Steve Head
Shorncliffe Trust Trustee - Military Historian - Part Time Battlefield Guide - Great War Researcher - Full Time Horticulturalist and Teacher.
- Just got home from work and look what was on my doormat.
- The Shorncliffe Trust pop up heritage display iver the weekend at Shorncliffe camp. A great weekend meeting visitors and explaining the importance of the camp form its beginnings under Sir Johm Moore up to the Canadians in WW1 and beyond.
- The same graves photographed yesterday as a comparison. The garrison church long since demolished and many more graves added.
- The image is of a section of Shorncliffe Military Cemetery taken in 1925. The image clearly shows the old garrison church and four RAF burials. The next image will show the same graves 100 years later.
- On Saturday and Sunday I shared the experiences of one unknown Canadian nurse as she strolled around Shorncliffe Camp in September 1915 with visitors. Her clear descriptions of what she saw 110 years ago enabled me to bring her back to life and gaze upon the the views she described with our visitors
- This was made possible by delving into Smart Archive, held by the Shorncliffe Trust, and inparticular a small booklet produced by the Canadian Fields Comforts Commission in October 1915 which contained the descriptive piece produced by this unknown Canadian nurse.
- A grand day out today making the most of the fantastic weather.
- 17th September 1916: 1st KRRC War Diary: The Germans peppered our frontline trenches with bombs one scored a direct hit on Jena Trench. Two casaulties reported. 2 OR Killed. One of the above mentioned casualties was my Great Uncle Rifleman Fred Jones. Never Forgotten, always remembered.
- This weekend I will be at Shorncliffe talking about all things Shorncliffe with my good mate Chris Shaw. If you're in the area come and see us and join a walking tour.
- Over the weekend the Shorncliffe Trust aquired a fine copy of Louis Raemaekers 'The Great War A Neutral's Indictment'. As part of our collection this book will help the Trust explain the development and use of propaganda during the FWW.
- Next weekend I will be at Shorncliffe speaking about the WW1 as part of Heritage Open Days.
- Busy day yesterday. Promoting the work of the Clink Charity, and Gardens inparticular, during our open day at Herne Hill in London.
- Today I completed the final part of my RHS Master of Hortuculture. 30 minute Viva presentation and Q and A with two examiners. Now I wait for the final result. For my profesional career this is an important day, but its also nice to know I can now spend more time on Great War research. 😃
- A fantastic day today catching up with old mates at Military Odyssey.
- Remembering a brave and gallant man. Corporal William 'Bill ' Hooker DCM, MM & Bar, Croix de Guerre. 11th (Lewisham) Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. It has been an honour to be asked by his family to research his Great War service as a company runner. A humble, gallant and brave man.
- Next month will be the 109th anniversary of the death of Rifleman Frederick George Jones, 12th Service Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He has been with me since I was born, yet I never knew him. My Nan would weep remembering him. A lost brother to a devastated sister. Always remembered, never forgotten
- This weekend I shall be making my annual trip to the Military Odyssey in Kent. Looking forward to seeing old friends, rummaging through the stalls and taking loads of photos.🙂
- Now I've started writing I can't stop. 😃. Two short memorial pieces completed that I hope will meet the grade with @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social for inclusion in Salient Points. Just waiting confirmation of which email address to send them too.🙂
- I've got an idea. Let's give Russia the land they've taken by force from the Ukraine as this will make Putin happy and stop him wanting more.....🤔 Tell me if I'm wrong but I'm sure that's been tried somewhere before. Something about peace in our time or similar rings a bell.
- Writing at last. 😃
- As a committed bibliophile the cost of my obsession can be heavy on the pocket. However, this was not the case yesterday when I found this little gem, and two others, for the grand price of £3 each.
- Seriously folks I wonder who would be interested in reading anything I write about the FWW. Self doubt is crushing me. Imposter syndrome and fear of being humiliated. I imagine what 'they' might say and the pen metaphorically freezes on the page. I don't care what 'they' think but really inside I do
- @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social Having had a short break away, i recently renewed my subscription. Now looking forward to the last issue and future issues of Salient Points landing on my doormat.
- Delivered today all the way from USA. Faster than the UK post.
- Having spent the last three years studying for work related qualifications. I had completely forgotten the absolute joy I get from immersing myself completely in researching and reading about all aspects of the Great War.
- Some new reading material has arrived or due to arrive shortly.
- And also..
- The beauty of the Ypres salient
- The view from Hill 62 looking towards Ypres - July 2025
- Bayernwald trenches. July 2025
- Some photos of my recent trip to Ypres.
- Its been a very busy few months professionally. I'm boping that as things quiet down I can get back to researching FWW bits and bobs.
- My day job brings me into contact with nature on a regular basis. These beautiful plants are a joy to behold and to learn about.
- Just deleted my old twitter account. Purely on BlueSky now.
- I've not posted anything recently but here are a few pictures from recent trips tp Ypres, Waterloo and the RAF Museum at Cosford.
- Arrived yesterday.
- A few pics from today
- Interesting day at Battles Through History today. Great to have a catch up with Stephen Summerfield and Gareth Glover.
- A huge thank you to my very good friend Dr Stephen Summerfield for the gift of these two books.
