Exploring The WW1 Somme Battlefields in France

[@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.

[@AndyTubeLube]

Fascinating, my London ggrandfather hit 40 and retired from the Somme just a week before all his friends went over the top, now buried there.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 ❤

[@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.

[@patsy5487]

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! 🤬🤬🤬

[@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

[@peterworby2049]

You are doing a beautiful thing

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@steveforster9764]

Newfoundland was not part of Canada in 1960 its Regiment was I the British army therefore its the Newfoundland memorial take it from this British born Canadian the Newfoundlanders I know get pissy and rightly so when it's referred to as Canadian

[@BaronVonBattenberg]

May God grant eternal Peace to your relatives and all those who lost their lives. Thank you for sharing such unique content. ❤

[@ianlove1215]

1 of my grand dad's brothers is named on Thiepval Monument. My grand dad's family is from Armagh, he is buried at the church there & was in the Royal Ulster Rifles.

[@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 :(

[@thelatearthurdent]

Ruth, I'd like to commend you on the progress and substance of your channel. I've been watching from the beginning and just was happy to hear and see your earnest reactions to exploring Scotland. These last two videos (but, not limited to these) have illustrated a curiosity, skill and deft journalistic vigor, which lends these videos a short form doc sensibility. Great job, Ruth; it's really nice to spend time with you on these adventures. I only wish Jean Paul was there to experience them with you.

[@adrianmontelongo9707]

The headstone at mill road are laid on the cemetery is build over schwaben redoubt. Great video ruth 👍

[@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.

[@patsy5487]

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.

[@bonetiredtoo]

The reason why the gravestones are flat is that that part of cemetery was built on an old dugout and there has been subsidence leading to the decision in the 1950s to lay the gravestones flat.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing about this

[@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

[@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.

[@NIckyFromDunedin]

thank you for ding this video Ruth, its a long way from NZ so i dont think i'll ever make it myself the commonwealth war graves commission do a fantastic job taking care of the resting places of our war dead who never got to come home

[@ruthaisling]

The Commission is doing a wonderful job 👍

[@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!

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

My Oldest Great Grandpa served in World War One. Henry Otto Grill Private First Class United States Army 1895-1979.

[@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

[@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. 😢

[@la_old_salt2241]

If I remember correctly it was filmed.

[@ArrivaAzazello]

I think it is also important to stress that aside from volunteers, most of the soldiers were civilians, just like us, forced into war. Penalty for desertion could be capital punishment. Thank you for reminding us about the importance of visiting these graves

[@hettytravels]

Absolutely moving and so educational Ruth….thank you. I’ve visited several war memorials and cemeteries as well.

[@franciscouderq1100]

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

[@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! ❤️

[@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.

[@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 🙏

[@2009Portugale]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you ❤

[@bernhardpasligh1131]

The Brother of my Grandfather died on 1.July 1916 in Gommecourt in the Somme Battle. I found his Grave in France on 1.July 2015. My Grandfather was spilled 6 Days later at the Logh Nagar, he survived. In WW2 my Uncle died on 24.11.1944 in the Hürtgenwald Battle (called Meat Grinder). We don´t need anymore wars.

[@gavinj.1215]

I literally stumbled on this channel tonight (The rough crossing from Amsterdam to Newcastle) Loved it. I recently ventured to France, the Compeigne area and Paris (I also got bitten by a dog there, it was an arsey Pomeranian whom I interrupted while she was peeing) she just bit me 🙄🥴 We visited the Lochnagar Crater, Thiepval Memorial & countless other WW1 cemeteries starting with Ambleny. It was a real experience! Keep up the good work, I'll be watching 💯

[@ruthaisling]

We both got bitten by dogs in France 😖

[@AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq]

I used to visit a firm in Soissons for my work and drove through the battlefields, so very utterly, utterly depressing. I later found out my Grand Uncle was buried there but as I had retired I did not get the chance to visit his grave, maybe some day I can.

[@ruthaisling]

I hope you can visit sometime ❤️

[@AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq]

@@ruthaisling Thank you, I do plan to make a visit sooner or later !

[@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. ❤️

[@neilsmith5299]

A further note on your great video of the Somme. At Lochnagar we saw numerous memorial plaques on the walkways which also commemorated the survivors of the carnage. One was chilling stating a 25 year old who was ‘Shot at Dawn’ but pardoned in 2006’. Lochnaghar crater site needs a fair bit of maintenance and is not funded by the CWGC.

[@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

[@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!🙂

[@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.

[@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.

[@lizoconnor2752]

Thank you Ruth. This episode was very touching ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 😞

[@dane5896]

My Grandfather served with the Irish Guards Regiment, at the Somme. He was born and raised in Co. Lietrim, Ireland. 🇮🇪

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for sharing about your grandfather ❤️

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@wallacemiddleton6652]

Thanks Ruth, respectful quality presentation, believe they would all appreciate, God bless.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@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.

[@steveparkinson8887]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Steve

[@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.

[@jeremyhaywood8890]

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

[@puppy2haley]

Very interesting. Thx so much for bringing these informative videos to us. 🙏🏻❤️

[@robbojax2025]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching Rob

[@frankburns456]

Another Belter of a History Video especially the History of the Irish Men who lost their life in WW1 especially when there was a war to fight at home my Great Grandfather regiment The Connaught Rangers he Signed up In Glasgow at Govan town Hall in 1915 he was of Irish Descent feeling nostalgic about these videos & guilty as well not Knowing more Ruth so fair play to you ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Frank, glad you found the video interesting

[@bt1163]

Thank you for the history lesson ☺ very interesting.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@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. ❤️

[@walksfromacountydurhambus6906]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@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

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

My Oldest Great Grandpa served in World War One. Henry Otto Grill Private First Class United States Army 1895-1979.

[@christianpatton1852]

What an emotional visit to the battlefield of the Somme I am too half Irish (and partly Scottish) my Grand father fought at Somme coming from Ulster he was severely wounded and had to make his way back crawling to the trench whilst passing dead comerades thankfully he survived ...the Ulster Memorial looks beautiful love how all the memorials and graveyards are being so well kept and looked after even today in 2024 thank you for sharing this.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing this family story and watching my videos.

[@thebear307]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you 😊

[@DrBLReid]

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

[@ruthaisling]

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 🥃

[@jacktar4146]

In 2015 I visited the Western Battlefields and was lucky enough to spend a week going to all the Australian Divisional Memorials, plus everything else we could do (Thiepval, Ypres etc). We visited all the sites you mentioned here except for the Ulster Memorial (wish we had). It was quite moving, all of it, especially when you saw how close some of the graves were due to the line moving and new collection sites being put in. As for the graves, for the Commonwealth soldiers, if they were stand up from their graves they would all be facing the enemy. That's how they were buried, not to have their backs to the enemy.

[@ruthaisling]

Nice to hear you have visited also.

[@paulmacready6757]

Another lovely emotional video Ruth. As a bit of a history nut I do know quite a lot about WW1, but I’ve never been to the memorial sites and I don’t know why. As I’ve spent a lot of time in northern France.. it was nice to see it from your point of view. I think I’ll have to go back. Thanks Ruth😊

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Paul. It’s definitely worth visiting these places, they have such a bigger impact in real life compared to seeing them in a video.

[@paulmacready6757]

@ruthaisling hiya I may have time in the summer🤞 I just watched your dog story and left a comment that was probably more info than you neede

[@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

[@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 🙏

[@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]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad you’ve found the videos interesting

[@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. ❤️

[@susannabouwhuis5861]

Fantastic formation, you are amazing 🤩

[@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

[@sdingeswho]

Beautiful and moving, Ruth ❤😢! Just watched via Facebook and commented over there - overwhelming, and it was especially nice that you spotlighted the support personnel and facilities necessary to maintain these enormous Gardens of Stone 😢 around the world! I’m not really sure who / what organization in the U.S. has an equivalent responsibility, although I believe most of our military cemeteries fall under the control of our Veterans’ Administration. A few, such as Gettysburg, are technically National Military Parks, so they would fall under the National Park Service (United States Department of the Imterior). Great show 😁👍 - keep the history coming, although I can’t wait to get back to a more cheerful subject … like Whiskey 🤪😋🥃👍!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you. Hopefully more whisky videos coming soon! 🤞

[@sdingeswho]

@@ruthaislingand hopefully you’ll get some of the aforementioned Scots Whisky ❤️ for yourself - just watched the follow-up video about the mechanical issues and the dog attack 😮😢! “I’ll go home to me parents, confess what I’ve done, and ask them to pardon their prodigal son! And when they’ve carresed me, as they oft have before … I never will play the Wild Rover no more!” 🥃🥃🥃❤️😊

[@PatrickFavey]

Thank you very much for this vidéo of memory.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching

[@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.

[@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. 😢

[@richardfaulkner3579]

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

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much Richard

[@franciscouderq1100]

Excellent journey and informative reporting, thank you.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@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

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

I know these headstones well. They are the same as the ones in Tomnahurich Cemetery, Inverness. The Commonwealth ones also have Polish, Czech and Canadian graves. The Polish 🇵🇱 ones always have many candles below them.

[@ruthaisling]

I think there might be some near me too, I need to go and check

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

Holy cow, Ruth! What a moving trip. How are you feeling now that you are home? If I may ask, what does your family make of your experience? Have you had some interesting conversations? It's odd how some conflicts are remembered more widely and in more detail than others. The enormous casualties of WWI cost much of a generation of England and the British Empire. What a major event in history! There can't be many families that weren't effected. It is sadly not the first instance, but I hope we've learned from the experience. Here in the U.S. we have the War of 1812 and the so-called "Indian Wars." Neither of these gets the attention deserved and many of their lessons are overlooked. This is a lovely, well-paced, moving video, beautifully shot and thoughtfully presented. We are honored that you have taken the time and had the courage to share your journey.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Eric, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Watching back the footage and researching for the facts in the videos has been interesting and is actually like to back again so I can visit all those places that were closed in January. In terms of conversations, mostly older people are interested to hear about my trip there and some of them have even been themselves. However people my age maybe can’t relate to as much.

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

@sling Your video inspired me to check out the 7 CWGC graves in Seattle. They're in 4 sites, not far apart, but on my first day out I only got to one. The gent running the office had been there for 30 years and knew the grave I was looking for. Someone from the CWGC in British Columbia visits every couple of years to inspect and care for this single grave of a WW1 sapper from the Canadian Engineers. Apparently he had relatives here, across town from the cemetery. Their house is still standing, not far from my own. So cool all these connections. He also showed me the gravestone of a Captain of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada. He was born in Toronto and died here in Seattle in 1916. He died at 53 and has a regular private monument, so I wonder if perhaps his death was not WW1-related. An interesting adventure, I look forward to what I will find when I seek out the other six. I've always loved graveyards, for despite the sadness involved, they are treasure troves of interesting human stories. Good luck with your own adventures.

[@bobparker6284]

Thanks Ruth, you done a better job than Military History.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Bob

[@leod-sigefast]

I toured the Somme battlefields on a bicycle in 2012. It was a lifelong ambition to pay my respects. The Thiepval Memorial was awe-inspiring. A beautiful but sombre place.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes absolutely

[@mrroobarb]

That was... fantastic, thank you!

[@ruthaisling]

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

[@ronaldbayne1431]

Thank you. Something we should all know about and learn from. Most illuminating and instructional. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf. Rmb5*

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you

[@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.

[@terrytennyson67]

よい旅ですね。歴史を知る、感じる、考える旅です。ありがとう、Ruth

[@ruthaisling]

ビデオを見てくれてありがとう。平和を祈りましょう。

[@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 ❤️

[@ronanmc2112]

Great and insightful video. Thanks for dealing so well with the Irish people who fought. 110 years on here and it is still a divisive subject. Looking forward to more videos

[@ruthaisling]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@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.

[@fatfreddymaorihuntergather2530]

Absolutely and beautifully molded into our memories and greatness

[@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

[@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.

[@craiground9215]

Was there last week very moving indeed. Great video 👍

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching and glad to hear you visited too

[@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. 😥

[@小川昇-k4m]

戦争は酷いのひとこと、しらない土地で失くなり無名戦士として葬られ訪れるひとも少ない、悲しい現実がそこに有る、日本も多くの兵士の血が流された国のひとつ、世界から紛争が無くなること祈ります、ルースさんありがとう。

[@ruthaisling]

ビデオを見てくれてありがとう。平和を祈りましょう。

[@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.

[@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!

[@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