Author Archives: Will Mac
The Men of Hartshorne – Part 2
Over the last 9 months I’ve been working on a more concentrated effort to track down the graves or memorials of the individuals that died in the Great War that are named on the village war memorial. As stated in … Continue reading
Meeting the need for water in the 1917 Desert Campaign
I’ve always been interested in the Campaigns in the Middle East, probably due to films such as “Gallipoli” and “The Light Horsemen”. When I started to really dig into the RE Mounted History an area that does offer a lot … Continue reading
The Royal Engineer that improved Water Supply in the Middle East
In the Great War the biggest challenge facing operations in the Palestine Theatre of operations was to try and to provide water to the troops and 1916 saw the troops of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force push out into the Sinai … Continue reading
Remembrance Day at Maisieres
This morning I represented the British Forces at the Church at Maisieres at Mons. This is the local church to where I live out here in Belgium and I volunteer to lay the wreaths here due to the Royal Engineers … Continue reading
Some of the Men of Hartshorne on the Somme.
Having been told to take things at a slightly steadier pace, I decided to do some more research for a few more of the men that are named on the Hartshorne War Memorial. While I accept I’m not born in … Continue reading
1890 UP Saddle Refurbishment update
Over the last couple of months there has been a bit of work done on the refurbishment of the 1890 Universal Pattern Saddle. Now I have to admit the main reason for the increase in activity has been two fold. … Continue reading
Historians, Battlefield Guides and Reenactors
I follow quite a few historians, Battlefield Guides and Reenactors on Twitter, Youtube and a few other platforms. Why? well I like history, I like researching battles and then walking (and Riding) the ground, often giving a talk on the … Continue reading
The Officers Field Mess Tin Set
So yesterday I posted on Twitter about a project that I’ve had for a while and I’ve finally managed to make time to clean it up and it’s ready for display and possibly for use. I’m going to go through … Continue reading
My take on Beards in the Army
As many of you know I sport a fairly large Tashe and in most units that I have worked with over the years my facial hair is better known that I am: “Have you seen the Garrison Engineer?” “Who?” “Bloke … Continue reading
The Curious Case of a Royal Engineers Riding Crop
So a couple of months ago I was contacted by a good mate, Andy Smerdon, he was having a clear out of some of his old kit as he had down sized and as he is now living on a … Continue reading