The visit to Aubers on 7/8 May 2005 was planned to allow our participation in the ceremonies planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe and the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Aubers Ridge, in which 25 men of Wadhurst lost their lives - with so many others - in a futile attempt to push the German forces back from the high ground.

The ceremonies - at the Commonwealth War Graves Commision cemetery at Le Touret and at the Aubers War Memorial - were very moving and carried out in typical Gallic style with official speeches from local dignitaries and a local band.

We were privileged to have with us the banner of the Royal British Legion Wadhurst and Tidebrook branch, carried with precision and respect by Ron Hockney. We also were honoured by the presence of Dorothy Edwards, a representative of the Pilbeam family, who laid a wreath to commemorate the two uncles she never knew - Arthur Jesse Pilbeam [aged 19] and George Henry Pilbeam [aged 18] - brothers who died on 9 May 1915.

As always our hosts in Aubers gave us a warm welcome and made our too brief stay a memorable and happy occasion.

These photos were taken by my host Jean Paul Haultcoeur and me; if anyone has others they would like to share, please send them to me as .jpg attachments to an e-mail