Poppy Mercier
@poppymercier.bsky.social
26 y/o graphic designer & battlefield guide living on the Somme 🇫🇷 All views my own.
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
My latest Legion Magazine article is out now, featuring an interview with British-born French resident and historian Poppy Mercier (@poppymercier.bsky.social), who has embarked on a journey to honour locally buried Canadian airmen from WW II.
legionmagazine.com/british-born...
📸 Poppy Mercier.
legionmagazine.com/british-born...
📸 Poppy Mercier.
June 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
My latest Legion Magazine article is out now, featuring an interview with British-born French resident and historian Poppy Mercier (@poppymercier.bsky.social), who has embarked on a journey to honour locally buried Canadian airmen from WW II.
legionmagazine.com/british-born...
📸 Poppy Mercier.
legionmagazine.com/british-born...
📸 Poppy Mercier.
Uncle Jack
John “Jack” Marketis was my grandma Joan’s older brother. I was always quite close to her up to her death and I remember her telling me stories about her siblings including Jack. He joined the Royal Navy prior to the Second World War breaking out.
John “Jack” Marketis was my grandma Joan’s older brother. I was always quite close to her up to her death and I remember her telling me stories about her siblings including Jack. He joined the Royal Navy prior to the Second World War breaking out.
June 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Uncle Jack
John “Jack” Marketis was my grandma Joan’s older brother. I was always quite close to her up to her death and I remember her telling me stories about her siblings including Jack. He joined the Royal Navy prior to the Second World War breaking out.
John “Jack” Marketis was my grandma Joan’s older brother. I was always quite close to her up to her death and I remember her telling me stories about her siblings including Jack. He joined the Royal Navy prior to the Second World War breaking out.
L'église Notre-Dame de Carentan
Then & Now: 15/16 June 1944 to 20 May 2025
Members of the 326th Airborne Medical Company (101st Airborne Division) with one of their Jeeps parked in front of the church at Carentan talking to the locals.
Original photo courtesy of “WW2 US Medical Research Centre”
Then & Now: 15/16 June 1944 to 20 May 2025
Members of the 326th Airborne Medical Company (101st Airborne Division) with one of their Jeeps parked in front of the church at Carentan talking to the locals.
Original photo courtesy of “WW2 US Medical Research Centre”
May 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
L'église Notre-Dame de Carentan
Then & Now: 15/16 June 1944 to 20 May 2025
Members of the 326th Airborne Medical Company (101st Airborne Division) with one of their Jeeps parked in front of the church at Carentan talking to the locals.
Original photo courtesy of “WW2 US Medical Research Centre”
Then & Now: 15/16 June 1944 to 20 May 2025
Members of the 326th Airborne Medical Company (101st Airborne Division) with one of their Jeeps parked in front of the church at Carentan talking to the locals.
Original photo courtesy of “WW2 US Medical Research Centre”
Burial service for 2 unknown commonwealth soldiers today in CWGC Ovillers Military Cemetery. Sadly their identities could not be discovered; they both receive a burial with full military honours. May they rest in peace, now alongside their comrades once more.
April 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Burial service for 2 unknown commonwealth soldiers today in CWGC Ovillers Military Cemetery. Sadly their identities could not be discovered; they both receive a burial with full military honours. May they rest in peace, now alongside their comrades once more.
It was great to finally be able to visit Loos British Cemetery Extension at the start of the week. The new cemetery has been built to accommodate another 1,200 burials; with the increase of remains being found over the last 10 years such a site is now greatly needed.
April 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
It was great to finally be able to visit Loos British Cemetery Extension at the start of the week. The new cemetery has been built to accommodate another 1,200 burials; with the increase of remains being found over the last 10 years such a site is now greatly needed.
All ready for a new season and out with my first group next week! If you’re looking for a local guide who can bring a fresh perspective to your tours, don’t hesitate to contact me; from a general Battle of the Somme tour or following in the footsteps of a relative, I’m always happy to assist
April 6, 2025 at 3:37 PM
All ready for a new season and out with my first group next week! If you’re looking for a local guide who can bring a fresh perspective to your tours, don’t hesitate to contact me; from a general Battle of the Somme tour or following in the footsteps of a relative, I’m always happy to assist
A beautiful day for exploring the battlefields - visit No.1 to Brie British Cemetery, just outside of Péronne. Such a beautiful small cemetery out in the middle of nowhere with some fascinating burials.
March 29, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A beautiful day for exploring the battlefields - visit No.1 to Brie British Cemetery, just outside of Péronne. Such a beautiful small cemetery out in the middle of nowhere with some fascinating burials.
A beautiful service held today for L/Cpl George Rankeillor. He has previously been listed as missing on the Arras Memorial. Service was attended by the Household Cavalry and the Regimantal Association.
March 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
A beautiful service held today for L/Cpl George Rankeillor. He has previously been listed as missing on the Arras Memorial. Service was attended by the Household Cavalry and the Regimantal Association.
New unit markings on the jeep, more accurate to her unit (326 Airborne Medical Co)
March 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
New unit markings on the jeep, more accurate to her unit (326 Airborne Medical Co)
I took a brief visit to the tool shed at Serre No2 to see where IWGC Ben Leech hid allied airmen during WW2.
“To Major G.B. Simler in remembrance of his staying as guest? at Serre Road No. 2 Beaumont Hamel Somme France 1944"
Photo from the Simler family, shared by @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social
“To Major G.B. Simler in remembrance of his staying as guest? at Serre Road No. 2 Beaumont Hamel Somme France 1944"
Photo from the Simler family, shared by @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social
February 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I took a brief visit to the tool shed at Serre No2 to see where IWGC Ben Leech hid allied airmen during WW2.
“To Major G.B. Simler in remembrance of his staying as guest? at Serre Road No. 2 Beaumont Hamel Somme France 1944"
Photo from the Simler family, shared by @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social
“To Major G.B. Simler in remembrance of his staying as guest? at Serre Road No. 2 Beaumont Hamel Somme France 1944"
Photo from the Simler family, shared by @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social
Buried in Meharicourt cemetery is the crew of Lancaster KB714. On 13 June 1944 the crew from 419 Sqd were returning from bombing Cambrai when they were shot down very close by to Courcelette British Cemetery, killing all on board. May they rest in peace.
“Moosa aswayita"
“Moosa aswayita"
February 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Buried in Meharicourt cemetery is the crew of Lancaster KB714. On 13 June 1944 the crew from 419 Sqd were returning from bombing Cambrai when they were shot down very close by to Courcelette British Cemetery, killing all on board. May they rest in peace.
“Moosa aswayita"
“Moosa aswayita"
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
I wrote a little book about the War Graves gardeners in France and what happened to them after the “lack of proper arrangement for [their] evacuation and the complete disappearance of all [their] leaders.”
www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
The Caretakers: War Graves Gardeners and the Secret Bat…
When World War I ended, hundreds of British veterans st…
www.goodreads.com
January 29, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I wrote a little book about the War Graves gardeners in France and what happened to them after the “lack of proper arrangement for [their] evacuation and the complete disappearance of all [their] leaders.”
www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Merry Christmas to all friends and followers. I wish you all a lovely time and a very happy new year 🎄🎉
December 24, 2024 at 4:16 PM
Merry Christmas to all friends and followers. I wish you all a lovely time and a very happy new year 🎄🎉
#ChristmasMarkets in #Berlin last week. We went to a few but I only took photos at Alexanderplatz & Das Center in Potsdammer Platz.
December 7, 2024 at 4:40 PM
#ChristmasMarkets in #Berlin last week. We went to a few but I only took photos at Alexanderplatz & Das Center in Potsdammer Platz.
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
(If you're a wikipedia editor, you can add them yourself, or you can send them to me or @poppymercier.bsky.social, who is responsible for the good work maintaining that page!)
December 4, 2024 at 6:15 PM
(If you're a wikipedia editor, you can add them yourself, or you can send them to me or @poppymercier.bsky.social, who is responsible for the good work maintaining that page!)
Just some highlights of my 5 days in Berlin…always an excellent time exploring the city, rediscovering its history and enjoying some of the local culture.
December 1, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Just some highlights of my 5 days in Berlin…always an excellent time exploring the city, rediscovering its history and enjoying some of the local culture.
Only a few days now until I’m back in my favourite city for the first time since 2019. Berlin is such a beautiful city, with such a rich history and an amazing variety of museums and historic sites
November 23, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Only a few days now until I’m back in my favourite city for the first time since 2019. Berlin is such a beautiful city, with such a rich history and an amazing variety of museums and historic sites
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
When we discovered this German backpack in a 1914 trench near Wijdendrift (Langemark), we could never have imagined the extraordinary find it held. Only during cleaning in the depot did the eyes and claws of a cuddly toy come to light.
#FWW #Archaeology #History
#FWW #Archaeology #History
November 21, 2024 at 11:36 PM
When we discovered this German backpack in a 1914 trench near Wijdendrift (Langemark), we could never have imagined the extraordinary find it held. Only during cleaning in the depot did the eyes and claws of a cuddly toy come to light.
#FWW #Archaeology #History
#FWW #Archaeology #History
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
Bert Haskins was a War Graves gardener in Dunkirk in the 1920s-30s.
In 1940, he was arrested by the Germans and sent to an internment camp.
In transit, he befriended the author P.G. Wodehouse, sharing food Bert brought from home. They became friends; Wodehouse dedicated "Money in the Bank" to him
In 1940, he was arrested by the Germans and sent to an internment camp.
In transit, he befriended the author P.G. Wodehouse, sharing food Bert brought from home. They became friends; Wodehouse dedicated "Money in the Bank" to him
November 20, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Bert Haskins was a War Graves gardener in Dunkirk in the 1920s-30s.
In 1940, he was arrested by the Germans and sent to an internment camp.
In transit, he befriended the author P.G. Wodehouse, sharing food Bert brought from home. They became friends; Wodehouse dedicated "Money in the Bank" to him
In 1940, he was arrested by the Germans and sent to an internment camp.
In transit, he befriended the author P.G. Wodehouse, sharing food Bert brought from home. They became friends; Wodehouse dedicated "Money in the Bank" to him
Away from my love of military history comes my love of historic military medicine. My full time job is creating WW2 era replicas for reenactors, film & TV and museums. I’ve always had a love for graphic design and this allows me to combine my two passions.
November 20, 2024 at 10:58 PM
Away from my love of military history comes my love of historic military medicine. My full time job is creating WW2 era replicas for reenactors, film & TV and museums. I’ve always had a love for graphic design and this allows me to combine my two passions.
Reposted by Poppy Mercier
IT FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY, OLD CHAP.
On a wet and blustery autumn day in the old Ypres Salient, a former officer of the First Surrey Rifles makes a pilgrimage to the grave of an old chum.
-
Original painting and prints are available here: timgodden.co.uk/shop/p/feels...
#ww1 #illustration
On a wet and blustery autumn day in the old Ypres Salient, a former officer of the First Surrey Rifles makes a pilgrimage to the grave of an old chum.
-
Original painting and prints are available here: timgodden.co.uk/shop/p/feels...
#ww1 #illustration
November 20, 2024 at 9:12 AM
IT FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY, OLD CHAP.
On a wet and blustery autumn day in the old Ypres Salient, a former officer of the First Surrey Rifles makes a pilgrimage to the grave of an old chum.
-
Original painting and prints are available here: timgodden.co.uk/shop/p/feels...
#ww1 #illustration
On a wet and blustery autumn day in the old Ypres Salient, a former officer of the First Surrey Rifles makes a pilgrimage to the grave of an old chum.
-
Original painting and prints are available here: timgodden.co.uk/shop/p/feels...
#ww1 #illustration
Snow on the Somme - by this point in 1916 the battle of the Somme was over. But the fighting continued for months with the attacks on the Ancre & Boom Ravine. The weather was awful, snowy and icy, much like it was in these photos I took in Jan 2024, 2021 & 2019.
November 19, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Snow on the Somme - by this point in 1916 the battle of the Somme was over. But the fighting continued for months with the attacks on the Ancre & Boom Ravine. The weather was awful, snowy and icy, much like it was in these photos I took in Jan 2024, 2021 & 2019.
As everybody is sharing old school photos of the battlefields recently - here’s two from my collection:
1) Marcoing British Cemetery, a column passes by sometime in 1941.
2) Bray Military Cemetery, the local gendarmerie gather to mark the liberation, 1st Sept 1944.
1) Marcoing British Cemetery, a column passes by sometime in 1941.
2) Bray Military Cemetery, the local gendarmerie gather to mark the liberation, 1st Sept 1944.
November 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM
As everybody is sharing old school photos of the battlefields recently - here’s two from my collection:
1) Marcoing British Cemetery, a column passes by sometime in 1941.
2) Bray Military Cemetery, the local gendarmerie gather to mark the liberation, 1st Sept 1944.
1) Marcoing British Cemetery, a column passes by sometime in 1941.
2) Bray Military Cemetery, the local gendarmerie gather to mark the liberation, 1st Sept 1944.