Footsteps of the fallen

Guillemont - the worst place I fought at in four years of war


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For a period of six weeks in the summer of 1916, the British and Germans battled for control of the small but strategically important village of Guillemont..

The capture of the village was the story of the men from the south and west of Ireland, men from Limerick, Connaught, and Munster who successfully drove the Germans out, albeit at great personal cost.  Over 15,000 men died in taking this small village.

The sheer number of Victoria Crosses won in the fighting is a testament to the nature of the combat. We hear about Noel Chavasse VC and Bar who won his first VC at Guillemont, the England Rugby player who recruited his own company of men, a horrific encounter with rats, and the story of a brave man who became known as the "Better late than never" VC.

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Footsteps of the fallenBy Matt Dixon