Images Dated 2009

Somme - The Marshes of the Ancre near Authuille

The marshes of the Ancre near Authuille. It has been suggested that these marshes gave J R R Tolkien the scene of the Dead Marshes in Lord of the Rings.
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
Born 1892 South Africa. His father died in 1896 and his mother in 1904 - he and his brother looked after by a local priest. Tolkien graduated from Oxford in June 1915.
June 1916 Tolkien went to France and was posted to the 11th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers as Batallion Signaling Officer.
July - in northern sector of the Somme in Beaumont-Hamel, Serre and the Leipzig Salient.
14th failed attack on Ovillers - heavy losses. One of his closest freinds, Rob Gilson, was killed.
28 September: successful raid at Popea

© Mike St. Maur Sheil / westernfrontphotography.com