Just back from a long weekend in Northern France, visited the Commonwealth War Grave where my wife's great uncle is buried, he fell on the 29th October 1918, just two weeks before the Armistice and also Vimy Ridge where Canada came of age as a nation. Red Roadster exceeded expectations and proved a superb tool either for bimbling about or more spirited driving like when a dinner table beckoned leaving us less than two hours to cover 100 miles.
Very nice. I was over there touring the battlefields last June and tracing the route one of my great uncles took. Vimy ridge is quite thought provoking and a wonderful memorial.
I'm continuing the trip this June on the motorbike again to Passendale where he died and to Tyne Cot where he is buried and taking the medals he was awarded after his death. These were sent to my wife by the grandson of his best friend who fought with him side by side throughout the war, survived and emigrated to Australia from New Zealand where my great uncle came from. They both served in the NZ Machine Gun corps.
Jays Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
We did this a few years ago. Jane's Grandfather had been killed on the Somme in 1916, and no-one from the family had ever visited his grave. So we found out which cemetery he was in and went to visit him.
We took his medals with us and took some photographs. A calm and beautiful Spring day, the cemetery small but lovingly tended, we paid our respects and spent a while thinking. A profoundly moving experience.
Last edited by Hamwich; 23/04/1207:09 PM.
Tim H. 1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
We did this a few years ago. Jane's Grandfather had been killed on the Somme in 1916, and no-one from the family had ever visited his grave. So we found out which cemetery he was in and went to visit him.
We took his medals with us and took some photographs. A calm and beautiful Spring day, the cemetery small but lovingly tended, we paid our respects and spent a while thinking. A profoundly moving experience.
It certainly is. In particular, how young they all were.
Wonderful pictures - the combination of two elements of our history and heritage. I find visiting the war graves a very emotional and memorable experience directly relevant to so many families even today. We made several visits whilst living in Belgium and I researched a lot of information about my relatives.
Along with the emotion you feel a sense of awe and loss at the sacrifice of a fine generation that was made by all sides.
Agreeing with everything said so far, we should have a few hours free before catching the ferry home from Caen after the Le Mans Classic in July and wonder which of the many D-Day museum sites are recommended ...?
I've always rather liked the one at Arromanches, as well as the museum you have a good view of the beaches, remains of the Mulberry Harbour, a pleasant little town and an impressive view from the memorial point above on the cliffs. I'll probably be popping in there on the way back!
Jays Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
One cemetery we visited was quite unusual, it was for many hundreds of Chinese workers. They had been shipped over by the British to dig trenches and provide other labour, they mostly survived the war, but were largely wiped out by the flu pandemic whilst waiting to be shipped home again.
Tim H. 1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
Thanks for posting the photos Easter - quite timely for those of us in Australia and New Zealand as we observe ANZAC day tomorrow (25/4) - ANZAC Day being the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War - and we also remember those who have fought in subsequent conflicts around the world.
My wife and I have just returned from holiday in the UK and Europe and the photos of your red Roadster reminded me of our arrival in the UK on 5 March. We landed at Heathrow around 6am directly from Australia and after clearing border control, customs and collecting our rental car we hit the road heading to the West Midlands. We stopped at Beaconsfield Services for some non-airline food and also made a detour to Witney in Oxfordshire. Back on the M40 we were excited to see a red Morgan Roadster and followed it for a while although our diesel Peugeot rental car struggled to keep up and the Morgan disappeared into the distance. My wife managed to take a photo on the iPhone though and if I have worked out how to upload a photo correctly it is attached to this post....I think the Roadster will look familiar....
