Ypres, Thiepval and Brancourt-le-Grand – on the trail of the Great Uncles

A lot of driving today. First to Ypres to see the Menin Gate. So many names, so sad to think of all those fathers, brothers, sons – really brings it home to you just how many were killed. Glad we weren’t there for the last post at 8pm, think I would have cried! 🙄 Then we went in search of two Great Uncles that I’ve recently learned about. Sergeant Arthur Pearson died 1/7/1916 commemorated at Thiepval Memorial. You could see this giant arch from miles away and I’m sure we’ve passed it before when travelling through France but never thought twice about it. Arthur was listed quite high up with the Notts and Derby regiment and we could only just read it – zoom lenses are great for short sighted folks! Then we drove for what seemed like forever (with many deviations) to the middle of nowhere to find Private Edwin Pearson. We couldn’t believe how many military cemeteries there were along the way. Edwin was buried in a tiny cemetery at Brancourt-le-Grand. He died on 11th October 1918 -(quite poignant as it’s the same date as Jordan’s birthday 78 years later) so close to the end of the war. The tiny graveyard was so well kept even though there was nothing for miles around. So strange to think that a Pearson from Eastwood was out here in the middle of nowhere fighting for our country. We’ll have to have an upbeat day tomorrow or I’ll have to buy more wine! Got a great parking place with free electricity only draw back is a train rattling past the bedroom window every 20 minutes!