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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Amazing aren't they! We have several hundred in the garden at the moment!

Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Most likely Miner Bees (Andrena family) Simon - although which specific species I don't know - there are around 58 varieties in the UK!

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

1/4: Our next tour is underway & this is possibly the most complex itinerary we have put together. Over 10 days, 2 American guests will follow in the footsteps of the 482nd AAA Battalion, tracing their father's wartime journey from Utah Beach all the way to modern-day Czechia.

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

3/3: That's where we help. Stand in the places that changed the world alongside an expert guide. Let SGWT orientate you, deepen your understanding, and support you every step of the way during your special journey through history. 📩 sophie@sophiesgreatwartours.com

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

2/3: What our guests tell us, again and again, is that history books educate and inform, but there is absolutely no substitute for being on the ground, seeing and feeling.

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

1/3: What you see here is one guest standing in the French 1914 trench line, the others in the German trenches. Two sides of No Man's Land just metres apart.

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Hope you and your guests have a wonderful tour Sophie, keeping memories and stories alive...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

It does spark all sorts of follow on questions Chris such as whether they were all held at Cassel POW Camp? Where they were "mates" I wonder? Perhaps they kept in touch after the war? 🤔

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

That's a brilliant find - thank you so much Chris! Much more detail than we knew before, I'm really grateful!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Thanks Chris - really helpful. I've sent you a DM!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Blyth is my family stomping ground too Chris... Interested to know where you found the "Landed at Hull" info though? My Grandfather was a POW in 1918 and I haven't managed to pin down when he was repatriated yet...

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Do I know anyone heading to the National Archives before the end of the month at all? If so I have a little favour to ask pretty please.

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Hope you all have an amazing tour making memories and telling stories Sophie - I just know you will!

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

#OTD 110 years ago, the First World War's longest battle began. Today the battlefields of Verdun are a haunting reminder of the brutality of all-out mechanised war. Read more about what you can see on a visit to #Verdun: tinyurl.com/ezkaskm5

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Hope you all have a brilliant weekend!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Remembering today Lieutenant Edward Lough Dees, 'D' Coy, 8th Btn Durham Light Infantry. Died 25 Jan 1941 in the OFLAG VII POW camp. Eddie was wounded and captured in the retreat to Dunkirk. On this day he was sketching at a window in his block when he was shot by a guard. Always remembered..

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

2026: Our private battlefield tours are designed for travellers who want more than surface history, blending Europe’s battlefields, cities, and stories into journeys with real purpose. Read on: tinyurl.com/3sz8ys6f

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Lost on 31 December 1942, the story of the battle is wonderfully researched and told in Dudley Pope's book "73 North" - a VC was awarded to the Captain of HMS ONSLOW for his courage during the battle - Captain Robert St Vincent Sherbrooke VC DSO RN

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Remembering today Cdr Henry Thew Rust DSO RN, my cousin (twice rem) lost today with the crew of HMS BRAMBLE whilst escorting Convoy JW51B from Loch Ewe to Murmansk. BRAMBLE met the German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER and engaged to defend the convoy. Heavily outgunned, she was lost with all hands.

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

....While we were waiting for further instructions we went down into the printing rooms about 4 stories below the ground in the Daily Mail Offices and had some tea in their canteen.

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

My wife's Grandfather was there at that moment as a firefighter. He wrote home the next day "From the roof you had a magnificent view all round and could see St Pauls silhouetted in light of red flames, most impressive and very sorrow making....

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Another amazing story thanks Sophie!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Thinking of all my friends in the Falkland Islands today as they commemorate 'Battle Day' - Battle of the Falklands 1914. Look it up - it's a great story! Picture is HMS INVINCIBLE and HMS INFLEXIBLE during the battle (seen from HMS KENT), and the other pic is the 100th anniversary in 2014...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Thanks James - we have very few of him so it is a treasure! Sadly died over Berlin 22 Nov 43 - 83 Sqn...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

I'm not in Ypres (sadly), but hello anyway! 👋

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Welcome back James - glad to hear you are on the mend! On the subject of Ansons, here is Great Uncle Ralph in his!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

7 December 1941. Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbour, bringing America into the war. Great Uncle Ralph Henderson was at Turner Field, Georgia with the USAAF in the final days of his pilot training under the Arnold Scheme. I often wonder how they all found out, and how the mood changed that day...

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

4th December 2025. 1/2: Deliveries from home were a god send for soldiers, a letter, parcel of food, socks or cigarettes. Writing from France in 1918, Sgt Sam Avery U.S. 32nd Div thanked his sister for a gift that had made its way across the Atlantic: “Your parcel saved the day.”

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Remembering today P/O Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR and his crew, lost on this overnight 22/23 November 1943. Always remembered for their ultimate sacrifice whilst doing their duty...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

So sad the loss of history and data when they pulped the majority of the records..

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Thanks for recognising our story in your blog Sophie - a story which you and Steve are now indelibly part of!

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Sophie's Great War Tours @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

When SGWT began, I imagined we’d simply be a licensed travel company, organising tours to battlefields. Over time, we’ve become something much deeper: a place for families to connect, discover & honour their own stories. Read more about our work here: tinyurl.com/5n7xbs7c

tinyurl.com

Bespoke Tours to the First & Second World War Battlefields

When I first started Sophie’s Great War Tours, I imagined we would simply be a travel company, organising journeys to the First World War battlefields and sharing the history with care. My aim was to ...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

So sorry to hear that Lucy....😢

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Goodness Lucy - so sorry to hear that, but glad the combined efforts got her up again. Hope she is OK for you!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Remembrance for me is about storytelling and keeping the memories alive of those who gave their all in the service of our country. Some of my family remembered today...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Thanks Paul! Looks like my Grandfather was in the same area in October 1917 with 10th Bn Queen's Own Royal West Surreys. They relieved 32nd Royal Fusilliers on 23/24 Oct, then were relieved by 7th Black Watch Bn on 28/29 Oct....

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Were those maps on Linesman Paul?

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

You just know it will be brilliant with the amazing #TeamSGWT! Will look forward to hearing about this one...

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Looks like another brilliant story brought back to life with @sophie1wwtours.bsky.social - great job Paul! What an interesting one too!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Thanks for remembering this one Dan. I've just checked what my Gt Uncle and 83 Sqn were up to - surprised that they only put up 8 aircraft of the 569 (all of which returned), but they also put up 5 on Frankfurt. Diversion or alternate I wonder? Ralph reported seeing flares cascading on Kassel..

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

@societyarmy.bsky.social @lmbd1418.bsky.social Brilliant talk last night Lucy thank you - I learnt a great deal and am now very much looking forward to reading your book! I also now need to find out who was operating the Landing Craft - RN, RM or Army!

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Looks like you had a grand day out walking Steve - managed to dodge the rain as well?

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Bill Dawson @homesickpenguin.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Congratulations on getting it to the line Steve - looking forward to reading it!

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