Walking the Battle of the Somme with Mat McLachlan

[@markmewordz6860]

My grandfather was a regular in the Lancashire Fusiliers when war broke out. Survived 1914. Sent to take part in the Gallipoli landings in 1915, survived all that. Posted to the Somme in May 1916. Survived day one but was eventually mustard gassed in November. Sent home, got a job with the railway and went on to have three more kids. The gas poisoning that he endured to his lungs, eventually killing him, a decade or so later. Nan didn't get a war pension. They just got on with it. Tough people ... different times.

[@TheAeroBarKid]

@Phil McCrevice Same with my Great Grandfather and his brother. I always knew about my great grandfather as my dad knew him in the 1960s (dad born 1958) and he died sometime around then but my dad knew he fought in the war and lost his thumb. Later few years ago my dad dug into him and found his war papers etc and found out his was in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (I'm /dad and he are from Dublin, he joined the army in 1910 on 29th December). Like your grandfather Derek he also fought in Gallipoli and then had to be transported to Egpyt as well as Greece before returning home (that was on his military passport and also on the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers history of where they fought). He then fought in the Somme being one of the only Irish regiments to fight in it and well he survived otherwise I wouldn't be here otherwise. But what I found out the other week via a free trail on ancesrtry .com was that he had a young brother who also joined the army the same day as him and fought alongside him and his death record , July 1st 1916 , France 23 years old. My dad heard his name mentioned and one of my dad brothers (he has 8 lol) was actually named after him but none of his family really knew since it was never spoken of too much. I just can't believe my grandfather along with his brother fought all that way together for one to be lost in the Somme. Great grandfather lost his finger in that battle and later returned in 1917 and fought till the end. He died in the 1960s so never met him and my dad was only a kid too. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and I'm going to try get my dad to come visit Thiepval Memorial and the battlefield to pay my great uncle a visit and we're going to try put a plaque with his name back here home in ireland beside his brother and if i can find his wives grave. Same thing then happened with you as when my grandfather returned he didn't receive much and my dad grew up in a flat with 8 brothers and a sister with 2 bedrooms in it. Amazing generations and I can't wait to visit and pay my respects

[@alisaculley603]

My great grandfather was in the Saskatchewan Regiment during WW1 and his brother was a Sapper with the 3rd Canadian Tunnel Co. My great grand uncle went overseas early, he spent most his time in Ypres, he was shot and was gassed to. He died a few years after the war from complications. On his Western Union telegram to my great grandfather all it said was Oliver died awaiting instructions for war. He had bad nerves and suffered, when my great grandfather was asked what happened he said he died a horrible death and never bring it up again, for him to snap like that was not common, very soft spoken man. My great grandfather was told his brother was very sick, he was getting stuff together to go see him, he got the telegram just before he was going to leave to see him.

[@robertcolajezzi5273]

Always wondered if there were many veterans who took part in battles on different fronts and survived the war or if there were many who survived from the first to last day throughout entire war

[@Jimfowler82]

Same with my nans dad he came home and he died when she was 7. Bloody mustard gas

[@DampSeagull9166]

Jesus your grandpa was an actual superhero

[@MrSouzy]

I am a Brit but I Currently work and live in Germany. In the town in which I live I came across a photographs of our market square of our very small part of town on the day when war broke out. They had gathered all of the young men in the square in a sort of call to arms. The caption on the photo said that there was no jubilation or joy at going to war especially with the British. Remember up until this point both nations were actually quite close to one another on a cultural level. Just up the road from me now is the German memorial for those men who died from our part of town and most probably most of those men who gathered on that day in the square have their name written there now. The first world war wiped out almost all of the male side of my family so sometimes I have a uneasy feeling walking past it. Nevertheless everyone who died in ww1 was the son of someone. Very tragic.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Well said. Thanks for sharing.

[@HT-gv1be]

TomTom a lot of the Germans and British thought we should have been fighting together against the french and Russians as they are Saxons and we are Anglo Saxons think there was actually a German sign threat was put on top of a trench saying ‘we are Saxons you are Anglo Saxons. If you don’t shoot we won’t either’

[@CHIL2903]

@@HT-gv1be True, they would even warn each other when they were "ordered" to show a bit more aggression, by signalling the other side when a shell was going to be sent over. This policy didn't prove too popular with the top brass, as can be imagined and regiments found to be indulging in this sort of thing would be rotated and replaced by those who would show more martial spirit. The Guard regiments from both side tended to do things by the book in this respect. The Prussian and Bavarian regiments tending to be the least "popular."

[@NickTasy]

Any way you could share the photo with the world?

[@johnwilliams5466]

Both world wars were a waste of human life for most of the nations of Europe. The German people suffered more from ww1 than anyone else.

[@karsten-f5q]

Been there three times and it leaves a massive impact every time. We will remember them

[@elasolezito]

It belongs to somme of the bloodiest battles ever!

[@rbf100]

RIP Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Slaughtered in the Beaumont Hamel sector of the Somme. Almost every family back home lost a relative in this battle.

[@tombrydson781]

rbf100 very sad day for all

[@patrickhorgan7621]

And the Essex men who went forward with them and suffered just as much

[@samhunt9380]

Totally useless and incompetent senior officers should have been arrested and court marshalled, but of course they considered British working classes as close to subhuman and only worthy of being cannon fodder anyway....

[@lostcontrol1981]

July 1 is normally a day of celebration in Canada - but for Newfoundland it’s Remembrance Day for all the young men lost. RIP. Always remembered. ❤️

[@Mark-in1im]

The nauseating incompetence of military leadership of sending those fine men into certain death is so infuriating. Those poor men didn't want to be mourned or cried over or memorialized -- they wanted to LIVE!

[@honestreviewer3283]

Hell on earth. As a Canadian veteran (Royal Regina Rifles and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment) who underwent his infantry officer training in the Canadian Maritimes (Gagetown), I find the Royal Newfoundland Regiment memorial absolutely heartbreaking. I am grateful for historians like this who are keeping the history alive, explaining it in relatable ways for future generations. Lest we forget.

[@MacEstelle]

Sir you have done such an incredible job here, telling history and showing the areas of battle. Many thanks

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment.

[@TheFunkhouser]

New Zealand Kiwi here.. bless our fallen and those that fought alongside us.. Never forgotten! | 🙏❤😔

[@stevemacca786]

TheFunkhouser chur bro🇦🇺🇳🇿

[@brentmoyer6618]

My Grandfather, Thomas Arthur Skitt (born 1896) from Manchester fought here and was wounded. The bullet came to rest next to his heart and it was determined that it was too dangerous to remove it and so it remained there until he died in 1970. He married Ruby Maude Till and had three kids Tommy (served on the Snowberry in WW2), Ruby and Sylvia, my Mom in England before moving to 16th Avenue in Lachine, Quebec around 1927. He loved his Family, walking and watching baseball. He was a wonderful Grandfather and I miss him dearly.

[@alexclose11]

My Great Great Grandfather James Morgan, died on the first day of the Somme. Fighting in the Tyneside Scottish you scanned past his and his brother, Thomas, name with the camera on the Theipval Memorial. Made me more determined to visit La Boiselle and the memorial than ever. Thank you

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

How amazing that we featured his name in the doco. Thanks for sharing.

[@alexclose11]

Yes, im in shock.

[@dalebeck2082]

My wife and I were privileged to spend a day guided by an expert touring the Battle of the Somme several years ago. I remember touring the trenches, the backyard cafe where a recreated set of trenches had been built and the huge memorial to the British and Commonwealth soldiers whose bodies and graves were never found. What was most poignant to me was a small roadside cemetery where perhaps 50 or so soldiers had been buried many years ago. I will never forget reading the gravestones and learning the ages of those young men who gave their lives for freedom.

[@peternicholsonu6090]

My grandad Alfred survived this battle. Came home damaged but raised a family which is why I am here. He never would celebrate this war. In respect for his firsthand judgement I too have done likewise. Young men died whilst old men talked.

[@beeldpuntXVI]

Peter Nicholsonu let us not celebratie, nevertheless I Will remember their efforts.

[@MrRugbylane]

Hear hear. The vast majority of the Dead in the Great War (including about 60% of British soldiers) were press ganged into the war against their will. (if you have to be drafted it is, by definition, against your will. The Great War was a disaster for Europe.

[@peternicholsonu6090]

beeldpuntXVI definitely. But honor the poor wives and girlfriends left alone for a lifetime.

[@peternicholsonu6090]

Stephen Lane I lost my darling of 46yrs 3yrs ago. Those wives and sweethearts grieved the rest of their young and older lifetimes. They should have been honoured.

[@sosteve9113]

Very impressive when you visit the place

[@mettahuttravels3183]

In 1985 I commenced my nurse training at Concord Repatriation General Hospital. My Frist pt was Mr A Cooke. He was a WW1 soldier. A remarkable man in depth & knowledge. He was one of many soldiers who defied orders & taken a camera into battle. I imagine there are thousands of these albums floating around. It is my hope that they make it to the Australian War Memorial at some stage.🙏🏻🇦🇺❤️

[@Bmg009]

I’m not the type to get emotional from a video but to see the overcast day with the mist enveloping the entire environment around you is really amazing . Thank you both so very much for taking us there and being so wonderfully respectful of this sacred ground, please say a prayer next time you go that I can somehow make it there one day from SC…

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments. It really is an emotive place.

[@neilmackinnon3371]

Wonderful video. I have a great uncle buried just a few km from Le Tommy and another a few km further on in Meaulte. They volunteered, they served and they never returned to their family, but they are certainly not forgotten.

[@sheddweller1969]

I to have a great uncle buried in Meaulte I'm planning to visit very soon. Although never known to me He will never be forgotten.

[@ArtbyKatina]

Seeing these fields again, even on video makes my heart ache. I toured the WW1 sites in 2016 and cried each and everyday being on those hallowed grounds.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Katina Howard it’s a special place.

[@daphnewalker4951]

I wept too - Spring 2014.

[@trevorrobinson8577]

Extremely well presented Matt. A very moving account of what happened in 1916. If we stop and really think about this war, I wonder as humans have we learned anything from it? Sadly no.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Trevor. Well said.

[@DardanellesBy108]

Finally something in my recommendations worth watching. This was very well done. I look forward to seeing your other videos.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@delandrews2929]

Those men were so brave, they must have been terrified but so so brave, RIP Soldiers!

[@25dean]

Well done. I couldn't begin to fathom how brave they were.

[@richard9444]

My grandad was there and my 2 great uncles died there ,

[@Terrywaites]

My great grandfather lost his leg in the battle of Somme, was sent home to the North East of England to live out the rest of his days. One day I would love the opportunity to visit these amazing places where our ancestors gave everything for our freedom.

[@ricoman7981]

My wife and I visited many WW I battle sites and graveyards in May 2022, The Somme, Vimy, Verdun etc in France and Ypres, Paschendale and others in Belgium. We also attended the nightly ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. I am not afraid to say that all the sites and stories bring out the emotions just to think about the hell all these young soldiers went through. At the Newfoundland Memorial it was quite the thing to stand in an actual trench and envision what it must have been like, even though with the very best imagination, there is no way we could do justice the realities and atrocities of war. My mother’s father was buried alive in WWI. He was rescued and sent back to England with permanently damaged lungs. Soon after his return he married my Grandmother and started a family. My Mom had no recollection of him as he died very young, when she was just a toddler. War is hell.

[@MrButtonpresser]

Brilliantly presented. Remembering my great grandfather, Ypres 1915.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@charlesuplifted5216]

My grandfather was wounded at cantingy in ww1 in his right kneecap greetings from the usa

[@MrButtonpresser]

@@charlesuplifted5216: If war has taught us one thing, it's that we are all connected as one in the end.

[@philsmith6583]

My Grandfather was a medic in the Somme for the English, the horror's he would have seen would have been unimaginable, he went on to be an air raid siren man in ww2

[@chloekit4861]

Did he ever talk about it? How old are you if you don’t mind me asking?

[@anomalyp8584]

If you have some stories to share?

[@davidwright2379]

My great grandfather was a British imperial force soldier and medic, dying in Oct 18, Balkans, can only imagine the scenes he witnessed over 100 years ago, bless him

[@raymondjarvis765]

My great grandfather was also a medic for 1st Canadian div..wounded in1918.just finding out about him and don't know much it all..hope to learn more soon

[@jameskavanagh4315]

Thanks Mat, your story telling is exceptional. Visiting these battlefields and paying my respects, is a must for me. I will get there.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers James. 👍🏼

[@gordonmckenzie926]

Excellent, thank you. My grandfather survived the slaughter at Gommecourt.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Gordon McKenzie My pleasure Gordon.

[@bigj3086]

That was intense. The more I learn about WW1, the more awestruck I am with the sheer courage of these men. I can only pray that I would have the fortitude to do what they did if that day ever came. RIP. All soldiers.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Well said.

[@darrenwalsh6965]

Fantastic history, thanks for uploading. Lest we forget.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Darren Walsh thank you!

[@irish3335]

Just found this video, fantastic coverage of the battlefields and great ending! Well done sir

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you kindly!

[@jeffchristie1541]

Mat that was heartbreaking and very informative ,fantastic presentation I take my hat off to your professionalism .Thank you 🙏

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Jeff!

[@bengimanbig6881]

my dear granddad was there border regiment known as the Tyneside scots he was one off them that survived served 1914 . 1918 thank you granddad

[@henrypulleine8750]

Hi. For your info, the Border Regiment recruited in what is now Cumbria. The Tyneside Scottish were four battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who recruited in Northumberland and to a lesser extent County Durham.

[@Ribeirasacra]

Have you watched Chris.Tarrant.Extreme Railways Series 6 Ep1? He talks about the Tyneside Scots in some detail.

[@mixalis_pagiatakis5864]

god bless him and you my friend! much love

[@JazzMan76]

Very well done. It's hard not to get wrapped up into the statistics of the massive loss of life and forget that each lost life was connected to a story of what was and would could have been.

[@gailmcclellan6018]

Awesome video on the Somme! Gave me a new perspective on this battle!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Gail!

[@sartainja]

Superb presentation on the battle. Thank you for working to keep the memories of all the brave men on both sides who were killed in the senseless carnage that was World War I. Let us not forget, so we will not repeat.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Jeff. 👍🏼

[@silentwitness247]

Very moving presentation. I’ve been there many times and am always moved to tears with what I see. Well done and thank you.

[@Madalf71]

Great video, I was there Nov 2018 following some history of a Great Uncle, remembered at Poziers Cemetery, one of the many missing. Your words at Thiepval, very appropriate, it's a place where I was just silent, feeling history. I'll go back one day, but not for a very long time. Thank you for your work.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you, I appreciate your comments.

[@samhunt9380]

My grandfather was wounded on the Somme, sent back to England for rehabilitation, met my grandmother who was a young nurse assigned to him at the time. He never went back into combat and after the war emigrated to New Zealand where they finally started a small family. A humble, dignified and quiet man, I'll never forget him......RIP

[@chloekit4861]

Wow that’s like a romance movie

[@dane5896]

I believe my Grandfather fought there with the Irish Guards. He luckily survived and returned to Ireland. He eventually moved to America and raised his family. I play the Battle of Somme on the Bagpipes in their memory.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Great story Dan. Thanks for sharing.

[@amphilbey]

Thank you for sharing this, great video. My grandfather who fortunately survived the war was wounded in the Machine Gun Corp but not until Spring 1918. It's great these stories are kept alive, in the last few years with research I've found more about his service than my father was ever told and understandably so given their experiences. The Thiepval memorial is so moving to visit.

[@gefi9701]

Excellent presentation,you are very good at what you do. I get the feeling that you are not just reading words,but you truly feel for the men lost in these horrible battles.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@ncwoodworker]

Brilliant narration and story telling. What a horrific time in world history that must never be forgotten. So many souls lost prematurely.. So glad to see that their names will never be lost or forgotten. Thanks for sharing this story.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@briannat1086]

Great tribute to such brave souls. One of the finest vids on youtube.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@ducatiboy4951]

Thank you it brings back memories of my wife and myself visiting for the 100 year Commemoration. We will remember them.

[@smudge6420]

Just walking on that field makes me really see how lucky we are. Its also a very sad place to go just to know how many people had died in that very place. Rest In Peace all that died in that horrible time in history.

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

Great video (and series) Mat. I've been watching your WW1 series while restoring a couple of Lee Enfield SMLE rifles. One a 1917 SSA 'Peddled Scheme' British built gun and the other a WW2 era (1942) Lithgow Australian built rifle. I can't help think the stains in the woodwork of both tell the story of mud and rain, dust and sand and worse.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@Wafflez-Man-YT]

Great video for guys like me who love history and cat afford the travels to see this and made me want to visit. RIP to all those soldiers who fought that horrible war ever.

[@Pincer88]

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Major John McCrae - 1915

[@Fortress333]

@G Man Reading John McCrae's poem gave me goosebumps. Reading yours gave me shellshock.

[@NeverTakeNoCut-offs]

McCrae threw it away for a reason. Insipid Doggerel.

[@johnhealy6676]

I paid my respects at his grave last time I was over there

[@johnhealy6676]

@@NeverTakeNoCut-offs Philistine

[@NeverTakeNoCut-offs]

@The fastest milkman in the West sentimental tripe. WWI was a disaster, not something to be romanticized by this little ditty.

[@MrEaglesfan40]

SO glad I found your channel, outstanding work, great visualization of the battle and the trenches Thank you

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Frank. 👍🏼

[@KenMorris-i8w]

Engaging, knowledgeable, easy to listen to, empathetic.great editing good story content.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hsiehkanusea]

Well done, man. It's just insane what is forgotten when it comes to the ludicrous numbers lost in wars. And its relevance -- also often forgotten. Godspeed all you lost souls, brothers in arms.

[@nigelseymour4850]

Well done Mat - you kept me glued to your presentation. It must be difficult to apply your imagination to what occurred at the Somme but I'll try and get out there before my time comes... Thanks

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Nigel. You’d be surprised how easy it can be in some places.

[@Shadooe]

Very well done video, but one thing I want to mention: Beaumont Hamel was not the end of the Newfoundland Regiment. Ours were back in the line at Gueudecourt in Oct. There was their truly heroic defense of Monchy-le-Preux in 1917 and on through to Tommy Rickett's VC action in 1918. It was the only Reg't to be titled "Royal" in WW1 (only the 3rd ever in a time of war). Beaumont Hamel was the only time in WW1 that the RNFLDR failed to take their objective.

[@chriskostopoulos8142]

Matt always does a great job with these presentations. Although often slanted towards the Australian experiences for obvious reasons he is also great at bringing all stories to be told, such as our Canadian brothers in this vid.

[@petejuchau9332]

Well done mate, what a fantastic video covering our history. God bless the fallen men.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Much appreciated!

[@seibelstein]

My grandfathers served the whole war 14-18 in the bavarian army, at different front-sections from Flanders to Rumania. Both were sergeants, both were medical service-men, not carrying arms. The battle of the Somme was for both the most cruel and hardest time in war. One grandfather did his service mostly in surgery stations close to the front, the other usualy in the first front line. This one often told after war, that from his company only he himself and two or three other soldiers came out of the battle of the Somme without any injurie. All the others, about 150 men, were dead, wounded or missed.

[@manlybeardman]

Just found this channel, wonderfully shot and narrated. Thank you

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@northernlight696]

My grandfather fought there with the 26th New Brunswick regiment. His wife (My Grandmother) had a first cousin killed at Ypres after an underground explosion. Although they never found his body (Beverly Powys), his name is at Menin Gate.

[@donnamoyer4620]

My Grandfather Thomas Arthur Skitt (Manchester/Lachine) was wounded during the battle of the Somme. He carried a bullet right up against his heart for the rest of his life as Doctors couldn't retrieve it. His son Tommy was on the HMCS Snowberry in WW2. My Father Gerald Wilson Moyer fought at Nijmegen and into Germany in WW2. I will always remember them.

[@brentmoyer6618]

@Bruce Sanders Thank you, sorry I just saw your reply now. We remember...

[@RobinRajamoosh]

Great video. Thank you for your care and respect for these historical sights. Such a dark time in human history.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@quinnpaddock4241]

My great grandfather Thomas Albert dines survived two tours of that place ....came out of it at 26 years old ......... truly a great man and lovely person from what I can remember as child of him ..........

[@lescalverley8335]

Terrific video May, well balanced and descriptive. Have visited the Somme battlefield many times. If you intend making any more please check out the Devonshire regiment trench on the Albert to Peronne road and also at Serre. I’m sure that you will be able to add to what took place here.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Les. I’ve been to Devonshire Trench many times. What a tragic tale.

[@gholmes182]

Wonderful. Thank you for making and sharing this documentary. As an avid ww1 historian, I thought that I knew it all, but you’ve enlightened me and got me to think differently.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Guy. 👍🏼

[@gholmes182]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory I have two relatives commemorated on the menin gate. They were my grandmothers cousins, Harry and William Cuthbertson, one a regular in the Cameron’s and the other a terrier. They found out that they were serving in the same section and decided to meet up. A shell killed them both. It is commemorated in the regimental diary. I thought that they must be a rare occurrence, but my research led me to an online resource detailing hundreds of pairs of brothers who died together on active service. What can you say. The suffering and sacrifice would shame us today. Sorry to sound glum, but these memories and your documentaries are hugely important. He who learns not from history is condemned to repeat it.

[@tomd9424]

Brilliant mate. So informative and insightful. We will remember them.

[@rangers94ism]

Wow. Fantastic job covering these events and the grounds.

[@DarthTrader707]

Thanks so much for all these videos...for allowing people who will never get to actually go there, to walk through and experience these sites and memorials. Every single one is just fantastic. One question...did you visit that last memorial close to remembrance day, or is it common to have the amount of wreaths laid at the memorial ongoing?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments. I was there only a few days after Remembrance Day so there were more wreaths than usual. But there are always some there.

[@janlewis9160]

I want Mat to take me on his trips! Such great, heartfelt, lessons. Thank you

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Jan

[@Meatcleaver101]

Matty that was really well presented.. I really liked the your insights towards the emotional side of the battle and your view on the memorial... It was a great video to watch... Say hello to your Dad for me... P.S. Spencer posted this on FB so I just had to have a look...

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Michael Walker Cheers mate.

[@taffymarsden]

Hello Michael! Good to hear from you :)

[@Meatcleaver101]

@@taffymarsden .. it is always a pleasure to hear from you and to see how Matt has done so well for himself.. (With alot of work to get where he is.. I suspect..) I hope the rest of the family are doing well and are all healthy.. P.S> You looking well mate .. What the secret?

[@ghendar]

Very well done, Mat. Touching, poignant, and interesting.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@julienporisse9902]

My grandfather and his brother were in the French Infantry Grenadiers at Verdun. Grandpa survived although he was seriously injured. His brother called Julien was killed at 20 in February 1916 at Verdun.

[@derekstocker6661]

Very, very informative documentary, immensely sad but also wonderful to see how the memorial of the trenches and the fabulous brick and stone memorial to those who are lost for ever but can still be remembered. Thanks for this great salute to the fallen on all sides, they are for ever in the hearts of those who's loss is still remembered by the families who remain. RIP all those fallen souls who gave all for what they hoped would be a better world, unfortunately for it all to start again....

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Derek. Well said.

[@Lawesp]

Everyone should visit these places. The sheer scale of the losses hits you so hard. I was in bits walking round the “big pile of bricks”. I will never forget it or them. 😢

[@lowiq3409]

RIP to all the brave Geman soldiers who lost their lives here as well.

[@Jimfowler82]

Often forgot. My grandad didn’t though from ww2 used to say they was just doing as they told. With exceptions of course. He used to show me the war graves we have here many are German names

[@29Fiorello]

Yes, does anyone think that those German boys and men woke up one morning and thought "Gee, wouldn't it be fun to go to war with people I don't know, who never did anything to me, and maybe will kill me." War is just the way of the world - since men evolved and decided they wanted more of what somebody else had. Makes no sense to me, that's for sure.

[@Maltetren]

Ehm

[@michaljon1963]

Austria-Hungary too

[@michaljon1963]

Czechs and Russians - everyone

[@timothyburling5795]

That was a very well presented and informative and sensitive pice. Thank you.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@liamgorman2907]

Excellent video and very well presented!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Liam!

[@axerxes3981]

Nice job. Brought tears to meold eyes. AX

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@Flintlock1776]

Extremely well done.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@nitishrawat316]

Nice video you took me in a journey of different emotions

[@markmorgan6179]

My Grandfather served with the 2/Middlesex Regt and survived the first day of the Somme. he went on to win a Military Medal in Oct 1916. Fascinating film. Thank you.

[@Mattoman501]

I look forward to visiting these places. Thank you for this video!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

My pleasure.

[@scottyfox6376]

I have collected a pine cone to grow direct decendants of "The Lone Pine Tree" from Gallipoli. I've obtained this from a memorial tree with photographic evidence to prove that the Australian soldiers had recovered seeds from the artillery shattered tree. The battle of Lone Pine resulted in 7 Victoria Crosses in 5 days of some of the bloodiest hand to hand fighting of WW1. I will offer the trees to local schools & institutions to use as memorials.

[@wreckt2751]

It interesting that u say that,the exact descendent lone pine tree still grows today in a ex military training base in Oatley,southern Sydney.

[@benboettger9294]

You sir, are an exceptional gentleman. Keep up the good work.

[@郑颍]

@@wreckt2751 There are many trees that people claim to be descendants of trees from Lone Pine. Most are nice stories, but the only ones with a verifiable provenance are the McDowell trees in Warrnambool, Terang, Wattle Park, and the Shrine.

[@TheDeJureTour]

Wow, nicely done. Your channel deserves way more subs!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you! Tell your friends! 😂

[@Englishman-Abroad]

More adverts please - they really add to the thoughtfulness of the piece.

[@samdown1914]

I’ve just stumbled across this channel and I just wanted to comment and say what an amazing work you have compiled here, hours and hours of fascinating documentary work! You deserve 100x the subscribers you have. Amazing

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you Sam. That’s very kind. It’s a labour of love!

[@mr_cleaner_upper8645]

My grandfather served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion and fought on the Somme in November 1916. He was wounded 3 times, froze his hands to the point where they were permanently disfigured, and was buried alive (crushing one kidney) but fortunately was dug out. The battalion was nicknamed the “suicide battalion” because it had a casualty rate of 91 .5 percent in 27 months. I toured the battlefield on Canada Day with my kids and wife this summer. Over a century has passed but we all felt the power and profound sadness that reigns there.

[@senseiplays4663]

Through so much pain and death was born so much beauty. What a terribly beautiful place. Lest we forget

[@chiselcheswick5673]

Excellent overview of a horrible conflict. Thank you.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

My pleasure! Thanks for the comment.

[@reddiver7293]

Thank you. A well done, respectful and informative lesson.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@stephenchristianberana4873]

As someone whose country is as far removed geographically from the Western Front of WWI, I always wanted to visit and pay homage to the its various sites and memorials. This may be as close as I could get. Thank you for the absolutely well-made and enlightening tour. "They shall not grow old."

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@froggy41u]

Incredibly well done, Matt.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@izzybg78]

Truly a battle to always remember. Seeing the battle fields with all of the trenches, really helped me to see what those brave men went through.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@kidmohair8151]

it looks like I am going through your battlefield walks in the days leading up to Nov 11. Thank you.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers!

[@Boneidol82]

Such a great insight into what Men and women had to endure! My Great Grandfather and Great Uncle fought on the western front from the Otago regiment from New Zealand. They thought they were all going on an adventure initially not knowing what they would encounter. One brother fought at Gallipoli and joined his brother at the front. Wounded and sent to England to be patched up and sent back to the front. They came home and so proud of them and all allied forces.

[@philipjames250]

Outstanding video, thank you. Am visiting the area in a few weeks time.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Phil. Enjoy - it’s a special place.

[@Yodasstuff]

These men still have lessons to teach us. Powerful. May they rest in peace.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@mortonbartlett8233]

My paternal Granddad was at the Somme 1916, Age 32 served with Otago Mounted Rifles, Badly wounded in an airburst and after nearly a year in hospitals and rehab he returned to his home town, thankfully as he was not married or had children at that time

[@av8tore71]

Great video with a lot of information I never known about like the tanks being used

[@baberoot1998]

Brilliant documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed. Two thumbs up...👍☀️👍 You have a new subscriber.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you!

[@bloqk16]

Interesting when Mat spoke about how well dug-in the Germans were in the trenches @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="679">11:19</a>, that I recall my high school (US) English teacher, when the class was doing a reading session of "All's Quiet On the Western Front," that she was well-versed with history knowledge with that book. An example of that: The part of the Germans being dug-in in connection with that book: I recall her saying that the German Army had done well with fortifying their bunker emplacements with hard materials, including concrete, so they could withstand incoming artillery.

[@RoBMcCullochexperience]

Wonderful documentary Mat. Very respectful.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks mate. 👍🏼

[@markscutt7471]

Great coverage , thanks

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!