I am delighted to see that my grandfather, Malcolm, has a page on the Coleshill House Website. Many thanks to Bill Ashby. Click to go there.

I recall MEH’s response to Terry Wogan on TV in the 80s when questioned about the MC award. He said something like: ‘Oh I suppose they had one or two lying around.’

Such modesty.

It is always a wonderful thing when you reap the rewards of your research, when you realise the opportunity to see it through to a conclusion, or at least to a point where the sense comes off the page and into the field.

It is very satisfying. Last year I had the opportunity to stand in the spot where a cousin, Spencer Parkes, met his end on 13th October 1917, 1st Passchendaele, 3rd Ypres. Next year, on a visit to Gallipoli, I intend to stand in the footsteps of my grandfather, Malcolm, whose exploits are well recorded on this website.

This year, I found it equally thrilling to witness a close friend’s fulfilment as he stood and sat in the steps of his grandfather in 1918.

Leonard Seel was the maternal grandfather of my very close friend, Stephen Dismorr. Stephen has been researching him for some time. On our annual Somme visit he draw up a fascinating day for us:  a visit to Bresle, a tour and talk at Bertangles Airfield and Cemetery, and finally a visit to Bertangles Château where, because of his connections below, we were shown round by the owner.

Acting Major Leonard Seel

Acting Major Leonard Seel commanded the 200th Siege Battery (Royal Garrison Artillery) from the middle of June 1918 (at that time part of the Australian Heavy Artillery Corps) through, Stephen thinks, to the end of the War. The 200th consisted of six 26cwt Howitzer guns . Prior to commanding the 200th Leonard Seel had been in command of the 146th Siege Battery which was a four gun battery.

He was with the 109th Siege Battery when he won his MC for action he was involved in just north of Villers-Faucon (Nr Peronne) on the March 21st 1918.

Below – we stood where the Battery was emplaced in the village of Bresle, just off the D929 Albert-Amiens road.

Above and below – Bresle, site of the the guns of the 109th and 146th Siege Batteries.

You will notice from the second photograph that Stephen took the opportunity to exercise his ‘Somme Neck’ just to see if his grandfather had left any mementos behind!

Later we visited Bertangles Château. The first picture is how it is today.

Below is of the 200th Siege Battery in front of the Château in 1918. Acting Major Leonard Seel is seated, front row, centre.

Below, Stephen sits in the very same spot – Thursday 16th August 2012, about 1.30pm.

Fantastic!

I had a very good day, taken by a friend to visit the church at Longparish where there is a stained glass window in memory of Major Lanoe George Hawker, VC DSO. He is  buried at Arras.

We went on to visit Sandham Memorial Chapel where Stanley Spencer was commissioned to paint murals in memory of the forgotten dead who had no mention on a formal memorial.

Ok, so I’m vaguely getting ready, research wise, for the cycling week on The Somme in August. I say vaguely and I mean it, probably be last minute stuff, as usual! But actually, none the worse for it in the end!

This is my new vehicle – cost £60 bargain, considering I got £55 for my old Dawes road bike which was competent but completely dull.

Since then I have added end bars and a drink holder – all the mod cons!

Also going to use  this Garmin GPS for a bit of fun.

This is my wife’s new bike – got it on ebay – another bargain though not quite as cheap as mine!

On this day, 1990, alongside EPKH and JCL, supported by ASC and CGJO, sustained by a long and eventful night in Albert, three of us ran the length of the front line. We started from Serre at 7.30pm. It was wet, windy and sunny. Afterwards, we dined at the memorable Hotel De La Paix in Albert, before a strike had us held up in the ferry terminal car park while England defeated Cameroon in the World Cup and we emptied the boot of stubbies!

Starting off at Serre.

Newfoundland Park. I would like it on record that EPKH cheated at Beaumont-Hamel!

Fin!

I am indebted (belatedly as I went  a few weeks ago) to Bill Ashby for giving me a guided tour round the Coleshill House and Estate, where my grandfather, Malcolm, was Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General.

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I have made some significant updates to Malcolm Hancock’s profile.

He talks of his time with the Holding Battalion and Auxiliary Units.

My next task is to research his time as Welfare officer in Berlin.

All in all, four fairly extraordinary jobs in WW2 – what a life!