at Sailly le Sec, the warden took me up to the 'exact' spot where Captain Brown is said to have fired the fatal shot. We were also at Loos to find the grave of a family friend, killed in 1916 whilst still a very young (under-age) lad. We found his name engraved on a panel. Just along from him, I found my name-sake - identical name, a young man who never made it. It is all overwhelming.

best wishes

David