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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

The artifacts found with them were exceptionally well-preserved and sometimes showed the incredibly brutal force with which the artillery had struck their positions. The impact on some objects speaks for itself

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

Private Joseph Patrickson MM, 11/NF, 24

Private Arnold Sanderson MM, 11/NF, 26

An Unknown Soldier of the Northumberland Fusiliers

An Unknown Soldier of the Great War

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

2nd Lieutenant Leslie Wallace Ablett, 11/NF, 20

2nd Lieutenant Edward Douglas Bruty, 11/NF, 21

Serjeant Thomas Feasby, 11/NF, 32

Lance Corporal Stanley Blakeborough, 11/NF, 21

Private Harry Miller, 11/NF, 28

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

In 2021, these soldiers found eternal rest @cwgc.bsky.social Tyne Cot Cemetery. They were reinterred with military honors, and their descendants, dignitaries, and even The Duke of Kent in attendance.

photos @EricCompernolle

#FWW #History #Archaeology

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

On-site identification of 2/Lt Ablett was a pivotal moment. A gold ring with an inscription and an id-tag led the way to discovering the identities of other soldiers. This extensive effort eventually identified 7 out of 9 soldiers from the 11/Northumberland Fusiliers.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

In 2018, a remarkable discovery unfolded during sewer construction in Oude Wervikstraat, Beselare. Human remains and #FWW artifacts were unearthed. The Flanders Heritage agency initiated on-site research, revealing soldiers interred in trenches and shell craters.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

Tragically, heavy artillery shelling struck their positions on 14 October. On the following day, the war diaries grimly noted: 'C Coy very heavily shelled in the early morning - 2 Lt L.W. ABLETT and 2 Lt E.D. BRUTY ‘C’ Coy killed – Batt HQ shelled heavily.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 18h

In 1917, during 3rd Ypres, 11/Northumberland Fusiliers returned to the front lines after a brief rest and took over from the 13/Durham Light Infantry. C company, with 2/Lt. L.W. Ablett and 2/Lt. E.D. Bruty, went in support trenches near Reutel on 12 Oct.

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Reposted by Simon Verdegem

Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 28d

Today we laid to rest the South African soldier recovered during the Hill 80 project.

With his reburial, the last of the men we found has now received a final resting place.

More than 100 missing soldiers have been recovered and honoured thanks to the support of so many.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · 28d

Today we laid to rest the South African soldier recovered during the Hill 80 project.

With his reburial, the last of the men we found has now received a final resting place.

More than 100 missing soldiers have been recovered and honoured thanks to the support of so many.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Sep 4

Today’s office reminded me why I love what I do

#FWW #Archaeology

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Reposted by Simon Verdegem

Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Sep 4

If you're interested in this @theresthistory.bsky.social series, you'll like this chat with the brilliant archaeologist @simonverdegem.bsky.social of Dig Hill 80 and other compelling #FWW archaeology projects.

Echoes from the Trenches: WW1 Unearthed - with Simon Verdegem

youtu.be/EYUniJ_NZuo?...

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 29

Our last man will finally be laid to rest.

He was recovered during our DigHill80 project, and while his exact identity could not be uncovered, the evidence was sufficient to determine that he had served with the South African Infantry.

www.cwgc.org/visit-us/eve...

www.cwgc.org

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 16

The chances of identification seemed very poor, until thorough historical research followed by DNA led to the identification of a young soldier from Newfoundland, Private John Lambert.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 16

For some cases the delay was too long and they died of their wounds at the RAP. These men were buried on the spot in field graves. Their burial site, erased by heavy shelling, remained unknown, until a few years ago the remains of 8 soldiers were recovered #FWW #Archaeology

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 16

For some reason the location of the RAP remained unknown by Field Ambulances and evacuation of the wounded didn't start. On his own initiative, the M.O. of the Hants started sending German POW's back to evacuate stretcher cases and so restored the line of evacuation #History

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 16

That day, RAMC units of the 29th Division installed a Regimental Aid Post here at the banks of the Steenbeek (between Ruisseau Farm and Tuffs/Taffs Farm) in support of the attack on Langemark.
#FWW #Archaeology #History #WW1

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Aug 16

#OTD in 1917, Pte. John Lambert was killed near Langemark. Being buried in the field his body was lost until 2016 when we discovered his remains together with 7 others. He was identified in 2020 and reburied
@cwgc.bsky.social New Irish Farm Cemetery in 2022.

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Reposted by Simon Verdegem

Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Jul 13

🎉 1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 📈 'Echoes from the Trenches: #WW1 Unearthed - with @simonverdegem.bsky.social' has now reached over 1,000 views!

youtu.be/EYUniJ_NZuo?...

Echoes from the Trenches: WW1 Unearthed – with Simon Verdegem

YouTube video by Rubicon Archaeology Limited

youtu.be

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · May 9

I’m truly honored to have been part of this project. The end result is absolutely impressive! Congratulations to everyone who made it possible.

www.inflandersfields.be/nl/bezoek/sc...

project 2024-2025

Een jongerenblik op WOI-archeologie Tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog vielen naar schatting 600.000 slachtoffers in België, duizenden van hen zijn tot op de dag van vandaag vermist. Als er menselijke res...

www.inflandersfields.be

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Apr 25

Seven years ago he was finally laid to rest at
@cwgc.bsky.social New Irish Farm Cemetery. Before the ceremony we took his relatives to some key locations where we know their ‘Uncle Jack’ has been. It was an emotional moment when we reached the spot where he was found.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4oG...

Rest in Peace Captain Walker #InFlandersFields

YouTube video by VISITFLANDERS

www.youtube.com

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Apr 25

Cpt Walker was killed when he jumped out of a bomb crater. Many witness accounts reported on his death, they varied greatly on how he met his end but they all agreed on how fearless he led his men, with his revolver in his hand, shouting: ‘Come on lads”.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Apr 25

In 2016 a new pipeline was constructed over the same ground. On this small stretch of land 15 soldiers were found. One of them was Henry John Innes Walker from New Zealand, killed at about the same time as the Gallipoli landing.

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Apr 25

Germans took new positions overnight and where already at the farmhouse on the left (Oblong Farm). Unaware, the Warwicks advanced in closed formation. 20min later it was all over. 10th Brigade suffered 2000+ casualties (1/RW: 17 officers and 500 other ranks of whom 192 missing)

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Simon Verdegem @simonverdegem.bsky.social · Apr 25

#OTD in 1915, Hull's attack (10th Brigade), one of the counterattacks in the early days of 2nd Ypres. 1st Royal Warwicks advanced over this ground towards Kitchener's Wood (behind farm buildings on the right)

#FWW #History #Archaeology

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