First Day of the Somme

[Colin_Fraser]

In July 2016, my family had the immense honour of having my Great Uncle George Leonard Ingham’s final letter home read as part of CWGC’s Somme 100 by English actress Maxine Peake (Silk, The Village). George described going over the top with the 3rd Salford Pals (19th Service Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers) on July 1 in a letter sent to his friend Alf Plater. The letter describes their attack on the Leipzig Redoubt as part of 32 Division. It was written July 8, a week before George was mortally wounded at Ovillers.

https://fb.watch/t2FdhclKhv/?



Here’s my model of a private of the 19th Salfords with a memorial mug I had made for George.

The family lost two other great uncles on the Somme but I am still researching them.

 

[Nap]

Hi Colin

Thank you for sharing such a personal family story , a wonderful tribute , the reading is very hard to listen to at times but really highlights the bravery of these soldiers both young like George and older .

The models is a fine piece of painting showing the details all over of the equipment etc

Thank you again

Nap

 

[NigelR]

Fantastic. I enjoy historical modelling because it helps bring the past alive, and your figure does this with a compelling personal connection. Like Kev says, a wonderful tribute.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Hi Colin

Thank you for sharing such a personal family story , a wonderful tribute , the reading is very hard to listen to at times but really highlights the bravery of these soldiers both young like George and older .

The models is a fine piece of painting showing the details all over of the equipment etc

Thank you again

Nap

Thanks Nap. I almost fell off my chair when I realized that Maxine had selected George’s letter to read. Perhaps the fact that they are both from Lancs. had a bearing in the choice. Her delivery certainly amps up the effect of his words. I think my Gran would have been happy to have this recognition for her little brother.

Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Fantastic. I enjoy historical modelling because it helps bring the past alive, and your figure does this with a compelling personal connection. Like Kev says, a wonderful tribute.

Thanks Nigel. It’s a family connection I wish we didn’t have but given it’s now history, it’s important to pass down the story.

Colin

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Beautiful work

Mobo

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Beautiful work

Mobo

Thanks Mobo. I posted it when it was first completed years ago. Mostly I wanted to share the Facebook video link to Maxine’s reading as it’s new here.

Colin

 

[MalcC]

Excellent work, and a wonderful tribute.

Malc

 

[Steve Ski]

That's a really fine job, Colin! Great tribute!

 

[Briggsy]

As a veteran I appreciate the tribute, my family has just one loss in that war, we know where his grave is but that's all the detail we have. Love the mug what a great idea, keeping the memory alive with every brew what better way to remember a Tommy. Oh yeah and the bust is great I love the dramatic way it has been painted, Respect.

Cheers Simon

 

[Colin_Fraser]

As a veteran I appreciate the tribute, my family has just one loss in that war, we know where his grave is but that's all the detail we have. Love the mug what a great idea, keeping the memory alive with every brew what better way to remember a Tommy. Oh yeah and the bust is great I love the dramatic way it has been painted, Respect.

Cheers Simon

Thanks Briggsy

 

[smudger1960]

A great piece of painting and a lovely tribute to your great uncle

 

[Colin_Fraser]

A great piece of painting and a lovely tribute to your great uncle

Thanks Brian. Appreciated.

 

[clubcat]

I can only echo the comments already made. A fine tribute and a beautifully rendered figure. Congratulations
Melanie

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I can only echo the comments already made. A fine tribute and a beautifully rendered figure. Congratulations
Melanie

Thanks Melanie

 

[Gary Edmundson]

Just brilliant. Your little bust is beautifully painted, and the mug is such a nice tribute. For Maxine to read that letter must be one of those "one-in-a million" moments - thanks for sharing the story. Our family had some dealings with the CWGC a few years ago when they found a relative of ours from WW1, so I know the feeling.
Cheers,
Gary

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Just brilliant. Your little bust is beautifully painted, and the mug is such a nice tribute. For Maxine to read that letter must be one of those "one-in-a million" moments - thanks for sharing the story. Our family had some dealings with the CWGC a few years ago when they found a relative of ours from WW1, so I know the feeling.
Cheers,
Gary

Thanks Gary. Having the letter back in the family was a thrill. Especially as I collect historical paper. I didn’t think it could be topped. But then CWGC and Maxine topped it.