Tolkien's Great War | Brocton

Today we find us in Tolkien's Great War as he was based at Brocton Camp for a short time before being posted to France in 1916.
In the heart of England is Cannock Chase an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and back in WW1 for a time it was the home to the famous author of J.R.R. Tolkien - The author wrote the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Cannock Chase became a large training area with 2 camps for British troops before heading to Europe in WW1 and then used as a RAF training camp in WW2.
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Andy
the Expedition Hiker
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[@highlandexplorer990]

Wow! This is super interesting! I love the mix of history and beautiful scenery in this video. I knew Cannock Chase was an AONB, but I had no idea about the WWI training camps. It's crazy to think that so many soldiers trained in this area! 😮 It also blows my mind that JRR Tolkien was stationed there - I wonder if the landscape inspired him at all? 🤔 Definitely adding Cannock Chase to my hiking bucket list! 🥾 Thanks for sharing this awesome video!

[@ExpeditionHiker]

I have done another video on cannock chase, and may go back and do a 3rd one as such a big area to explore

[@simongreaves7832]

I live locally and am up there every day with the dog but I’ve recently learnt loads about the WW1 history of the chase and am aware of the location of many sites where it’s still possible to see interesting remnants of the camps etc. Regarding Tolkien it definitely inspired him. Just one example is “The Wishing Tree” which is a must visit and was his inspiration for the Ents/Treebeard.

[@ExpeditionHiker]

@@simongreaves7832 thanks for the info

[@simongreaves7832]

@@ExpeditionHiker no problem at all. If you need any help locating anything let me know 👍

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks, something a little different to my usual walks, more of an explore with history, I have another one similar coming out soon

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Lovely area with a mix of history to make it a place to explore

[@thepeakdistrictviking]

Very interesting especially the Tolkien connection. Love the history and scenery. Great film

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thank you, good to have an explore in a place with great scenery

[@whitebakecase]

The bits of scrap wood were from a modern picnic bench that's collapsed. The water feature you found indeed was a pumping station, the original WW1 one, which was quickly replaced with a drilled well at Coppice Hill when it got overwhelmed. Seven Springs and stepping stones weir were also part of that man made system.

[@mattentwistle70]

I'm not 100% sure, but the round metal item looks very similar to one of those oven/kilns that they make charcoal in. I have also noticed a lot more grey heron around this year. Great video Andy, thanks 👍

[@ExpeditionHiker]

I was filming yesterday for another adventure, and I got close to 2 herons within 4 minutes apart - one almost flew into me, which I caught on camera, lol

[@HikingDave79]

Great video Andy, love you laid back manner and knowledge on the history etc

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks for watching, I do try...

[@sosayweall7290]

I lived in Brocton when I was a small child, and my great aunt lived there are many years.

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Do you have a knowledge to the camp that I missed?

[@craigbarlow7835]

Thanks for the interesting video.

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks for watching

[@johnpugh1995]

great video

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks for watching