Walker of Battlefields. Trustee, War Memorials Trust. MA in Military History. Bristol Area IC Member. Researching HMS Birnbeck (1941-46).

North Somerset, England
Joined May 2011
Beautifully illustrated version of my #Clevedon Military History Trail by @ECMillustration available as a free downloadable PDF from @DiscovClevedon courtesy of #ClevedonBID. Dig below the surface and every town and village has a fascinating story to tell. discoverclevedon.co.uk/wp-co…
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Memorial day for Italian victims of British ship sunk by U-boat thetimes.co.uk/article/9d1c5…
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Your legacy, their memory. A gift left in your Will would help protect and conserve #WarMemorials for future generations. For further information on leaving a legacy to the charity viist warmemorials.org/legacy/
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Phil Curme 🥾🪖 retweeted
During our perambulations over last weekend General Lord Dannatt, WO2 Paul Barnes and I dropped in to see where the 46th Division rested following the capture of the St Quentin Canal in November 1918. This is the Riqueval Bridge, then and now. We’ll visit this on our tour in March 2027 as we transit from 1918 to 1940. Let me know if you want to join us on this private tour. It’ll be a blast (no, not that kind…)
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Fort Ében-Émael in Belgian, which was successfully assaulted by German glider borne troops on the 10th of May 1940, is well worth visiting. Click the following link to understand why: walkingthebattlefields.com/2… – at Clevedon, England
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Phil Curme 🥾🪖 retweeted
Author of the internationally recited aviation sonnet ‘High Flight’ Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr, was buried on 13 December 1941 at @CWGC Holy Cross, Cemetery, Scopwick , near RAF Digby, Lincolnshire. He died on 11 Dec 41, aged 19. High Flight John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (1922 - 1941) 'Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung. I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Today we mark National Poetry Day by reflecting on the enduring importance of war poetry. Poets used writing to help them make sense of war, and provide poignant insights into the trauma they experienced. Read our latest blog to discover the war poets we commemorate, and the broader connection between poetry and the memory of conflict. Click the link below.
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The #Chepstow gun looking splendid in the sunshine this morning. Taken from a captured German submarine it was presented to the town by George V in recognition of local #VictoriaCross winner Able Seaman Bill Williams who was killed at V Beach #Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Williams lost his life whilst helping men ashore from the ‘River Clyde’, which was been used as an improvised landing craft.
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Phil Curme 🥾🪖 retweeted
Our next deadline for grant applications is 31st October 2026 - 1 month to go! Find out more about our grants for the repair and conservation of war memorials at warmemorials.org/grants/ #ThankYou to all our donors for making these possible
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Rather pleased to pick up a pristine copy of Brian Johnson’s ‘Secret War’ published to accompany the 1978 @BBCArchive series. Some excellent insight into the role the Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development (the Wheezers & Dodgers) played in developing the Hedgehog anti-submarine weapons system. Useful for the research I’m doing on behalf of the £44m @NorthSomersetC #BirnbeckPier Restoration Project.
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Interested in researching the history of a #WarMemorial? Our helpsheets can guide you! With tips on where and what to research, these are a must read for anyone interested in discovering more see warmemorials.org/helpsheets
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Near the village of Thiepval in the Somme region of France the Theipval Memorial to soldiers who died in World War I but have no known grave. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens who also designed the Cenotaph in London. We will remember them. ❤️
110 years ago Thiepval Ridge was captured by British and Canadian forces during the Battle of the Somme. The ridge was a 1st July objective. As one of the most important locations on the entire battlefield, it was defended formidably and fortified heavily. Eventually seized at great cost by the men of the 18th (Eastern) Division, it is now home to our largest war memorial, the Thiepval Memorial, which honours over 72,000 British and South African soldiers who died in the region and have no known grave. The arches of the memorial stand sentinel over the ground that so many died to capture. Indeed, the spot was chosen for this very reason. Their names will remain in perpetuity. #Somme110
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Phil Curme 🥾🪖 retweeted
I loved the first De Gaulle film and look forward to Part 2. Much will be made of General Leclerc, the 'liberator of Paris'. I have no problem with that, but if you want to know what he did next, in Vietnam, you could check out 1945 The Reckoning. youtube.com/watch?v=J6MRNchm… Hint: It wasn't to liberate anyone!
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Can you help us to check the condition of South #Ossett Parish #WarMemorial, in #WestYorkshire. In 2019, it was Fair. We need photos and information added to War Memorials Online at: warmemorialsonline.org.uk/me… #ThankYou for your help
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Remembering the start of the Battle of Loos on this day in 1915. Britains first major offensive action on the Western Front. One of those killed in the fighting was Hugh Munro buried at Vermelles. His epitaph is very moving. The medals are those of Henry Legg, no known grave.
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I revisited the Wellington HQ Museum in #Waterloo today. It’s a shame that visitors can no longer see the ‘Uxbridge shrine’, as the story of Lord Uxbridge’s missing leg is as interesting as it is bizarre! Apparently the Museum has sold the back garden and this little bit of history is now out of sight - no doubt soon be forgotten. Happily the rest of the collection appears to be intact.
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Very surprised to see a metal detectorist at work right in the centre of the #Waterloo battlefield. Is this allowed @ProfTonyPollard?
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And rather a spectacular Waterloo Sunset!
A perfect view from my overnight accommodation bedroom window. I won’t have far to go for my stroll down to La Haye Sainte Farm tomorrow morning #BattleofWaterloo
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