110 years ago today, German soldiers walked in to and captured the ‘jewel in France’s defensive crown’, Fort Douaumont.
Largely, it was a major propaganda coup for the Germans, but would cost an awful lot of French blood to try and recapture it over the next 8 mos.
#Verdun110 #FWW #WW1 #gwg #SGWT
Killed on this day, 110 years ago: Lt-Col Emile Driant.
Soldier, politician, author.
Frequently warned France’s high command about the vulnerability of the #Verdun defences and reprimanded for his efforts.
Finally listened to when it was too late.
#Verdun110 #FWW #WW1 #gwg #SGWT
“It was all over in a second. He had hardly time to realise that he had been hit, that the pain was hideous, that he was done for.”
- Jules Romains, ‘Verdun’
#Verdun110 #FWW #WW1 #gwg #SGWT
110 years ago, today, began the longest battle of the Great War: Verdun.
It would rage until December, by which time it would claim c.750,000 casualties.
#FWW #WW1 #gwg #SGWT #Verdun
Just arrived in Verdun for a weekend’s recce / training with @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social.
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT #Verdun
This week in London, travel professionals from around the globe are meeting at World Travel Market.
I'll be there to forge new partnerships, get new ideas and meet industry colleagues. Why? So we can continue to develop even more meaningful, well-crafted experiences for our guests.
#WTM2025 #SGWT
Retracing the #WW1 footsteps of Rifleman Sidney Jenner, who was posted from 1/5 London Rifle Bde to 18 KRRC in 1917/18.
This afternoon I took his grandson to the spot where he was gassed, on 3rd Sept 1918, near Vierstraat. He survived the war, but only just.
@sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
#SGWT
Privilege to be showing this gentleman where his grandfather fought in the #FWW, with the 1/5 London Rifle Bde, on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social.
This afternoon I took him to where Combles Trench once stood, a position his grandfather helped attack in early Sept 1916.
#WW1 #SGWT
Just a pile of sand, today, but during the #FWW, this was the site of a cleverly built British strongpoint that was given the name ‘The Indian Rubber House’ due to the fact that German shells frequently appeared to bounce off of it.
#WW1 #GWG #SGWT
Whilst returning from the front line, the temporary bridge (Putney) they were using to cross the Yser was hit by German shells. Melvill rallied the survivors and, under gas & artillery fire, led them safely across via a 2nd bridge (Vauxhall), further east.
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Proper leadership.
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT
Final morning of this tour for @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social. It was concluded with a trip to Nieupoort to show three generations of this family where their ancestor, Major Malcolm Melvill MC, earned his medal in July 1917.
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#FWW #WW1 #SGWT
Another tour on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social, and more family pilgrimages (they’re so special to be a part of).
Major Rich, U Bty RHA, killed 1 Dec 1917, whilst conducting a recce for a suitable OP.
Buried Villers-Faucon #CWGC
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT
Ronald, a Maori, was #kia on the 9th September 1918, attacking with his battalion across the Trescault Spur.
He is buried in Metz en Couture #CWGC.
His gt grandson spoke and played some traditional Maori music at his graveside.
The wind howled, the rain poured, and a rainbow appeared.
#SGWT
Final full day of guiding my clients on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social.
This morning, we completed the #FWW story of Cpl Charles Thoday, 58th AIF, which took us to the east of Bellicourt.
This afternoon, it was all about Pte Ronald Cameron, 3rd Bn. 3rd NZRB.
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#SGWT #WW1
Special day retracing the FWW footsteps of the grandfather of these Aussie clients, on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social.
He served with 58th AIF in & around Villers-Bretonneux in 1918 & was promoted as a direct replacement for Cpl Ernest Gladstone, KIA 2/9/1918, aged just 20.
#SGWT #FWW #WW1
A day on the Somme, today, following in the footsteps of Pte (later Cpl) Charles Thoday, 58th AIF, with his grandchildren.
The area around Flers / Guedecourt was the main focus, as he served there in late 1916 / early
1917.
In Amiens, tonight.
@sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
#SGWT #FWW #WW1
Guiding a Maori client in the footsteps of his Gt Grandfather, who was wounded on 7/6/17 at Messines.
Took him to the NZ memorial there, and - in an otherwise cloudless sky - this fern shaped cloud appeared above where we were.
Hairs standing on back of neck moment.
#SGWT #NZ #FWW #WW1
First full day in and around #Ypres, guiding two Australians and a New Zealander in the footsteps of their respective ancestors, on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
#SGWT #FWW #WW1
Neuville St Vaast German Military Cemetery. For me, seeing the Jewish grave markers brings additional poignancy.
#FWW #WW1 #gwg #SGWT
Three battlefield cemeteries, on the Somme: Munich Trench, Waggon Road and Frankfurt Trench.
#FWW #WW1 #CWGC #gwg #SGWT
Final day of my tour for @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social and the focus was on the US 30th Division’s time near Ypres, in 1918.
Amongst them, was the grandfather of the female in my group, who was visibly moved by the realisation she was retracing his steps, 107 years later.
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT #USA
Travelling day, yesterday, but today I’ve been showing our American clients around the Ypres Salient, and introducing them to the first great conflict of the 20th Century.
Tonight they’ll be at the Menin Gate for their first Last Post Ceremony.
@sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT
Final day of my @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social in Normandy, today,which began at the Pointe du Hoc, and finished at Wn60, near Colleville-sur-Mer.
Omaha Beach and the US Cemetery featured large in another very full day for our lovely American clients.
Next up… Ypres!
#SWW #WW2 #SGWT #FWW #WW1
First full day of the Normandy tour, guiding for @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social.
Today, it was all things British for our American clients. Except when we met these lovely Dutch, US Army re-enactors at Longues-sur-Mer, this afternoon.
#FWW #WW1 #SGWT #DDay81
I’m guiding a 3-generational family from the USA around the #SWW Normandy D-Day beaches, and, later this week, the #FWW battlefields of Ypres.
#SGWT @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
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In this photo, he is standing in what was once Regina Trench. Over his right shoulder is the ground his gf attacked over on 8th Oct. Again, he was wounded, this one ending his fighting war.
Privileged to have guided him here on behalf of @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social
#SGWT #FWW #WW1
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2nd of my back-to-back Canadian tours & another family pilgrimage.
This gentleman’s grandfather fought with the 16th Canadian Scottish, on the Somme, in Sept-Oct 1916.
In this photo, he is standing in what was the exact trench that his gf was wounded in, on 7th Sept.
#SGWT #FWW #WW1
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