Just before Zero Hour on 1st July 1916, thousands of soldiers stood in wait, ready to go over the top in the much-anticipated Big Push. They fixed their bayonets and readied their rifles, awaiting the sound of the whistle to s…

Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Messines, a battle I have always had a particular interest in. One of my most distinct memories from my first battlefields tour aged 13 is standing on the Messines Ridge between Spa…

While we may not be travelling anywhere at this time, here is my list of ten cemeteries you may have missed while visiting the Western Front. All of them are small, with less than 100 graves, representing more intimate resting p…

On my first battlefields trip with my school in 2009 we paid a special visit to Athies Communal Cemetery to visit the grave of my great great grandfather. My mum had printed me his information from the Commonwealth War Graves Co…

This Easter is unlike one we have experienced before. As we stay home to stay safe, we are without many of the holiday's traditions, with even churches being closed. Naturally enough, this got me thinking about how Easter wa…

Well, this was hardly the DPhil Diaries update I was expecting to write. It was also not particularly my intention to take a month (or more) off of blog writing, but with my trip to Israel cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemi…