Suggestions, Northern France?

Air Ministry.

I trust you have Gunner Hulme’s Service Number? Do you have his Medal Index Card and have you searched pension records? If not, PM me his full name and Service number and I’ll try Ancestry for you.

Regards,

kev35

Thank you for the continuing replies, they are all appreciated.

The WW1 side of the trip has received a boost. I have just returned from a week down at the National Archives where I spent part of the time researching my grandfather’s service in France.

I have his diary which runs from August 1914 to September 1915 and I plan to visit some of the sites his Battery was positioned at. The Unit Diary is available at Kew and this has confirmed the locations. Unfortunately, though, the descriptions are vague in that a town is quoted but no map references are given to enable me to find the exact spot. I will have to make do with a general tour around these towns and villages.

In June 1916, the Battery moved to The Somme and was part of the pre-attack bombardment of the enemy’s lines. During this period, the diary quotes map references which will enable me to find the exact locations. Here, though, the sad part is that I am not 100% certain that my grandfather was still serving with the unit in 1916, as his diary ended some months earlier. His service records seem to be one of the 60% that did not survive bombing in WW2, so I now have no way of knowing for sure whether he actually was there.

Never mind, though, a visit to The Somme region was always on the cards and the possibility that Gunner T. Hulme was part of the battle has given it a boost. 🙂

Oradaur sur Glane is not so much about the Germans of today, but you need to go there with an open mind and think about what one nation can do to another.

This is not Africa or Asia or Eastern Europe where these things happen often.

This has happened only 65years ago and is on our doorstep! and in my case its nearly in my back yard as i live up the road;) I think it shows how civilised us Europeans can be:rolleyes::mad:

We have not asked to demolish the Atlantic wall or get rid of the museums in Normandy because it serves no purpose to us, the younger generation.

This is history and will stay for the moment, but one day it will no longer be there because of the cost of maintaining the sites.erosion has taken its toll on Oradaur like so many other sites of interest.

Chris:D

Don’t go to Oradour-Sur-Glane. Like Dachau it is a confusion. Today’s German was not there, then, but is quite as civilised as you are. The SS burnt the inhabitants of Oradour because they had lost mates to terrorists melding into the locals (or, if you prefer a conspiracy, there was bullion about). Keeping burnt houses as a mausoleum is not helpful, today. Every young man there, then, was doing his job as best he could, at 19. Drive on down to the Le Bourget or over to the Brussels aircraft Museums. Vote on Thursday for a candidate who wants to support one Europe, all trying to feed our families in harmony.

It is well worth a visit. Just go with an open mind.

Off subject but another hiden gem is the Atlantic wall museum on the South side of Ostend, i didnt expect it to be much but it takes aleast 2 hours to walk around the first and second war coastal defences….. Deffo worth a visit.

Don’t go to Oradour-Sur-Glane. Like Dachau it is a confusion. Today’s German was not there, then, but is quite as civilised as you are. The SS burnt the inhabitants of Oradour because they had lost mates to terrorists melding into the locals (or, if you prefer a conspiracy, there was bullion about). Keeping burnt houses as a mausoleum is not helpful, today. Every young man there, then, was doing his job as best he could, at 19. Drive on down to the Le Bourget or over to the Brussels aircraft Museums. Vote on Thursday for a candidate who wants to support one Europe, all trying to feed our families in harmony.

Theres a small aircraft museum near Angers worth a visit if your coming down to the Haut vienne/ Potiou Charentes here is the link.

http://www.musee-aviation-angers.fr/

Another worth visiting is the tank museum at Saumur

http://www.museedesblindes.fr/

and theres a small resistance museum in Limoges

http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/page/affichelieu.php?idLang=fr&idLieu=1460

have a nice holiday in France

Chris;)

Normandy info

This well presented website holds lots of information and videos about the Normandy area.Enjoy your trip.

Tommy

http://www.normandiememoire.com/NM60Anglais/nmeh/accueil.php

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations, please keep them coming.

No Typhoons at Bayeux, and the possibility of an overall disappointment, eh? So where do I go to see a (plastic) Typhoon in Normandy?

Hi – Plastic Typhoon is at the Historial at Caen – no one seems to have mentioned Watten (Eperlecques) – Huge bunker and far better and faithful to its history than Wizernes (la Coupole) IMO

As for other sites I have visited hundreds – WW1 & WW2 PM me for my new tel no. if you want a chat – I could do with a better idea of what you are interested in seeing rather than just reel off a random list – I have all the IGN maps, loads of leaflets & museum guides etc.

Think the Condé-Vraux Airfield Museum might be a little off your track if you are heading down towards Limoge? (Oradour-sur-Glane) also their opeing times are a little unusual if my memory serves me correctly & if you do want to visit I suggest checking their website . However if you are going that way there are loads of British linked WW1 sites on the Chemin des Dames (Aisne) area including underground tunnels (carrières) that are well worth a visit.

I took a bunch of secondary students to the Ypres area for a day and can thoroughly recommend it. The Menin gate daily wreath laying is an occasion that will live in your memory.

A sobering place, but an immensely satisfying visit.

I did this kind of tour when I was 16, still chills me now when I think about it. Every would be leader who wants to start telling people to shoot each other should go, Menin Gate ceremony alone speaks volumes.

WWI

I took a bunch of secondary students to the Ypres area for a day and can thoroughly recommend it. The Menin gate daily wreath laying is an occasion that will live in your memory (and a couple of weeks ago I visited the Australian War Memorial which has at its entrance the lions from the gate – photos to follow), but there is much nearby. A short drive from Ypres is Tyne Cot cemetery, the scale of which is a sobering reminder of the horror of the Great War. Also close is the German Langemark cemetery which is a dramatic contrast, and was where a young Adolf Hitler fought before infamy. Nearby Poperinge was a troop town behind the lines and Talbot House, famous as “Toc H” was an oasis of calm amongst the horror. Also on the area is Essex Farm Field hospital, where John McRae wrote “In Flanders Fields”, and in the cemetary there is the grave of Private Strudwick, who lied about his age to get into the army and was killed aged 15. Finally the Sanctuary Wood/Hill 62 trenches and museum were sensational, despite the rather dodgy reputation the owners may have in some web forums!! We covered all this and more in an easy day from Kent.

A sobering place, but an immensely satisfying visit.

Here is my suggested itinerary:

http://chrishowells.co.uk/?page_id=69

There are also photos of nearly all of the sites.

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations, please keep them coming.

I visited Arromanches many years ago, but missed Pegasus Bridge so I think the latter is definitely on the agenda this time.

Actually Plane Space, Oradour-Sur-Glane is within 30 miles of our final destination. I had not realised this so I’m grateful for the suggestion. I’m sure it can be included in a day out from base.

No Typhoons at Bayeux, and the possibility of an overall disappointment, eh? So where do I go to see a (plastic) Typhoon in Normandy?

I’m warming to the idea of a visit to the Menin Gate. Ypres would be a good place to overnight before Day 2 of WW1 sightseeing.

And thanks for the tip about Franglais, Moggy, there may still be space for a bottle or two of red on the way back. Part of the intent of this trip is to get myself better acquainted with French Cider and Perry. I already have that list fully researched and scheduled! 🙂

🙂 Here is the Website . http://www.oradour.info/

If I was to visit just one ‘Debarquement’ museum I would be very torn between Arromanches, Bayeux and Pegasus Bridge

On balance, and particularly with a less enthusiastic companion in tow, I’d go for Arromanches because

1) There is a beach on which you can leave them whilst you go to the museum.

2) There are very large tangible reminders in the shape of the remaining caissons that make it more real for the casual visitor. Don’t neglect to go to the headland cliffs overlooking the beach for an elevated view that brings the scale of the thing to life

Pegasus Bridge and its superb museum are purely British and Commonwealth of course and it is a simple story of a Coup de Main brilliantly executed, with some fabulous piloting skills on show. A coffee in the actual Cafe Gondree, possibly sold to you by one of the daughters, plus the inevitability of meeting a veteran with his red beret proudly worn, are bonuses.

On WW1 I am more use on the Somme, but would definitely support the suggestion of Menin Gate at nightfall as being a do not miss.

Moggy

And if you are returning via Calais I would suggest you do not miss ‘Franglais’ wine warehouse on a hillside near the tunnel terminal as THE place to stock up on good cheap wine without the tawdriness of East Enders and its ilk in Calais

I would go along with Moggy on his reasoning for WWII, Arromanches is the place! The hillside and the museum the latter of which has a wonderful collection, especially of RCAF Squadrons.

Support Pegasus Bridge too and do go and have a chat with Arlette Gondree in the Cafe she is one special lady 🙂

One of my friends has been to the V3 gun site below, he thoroughly recommended it and its not on the main tourist list, scene of some very heavy bombing raids if you’re after an aviation link.

Paul

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/destinations-international/la-forteresse-de-mimoyecques/1042840/

There was one of the all too frequent museum fall-outs. Politics. Arguments. Money. Ownership. All the usual stuff. The owner of the collection withdrew everything and it was all in store the last time I saw it. Bayeux Museum soldiered on alone but it is not the same place it once had been.

what happened to the items at Bayeux? The pics I saw included a recovered Sabre and a large selection of other items (there were 3 cannons on display from the pic I remember)

If you’re prepared to travel a bit further south, I recommend the memorial and trenches at ‘Vimy Ridge’ near Arras – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USMA_-_Battle_of_Arras_-_Vimy_Ridge_derivative.png

also the town of ‘Albert’ and the underground trench museum – http://www.warmuseums.nl/gal/144gal.htm

I think you can see a plastic Typhoon at Caen Museum. Quite an impressive model!

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations, please keep them coming.

I visited Arromanches many years ago, but missed Pegasus Bridge so I think the latter is definitely on the agenda this time.

Actually Plane Space, Oradour-Sur-Glane is within 30 miles of our final destination. I had not realised this so I’m grateful for the suggestion. I’m sure it can be included in a day out from base.

No Typhoons at Bayeux, and the possibility of an overall disappointment, eh? So where do I go to see a (plastic) Typhoon in Normandy?

I’m warming to the idea of a visit to the Menin Gate. Ypres would be a good place to overnight before Day 2 of WW1 sightseeing.

And thanks for the tip about Franglais, Moggy, there may still be space for a bottle or two of red on the way back. Part of the intent of this trip is to get myself better acquainted with French Cider and Perry. I already have that list fully researched and scheduled! 🙂