24. Discovering the grave and memorials of my WW1 Ancestors

Mum and I went to find the graves and memorials of my relatives who died in the First World War

This is the grave of Walter Samuel Hollingsworth, my great, great uncle. He was a Lance Serjeant 43144 (formerly 998) in the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

He was killed in action in France & Flanders on 12 October 1916. He is buried in the Grevilliers British Cemetery, near Arras, France. He was one of 3 brothers who died in the Great War

Me with the memorial to Charles James Hollingsworth, Private 26822 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.He was killed in action in France & Flanders on 19 April 1918. (The CWGC Register says between 9th and 19th April). He has no known grave, but is commemorated with honour on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium ( near Ypres). Pte Hollingsworth was born in Claydon and enlisted in Bury St Edmunds.

His name is also on the headstone of his wife in Bredfield cemetry.

The third brother was Frederick John Hollingsworth Private 43879 (formerly 4578) 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was killed in action in France & Flanders on 19 April 1918, the same time as his brother Charles. He is buried in the Suffolk Cemetery, La Rolanderie Farm, Erquinghem-lys France (near border with Belgium).  Pte Hollingsworth was born in Claydon and enlisted in Woodbridge.

We have no photos of these brothers but we do have a set of wooden bricks which they owned and which have been played with by all of the family since!

On my fathers side of the family we found the name of Arthur W Whiting, 4^th Battalion Suffolk Regiment , who died 15^th July 1916 at The Somme, no body found, but commemorated at Thiepval (near Arras)

We also found the name of a distant relative James Jolly Norfolk Regiment Lance corporal (3^rd cousin 2 x removed) on the Menin Gate at Ypres

23. Last Post at the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium

Every night at 8pm precisely the last post is sounded in Ypres to remember the dead of the Great War. It has happened every night since 1927 - the only exception was during the German occupation of the town in WWII. Traffic is stopped and silence falls on the crowds.

It is a moving ceremony where anyone can participate and lay a wreath or tribute to those who died. The names of nearly 55,000 men who died before August 1917 and whose resting place is unknown are inscribed in the memorial. I attended on Sunday 19th April 2015.

Further details are on the Last Post website

18. Made My Own Christmas Wreath

Yesterday I went to a willow weaving wreath workshop (try saying that in a hurry!). We made the frame and the hanger for the wreath from weaving strips of willow into circles and then wove fresh pieces of foliage and berries into the frame to each make a unique and different wreath.

It took and 45 minutes and this is the finished article

I might add some ribbons and baubles now to match my xmas decorations. The willow frame can be reused in future years with just fresh holly, leaves and berries added each year

The workshop was hosted by Realise Futures - a great organisation that helps people into paid employment and gain new skills. Each Friday they come to the offices of Mid Suffolk District Council at Needham Market and sell their fresh locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants.

ps This week my poppy of experience number 2 arrived safe and sound!