Boesinghe

In the aftermath of the War the war-ravaged countryside was restored and the trenches of the Western Front were filled in. 75 years after the War a group of Belgians, known as the Diggers, excavated a classic trench system at Boesinghe, discovering many artefacts as well as remains of the Fallen. One section has been preserved.Boesinghe is a canal village and the opposing sides continually bombarded each other across the wide Yser canal. In the opening phases of the Second battle of Ypres, the Germans used gas here., Despite this the British flank held. Late in the summer of 1917 the Allies launched the Third battle of Ypres and the Guards Division spearheaded the crossing of the canal. They attained their planned objectives but at great cost. The many military cemeteries in the area are poignant reminders of the cost of war even in what some regarded as a 'quiet' sector.Stephen McGreal is a Wirral man who has worked in the ship yards and as a merchant seaman. He now runs his own business making and restoring rocking horses. He has three published works: The Cheshire Bantams, The Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids 1918, and War on the Hospital Ships, all with Pen and Sword.