La Targette British Cemetery in the foreground simply dwarfed by the much larger French one behind. Let no one tell you France owes anyone a debt of liberation. Her blood flowed freely defending freedom. One of the most sobering views I know on the old western front.

The beautiful French Cemetery at Morto Bay, Cape Helles, Gallipoli. Remembering the huge contribution of the French forces during the campaign in some of the most difficult and exposed terrain. More…..

All this just to get home to loved ones, where fathers, husbands would often return unrecognizable. Mothers & wives didn’t know how to speak to them and the soldiers themselves, rarely wanted to speak about their experiences... No one had prepared civilians or soldiers for

Holding a rare piece of French WWI tank corps history in my hand. This identity disc belonged to Pierre Albert Seguin (Saintes, no.710) who served in the 500th Assault Artillery and later the Special Artillery 381 during the allied Hundred Days Offensive of 1918. My collection.

An easy morning. A lovely fruit tea with my significant other while looking at some of my French Great War militaria and reading Christina Holstein’s spectacular guidebook. Annotating the book and planning routes. Three days to go before the Verdun trip. Will be a moving experience

Arrived in Paris. Day 1 of 2 here before the train to Verdun. Sipping on my favourite alcoholic drink (Monaco) and enjoying a mousse au chocolat. The things we take for granted. The poor soldiers at the front in 1914-18 didn’t have simple pleasures like this.

I sat down to have a look at a studio portrait I bought. Coincidentally, when I was on Google maps, I noticed that I happened to be sitting on the same street as where the photo was taken over a century ago. I had to see the exact location for myself. Oh, how I love this hobby.

Saw a remarkable piece at the Musée de l’Armée today - an armband of the camouflage section of the French army, designated by a chameleon on the two-tones of the general staff. This was officially designated by the Ministry of War on 4 August 1915.

The Fortress city of Verdun.

I have no words.

French 8mm Lebel rounds found buried just meters away from Lt.Col Émile Driant’s command post in the Bois des Caures…

New to my collection. A French Model 1872/74 Dragoon helmet. Saw service into the second year of the Great War before being simplified for trench use for dismounted dragoons. These beautiful cavalry helmets became completely obsolete and were replaced by the Adrian in October ‘15

New entry to the collection, another Model 1914 Képi 1st type. This specimen, albeit being in horizon blue cloth, has the shape and lining of the 1884 pattern, which makes it a very early manufacture!

A close up of the regimental numerals on two of my French WWI sidecaps. An M1891/15 model (top) and a 1918 model (bottom).

Another recent acquisition for my collection and something a little different from the traditional horizon blue. A nice French pith helmet made in Marseille and dated 1916! An iconic headwear of the campaigns in Salonika and the Middle East.

My absolute favourite items to collect. WWI French képis.

French WWI identity discs of fallen soldiers. Rather sad items to own but equally as important to preserve. From my collection.

The French fought at Gallipoli too. Suffered greater losses than the Australians. 600 plus sailors died in minutes when the Bouvet was sunk 18/3/15. Had some of the most difficult terrain to fight over and subject to direct fire from the Asian side of the Dardanelles. Remembered.