Episode 2: Passchendaele
In Northern Belgium lies the site of the infamous battle of Passchendaele, fought in 1917, a place where man and beast drowned in a churning sea of mud.
As the team unearth the remains of a complex trench system, they discover one of the first modern wristwatches– a technological innovation that was born of war.
Forensic investigation reveals letters are etched onto its strap – a discovery that launches a journey to identify its owner, a soldier, one of the Fallen.
The search leads to John Humphrey England, a Second Lieutenant under the Welsh regiment, who died in the mud of Passchendaele July 31 1917.
But this quest has a twist in the tail.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I have a straight razor that has a aname and service number on it, the name has to my knowlage no family connection,but the razor is from fort william canada. Ther is some other marking scratched on the handle that tell of teh areas of service theowner of the razor went to in 1915. Would this item be useful for an epposode in the future?
Thank you for oyur time
January 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hi Jay,
It sounds like you have a unique personal item from the war. We’re not sure how we could use it be perhaps you could provide us with the information scratched onto it so that we can make some inquiries.
Thanks
November 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
i just want to say thank you so very much for doing this and publishing it . i am very interested in areas of work like this (but am not educated to do it). i really am sad when i miss a show because it is all so interesting. thanks again and keep up the good work!!