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COXA Pilgrims 'The Somme' June 2018

COXA Pilgrims 'The Somme' June 2018

Frank Barretta11 Jun 2018 - 16:26
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COXA Pilgrims 'The Somme' June 2018

just a few comments for those who were there...

Colin wrote: "I thought it was the best ever Battlefields trip, perhaps even better than Normandy. This was for many reasons - We were THERE. Who can forget the cemeteries, and even more, the Somme terrain on those misty days? ( it was incredible to see exactly where X and Y fell, and at what time !). I thought the Normandy Beaches or Dunkirk were atmospheric, but those bare Somme fields in the mist were even more so.

Many thanks must go to the brilliant expertise of Bina and Mick, and from Scotty, Aidan and Tony . That old Clapham camaraderie - even the coach driver picked it up ! That's down to you, David.

Mick called us all ' pilgrims ', and that is what we were - as much as those going to Lourdes, to Compostella, or to Canterbury! Thanks once again"

Scotty writes: "l know we’ve written it all before, but this trip was another triumph; from the hotel to places visited and great company. The sites we researched seemed so much more poignant with near 40 Xaverians in attendance..and the sun was out! On the way back Aidan and l were planning Summer ‘19... l think it’s 95% certain... let’s work to make that happen in 2019. As our coach driver said.. the Clapham “family” was inclusive."

Eddie wrote: "Who couldn’t have been moved by the events described to us and the dead men’s footsteps we walked in.

We know that we may have only been the first COXA men (and women ) to ever have visited our old boys last resting place. Scotty and Aidan deserve credit for making it all so personal and Mick and Beena for describing the scene....Brilliant weekend."

PICTURES from The Somme 2018

Further reading