This blog is made up of transcripts of Harry Lamin's letters from the first World War. The letters will be posted exactly 90 years after they were written.
To find out Harry's fate, follow the blog!
BBC Programme on the Blog
BBC East Midlands Today - a regional news programme - produced an article on the blog which was very well done. At least, I think so. Click here to link to it.
Well done from an ex Sapper (R.E. 1985 - 1991), this blog has made me proud of our WW1 heroes and the sacrifice they made. It has brought back memories for me as, when I was a young soldier, I received letters and parcels from home. We all looked forward to the mail arriving as our Armed Forces still do today. Letters can be read over and over again and treasured. What a find the letters have been and such a privilege to read.
wow this is a great blog. i saw a thing on one of our morning shows about the blog and got right onto it and have just spent the last 2 hrs reading it and love it. my great gandfather was in WW2 and he never spoke about it to us. all i now is he was a prisoner of changgy (sorry i dont know the spelling) and he did come home alive to die of heart break in his 90's 15 days after my great gandmother. i will be looking forword to reading as the letters come. oh and we are australian but my great grandfarther was born in england (somewhere...) in 1905 but between then and WW2 he came to australia and there he joined the australian army and from there he surved... well thankyou again from creating such an impacting blog... regards catherine
I am enjoying your site. I am from Western Australia and your site was featured on our National morning news program. I feel you are very lucky to have such memories of your Grandfather and the experiences that he went through. Cant wait for the next letter. My oldest son is in the Army cadets here in Australia and will be touring some of the places your Grandfather fort at.
I just started, and finnished, reading all of the letters and entries today, and wow, it is an amazing idea. I'm a student at a Canadian University, and althought history is not my major, I really love the letters. My Grandfater faught it WWII and his father in WWI and home gaurd for WWII, and the letters remind me of them. My boyfriend is wanting to join the military in a few years so he can pay for med school, so I can easily imagine waiting for letters like Harry's from him.
I think Harry looks like a lovely, kind person and I hope the war didn't change that. It makes me sad to look at him and read about his life but glad that people can read about what his fascinating life was like; keep it coming, please!!
Harry looks like a lovely, kind man and it's great to be able to read about his amazing life, although very sad. It makes me actually realise what these great men and women did for us and we should all be eternally grateful to them; I know I am!
I heard about this on SKY News here in Italy where I have lived for the past 18 years. My grandfather was a major in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and I am now going to try and find out more about him. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Jane
Saw the report in the 'Times',I think this is fantastic. My Grandfather served in the Queens Royal West Surreys at Passchendaele sadly He did not make it past 1936, so I never knew him. But Harrys letters are giving me some idea of what he went through. Thanks a lot. How about publishing it as a book?
What a magnificent idea, a superb site. I think that this should be used in history lessons up and down the country. A very moving experience to read such personal letters. Thank you so much for sharing your history with us.
What a magnificent idea, a superb site. I think that this should be used in history lessons up and down the country. A very moving experience to read such personal letters. Thank you so much for sharing your history with us.
Dear Writer, Over the last year or so I have become increasingly interested in my Family History,which has in turn led on to an interest in History itself. Several members of my family were involved in WW1 in both France and also in India. I read about your blog on the Yahoo home page and have just spent the last couple of hours reading up to date and found it rivetting and utterly fascinating. Keep up the good work I will look forward to further blogs.
Dear Writer, Over the last year or so I have become increasingly interested in my Family History,which has in turn led on to an interest in History itself. Several members of my family were involved in WW1 in both France and also in India. I read about your blog on the Yahoo home page and have just spent the last couple of hours reading up to date and found it rivetting and utterly fascinating. Keep up the good work I will look forward to further blogs.
Such an awsome idea you have had. Thanks for this beautiful effort to bring history to life. By the way, this is from Spain, You are getting worldwide famous!
An article of the blog is also in one of the most important croatian web portal (It's a portal of TV channel NovaTV) http://dnevnik.hr/naslovnica/scena/zanimljivosti/20080108_34460.php
HI¡, IM WRITING FROM SPAIN SO EXCUSE ME FOR MY POOR ENGLISH. I SAW YOUR BLOG IN A SPANISH TV AND I THINK THIS BLOG ITS VERY INTERESTING AND VERY USEFUL FOR THE HISTORY SO THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
It was great to actually see you in the news report after reading your comments and hearing your reading in a couple of the blogs! As many commenters have said, this is so very interesting. I am a primary school teacher in Bath, UK and I am a bit sad that we dod not do a topic on WWI because I would love to use this in school. It is a remarkable resource that will inform so many people about our history. I grew up in Derby too! Thank you.
Hi there - A South African news site featured an article today - i love this blog and sure many other south africans will be visiting soon - cant wait for next post
I have just completed reading the journey of Harry to date and want to thank you for allowing me into Harry's world, I don't believe the World War I veterans recieve enough recognition as they become fewer and I strongly beleive that we cannot forget the wars fought or the people that sacrificed all they had for there countries. Minneapois, Minnesota
is it me or in Harry's school picture does he look alot like dewy from Sky's "Malcom in the middle". Awesome idea probably gonna be a rush of WW letter blogs soon. Keep posting them
Hi Bill, really nice blog! * I knew about it in Lusa Agency here in Portugal. * Here's a link to the news: http://www.bca.pt/xsite_bca/bca/Atrium/lusa.jsp?CH=633&NID=218166
Absolutely rivetting stuff. Well done. Just a thought, would it be possible to "register" somewhere and get news of when the latest instalments are uploaded? I have no idea when the next letters will be posted, and the tension gets unbearable sometimes, almost as if we are actually back there. Superb site, totally enthralling.
My grandmother's uncle, Frederick Tawse, was killed at Ypres in 1917, he was never mentioned and my family did not know of his existence until about 2 years ago when my Aunt was researching family history. We know nothing about Frederick (Fred?), but he was about the same age as your Grandfather - reading his blog will brings my unknown relative to life - what he went through and his experience - it makes me very sad. My Aunt has seen his name on Menin Gate but I don't yet know if he has a grave or not. You are very lucky to have these letters and a brilliant idea to publish these as a blog! Whatever happens to Harry you & your father at least have had something of his to hold onto and it is very kind to share these letters with us, thank you.
My dear writer, you have just been featured on two networks on Australian national tv.
ReplyDeleteI daresay you should expect more traffic.
:)
An article of the blog is also in one of the most important italian newspaper.
ReplyDeletehttp://archivio.corriere.it/archiveDocumentServlet.jsp?url=/documenti_globnet/corsera/2008/01/co_9_080105072.xml
Well done from an ex Sapper (R.E. 1985 - 1991), this blog has made me proud of our WW1 heroes and the sacrifice they made. It has brought back memories for me as, when I was a young soldier, I received letters and parcels from home. We all looked forward to the mail arriving as our Armed Forces still do today. Letters can be read over and over again and treasured. What a find the letters have been and such a privilege to read.
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up Harry.
Thanks
KS
wow this is a great blog. i saw a thing on one of our morning shows about the blog and got right onto it and have just spent the last 2 hrs reading it and love it. my great gandfather was in WW2 and he never spoke about it to us. all i now is he was a prisoner of changgy (sorry i dont know the spelling) and he did come home alive to die of heart break in his 90's 15 days after my great gandmother. i will be looking forword to reading as the letters come. oh and we are australian but my great grandfarther was born in england (somewhere...) in 1905 but between then and WW2 he came to australia and there he joined the australian army and from there he surved... well thankyou again from creating such an impacting blog... regards catherine
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying your site. I am from Western Australia and your site was featured on our National morning news program. I feel you are very lucky to have such memories of your Grandfather and the experiences that he went through. Cant wait for the next letter. My oldest son is in the Army cadets here in Australia and will be touring some of the places your Grandfather fort at.
ReplyDeleteDear Writer
ReplyDeleteI´m from São Paulo (Brazil) !! and
I read an article on web site here and I loved your idea...
Nice work!!
best regards,
William Mass
I just started, and finnished, reading all of the letters and entries today, and wow, it is an amazing idea. I'm a student at a Canadian University, and althought history is not my major, I really love the letters. My Grandfater faught it WWII and his father in WWI and home gaurd for WWII, and the letters remind me of them. My boyfriend is wanting to join the military in a few years so he can pay for med school, so I can easily imagine waiting for letters like Harry's from him.
ReplyDeleteGreat history.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
best wishes from Brazil,
Renato Bellote
You've also reached the frontpage on Digg.com - Which will probably mean another 15,000+ visitors.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
Dan
I think Harry looks like a lovely, kind person and I hope the war didn't change that. It makes me sad to look at him and read about his life but glad that people can read about what his fascinating life was like; keep it coming, please!!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Congratulation for you blog.
ReplyDeleteThe blog 1 war in spain is
http://elmesiasrio.blogcindario.com/
Harry looks like a lovely, kind man and it's great to be able to read about his amazing life, although very sad. It makes me actually realise what these great men and women did for us and we should all be eternally grateful to them; I know I am!
ReplyDeleteKeep it coming please!
Karen McLarney
Great blog. A new in El País, one of the best newspaper in Spain.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
I heard about this on SKY News here in Italy where I have lived for the past 18 years. My grandfather was a major in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery during WW1 and I am now going to try and find out more about him. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteJane
Saw the report in the 'Times',I think this is fantastic. My Grandfather served in the Queens Royal West Surreys at Passchendaele
ReplyDeletesadly He did not make it past 1936, so I never knew him. But Harrys letters are giving me some idea of what he went through.
Thanks a lot.
How about publishing it as a book?
What a magnificent idea, a superb site. I think that this should be used in history lessons up and down the country. A very moving experience to read such personal letters. Thank you so much for sharing your history with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent idea, a superb site. I think that this should be used in history lessons up and down the country. A very moving experience to read such personal letters. Thank you so much for sharing your history with us.
ReplyDelete'El País', the most widely-circulated daily newspaper in Spain has also written about you and your blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/blog/Primera/Guerra/Mundial/elpepuint/20080107elpepuint_8/Tes
You are also in brazilian press.
ReplyDeleteHello.
ReplyDeleteI have known about this blog today reading a piece of news in a Free Newspaper in Spain ("20 minutos").
Congratulations for this blog.
Dear Writer,
ReplyDeleteOver the last year or so I have become increasingly interested in my Family History,which has in turn led on to an interest in History itself. Several members of my family were involved in WW1 in both France and also in India. I read about your blog on the Yahoo home page and have just spent the last couple of hours reading up to date and found it rivetting and utterly fascinating. Keep up the good work I will look forward to further blogs.
Dear Writer,
ReplyDeleteOver the last year or so I have become increasingly interested in my Family History,which has in turn led on to an interest in History itself. Several members of my family were involved in WW1 in both France and also in India. I read about your blog on the Yahoo home page and have just spent the last couple of hours reading up to date and found it rivetting and utterly fascinating. Keep up the good work I will look forward to further blogs.
I think you are famous abroad: http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/blog/Primera/Guerra/Mundial/elpepuint/20080107elpepuint_8/Tes
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Such an awsome idea you have had. Thanks for this beautiful effort to bring history to life.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, this is from Spain, You are getting worldwide famous!
Best wishes.
An article of the blog is also in one of the most important croatian web portal (It's a portal of TV channel NovaTV) http://dnevnik.hr/naslovnica/scena/zanimljivosti/20080108_34460.php
ReplyDeleteKeep on!
What a terrific blog. You were featured on BBC World News (TV) today and I caught it here in Nova Scotia.
ReplyDeleteHI¡, IM WRITING FROM SPAIN SO EXCUSE ME FOR MY POOR ENGLISH. I SAW YOUR BLOG IN A SPANISH TV AND I THINK THIS BLOG ITS VERY INTERESTING AND VERY USEFUL FOR THE HISTORY SO THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to actually see you in the news report after reading your comments and hearing your reading in a couple of the blogs! As many commenters have said, this is so very interesting. I am a primary school teacher in Bath, UK and I am a bit sad that we dod not do a topic on WWI because I would love to use this in school. It is a remarkable resource that will inform so many people about our history. I grew up in Derby too!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Hi there - A South African news site featured an article today - i love this blog and sure many other south africans will be visiting soon - cant wait for next post
ReplyDeletebrilliant, thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI have just completed reading the journey of Harry to date and want to thank you for allowing me into Harry's world, I don't believe the World War I veterans recieve enough recognition as they become fewer and I strongly beleive that we cannot forget the wars fought or the people that sacrificed all they had for there countries.
ReplyDeleteMinneapois, Minnesota
Hello very interesting i found your blog on a Peruvian newspaper
ReplyDeleteWWW.elcomercioperu.com
bye
is it me or in Harry's school picture does he look alot like dewy from Sky's "Malcom in the middle". Awesome idea probably gonna be a rush of WW letter blogs soon. Keep posting them
ReplyDeleteI came to know about this blog from BBC. Its truly amazing. Thank you for sharing these experiences with us.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! A Swiss free daily newspaper called 20min published today an article about your diary. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Bill, really nice blog!
ReplyDelete*
I knew about it in Lusa Agency here in Portugal.
*
Here's a link to the news:
http://www.bca.pt/xsite_bca/bca/Atrium/lusa.jsp?CH=633&NID=218166
Absolutely rivetting stuff. Well done. Just a thought, would it be possible to "register" somewhere and get news of when the latest instalments are uploaded? I have no idea when the next letters will be posted, and the tension gets unbearable sometimes, almost as if we are actually back there.
ReplyDeleteSuperb site, totally enthralling.
My grandmother's uncle, Frederick Tawse, was killed at Ypres in 1917, he was never mentioned and my family did not know of his existence until about 2 years ago when my Aunt was researching family history. We know nothing about Frederick (Fred?), but he was about the same age as your Grandfather - reading his blog will brings my unknown relative to life - what he went through and his experience - it makes me very sad. My Aunt has seen his name on Menin Gate but I don't yet know if he has a grave or not. You are very lucky to have these letters and a brilliant idea to publish these as a blog! Whatever happens to Harry you & your father at least have had something of his to hold onto and it is very kind to share these letters with us, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Work, good achievement
ReplyDeleteAnd in Argentina...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/01/31/conexiones/t-01596984.htm