One snowy November morn twelve good men and true set out from Croydon, venturing to parts previously unexplored. The occasion was the annual Croham Road Men’s trip, a one day adventure to Northern France and Belgium.
Under the cover of darkness three drivers silently picked up their passengers for rendezvous at the Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal for co ee and Stollen. Despite all the transport troubles earlier in the year our shuttle ran within two minutes of its scheduled time.
Our trip this year had a sporting theme, we visited three cemeteries, each lovingly cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Buried at each were significant sportsmen, cricketers, rugby union players and footballers. Our first stop was the Oxford Road Cemetery, containing the grave of Colin Blythe, Kent spin bowler who served with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Our second stop was Hooge Crater Cemetery and Museum. The museum covered the battles of Ypres but also focussed on the “underground war”, the way that tunnels were dug under enemy trenches and explosive charges set o .
Our third stop was the Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery, containing the grave of Ronald Poulton-Palmer, England Rugby Union Football Captain who served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, heir to the Huntley and Palmer biscuit company.
Our fourth stop was in the Ploegstreet area at the site of the Christmas 1914 England – Germany Football match. At our various stops we explored the di erent responses to the various sports to the war, cricketers carried on to maintain a semblance of normality back home, rugby union ceased to allow players to sign up and footballers took their game with them.
Cultural visits concluded we headed north, back into France for a trolley dash around the Coquelles Auchan, snapping up bargains and delicacies, beer, cheese, wine, pastries etc. Our final destination was the Le Blanc Nez seafood restaurant in Sangatte. Between us we enjoyed delights such as smoked salmon, scallops, snails, oysters, beef, roast cod and the cheeseboard followed by sorbets, ice cream and co ee. A deserted Eurotunnel shuttle ran equally punctually to get us home, before drivers less silently deposited their passengers and purchases home in the small hours the following day. A busy but enjoyable day, thank you to all who participated and a big thank you to Martin Warren for his superb organisation and planning.
Ian Penistone