Ovillers-la-Boisselle in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
Pilgrimage: Tom Easton's visits to his friends at Bécourt
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. Pilgrimage: Tom Easton's visits to his friends at Bécourt Marker
Pte. Tom Easton, No 1000, 21st Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) had a special afiliation with the Lochnagar Crater. He fought hereabouts on the 1 July 1916 and after the war made many pilgrimages to France with the 34th Division Officers' Club, and later in the 1970s with George Harwood and Richard Dunning. He made his last trip in 1980 shortly before he died.
But for each visit to the Lochnagar Crater, another was also made to a place nearby equally poignant and close to his heart.
From his base in Albert, he would quietly walk the two miles up to Bécourt and the CWGC Military Cemetery there. On finding the neat row of headstones so special to him, he would softly speak to the graves of his best mates, all killed shortly before the battle. Each of whom, all those years before, he had buried here side by side. For he had made a vow to care for their kith and kin back home, and on every pilgrimage, he would regale them with news of their families and their towns and villages in Northumberland. With tears in his eyes
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What Tom started is continued now by the Friends of Lochnagar. Late in the evening on each 1st July, Friends make a similar journey up to the CWGC Bécourt Military Cemetery for a short Act of Remembrance, quietly reflecting on Tommy and the events of the day.
Top: Proud Fusilier. Below: Richard Dunning and Tom Easton, Lochnagar, 1979.
The Lochnagar Crater is privately owned by Richard Dunning MBE and is dedicated to Remembrance, Respect and Reconciliation.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
'The Lochnagar Promise For Peace'
“In Remembrance of all those who have suffered in conflict, and those who are suffering still may we live our lives today with more Compassion and Kindness. Understanding and Forgiveness Reconciliation and Unity. Let us now, in their honour, wage Peace.”
The Trustees are grateful for the generous bequest which enabled the refurbishment of these Visitor Information Panels.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
Pèlerinage: visites de Tom Easton à ses amis à Bécourt
Le soldat Tom Easton, No 1000, 21eme Northumberland Fusiliers (2eme Tyneside Scottish) avait un lien particulier avec le Cratere de Lochnagar. Lars da 1 juillet, il a combattu
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. Pilgrimage: Tom Easton's visits to his friends at Bécourt Marker
Mais lors de chaque visite au Cratère de Lochnagar, il se rendait également à un autre lieu tout proche, tout aussi poignant et cher à son cœur.
De sa base à Albert, il parcourait à pied et en toute discrétion les 3 km qui le séparaient de Bécourt et de son cimetière militaire CWGC.Y retrouvant la petite rangée de stèles qui lui étaient si précieuses, il parlait doucement aux tombes de ses meilleurs copains, tous tués peu avant la bataille, à chacun de ceux qu'il avait enterrés ici côte à côte tant d'années auparavant. Car il avait promis de veiller sur leurs proches au pays, et lors de chaque pèlerinage, il les régalait des nouvelles de leurs familles, de leurs villes et villages du Northumberland. Les larmes aux yeux, mais d'une voix empreinte de chaleur et de gaité, il a passé d'innombrables heures de sa longue vie dans cet endroit spécial, en communion avec ses amis défunts.
Ce que Tom a commencé est aujourd'hui perpétré par les Friends of Lochnagar. En fin de soirée, chaque 1 juillet, des Friends effectuent un voyage similaire jusqu'au cimetière militaire CWGC de Bécourt pour y tenir un court Acte du Souvenir et penser, dans le silence, aux événements de cette journée.
Erected by The Lochnagar Crater Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1916.
Location. 50° 0.958′ N, 2° 41.841′ E. Marker is in Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It is on Route de la Grande Mine east of Route D20, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Rte de la Grande Mine, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France 80300, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lochnagar Crater of La Boisselle (a few steps from this marker); The Last Letter of Pte. John Scollen (a few steps from this marker); Vera Brittain (within shouting distance of this marker); Shot at Dawn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Unseen Scars of War... (within shouting distance of this marker); T'isnt worth it.... (within shouting distance of this marker); RAF Mountain Rescue Association Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Roy Bealing and his best friend Pte. Alfred Moxham (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovillers-la-Boisselle.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
