Exploring The WW1 Somme Battlefields in France

The first day of the Battle of the Somme, is often considered one of the bloodiest days in the history of the British Army with approximately 57,000 British casualties including over 19,000 deaths.
On July 1st, 1916, The British launched a massive offensive, with soldiers advancing across no man's land into heavy enemy fire. With a few exceptions, the attack is said to have been a failure and the offensive developed into a series of major battles that ended with the onset of winter and exhaustion of troops in November 1916.
This is part two of a series exploring the WW1 sites on the Western Front and I start my visit to the Somme WW1 battlefields in France by visiting the Lochnagar Crater. While in the Somme, I also discover the grave of another possible family member who died here in 1916.
Thank you to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Lochnagar Crater for their assistance in the production of this film.
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00:00 - Battle Of The Somme
01:16 - Lochnagar Crater
03:32 - Thiepval Memorial
07:55 - The Ulster Memorial
10:09 - Connaught Cemetery
13:06 - Mill Road Cemetery
16:33 - Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
17:29 - Looking For A Family Grave
19:36 - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitor Center

[@heather333]

My paternal grandfather fought in WW1. He survived but with lung damage due to gas poisoning. Several uncles, from both sides, were killed. My father went on to serve in the RAF during WW2. I grew up with war service stories and still find these Commonwealth cemeteries so emotional. I will visit one day. Thank you for these vlogs. ❤❤❤

[@ruthaisling]

You should go!

[@wendyhay1302]

My grandfather also survived with lung damage. I cannot begin to imagine the horror.

[@stephenchild2310]

The Ulster Memorial Tower is designed to replicate Helen’s Tower in Clandeboye Estate in Co. Down. Many of the soldiers of the 36th (Ulster) Division trained in the Clandeboye Estate and the tower, high on the hill, would have been a familiar sight to them. A service of remembrance is held there every year on the 1st of July.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing more information about this

[@patriciaatkinson5487]

This is great Ruth. Thank you - it’s nice to hear a fellow Scotswoman’s voice speaking about these sad losses. Yes, there was a fee that families had to pay for the gravestone inscriptions. It was threepence ha’penny (3.5 pennies) in old money or 1.5 new pence. So if the full 66 letters were used it would cost nearly £1 (£76 in today’s value). My granny said it was pitiful seeing widows and mothers struggling to raise the money. She helped her neighbours, in a poor part of Glasgow, to apply to the council, churches, charities and ex-employers for help in paying the bill. Such was the public outcry (this was during the years of the interwar Depression) that the fee was dropped or the debt not pursued. Her older brother was killed at Gallipoli and has no known grave.

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

The British ruling class must have been one of the most despicable and cruel in modern European history. They had the cheek to charge the families of the dead for the gravestones! I did not know that! 🤬🤬🤬

[@TXMEDRGR]

What a powerful and moving series of videos. Thank you so much for bringing these stories of sacrifice to life for us, your ancestors would be proud.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching. ❤

[@janholland2224]

Absolutely agree. Much appreciated. THANK YOU. Hope that sometime, some day you'll do a Vimy (16:11) update as well as that is (also) a magical place. One of my personal favorites - - so to speak - in terms of magical - somewhat eternal timeless - places is Butte de Montsec in the East of France. American memorial. And the US Meuse Argonne cemetery is also very very impressive and dare I say beautiful. Thanks very much for that Commonwealth Grave Commission piece. Wasn't aware of it's existence, will put it on my 'must see before I die' list.

[@peterworby2049]

You are doing a beautiful thing

[@jimhunter4321]

Absolutely brilliant, I have visited the Somme nine times on my motorcycle from Northern Ireland, after watching this I have to go back and do the Commonwealth War Graves Tour, I didn't know about it. Looking forward to your Belgium video, my Great Uncle is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetry, Cpl RJ Hunter. Thank you so much.

[@ruthaisling]

I highly recommend the new audio tour there, it was so informative and interesting

[@jimhunter4321]

Yes, saw that on your video, I didn't know about it, I'll definitely do it next time, thank you.

[@shabingly]

I remember rocking up to Thiepval as a 15 year old kid on a school trip, and immediately what I thought was going to be my next witty utterance just ending. To anyone who goes to the region, the German graves are also worth a visit.

[@colmgeraghty4033]

Very moved. Thankfully, to my knowledge, our family had no loss during WW1/WW11. Even as a 10 year old, seeing the Normandy graveyards had an effect on me. 40 years later, the sacrifice those young people made hasn't diminished. We are still living in an era, sadly, where good people are being sacrificed for the vanity of the ruling classes. Thank you for reminding us all of what these people went through/ died for

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@bertkelly7650]

Never gave much thought into WW1 until you walked us through the memorials. Sad. Thanks!

[@ruthaisling]

Same until I started looking into, I didn’t learn much at school about it

[@camperp195]

As a coach driver in the 90,s i have visited nearly all WW1 cemetries,bit I must say,lochnagar crater is the place that really hits you,you just cannot imagine the horror that both sides went through. Always remember NEVER forget 🌹😔 A fantastic no2 video ruth,i must admit i had tears in my eyes on this one,one of my relatives is buried at thiepval cemetry,looking forward to the next one.

[@ruthaisling]

Sorry to bring tears to your eyes. I also had tears in my eyes when there and I don’t have any relatives mentioned. 😥

[@johnbrown3951]

My childhood was in the shadow of Lochnagar as I grew up on Royal Deeside. Until today I never knew about this crater and the horror that it caused and will eternally memorize. I think I am going to look into this further and find out about the connection.

[@patriciaatkinson5487]

The best book to read about the WW1 graves is David Crane’s “Empires of the Dead”. It describes how Sir Fabian Ware, a Quaker, had the vision to set up the War Graves Commission so that all the war dead would be buried equally near where they fell instead of officers’ bodies being brought home and other ranks being in mass unmarked graves as happened in previous wars.

[@veterangunner8198]

The headstones at Mill Road are laid flat because the cemetery is built over the Schwaben Redoubt, which was a strongpoint consisting of very extensive underground works with several entrances and lots of tunnels. Not all the stones are laid flat - just those above an area which suffers from a lot of subsidence.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing about this

[@Kim-J312]

After my grandfather passed away I found all his little keepsakes he had from WW2. Hand warmers that used fuel and Swiss army knife, ect I treasure them ❤

[@ruthaisling]

What lovely items to have

[@Roddy1965]

I lived in Newfoundland for 10 years. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment and Memorial Day, and the name of the province's university (Memorial University of Newfoundland) are huge parts of the old and current memory. I must say, your descriptions and handling of the Irish are so well put, insightful, and respectful. You're a wonderful person and it's great to see younger people remembering the wars, because the wars are so far behind us, they are being forgotten by many. Take care.

[@gdavew63]

Thank you Ruth for this series of videos in France. I love history, and this has been a learning experience for me. I don’t know of any of my family that may have served in WWI, but I did have a grandfather and some uncles who were in Europe in WWII. This has been a somber experience watching this…

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad you have learnt some things

[@wendyhay1302]

Thank you. My Grandfather was a survivor of the Scottish 9th division of The Battle of Delville Wood. There were 7517 casualties from his division. I don't know how many survived. He never spoke about the war. He was by nature a peace loving man. I often wonder about the horror he felt. He was a very fit man, so was used as a runner. He must have had to step over the corpses from both sides. This is very moving.

[@johncarman6966]

I visited the memorial at Thiepval along with many others during a trip to the Somme in 1999. I do not believe I've ever been moved so much when I turned the corner from the visitors car park and the huge structure came into view..

[@ruthaisling]

It's so moving :(

[@scottburns2600]

That bomb crater was insane! I couldn't imagine the sound of that detonation! Great video

[@ruthaisling]

It must have been so so loud. 😢

[@Ck-zk3we]

I’ve always wanted to do what you are doing. My great grandfather and his two brothers were Grenadier Guardsman that fought at the Somme . His two brothers were killed there. I highly respect that you are honoring your family and those who died for us.

[@ruthaisling]

Hope you can make it there sometime. In real life is so much more impactful than the video.

[@jimcummings4392]

Thank you for this one Ruth. Coming from Northern Ireland I can say that the Battle of the Somme is still commemorated every year by some members of our community. I thought you handled the fact that some from the other provinces of Ireland took part in this war which was not a popular choice in those provinces. It is a delicate subject over here. The thing to remember though is the fact that so many from all walks of life made the ultimate sacrifice. Beautiful video.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Jim

[@franciscouderq1100]

May I add that Dr Delton would surely appreciate your work and your video.

[@EricAdamsonMI]

Thank you for the important attention that's been paid. My😢 mother was born Czech and given to West German foster parents as the war ramped up. Her perception of events occured when she was too young to directly comprehend.

[@johnw7610]

Excellent job. I did the same tour 2 weeks ago. My Great Grandfather is buried in Cabaret Rouge British War Cemetery just south of Souchez. he was originally buried at the St. Laurent Blangey British War Cemetery west of Arras then in 1024 relocated to Cabaret Rouge Cemetery). I also visited Thiepal, Locnagar, Ulster Tower, Arras Caves and Canadian Vimy Memorial. Beautiful trip as it was emotionally draining.

[@crabc4ke]

A friend and I did pretty much this exact trip as this and your last video, with a trip to Verdun and surrounds as well. Extremely emotional and such an incomprehensible loss of life on every side. We have also cycled the Normandy landing beach area Ouistreham - Cherbourg, again so much history and so many memorials. As appalling as the subject matter is I have loved watching your visits - very moving. Thank you.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I’m glad you been able to do a similar trip and have enjoyed the videos.

[@keith800]

Very moving video , thank you for bringing all this to our attention 😊 .

[@Dav1Gv]

Ruth - thank you for a very moving video. I have visited the Western Front many times and even led small groups. Everyone finds the cemeteries so moving even if, like my family, we didn't lose anyone in either war. A few points. In the UK the 'medal cards' - records of what medals a soldier was entitled to - are on line and may be worth trying if you only have some details of the person you want to trace. Headstones are usually flat because ground conditions make it risky to have them standing. You might want to visit the ossuary at Verdun and the markers for the villages which were never rebuilt on that battlefield - they tore my heart. We had a talk at my WFA Branch from someone who made a pilgrimage to visit and pause at every grave and not just those in the CWCG cemeteries, he visited the graves of those in small Frence cemeteries for those lost at sea for example. It took him years. A very mild grumble - you didn't visit the Dragon at Mametz Wood which is a memorial to the 38th (Welsh) Division which the wood on 10/11 July 1916 losing over 4,000 killed, wounded and missing. It's said the be the second most visited memorial on the Somme after Thiepval. One year I visited the German Cemetery at Fricourt on 14 July. There were wreaths from the local Commune - maybe we can forgive. Also do remember that many of those commeorated on the Memorials to the Missing do have graves in the cemetaries with the inscruption 'Known Unto God', which was chosen by Rudyard Kipling.

[@ruthaisling]

I appreciate you sharing all this information, thank you. I would like to go back and visit again especially as so many of the places were closed in January.

[@itsmephil2255]

Wow thanks for showing us around Ruth, such amazing places for people to rest in peace.......god knows they deserve that

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Phil.

[@itsmephil2255]

@@ruthaisling thanks for uploading 🫶

[@lesliewatts7537]

no doubt about it.................. you make the finest video that are on KZbin............ Simple the best videos, very professional.

[@ruthaisling]

That’s so nice of you to say, thank you! ❤️

[@0HARE]

Ruth, what a fascinating episode. That Commonwealth Graves Commission is an amazing organization. Thanks for placing so many researchable links in the episode. This could be a great resource for geanological research.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for your kind comments 🙏

[@walksfromacountydurhambus6906]

Thank you for this series of videos. You have done a very good thing in creating these.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@robbojax2025]

Once again a very moving video. Many thanks for doing this.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching Rob

[@robineasby5328]

Thank you for making this moving video Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Robin

[@fatfreddymaorihuntergather2530]

Absolutely and beautifully molded into our memories and greatness

[@ruedigerschwarz]

An incredibly well researched and presented series of videos! Thank you so much for sharing! 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching.

[@richardfaulkner3579]

Superb videos, thank you for showing these memorials , wonderful and so moving.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much Richard

[@carlflatman9496]

Absolutely amazing video's Ruth really looking to your third instalment, a really emotional trip to France, thank you for sharing it with us.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Carl. ❤️

[@Zzus321]

Thank you for the video Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching.

[@jrnmller1551]

Thanks, for a very informative and interesting video.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@jackoneil3933]

Thank you Ruth San for sharing such an astonishing and moving story.

[@ruthaisling]

Hello Jack! Nice to see you here in the comments. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethmilne6787]

Thank you Ruth for a very interesting series of short films , your relatives would all be proud of you

[@ruthaisling]

Appreciate you watching, thank you

[@JohnSmith-dn6fk]

Beautifully put together Ruth ❤️

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks John

[@chriselder7838]

Thanks for this Ruth. I've learned loads that I didn't know about WW1 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Chris

[@bt1163]

Thank you for the history lesson ☺ very interesting.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@johnclankie324]

Well done Ruth, the scale of Memorials is beyond belief, how sad! You have done a great job again. I’m surprised you could sleep after spending all day in the different places. Cheers Mike 🥃

[@carltonv1]

You are such a talented youtuber, I love watching your videos. Keep up the sensitive and emotive subjects X❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you are enjoying the videos. ❤️

[@DrBLReid]

Wonderful video Miss Ruth! You do a fantastic job! God Bless You!

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching

[@OldFrontLine]

Really great to see this, thanks for highlighting the Great War battlefields on your Channel.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching and I just watched some of your videos, very interesting!

[@OldFrontLine]

@@ruthaisling thank you!

[@nicholson392005]

Great couple of videos Ruth ...I could see you producing documentaries you have an interesting way of drawing people in , always looking forward to the next part of your journey, hope you are having a nice weekend 😀 x

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you very much, that’s so nice of you to say! Yes, great result with the rugby yesterday. Hope you’re having a nice weekend too.

[@2009Portugale]

Another exceptionally moving video, with great respect for the fallen soldiers and their families. Thanks Ruth well done.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you ❤

[@neilsmith5299]

I have recently visited Thiepval in search of 2 great uncles among the more than 72000 missing listed. It was incredibly moving. Then visited The Canadian Beaumont Hammel site. This was so professionally pr dented with restored trenches to view and a small army of young Canadian guides on hand to offer further advice. Even more impressive and moving was the Canadian Vimy Ridge memorial. The adjacent site again had trenches restored which showed the harrowing proximity of the 2 opposing armies. Well done Canada for your efforts both then and now.

[@steveparkinson8887]

Nothing more to say, absolutely suberb, well done and Thankyou. ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Steve

[@phillloyd5233]

An extremely professional video Ruth, reflecting a lot of hard work on your part.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Phil

[@sandiandgregh]

Thank you for making this journey and sharing it with us. Watching both of these episodes I felt quite emotional. As always, you handled it professionally, with sympathy and thoughtfulness.Well done.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you ❤️

[@mrroobarb]

That was... fantastic, thank you!

[@ruthaisling]

I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching.

[@marypost2353]

Another wonderful video Ruth. I don’t know a lot about WW1 myself so watching your video has taught me some things. It’s really amazing how they care so greatly for the graves and the memorials. That memorial of Somme was so massive. It must have been emotional to stand there and take in the reality of the amount of lives lost. Thank you for shedding a light on such an important event.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Mary, it’s been very interesting to visit these places and learn more about WW1

[@Annie4Always]

Outstanding! Totally fascinating & very informative! As well as deeply moving! A truly fitting dedication & Memorial to all of these courageous soldiers! May all of these brave souls Rest in Peace! Thank you for sharing! Blessings to you Ruth!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much for watching ❤️

[@Annie4Always]

@@ruthaisling My pleasure Ruth! Have a lovely day!🙂

[@jimhamilton8775]

Thank you Ruth for giving us this wonderful and emotional presentation. Coming from Northern Ireland I thank you for showing us the Ulster tower. My late neighbour was awarded the Military Medal on the 1st July 1916 while serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Jim, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the Ulster Memorial. It really stands out on that flat landscape

[@numanuma20]

How do you not have a million subscribers. You have amazing videos and this and your last video are perfect examples.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much, that means a lot ❤️

[@terencemears7780]

Your style of presentation is absolutely on the button.Very well done.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you very much!

[@436jcarr]

Such a great series. I'm really looking forward to your Belgium video. I had no idea how extensive the Commonwealth War Graves Commission program was.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I had no idea too

[@danwells3401]

Thanks again for these videos Ruth! After last weeks comment, I found that my great grandfather is listed at Thiepval. Nice to see how well they look after all the sites 🖤

[@ruthaisling]

That’s great you were able to find out that information!

[@rogercreighton3950]

This is a great informative tour Ruth ,Many thanks 1

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@skefwholey799]

Thank you for this series; I found it much more moving than I expected. Thank you for touching upon Ireland’s role. My grandfather served in one of the two Irish divisions of the British Army. He was promoted at least twice in the field as men above him were killed or wounded. He survived the war and emigrated to America. If he had not made it, I would not be here typing this comment!

[@geoffreyruzgar1367]

Another heart-wrenching video Ruth. I'm so glad you were able to make this and I'm looking forward to the 3rd Episode with great anticipation. Please don't stop there, you have World War ll (many countries to visit there) and then maybe off to South Africa for the Zulu and Boer Wars. There's so much scope for you. I believe you should have your own TV show. Your narration is superb! What more can I say? You deserve all the success coming to you because you are so hard-working. Good Luck, your friend in Brazil!❣

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks so much Geoffrey, that’s so nice of you to say. ❤️

[@Kingshieldwall]

Bravo to the CWGC. Fantastic respect, dedication and thoroughness. The work they do and the upkeep is exemplary 👏. Great video, very informative, thank you 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and yes I agree about the CWGC

[@alexandermenzies9954]

Outstanding, Ruth. The CWGC does an excellent job of researching and care. The wall map showing the sites of all known graves highlights the huge task of maintenance. Your family must be proud of the determined research you have carried out.

[@ruthaisling]

The CWGC do such incredible work. The map really shows the huge scale. 😥

[@irenemulcahy2495]

Very moving video. It must truly be an overwhelming experience to see all those rows and rows of graves all resting in the peaceful countryside that they fought so valiantly to protect. Ruth thank you for taking us with you.💜

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the video Irene

[@lindaclarke6396]

Just excellent Ruth. So sad and poignant, and almost unimaginable to most. We really need to be reminded of this. You tell the stories beautifully, your videos on this topic are so well put together. As an Irish person also I think you described the contribution and complex story of Irish soldiers so well. Thank you so much for all of this, I'm sure it is not easy content to create.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Linda, that means a lot. It was difficult to write the part about the Irish history but glad it came across well.

[@mik7591jp]

Your video strongly conveys the sadness of war. This seems like a quiet but powerful message against the ongoing wars on Earth. 😊Thank you for the wonderful video.😊 I'm looking forward to watching your next videos. From Japan. 😊😊

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching from Japan

[@nobuohanda8282]

Amazing work of visiting the common wealth cemeteries in the France you mentioned. I can imagine very complicated history in the British empire during WWI and WWII. I really respect your calm worship of all those war dead.

[@ruthaisling]

It was a really interesting experience to visit and learn more.

[@62shello]

Lochnagar Crater is an eerie place. I visited it when me and a few mates did the Somme battlefield tour a few years ago. The whole Somme area is so emotional. Glad you’ve been and seen it Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

I’m glad I went

[@bobmoulton3319]

Just thank you, very emotional videos very respectfully filmed. I do think sometimes we take for granted the freedoms and choices we have today.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes that's very true, thanks for watching.

[@jeremyhaywood8890]

So sorry to hear about your mishaps. Lots of bad luck unfortunately. Wishing you lots of good luck for your future videos.

[@franciscouderq1100]

Excellent journey and informative reporting, thank you.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-rd5rq2wn9d]

Thank you very much for this vidéo of memory.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching

[@finneysimon]

Part 2 was excellent Ruth. Like you I had no idea about the breadth of activity the War Graves commission undertake. The level of care and attention is wonderful. I'm looking forward to Ep 3 of this series. Thanks for your professional approach, especially with such sensitive subject.

[@ruthaisling]

I'm so pleased you're enjoying the war videos.

[@s.-8236]

Hello Ruth, what a wonderfull series about WW1 👍👍👍 I love the way you guide us through the sites! I saw lots of videos and visited the sites myself. You have a special way of showing us around - the best WW1 videos so far! Looking forward to seeing the final part. If you would come back in summer you would be surprised how colorfull the cemeterys are. The CWGC are doing a wonderfull and important job. Thank you so much! greetings from Germany♥️

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much, I would like to see them in the summer so I might have to return and hopefully all the museums will be open then too.

[@declanconway2903]

Great video again Ruth I was also delighted to see how well the graves and headstones are keep nothing looks worse than a grave that is overgrown and not taken care of.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes it’s very sad to see overgrown graves and worse is when the headstones have fallen down, that always makes me sad to see

[@declanconway2903]

@@ruthaisling where my parents are buried in County Kilkenny prodistant at the front of the church and catholic burial at the back

[@jeffreyskinner6281]

Another amazing and informative video Ruth. You have done such a wonderful job giving us so much info on these WWI memorials. Like you I had little knowledge on these sites and the war itself. The War Graves Commission is another amazing aspect of your videos. Wonderful job,,, have a safe trip home!

[@ruthaisling]

I'm glad you're enjoying the war videos. Thank you so much for watching!

[@JLIN103M]

Well done Ruth. Really well researched especially the Irish contribution. Concise explanation but historically so accurate.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you. That part took a long time to write and my mum proof-read it for me!

[@craiground9215]

Was there last week very moving indeed. Great video 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching and glad to hear you visited too

[@susannabouwhuis5861]

Fantastic formation, you are amazing 🤩

[@davidpaxton4879]

We visited this area in our motorhome last year. As you say it’s incredible how well looked after these graveyards are. It’s very humbling when you visit them and see the thousands of grave stones. Very well presented video perfect balance.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching, it's such an emotional place. 😢

[@bettinatucker8935]

Thank you so much Ruth for your heartwarming log and search of your ancestors that played their part in World War l . Every single man and woman were absolutely heroes . It is heartbreaking to see the huge cemetery’s where so many people lost their lives from so many countries. We will be forever, so grateful to them, going into the unknown and leaving their loved ones. I found your two Vlogs, so so amazing with all the history of things that I didn’t even realise what went in to keeping those graves so so beautiful. I have been to a cemetery in Dunkirk a few years ago, as I wanted to pay my respects at a cemetery. And it was so beautifully looked after, but it was awful to see stone after stone after stone of young soldiers that died and also so many headstones where the words unknown were on them. Oh my gosh, it just felt awful they were so so brave .

[@ruthaisling]

Yes, it must have been so scary. I'm glad I could share about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as what they are doing is great.

[@davidwadsworth8982]

My grand dad served under Ike in W W 1.Dad in W W 2. Me Vietnam,son War on Terror Iraq.6 generations served in the U.S.Army. Thanks for showing these monuments to the real hero's. W W 1 does not get enough attention.Not only does France owe the U.K. and the U.S. huge debt but never ending respect,which France does NOT give!.Twice our Nations saved their ass.

[@colinthomas5462]

Well said. Very true comment 👍

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

What a pathetic and hateful comment! Typical of an ignorant and arrogant American or Briton. For your information, France was bled to death in WW1 with the HIGHEST percentage of losses of all the great powers involved. France mobilized 8.410.000 men of which 1.357.800 were killed and 4.266.000 wounded, which makes a total of 5.603.800 losses. This represents 67% of all the soldiers mobilized, which means that almost 7 out of 10 French soldiers were killed or crippled. According to the Library of Congress: "The United States had sustained more than 320,000 casualties in the First World War, including over 53,000 killed in action, over 63,000 non-combat related deaths, mainly due to the influenza pandemic of 1918, and 204,000 wounded." You, arrogant Americans arrived at the very end of the war and did NOTHING because by 1918 Germany was bled white and torn apart by strikes and riots organized by the communists and yet you have the cheek to belittle and insult the French people. BTW, I am not French but Italian but my heart bleeds for all the Europeans who were killed in this awful war.

[@brianhmonks]

Ruth, another moving and brilliant narration. Your emotion’s exude your respect and heartfelt sorrow for all those souls that were lost. As you say so profoundly, “ They left and never came home”. True Patriots. Lest we never forget.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Brian.

[@frankfurter726]

Thank's Ruth, that was so humbling. When cycling in Normandy a few years ago we came across a few tiny cemeteraies with just a few graves. I live in a tiny village near Warrington and the church has a small number of war graves.

[@ruthaisling]

I’ll need to look out for some in the UK too as I’m travelling around

[@lindashoemaker8940]

Mornin Ruth epic video glad you found your relatives resting place thank you for sharing your insight to this very sad time at start of war you explained it as if I was there in person thanks for your documentary take care 😘🌸🌺☕️🚗

[@ruthaisling]

Thaks Linda, glad you could feel like you were there too

[@donsland1610]

What a wonderful poignant and informative video. Thank you so much for posting it. I recently visited the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore and like you was so impressed at how beautifully it was maintained.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching.

[@TimothyH007]

Another wonderful video about the commemorations and memorials in France and how I'm they are looked after.❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching. ❤

[@ianluscombe]

Fantastic video. So good to see the work of the Commonwealth war graves commission. I visited Belgium last year and was amazed at the level of maintenance of the cemeteries. They were excellent places to sit and take in the scale of what took place and the sacrifices made. May they all rest in peace.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching Ian

[@shanebuchanan915]

Ruth, your descriptions of events are clear and easy to understand! You deal with these acts of war in a sensitive and understanding manner. Hopefully a younger generation will see from these events the reality of total war! Your use of drone footage especially around the Lochnagar crater brings the hell of war in stark reality. Your journey is following the footsteps of your family through life and death. 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, that’s good to hear as there is sometimes so much information, it’s hard to concise it down without missing key points.

[@clivebuckland6902]

A Very sobering moving Vlog Ruth. It’s a heartbreaking memorial. You give amazing history with your visits. Any loss of life is tragic but the horrendous amount of lives lost is unimaginable . It’s a stark reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that they gave.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Clive

[@clegsta42]

I started to watch your video and pressed 'like', but i could'nt keep going after 5.30 mins. I will watch it eventually but PTSD sad no you can't. It's so long ago but so visceral i'm overwhelmed. Please keep these vlogs going I will catch up as i love military history, just not yet. Thank you for bringing all this to the fore, where it maybe have forgotten to most. Love and best wishes stay well x

[@ruthaisling]

Sorry it triggered your PTSD. ❤️😥

[@clegsta42]

@@ruthaisling Thanks but please don't worry about it. You do amazing vlogs and soon I hope I can watch the history ones. Keep up your great work

[@thebear307]

Fantastic video Ruth thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you 😊

[@longforgan]

amazing set of videos you have done regarding the war graves. Found it all very moving and somber also didn't know that the NZers did not have any messages on the headstones. Thank you for doing this. Don Wilkie NZ

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching from NZ. I wasn’t aware either but it’s interesting to know.

[@themcbs3991]

I have to commend you for the way you present these videos. Very informative and held my attention from start to finish. I come from Northern Ireland and my mother's side of the family has very strong connections with WW1. Her grandfather fought at Thiepval Wood with 9th Bn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on July 1st 1916, one of his brothers was with a Canadian unit and 2 other brothers fought in the Battle of Arras with 10/11 Highland Light Infantry. One, Robert Clinton, was killed on 24-4-1917 and is commemorated, alongside your family members, on the Arras Memorial. Again, thank you.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for the kind comments 🙏

[@carolhughes312]

I was like you, Ruth; I didn’t realise that so much work had been and continues to be done until I visited. I also went back to Ypres for the Battle of Passchendaele. The Cloth Hall , which is now the war museum had silhouettes of soldiers illuminated in each of its windows in the evening - it was heart-stopping. The museum is excellent to visit if you get a chance - a real learning experience.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for the recommendation Carol. That museum was also closed during January. I’ll need to go back again and visit all the museums at a different time of year.

[@davidgriffiths5507]

Having been to the Somme battlefield a few times, i was saddened to see you did not feature the Welsh dragon Memorial at Mametz, of course i realize you can only squeeze so much into making a video, well done!

[@ruthaisling]

I visited the Welsh memorial in the Ypres video

[@markrenfrow9873]

Hey Ruth. Very interesting and powerful video. So many of us learned of wars in history class, but never connected the real folks with the headstones. Thank you. I have visited three American Civil War battlefields, and two of the cemetaries. Always get that somber feeling, and great respect for those who gave all. As a USAF vet maybe I feel it more than some others.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Mark. It’s very true, especially as it was so long ago and none of us alive today knew these people.