Every reasonable effort has been made to trace copyright holders of material reproduced on this blog. If any have been inadvertently overlooked then we would be glad to hear from them via the contact form.
The Lochart Confusion
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. The Head-Stone with Two Names. I have wanted to visit this grave in particular for a long time. This is the grave of Corporal 2982682 John[...]
Birling Gap
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. The RAF Bomber Command Memorial on Beachy Head. The RAF Bomber Command Memorial, located on Beachy Head above the lighthouse. During the Second World War this[...]
Putting the Record Straight.
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. This is me with my great friend Dan, over from Australia, at the memorial for the crash of the Admiral Prune, 4 February 1943. It's good[...]
May 26, 1940
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. On this day in 1940 — the beaches at Dunkirk, and a Flight Sergeant already on his way home. 86 years ago today, on 26 May[...]
The House Where Commandant Guerin Recovered
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. A hamlet in the Rhône, a surgeon's memoir, and one night in April 1944. Eighty-two years ago today, on the evening of 22 April 1944, a[...]
From St Cyr to Tempsford — The Road That Brought Them Home
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. INTRODUCTION — A field near Mâcon There is a field, roughly 9 kilometres north-north-east of Mâcon, that looks like any other in the Ain. Flat, wide,[...]
J Christie or WA Christie – Discuss
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. A Blenheim Goes down over Frévent. At 06:30 on Saturday, 18 May 1940, in the skies above the village of Frévent in Pas-de-Calais, Aircraftsman First Class[...]
Buried under the Bombs
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. INTRODUCTION – Lyon under the bombs In the spring of 1944, Allied bombing over Lyon was aimed mainly at railways and industrial targets. In practice, it[...]
Wilford L. Bollinger – The Absent Man
One of a series of stories and biographical sketches exploring the lives of those who stand at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. Those present include Left to right back row: Lt. George W. Ambrose, Peter Roccia & Robert Redhair Front row : second from left,[...]
Lackey 3A
A series of stories and biographical sketches exploring the lives of those who stand at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. BEAUREGARD, ALCIDE “CYRANO” THE LACKEY 3A DROP SITE On the night of 27/28 April 1944, the aircraft Worry Bird of the 801st Provisional Bomb Group[...]