February 2026  - Is Winter turning to Spring? - All The News from No.fifty6

After January seemed to go on for at least 3 months, February has zoomed past.  February always feels like a bridge between winter and spring, though the weather has been more on the wintry side with more grey days, sleet, snow, winds and rain.  You can count on one hand the blue-sky days – welcome when they come, but as the month waves hello to March the weather really does feel it is on the turn.   While our spring flowers are beginning to poke their heads above the soil, they are not yet brave enough to come out fully and expose their spring glory.  Despite the grey days, February is a good month to explore The Somme. The days are lengthening, the views are amazing with no (or at least very low) crop. It has been good having intrepid travelers here to share The Somme with. And it has been quite a busy month with lots of lovely people through our door to share the Somme, suitably attired in hats, coats and gloves to brave the Somme chill.

February landscape, Mametz.

Two such visitors were Bob and Pauline who had heard about us but visited us for the first time. Both ex military,  they have been frequent visitors to the Western front and Bob writes poetry – always moved by the Silent Cities where those who did not go home lie. He had not written a thing until he woke up at 3am one morning and a poem came to him. Pauline takes photos to accompany Bob’s poems, which he leaves in the cemeteries and memorials for others to read.

Bob has sent us some of his poems and his anthology and we have copies in our hallway for those who would like to take one.  One such poem is:

My Poem for Millions who Fell

If I could write a million poems for all who fell

There would be a million stories to tell

Over a million brave men never came home

They never had a chance to grow old

They lived in dirty muddy trenches day and night

Sleeping on a muddy bench wasn’t very nice

Writing letters to loved ones in candlelight

Shells exploding all around day and nights.

Many never went home to the ones they loved

Brave soldiers are now in heaven above

My poems are stories for all who fought in hell

A white stone cross marks where thousands fell.

Thousands of headstones say Soldier Unknown

Where they lie buried only God knows

Now their names are etched on white stone walls

Millions of poppies grow not a sound of war

My poem is for brave men I’ve never met

They lived in muddy trenches cold and wet

They made the ultimate sacrifice on that day

My poem is to say Thank You for our today.

By Robert Tate (Gunner RA) 14^th June 2023.

Bob & Pauline with their poems.

February Visitors

Gary always comes in February as his ancestor was killed in the actions around Boom Ravine on 17^th February 1917.  We have written of Gary’s quest to find out more about his ancestor in previous years newsletters.  2^nd Lieutenant Edwin Kentfield served with the 23^rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and was killed in the Boom Ravine action in the fields between Courcelette and Miraumont.

Edwin's name on Thiepval.

Edwin has no known grave and is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial Each year Gary has walked the fields, in Edwin’s footsteps. Notably in 2017 on the 100^th anniversary, Gary went out before light, the time of the Boom Ravine action. Gary has adopted an unknown grave in Regina Trench Cemetery in a row of other Royal Fusiliers killed on the same day, to pay his respects to. This year Gary once again walked Edwin’s final route. A cold wind blowing as Gary trudged through mud, just as Edwin had done 109 years ago. 

Edwin Kentfield from his sister's photo album Gary now has.

Ian came with friends Lyndon and Ade, walking each day covering a lot of ground. Their highlight, was visiting Gommecourt, especially some of the tracks and wooded areas off the beaten track.

Despite reflecting on the history and taking time to remember, Ian, Ade and Lyndon returned buzzing, oblivious to the mud on their boots, and the miles they had walked. The Somme once again weaving its particular magic.

Ian & Lyndon at Gommecourt.

Hugo made his first visit to us. A stop off for a couple of days after a ski-ing trip. Having lived in South Africa, Hugo was keen to visit Delville Wood and sought out a friend’s ancestor who is buried in Delville Wood cemetery. In sleety conditions Hugo paid his respects. Hugo also walked from our place via Thiepval and on to Sunken Lane and Hawthorn Crater. A round trip of some 14 miles which allowed him to get an appreciation of the landscape and actions which happened here 110 years ago. Hugo said he will be back…perhaps the Somme has got under his skin too…

Jeremy and Stuart come to photograph the landscape – Jeremy is a professional photographer and Stuart also a gifted photographer but providing the contextual history too. They were joined for their trip by Max from the Netherlands who likes to shoot on black and white film rather than digital and process his own images. The moody skies and skeletal trees, muddy tracks and of course the architecture of the cemeteries giving them lots of subject matter. They loved their 4 days with us. Jeremy kindly left us with a photo he had taken of David at Lochnagar on his last visit – a very special photograph.

Mick and Jay came from Wigan and loved their 4 days with us. They walked, visited cemeteries, seeking out soldiers they have an interest in and otherwise just enjoying the chilled atmosphere and magic of The Somme.

Lisa, Matthew, and daughter Isabel have visited us before on special pilgrimages for their ancestor Joseph Young who lies in Ovillers Cemetery.

This time Lisa came with her mum Diane – Joseph’s granddaughter -  on her first visit. A very poignant visit for them, Diane was determined to make the trip despite only having a hip replacement in December.  Diane remembers her grandmother Amelia, who was Joseph’s wife. Joseph had served before the war and came back to do his duty. He served with the 10^th Worcesters. July 1916 found him leading his men as a Sergeant in the area close to where No.fifty6 stands today in our village. He was killed in the 3^rd July attack to clear the Germans from La Boisselle. He was buried at the time in the field at the end of our row of houses. He was concentrated into Ovillers Military Cemetery in November 1920. With Lisa’s perseverance his grave now has the inscription Amelia always wanted but never achieved – RIP.

Matthew, Lisa, Diane and Isabel at Joseph's grave, Ovillers.

David spent time with the family explaining to Diane her grandfather’s important contribution to the war effort. They trod the ground he did and it was a very emotional pilgrimage. Diane is very proud of her “Young” family name. We keep an eye on Joseph for the family.

They also visited Joseph's plaque at Lochnagar. 

Another grandfather was remembered this February too. Gareth brought his dad David from Wakefield. A first visit having discovered David’s grandfather died on the Somme. Private Albert Edward Rushworth served with 9^th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. They were a pioneer battalion and Albert was killed near Fricourt Wood 1 August 1916 while working under fire from the Germans. He was buried at the time in what is now the area of Fricourt German Cemetery and was concentrated into Dantzig Alley Cemetery on 5 November 1919. Gareth and David made emotional pilgrimages to both locations.

   Albert's grave with Gareth and David's floral tribute. Photo thanks to Gareth. 

A Lawrence Brother remembered

Anyone who has visited No.fifty6 knows David is very interested in the life and works of TE Lawrence – we even have a Lawrence Room.

This month we visited the grave of Lawrence’s elder brother. William George Lawrence who was a 2^ndLieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down and died of his wounds on 23 October 1915 near St. Quentin.

He now lies in Saint Souplet British Cemetery alongside his pilot Captain CH Marks.

Lawrence in Saint Souplet on a wet February day.

William George Lawrence

CWGC Webinar – Update on Headstone Condition

We attended a webinar on 3 February hosted by CWGC to update those interested on progress with headstone cleaning and condition. Many headstones are blighted by Black Spot and just do not have their once pristine look. Black Spot has become more of a problem as the ammonia based cleaner they have used in the past is banned for ecological reasons. However CWGC have received special dispensation to use it under strict protocols.  

CWGC advised that all headstones in France were undergoing treatment with the ammonia based spray  and there has been a visual improvement at some cemeteries. CWGC are also working with universities to try and find a more ecological solution which works in the unique climate and circumstances here.

Dwyer VC at Flat Iron Copse Cemetery this week. Our guests commented on the poor state of the headstones.

Britain in Focus for Albert’s Young People

This month we were invited to give cultural talks to the children’s holiday club in Albert about all things British. The groups of 6-9 year olds were a super audience. We had so much fun talking about, GB, sport, culture, food, The Royal Family, the language, money, and popular culture. Plastic money was a hit, along with the old Queen meeting Paddington Jubilee video. Topped off with free gifts of Freddos, Curly Wurlys and Fruit Pastilles. The biggest kid there of course was David.

Quiz time for the young people.

Who doesn't love a Freddo?

Employee of The Month

It was a close call, but this month there were 2 very strong protestations for David to be the February Employee of the Month. In the space of 2 days 2 different guests had car trouble. David was despatched with jump leads to Thistle Dump Cemetery where he rescued Mick and Jay’s jeep. Jay said David should wear his pants on the outside he is such a superhero! A new battery was purchased and installed by the local garage.

Unfortunately we could not fix Gary's car’s electrical/software problem and the local garage could not help either, so the European breakdown cover Gary had was needed to get the car towed to another garage. He then had to get a train back to UK while his car is in for repair. Poor old Gary!

So yes, David is Employee of the Month for February and it is a salutary reminder that European breakdown cover is very useful to have!

David’s February Joke:

Huge congratulations to Hugh Zapritti-Boyden on being elected Chairman of the Budgerigar Appreciation Society.

All is well at no.fifty6. Please stay safe and well and see you soon we hope.

February sunset Mash Valley.