Surprise

 Amazing what is revealed when all the leaves have blown away.

There's a bench near the base of this tree, overlooking the pond, and it's used by many residents of this 55+ community.  I'm pretty sure nobody was aware of a giant wasp community buzzing just above their heads.  I wonder how many wasps would live in this beautifully built nest.

Remembering

 We Will Remember Them

On November 11 every year we remember those who have lost their lives in the service of their country. For many Novembers I have attended the Remembrance service at the local Cenotaph, and shivered in the cold while the bugle sounds the Last Post and local dignitaries lay the wreaths of poppies.  Two minutes silence at 11:00 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month.

I have posted about these two brave men before. I remember them with honour every November.

IN MEMORY OF

PRIVATE JOHN TURNBULL CHANDLER

175142, 5TH COY., CANADIAN MACHINE GUN CORPS WHO DIED AGE 20 ON 03 JULY 1917.

ONLY SON OF JOHN WILLIAM AND AGNES CHANDLER, OF GEDNEY DYKE, HOLBEACH, LINCS.

NATIVE OF SOUTHEA, NR. WISBECH.

REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR

BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION,

BULLY-GRENAY, FRANCE

John Turnbull CHANDLER was my mother's cousin. He was born 31 August 1896 in Lincolnshire, England, and was known as Jack.

Jack left England to learn farming techniques in Canada and settled in Grimsby, Ontario. He joined the 86^th Machine Gun Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 13 August 1915 at Welland, Ontario, stating that his date of birth was 1894, not 1896. At that time he was already a member of the 44^th Regiment of the Canadian Militia. His enlistment papers show him to be “apparent age 21 years 8 months”, 5’4”, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, a member of the Church of England, and fit to serve with the Forces.
His life ended in France on 3 July 1917, serving with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps.

His obituary:

GEDNEY DYKE SOLDIER FALLS We regret to report the death in action of Pte. John Turnbull Chandler, son of the late Mr. John W. Chandler, schoolmaster, Parson Drove, and of Mrs. Chandler, schoolmistress, Gedney Dyke. 

The deceased was educated at Barbourne College, Worcester (1908) and Framlingham College (1909-1912). He learned farming and went to Canada in April 1912. He enlisted in January 1916 in Grimsby, Ontario, came over to Shorncliffe June 1916, went to France October 1916, and was killed in action July 3rd. He was only 20 years of age. He leaves a mother and six sisters to mourn his loss.

I visited his grave in France with my two sons in 2005. Perhaps the only family members to do so.

AND ALSO REMEMBERING

Herbert Leonard Darch, known to his family as Len.

Len was born in the village of Combe Martin, in North Devon, England in 1895. He was the son of Matthew Darch and Sarah (nee Rooke), who lived at Glenwood, Combe Martin.

Len had three brothers, Theo, Bert and Wilf, and one sister, Aileen, who married my Uncle Albert in 1919, and therefore became my Auntie Aileen.

Len joined the 1st/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, and was sent to France to fight in WW1, also known as The Great War.  1/7^th Battalion Worcestershire Regt was part of 144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade. This photo may have been taken when he first volunteered.

Herbert Leonard Darch, Private 202233,  probably took part in the ‘Pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line’ (14 March – 5 April 1917), but on Monday 24 April 1917, at the young age of 21, he was killed in action at Gillemont Farm.

His life is commemorated with honour on the Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Department of the Somme, Picardie, France, Plot: Pier and Face 5 A and 6 C.  As there is no grave, his body was not recovered.

Blowin' in the Wind

The view from my window.  This is definitely a very noisy way to tidy up the leaves, but it doesn't take long with two people at it.  The leaves are all gone now, taken away in a big truck, and deposited in a giant compost pile.  There are still a few hangers-on on the trees, hopefully enough to provide some winter homes for insects and small animals.

Going, Going, Gone!

 

This little maple tree is going to sleep for a while.  Stay cosy through the winter months, little tree.  See you in the spring with a fresh coat of pale green. 

Ginkgo Trees

The golden yellow trees lining the entrance to the local theatre and convention hall are ginkgo biloba trees.

A living fossil, the Ginkgo biloba tree provides a living connection to the age of dinosaurs. It's also known as the maidenhair tree, and is a species of gymnosperm tree native to East Asia.  The leaves are unique, fan shaped with veins radiating out into the leaf blade.  

Trees are divided between male and female.  Male plants produce small pollen cones. Female plants produce two ovules that develop into fruit like structures containing seeds.  These fruits contain butanoic acid and smell foul like rancid butter or vomit.... yuck!

Work in Progress

Looks like the town council have voted to spend some money on paint.  This will definitely brighten the place up when it's all finished!  Snow... stay away!

Kicking up the Leaves....

 I'm following a trail around the local reservoir. This trail was well used a few years ago, but for some reason the local council closed it... safety reasons I suppose.  But it's still being used although I only met one family and one runner on my way though.

Looks like there is an eager beaver planning some homebuilding in the neighbourhood.

I went as far as the bridge before I turned back, I'll finish the trail next time.  The bridge has been there at least 20 years, maybe longer, I am amazed that it has lasted this long, through all those harsh Canadian winters. (Actually the winters don't seem to be as harsh any more .... climate change???)