Battle of Bellewaarde Ypres 16th June 1915

[jainso31]

Thank you Martin, for your valuable input.My problem, apart from being a poor scribe; is the missing gaps in what will be "The Life and Death of my Grandfather".He was killed whilst taking and holding a village in France and
his body was never found-there are no testimonies from survivors, other than HOW he died.So the Grande Finale is almost a complete mystery-just how much can I fudge; and if I fudge- I know it is fiction!??

jainso31

[martinclift]

Hi Jim

I know what you mean! My Great Uncle was with the Northumberland Fusiliers, when the whistle blew they were, according to one eye witness the first out of the trench. The Germans were recovering from the hours of shelling, however, according to another eye witness, as soon as they were up the German machine guns concentrated their fire in that direction, so, was this where he met his death, it was the most likely place. It could of course been when they reached the first or second trench, or when they were shelled by the Germans and by our own side in error, who knows?

He was recorded as at roll call as wounded, I guess he did not get killed outright. I can only assume that a pal saw what happened, but could not stop to help. Finally, it was not possible to bring him in from no man's land.

Like you, I know where and roughly when he died, but I must make assumptions about the 'How' based on what was going on around him and the most likely to have happened - 'wounded by machine gun bullets and died on the field of battle - with no proof, this is the best I can offer for my Great Uncle.

I would say that it did not matter how he died, the fact that he did was and is enough to make him a brave man in a situation that was very difficult, traumatic, and trying, he should be remembered for his deeds!

This is, of course, is how I feel about the situation of which you write, others will have their feelings, you can only allow them to decide.

Regards

Martin

[jainso31]

Thank you again ,my friend,for your ever so discerning overview of my dilemma.Like you I am fairly certain WHAT killed him.I have a letter to my GM from GF's erstwhile CO,also drawn into the desperate fighting of the German Spring Offensive, south of the Somme; on a 5th Army front. In the letter he tells her, that he was also wounded that day; and a badly wounded Sgt.told him that "he had been hit by the same shell which had killed Capt.Leask.5/NF"
I have been to the village many times and have taken many photographs and measurements; to build up a picture of how the village "could be taken"and have written a scenario around the theory- but is it good enough??


jainso31

[martinclift]

Hi Jim

"but is it good enough"

The answer to this question can only be given by those who read it, the problem is we all suffer from doubt, the work can be perfectly acceptable, but our thoughts are to allways do the best we can. It is a big leap of faith, but one we must make. The doubt makes success sweeter.

An exapmle of my point if I may? those who know us are less critical than those we meet on a forum and those on the forum may say "Great work", but do they really mean it, again self doubt creeps in.
I was searching the web for more snippets for the site when I came across an Australian forum and found to my amazement a thread about my site, if people who do not know you are more likely to write honestly about what they read. (I have signed up to the site, but I am still waiting confirmation)
Anyway, check it out and see the point I make?

http://desert-column.phpbb3now.com/v....php?f=8&t=567

Regards

Martin

[jainso31]

It is a big leap of faith,which if I don't take; I'll go to my grave not having done anything.I'm going to bite the bullet and get on with it; and as you say let others be the judges.Thank you for your kind patience and support.
I did take a look at website you left a link to-very impressive-all guys,like on this Forum, passionate about their interest-wanting to show what they've done,found.whatever.
I'll keep in touch ,if I may;and let you know how I'm getting along.
Kind Regards
jainso31

[martinclift]

Please do, Jim and you are very welcome

If you wish to pass something by me to see what I think, or just have a rant because things aren't going well, just P.M. or email me?

Kind regards

Martin

[jainso31]

I thought the background and font colouring absolutely spot on -very easy on the eye.
NB.The Northumberlands had quite a sizeable "Butchers Bill"!?

jainso31

[martinclift]

Thanks, Jim

Martin

[martinclift]

Just a quick note to let you know of further update to the Bellewaarde 1915 website!

www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk

Martin

[jainso31]

Cracking bit of extra detail Martin.

jainso31

[martinclift]

Thanks, Jim.

There is more to come in the following weeks, so keep your eyes open my friend!

Regards

Martin

[martinclift]

A few more updates available to view!

www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk

martin

[martinclift]

The Battle of Bellewaarde took place on 16th June 1915
In memory of the men, British and German, who fought and fell

You can now leave a message of remembrance at:

www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk

click on the link at the bottom right of the main page

[martinclift]

Just thought that you might like to know!

The Battle of Bellewaarde website has just been updated with new information:
1 x 23rd November and 12 items 23rd December

When you access the site please press the F5 key at the top of your keyboard to refresh the computers cache memory, then go to the ‘Updates’ link at the bottom of the page.

Also, please leave feedback either on the site at ‘Guestbook’ at bottom of page or on this site.

I hope you enjoy viewing

www.bellewaarde1915.co.uk


Martin

[jbryce1437]

Hello Martin and many thanks for your post and the link to the site. It would be nice to see the World Naval Ships Forum site listed with the Links.

Jim

[martinclift]

Say no more, Jim! I'll get it done on the next update.

Cheers!

[martinclift]

This forum is now recommended on the Bellewaarde website on the 'Links' page. To view this page a link can be found at the bottom of the main page.

Regards

Martin

[martinclift]

Jim, how are things going?

I thought I would catch up on your project and see how far you have managed to get.

Regards

Martin