We spent the day in the Ypres and Messines Ridge area with a local battlefield expert; one of the best investments I have ever made. Based on the only detailed report of his burial (copy below) and trench maps, the guide identified the location of his burial. It is now a field with grazing cattle (top right photo), possibly appropriate for a farm boy. It is a very tranquil scene close to the 'Farm House' crater; 1 of 19 mines exploded on the morning of 7 June 1917 as dramatised in the Australian movie, "Hill 60".
Daphne had prepared a beautiful hand made wreath which we laid at the nightly 'Last Post' ceremony at Menin Gate, Ypres. It attracted some comment for its unique design, and although one of four laid tonight, it was the only individual wreath!
It was a very moving ceremony with well over a thousand present. We hope we can get the photos from the official photographer to add to our collection.
The WW1 Casualty Form for Wentworth Lincoln East.
The brass relief in the photo shows the 2 craters at Factory Farm. The line of square dots position the German front line before the attack.
The northern crater pictured (top right) is today a tranquil scene and a water hole for sheep.
The southern crater is the one that Wentworth died adjacent to, probably having just advanced past it. I was not able to enter that field due to electric fences and the presence of a herd of cattle. We estimated that Wentworth was buried in line with the large tree (bottom right), and closer to camera than the current fence line.
The scene at 'Factory Farm' shortly after 7 June 1917, and a part of the trench maps that we used to locate the site.
My photographs above showing the identified location of Wenty's burial where taken from close to the location of 'Factory Farm' on the first Ultra Trench line.
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