On 31st July 1917, the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) was launched and by the time it concluded in November 1917, 244,897 allied and an estimated 400,000 German Soldiers had become casualties. 
 
In this macabre statistic, it should be noted that 558 Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) Soldiers had died.  The single, costliest engagement for the RAMC in the Great War. 
 
The above statistics can only give an idea of the psychological impact on the survivors on all sides.
 
It is in the centenary anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele that Private Parsons along with a group of Ex Servicemen, aim to commemorate the launch of this iconic battle. 
 
They will do so by walking from the Thiepval Memorial to the missing (on the Somme), to the Tyne Cot Cemetery on the Passchendaele Ridge, Ypres. This isn’t merely an act of commemoration of one hundred miles for one hundred years, they aim to walk this in four days wearing full WW1 marching order.
 
This will all be conducted to raise funds for Charity; combat Stress.  In doing so they hope to highlight the psychological impact of survivors of all conflicts.  Both past and present.
 
If you would like to support Private Parsons, his colleagues in Khaki and Combat Stress, then please donate a contribution to www.justgiving.com/Thiepval2Tynecot  
 
 
 

Private Parsons in Thiepval Wood

Private Parsons in Delville Wood

​Since 23 September 2016, Private and Sergeant Parsons have been filming with “Orbis”.  Orbis have been producing educational and informative video footage of the Somme region of the Western Front for schools.  As a result, Private and Sergeant Parsons have had the pleasure of working with the acclaimed historian, author and archeologist, Peter Barton

Peter Barton and Sgt Parsons following another successful scene .

​Many iconic locations were included in the filming process.  It was a sheer honor, to be given the opportunity of illustrating the story of the brave men who fought over this hallowed earth one hundred years ago.  A sheer pleasure also, to work with the only man who can tell the tale of those men and do them justice; Peter Barton.

Private Parsons in the sunken Lane Beaumont Hamel

​The patience and constant professionalism from the crew whilst filming, has made this a very tasteful and gracious enterprise. When production is complete, the end result will undoubtedly be respectful, reflective and refined - a true resource for any history department, made all the more so with the knowledge that Orbis has ensured that no corners have been cut or stone unturned in the production of this work.

Peter Barton and the team. Thiepval  Wood