Exploring The WW1 Somme Battlefields in France

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
  • 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

ความคิดเห็น • 424

  • @heather333
    @heather333 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You should go!

    • @wendyhay1302
      @wendyhay1302 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

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

  • @TXMEDRGR
    @TXMEDRGR 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +31

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for watching. ❤

    • @janholland2224
      @janholland2224 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      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.

  • @stephenchild2310
    @stephenchild2310 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Thank you for sharing more information about this

  • @shabingly
    @shabingly 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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.

  • @jimhunter4321
    @jimhunter4321 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @jimhunter4321
      @jimhunter4321 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @camperp195
    @camperp195 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      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
      @johnbrown3951 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      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.

  • @wendyhay1302
    @wendyhay1302 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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.

  • @colmgeraghty4033
    @colmgeraghty4033 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for watching ❤

  • @Roddy1965
    @Roddy1965 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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.

  • @peterworby2049
    @peterworby2049 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    You are doing a beautiful thing

  • @EricAdamsonMI
    @EricAdamsonMI 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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
    @johnw7610 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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.

  • @neilsmith5299
    @neilsmith5299 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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.

  • @veterangunner8198
    @veterangunner8198 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for sharing about this

  • @scottburns2600
    @scottburns2600 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  หลายเดือนก่อน

      It must have been so so loud. 😢

  • @Kim-J312
    @Kim-J312 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What lovely items to have

  • @bertkelly7650
    @bertkelly7650 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @gdavew63
    @gdavew63 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

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

  • @neilsmith5299
    @neilsmith5299 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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.

  • @johncarman6966
    @johncarman6966 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's so moving :(

  • @patriciaatkinson5487
    @patriciaatkinson5487 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @arslongavitabrevis5136 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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! 🤬🤬🤬

  • @Ck-zk3we
    @Ck-zk3we 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @franciscouderq1100
    @franciscouderq1100 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @patriciaatkinson5487
    @patriciaatkinson5487 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @0HARE
    @0HARE 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for your kind comments 🙏

  • @jimcummings4392
    @jimcummings4392 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks Jim

  • @skefwholey799
    @skefwholey799 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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!

  • @clivebuckland6902
    @clivebuckland6902 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching Clive

  • @ianlove1215
    @ianlove1215 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @dane5896
    @dane5896 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for sharing about your grandfather ❤️

  • @AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq
    @AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I hope you can visit sometime ❤️

    • @AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq
      @AnthonyTobyEllenor-pi4jq 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @crabc4ke
    @crabc4ke 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @itsmephil2255
    @itsmephil2255 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks for watching Phil.

    • @itsmephil2255
      @itsmephil2255 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ruthaisling thanks for uploading 🫶

  • @2009Portugale
    @2009Portugale 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you ❤

  • @jimhamilton8775
    @jimhamilton8775 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @62shello
    @62shello 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I’m glad I went

  • @PleasantvilleLad
    @PleasantvilleLad 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    From Nova Scotia, I will be doing a similar journey in Flanders, The Somme, The Netherlands to visit family (Scottish) war graves from both WWI and WWII …. I really enjoyed your video …

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching. All the best with your trip.

    • @PleasantvilleLad
      @PleasantvilleLad 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ruthaisling Ruth ~ It is also my plan to visit the CWGC Visitor Centre at Beaurains. A question ~ how long is the “Audio Tour” at the centre …?

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It took about one hour I think

    • @PleasantvilleLad
      @PleasantvilleLad 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ruthaisling Thank you …….

  • @carlflatman9496
    @carlflatman9496 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you Carl. ❤️

  • @Annie4Always
    @Annie4Always 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much for watching ❤️

    • @Annie4Always
      @Annie4Always 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @ronanmc2112
    @ronanmc2112 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

  • @gavinj.1215
    @gavinj.1215 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      We both got bitten by dogs in France 😖

  • @marypost2353
    @marypost2353 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @fatfreddymaorihuntergather2530
    @fatfreddymaorihuntergather2530 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Absolutely and beautifully molded into our memories and greatness

  • @lesliewatts7537
    @lesliewatts7537 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @bobthompson2013
    @bobthompson2013 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Truly wonderful video, Ruth! My own interest in World War I began with my research on my great uncle, who was killed in action in July 1918 and it buried in an American Cemetery in France.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Have you been to visit the cemetery?

    • @bobthompson2013
      @bobthompson2013 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ruthaisling No, it's on my bucket list. But I am getting older, and fear I will never make it. I did publish a book about his regiment, "Suddenly Soldiers." It was a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Writing Award.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@bobthompson2013 Wow, congratulations. I will check it out.

  • @mik7591jp
    @mik7591jp 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching from Japan

  • @bernhardpasligh1131
    @bernhardpasligh1131 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @shanebuchanan915
    @shanebuchanan915 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      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.

  • @wallacemiddleton6652
    @wallacemiddleton6652 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  14 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thank you 🙏

  • @clegsta42
    @clegsta42 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Sorry it triggered your PTSD. ❤️😥

    • @clegsta42
      @clegsta42 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@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

  • @terencemears7780
    @terencemears7780 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you very much!

  • @leod-sigefast
    @leod-sigefast 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes absolutely

  • @davidwadsworth8982
    @davidwadsworth8982 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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
      @colinthomas5462 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Well said. Very true comment 👍

    • @arslongavitabrevis5136
      @arslongavitabrevis5136 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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.

  • @carolhughes312
    @carolhughes312 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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.

  • @nobuohanda8282
    @nobuohanda8282 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @steveparkinson8887
    @steveparkinson8887 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you Steve

  • @ericrabinowitz6390
    @ericrabinowitz6390 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      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
      @ericrabinowitz6390 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @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.

  • @davidgriffiths5507
    @davidgriffiths5507 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I visited the Welsh memorial in the Ypres video

  • @jeremyhaywood8890
    @jeremyhaywood8890 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @keith800
    @keith800 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @christianpatton1852
    @christianpatton1852 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @thebear307
    @thebear307 13 วันที่ผ่านมา

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  7 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Glad you enjoyed it, thank you 😊

  • @ruedigerschwarz
    @ruedigerschwarz 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching.

  • @jacktar4146
    @jacktar4146 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Nice to hear you have visited also.

  • @richardfaulkner3579
    @richardfaulkner3579 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much Richard

  • @Zzus321
    @Zzus321 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for the video Ruth.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching.

  • @bt1163
    @bt1163 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Thank you for the history lesson ☺ very interesting.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

  • @jackoneil3933
    @jackoneil3933 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @robineasby5328
    @robineasby5328 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you for making this moving video Ruth.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching Robin

  • @walksfromacountydurhambus6906
    @walksfromacountydurhambus6906 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much! ❤️

  • @JohnSmith-dn6fk
    @JohnSmith-dn6fk 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautifully put together Ruth ❤️

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks John

  • @donsland1610
    @donsland1610 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching.

  • @OldFrontLine
    @OldFrontLine 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @OldFrontLine
      @OldFrontLine 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ruthaisling thank you!

  • @kennethmilne6787
    @kennethmilne6787 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Appreciate you watching, thank you

  • @robbojax2025
    @robbojax2025 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for watching Rob

  • @chriselder7838
    @chriselder7838 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks Chris

  • @cjscorah
    @cjscorah 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I can understand why sometimes there are no messages on the headstones, sometimes there are just no words

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes that’s very true 😥

  • @nicholson392005
    @nicholson392005 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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.

  • @johnclankie324
    @johnclankie324 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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 🥃

  • @jeffreyskinner6281
    @jeffreyskinner6281 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @DrBLReid
    @DrBLReid 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks for watching

  • @phillloyd5233
    @phillloyd5233 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you Phil

  • @peonycottageboutique4154
    @peonycottageboutique4154 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you ❤️

  • @mrroobarb
    @mrroobarb 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was... fantastic, thank you!

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @carltonv1
    @carltonv1 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

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

  • @franciscouderq1100
    @franciscouderq1100 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent journey and informative reporting, thank you.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @xlurker100
    @xlurker100 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Ruth, I am a piper. There are two tunes that came to mind watching your video. The first one is “The Battle of the Somme”. Its cheery melody has always baffled me for commemorating such a tragic event. The second is “The Taking of Beaumont Hamel”. Thanks again for another thoughtful and sobering episode.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I'll give them a listen on TH-cam, thank you for sharing

  • @user-nu5xs8cj5t
    @user-nu5xs8cj5t 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ビデオを見てくれてありがとう。平和を祈りましょう。

  • @rogercreighton3950
    @rogercreighton3950 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is a great informative tour Ruth ,Many thanks 1

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad you enjoyed it

  • @Kingshieldwall
    @Kingshieldwall 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you for watching and yes I agree about the CWGC

  • @neostratospey6946
    @neostratospey6946 28 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Oh no, that is so saad. My grandfather was in the finnish war 1939 in Finland.

  • @436jcarr
    @436jcarr 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you, I had no idea too

  • @susannabouwhuis5861
    @susannabouwhuis5861 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fantastic formation, you are amazing 🤩

  • @frankburns456
    @frankburns456 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching Frank, glad you found the video interesting

  • @danwells3401
    @danwells3401 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @jrnmller1551
    @jrnmller1551 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks, for a very informative and interesting video.

    • @ruthaisling
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching. ❤️

  • @gordonmackenzie4512
    @gordonmackenzie4512 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @brianhmonks
    @brianhmonks 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching Brian.

  • @bobmoulton3319
    @bobmoulton3319 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes that's very true, thanks for watching.

  • @s.-8236
    @s.-8236 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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
      @ruthaisling  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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.