Amien & the Somme

Our stay in Amien was too brief. Just a brief look at the cathedral was a one hour job. A very cute area and lots of photo opportunities.

We departed from there at 10.30am, so a really late start for us. Our first stop was Becourt British Cemetery to pay our respects to Elaine's Uncle. She had created a lovely wreath of poppies and leaves to present to him. We all found the experience very moving. Thank you Elaine for sharing that very special moment with us.

As we drove from there I read the transcripts of postcards from my Great Uncle Ted (Timothy Edward) Lane to his beloved Hilda back in Timaru. His fear was that he would not return to see his 'dear little boy' and Hilda. Sadly only a few days before he was killed in the Battle of Baupame he wrote his last postcard to Hilda asking her to be brave if he "stayed behind in France like Humphrey" (his brother was killed in the Battle of the Somme). Late in the day we visited his grave in Favreuil.

Close to lunchtime we stopped in Albert and visited the Somme Museum. It is in the cellars under the town and was used as a bomb shelter in WWII. A very well presented museum, though quite humble. The final part of the museum is 'in the trenches' with bombs sounding, light flashing and very moving.

From there we journeyed to Poziers for Janet to visit the memory of her Great Uncle. Although Irish he fought for the British and paid the ultimate price. A very large cemetery.

Our next stop was the New Zealand Memorial at Longvail. We gathered around the Memorial and I read the Soldiers Ode. This was not an easy exercise as I found it very emotional - I think we all did.

The quality of these memorials is magnificent. We (New Zealand) may have paid with lives, but the Commonwealth Graves Commission and the French do a magnificent job of maintaining them.

Lest we forget.

(Photos will have to wait.)