Tag Archives: 1914

A beautiful game

In recognition of the day, the Young David Evans sent me some rather wonderful photos a couple of days ago – as readers will know, David has a particular interest in the wars in Europe, and has strong connections to Messines and the place where the celebrated First World War Christmas truce and football match is believed to have started.
Image very kindly supplied by Jean Claude Joly

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The white heat of technology

This weekend, I have been mostly excavating the mapping record for Birchills Iron Works – I know it’s way off our normal beat, but once I started looking at the geography following the remarkable sale post of last Friday, I couldn’t help but be captivated.
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When the fighting stopped

Earlier in the year, reader and friend of the blog David Evans suggested I run an article about the truce at Messines over Christmas in 1914. This outbreak of humanity in the midst of one of the bloodiest wars the world had ever witnessed, captured the popular imagination for years. The idea of opposing sides downing weapons and joining in a game of football in no man’s land is enchanting and solid, and has featured in many forms of pop culture – from rock music videos to films and books.
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Posted in Churches, Environment, Events, Followups, Interesting photos, It makes me mad!, Just plain daft, News, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The social contract

There has been some discussion here recently between regulars David Evans and Peter Cutler about miners working at Walsall Wood Colliery on day to day contracts. As a consequence, Peter found the following article in the Lichfield Mercury of Friday, … Continue reading

Posted in Brownhills stuff, Churches, Environment, Events, Features, Followups, It makes me mad!, Local History, Local media, Local politics, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Spotted whilst browsing the web, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Aldridge north west, 1884 and 1914

Following on from the 1884 Brownhills South and Walsall Wood map and others posted recently, I’ve dived into the digital archive after a request by reader Mike Hawes and pulled out the 1:2,500 scale gems from 1884 and 1914. They show … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Features, Followups, Fun stuff to see and do, Local History, Local media, Reader enquiries, Shared media, Shared memories, Social Media, Walsall community, Walsall Wood stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments