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7 December 1917: Pte James Shuttleworth

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James was born in Cowling, Yorkshire to parents John (a worsted weaver) and Ann. He was one of 13 children, 10 of whom lived beyond childhood (he had 3 brothers, Christopher and Gladstone who died in their first, William when he was 8). James went to work in the local cotton mill. He attended Cowling Infant School then went to work as a cotton we…

30 April 1915: Pte A H Smith

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A coal-carter with the Nelson Co-operative Society pre war (in the town where he lived:7, Cross Street), 21 year old Pte Carter enlisted into the army on 12 September 1914. After getting married whilst on leave in January 1915, he travelled to Weyhill Camp, near Andover to undergo further training. Still at Weyhill in April 1915, he was involved i…

20 May 1917 : Pte James Ewart

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His parents were John Ewes of 6 Romilly Road, Cardiff, a jeweller’s manager and Charlotte (née Ireland). James was one of four children. He was educated in Manchester and Wakefield. In 1901 the family lived at 92 Llanfair Road, Cardiff. In 1911, the family lived at 102 Llanfair Road and all three grown up children were working as clerks for …

Horses on the Western Front by Elspeth Johnstone

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Horses on the Western Front by Elspeth Johnstone (This article first appeared in Gun Fire pp38-52. All issues are available to Western Front Association members to access via your member login.) (1) You have shod them cold, and their coats are long, and their bellies stiff with mud; They have done with gloss and polish, but the fighting heart…

The Rob Thompson Memorial Conference

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The late Rob Thompson was, in his own words, an "accidental military historian". But, in the opinion of others, he was "a true scholar … with a new way of looking at the Great War" and "an off the wall character with rock star charisma". This conference celebrates his lifetime achievements - in historical research, critical interpretation and publi…