Met After 100 Years: The Missing Soldier (WW1 Documentary)

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  • Опубликовано: 13 дек 2024
  • When finally the guns fell silent across the Western Front on the 11th November 1918, much of Europe was left in ruins. Years of warfare had shattered towns and villages and left millions dead. But what of the living? Amongst that number, were millions more prisoners who themselves had endured extraordinary hardships. And despite peace now reigning, tragically, not all would return home. In this video, using the latest technology and a remarkable unseen wartime collection, we’ll follow a little-known but incredible story of one young man and a legacy which has endured for over a hundred years.
    Creating these videos is a lot of work, and it would not be possible without your support. If you like our work, you can help us with a regular or one time payment:
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    • Instagram: / battleguide.vt
    General Sources:
    • US National Archives (NARA)
    • Google Earth Pro & Web Versions
    • Maptiler Pro (Desktop Version)
    • Chamberlain Family Archives
    Credits:
    • Research & Script: Dan Hill
    • Narration: Dan Hill
    • Editing: Shane Greer
    • Thumbnail Design: Linus Klassen
    • Music & Sound Effects: Shane Greer

Комментарии • 147

  • @williamwulff289
    @williamwulff289 14 дней назад +70

    As a Belgian, you cannot imagine the deep appreciation that we have for our Allies friends and all the poor souls that died in our fields. My Great-grandpa was fighting, along with his father from the retreat from Antwerp until the Armistice. He was in the 14th Chasseurs, the first unit to take back Namur after War's end.
    As a student, I lived in Namur for 3 years - all these streets are so very familiar. Madame Delaye's shop is in one of the nicest street of the old town and Elfie was nursed next to my university auditoriums. So many known and unknwown men have stood where we now stand. Let us hope that war never comes back to our cities.
    thank you so very much for telling this story

    • @Crusty_Camper
      @Crusty_Camper 13 дней назад +1

      @wiilliamwolff289 The link between our histories is very strong. I have visited Belgium several times and always feel welcome there. The ties that link us are far stronger than any temporary political differences. As a British person I am proud to be European too.

    • @SkipperBlue
      @SkipperBlue 12 дней назад

      @@williamwulff289 as a german, i know how Belgians suffered in both world wars. 5000 civilians massacred in ww1 suspected as "franctireurs". My grand-grandfathers behaviour was like warriors of tshengis-khan.

    • @jamesross1799
      @jamesross1799 12 дней назад

      I expirienced this appreciation when my dad and myself went to visit our great uncles in the Ypres area. I was truly moved by the kind comments from hotel staff when they learned the reason for our visit.

  • @Nubis509
    @Nubis509 14 дней назад +71

    Great story! Your channel is criminally underrated..

    • @BattleGuideVT
      @BattleGuideVT  14 дней назад +7

      Thank you so much.

    • @ch33sytac05
      @ch33sytac05 14 дней назад +6

      Completely agree, the amount of research and storytelling that goes into this videos rivals if not outdoes the majority of big history channels, love the fact he always goes into individual stories, really reminds you when you hear thousands of dead its not just a number, but a person with a life

    • @desmondrobinson169
      @desmondrobinson169 13 дней назад

      @@BattleGuideVTWhy meters not metres in your graphics?

    • @martyndick327
      @martyndick327 11 дней назад

      Couldn't agree more. Absolutely love this channel!!

  • @Skipper.17
    @Skipper.17 14 дней назад +30

    I think most of us have read about the main battles of these wars, but learning about the individual stories of these soldiers is always fascinating.

  • @grahambaker1736
    @grahambaker1736 14 дней назад +25

    Such a moving story, how wonderful that complete strangers in Belgium could care for a sick lad, alone and away from his family. Kindness and care! Bless them all!

  • @63mckenzie
    @63mckenzie 13 дней назад +11

    My grandfather and his brother both fought in WW1. My grandfather survived, his brother did not. My great uncle James is buried in the war cemetery at Arras and videos like this always remind me of the life he and all the other young men never had.

  • @TheHistoryUnderground
    @TheHistoryUnderground 7 дней назад +5

    Outstanding work. Thanks for giving life to this story.

    • @BattleGuideVT
      @BattleGuideVT  7 дней назад +1

      Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it, Dan

  • @Alwuwa
    @Alwuwa 14 дней назад +30

    Phenomenally presented and so well written documentary. Thank you so much for covering this. This was such an inspiring story of love from the deep sadness of losing a child. Excellent work as always!

    • @BattleGuideVT
      @BattleGuideVT  14 дней назад +1

      Thanks so much... delighted you enjoyed it.

  • @michaeljohnryan7801
    @michaeljohnryan7801 14 дней назад +28

    What a sad story 😢, at least he had someone with him before he passed

  • @Poguemuhone
    @Poguemuhone 13 дней назад +14

    Rest in peace dear old chap, and all your guardians,,im 65 here in cork city ireland and my mother passed away on the 5 October 2024 at 92.her father, my grandfather, John Cogan,known as jacko,,,was a soldier in the Royal munster fusiliers, born 1896,,No 9998.prisoner of war 1916 i think.he then went back to England to reenlist in 1940 but was un successful so he worked in munitions till 45 .....if I should fall along the way,,then lay me down where i will stay,,,and if it's so that you may pass by,,you might stop a while at where i lie,,and sit and rest and maybe smile, when you recall a time in my blue eyes, and if your memory serves you right, then your own eyes will catch the light, and keep it hidden in your heart, and when it's needed to call upon you might think of me for i am the one,who loved you once for a moment in time...Michael.

  • @MichaelLeBlanc-p4f
    @MichaelLeBlanc-p4f 14 дней назад +7

    Who would have imagined then that 106 years later so many hearts around the net world, would be so touched by this account.
    Thank you for sharing it.

  • @arlenechambers2419
    @arlenechambers2419 14 дней назад +11

    Courageous young men who bravely volunteered to go to war we will never forget their sacrifice and service

  • @sherylkite6575
    @sherylkite6575 13 дней назад +3

    Meeting the decendants of Mrs Delaye was simply incredible, such a moving moment in my life I will never forget. Thank you Dan for helping us to share our family's storey which had been lost through the generations. I will most certainly keep the storey going for generations to come.

  • @rhoddryice5412
    @rhoddryice5412 14 дней назад +10

    Such a moving and sad story. Even though the title gave away the sad ending I was hoping until the end Elfy would recover from his poisoned wound. And I’ve got to admit your story put tears 8n my eyes.
    Thanks

  • @jmeyer3rn
    @jmeyer3rn 12 дней назад +2

    This is such a emotional story; thank you for sharing Elfington's sad demise. War is hell.

  • @LordLaDiDa
    @LordLaDiDa 14 дней назад +10

    What a moving story. And beautifully presented

  • @jasonruggles2579
    @jasonruggles2579 14 дней назад +15

    Outstanding. As a Herts man. Very moved

  • @bobstride6838
    @bobstride6838 14 дней назад +3

    What a sad story, this brings home the human side of warfare but also kindness from one human being to another

  • @DimBeam1
    @DimBeam1 14 дней назад +9

    Bloody hell, i've got something in my eye.
    Great video and very respectfully done.

  • @jamesross1799
    @jamesross1799 12 дней назад +2

    This young man's story isn't unusual many men had very similar war experiences. Experiences that we find hard to comprehend from our modern perspective. I love your channel thanks for the massive effort you put in to these films it's very much appreciated 😊

  • @MC-nb6jx
    @MC-nb6jx 14 дней назад +5

    Such a sad story, watching through tears, but so well presented as always, thank you..

  • @dondouglass6415
    @dondouglass6415 13 дней назад +5

    What a touching story.... 😢

  • @SkipperBlue
    @SkipperBlue 13 дней назад +20

    As a german born in the 60ies - it breaks my heart. My imagination is - if our european nations had worked together in Peace - our engineers, workers, doctors, sailors - what a beautiful place europe could have been.

    • @davidwhite4874
      @davidwhite4874 10 дней назад +3

      All wars are engineered into existence by those with the power to prevent them. You and your country are not to blame.

    • @fryertuck6496
      @fryertuck6496 9 дней назад

      Never going to happen.
      Germany in the 20's and early 30's was an open sewer.
      The loss of morals and the early trans-children movement (which were the books the Nazis first burnt) resulted in a massive and understandable rise in nationalism.
      Same thing is happening now, debauchery, trans idiots and migrants are fuelling anger across Europe and the West.
      Thai will not end well.

    • @fryertuck6496
      @fryertuck6496 9 дней назад

      ​@@davidwhite4874He didn't claim any blame, you incinuiated blame.

    • @davidwhite4874
      @davidwhite4874 9 дней назад +2

      @@fryertuck6496 After generations of Germans being taught and propagandised that the blame was on them, I assumed that he felt some guilt, if I was wrong, I apologise, but my assurance still stands.

  • @alistairj4851
    @alistairj4851 12 дней назад +1

    This is both tragic and heart warming at the same time. So sad that the son did not make it home, but finding such a caring family who looked after him as if he was their son. It must have been of great consolation to his mother, knowing he had been cared for and loved and in very good company.

  • @JimSobery
    @JimSobery 13 дней назад +4

    "With the 10th Essex in France" is the 1914-18 regimental history for Elphy Chambrlain's regiment. Capt. R.A. Chell, D.S.O, M.C is the author and was a dear friend and neighbor of my family. This book has been reprinted, and I understand a reenactor group now portrays the WW1 10th Essex Regiment.

  • @frankg9102
    @frankg9102 14 дней назад +5

    The detail and background in every story is amazing! Keep up the great work and thank you for these amazing videos (and podcasts)!

  • @hobbitspot6998
    @hobbitspot6998 13 дней назад +5

    Exceptional presentation. Thanks for sharing it.🙏🇮🇳

  • @notpopeye
    @notpopeye 13 дней назад +1

    Such an amazing story!
    My own Great-Grandfather participated in the assault on the Hindenburg Line, going "over the top" with the 119th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, on September 29th, 1918. On the far left of the American lines, that assault occurred just a few kilometers (or less) from Elphie's attack the week prior, this time towards the western end of Saint Quentin Canal and the village of Bellicourt. (I nearly fell out of my chair when you showed the map in the video).
    And like Elphie, Private Ray Burton Ryan was wounded, and captured in a mid-morning German counter-attack. He would spend the next several months in a POW camp in Duhlman, Germany, before being repatriated back to the U.S. in the early-Spring of 1919.

  • @jameswebb4593
    @jameswebb4593 14 дней назад +2

    Very moving . In many ways reminds me of my Grandfathers neice and her husband , He had his leg amputated up to the thigh , after being wounded as a Lancaster gunner. Cannot remember the date , but grandpa and myself travelled across from Kent to Bath for a weeks holiday at his sister small farm. With using a single crutch played cricket with us kids . A few weeks after returnibg home heard the sad news he had died .

  • @cassiebarratt2131
    @cassiebarratt2131 14 дней назад +6

    brought a tear to my eye

  • @Wee_Langside
    @Wee_Langside 14 дней назад +3

    That was a very moving story very well told. Many thanks

  • @thenoworriesnomad
    @thenoworriesnomad 4 дня назад

    OMG... this has to be one of my favourite videos you have done, thank you and God Bless Them All..

  • @annew1692
    @annew1692 13 дней назад +1

    I was so moved by this story. Thank you. It is a sad story and yet there is hope with the kindness of strangers.

  • @bikenavbm1229
    @bikenavbm1229 4 дня назад

    That is such a bitter sweet story, but it is hard to imagine that it could have been recounted any better, thank you so much.

  • @owencrater7089
    @owencrater7089 12 дней назад

    What a well done story. One of the best on RUclips.

  • @jasone4460
    @jasone4460 2 дня назад

    Your channel and Dr Mark Felton have the best war history on RUclips. Thank you for all the informative content and excellent commentary.

  • @wensday8784
    @wensday8784 7 дней назад

    Sad but beautiful story, told so compassionately, I love your videos for their brilliant production quality and deep research. Thank you.

  • @BilltheDoughboy1996
    @BilltheDoughboy1996 13 дней назад +1

    What a story... and what an incredible video! I will be sharing this to all my mates who research the 10th as well 🙂

  • @allanburt5250
    @allanburt5250 14 дней назад +3

    Another cracking video please keep them coming 👍

  • @paulbradford8240
    @paulbradford8240 12 дней назад

    A very touching story that you wished didn't need to happen. So many men, teens and older who left England and other Countries to meet and die on the battlefield. For nothing some might think, but for me and many like me, a matter of pride for what my Great Grandfather did, now lying at peace in a cemetery in France.

  • @padigernon7838
    @padigernon7838 13 дней назад

    Fantastic video,incredible story!

  • @J.Walker88
    @J.Walker88 14 дней назад +2

    Great story. I enjoyed and appreciated it very much.

  • @CanOfRabbitHoles
    @CanOfRabbitHoles 10 дней назад

    My god that was such an incredibly powerful one! Thank you so much for your incredible work. Seriously, how is this channel still so small!?!?!

  • @iangrimwood3345
    @iangrimwood3345 14 дней назад +2

    Another brilliant video. Thank you

  • @annehersey9895
    @annehersey9895 13 дней назад +1

    How did Elfy have a daughter when he joined the Army at 16? What a wonderful story and how wonderful Elfys mum must have felt to know that her son had another woman who was a mother to him in his last days. The picture of Marie just exudes compassion and caring. Thanks so much for sharing this story.

    • @BattleGuideVT
      @BattleGuideVT  13 дней назад +3

      You are quite right, it was his great niece, not grand-daughter: no idea how I forgot that.

    • @annehersey9895
      @annehersey9895 13 дней назад +1

      @ no problem because it was such a wonderful story. I’m still thinking about it an hour after watching the video!

  • @stevemorrell4066
    @stevemorrell4066 12 дней назад +1

    Very tastefully done.

  • @grahamhollingworth8253
    @grahamhollingworth8253 9 дней назад

    What a wonderful amazing story, thank you for telling the stories of these heroes.

  • @annehersey9895
    @annehersey9895 13 дней назад +2

    Good Lord. The graphing you showed breaking every part down to just 5 yards is mind-boggling!! Are you saying that someone had a job of detailing these actions 5 yard increments at a time for an entire area? WHOSE job was that? Who came up with that system? Was the same system used in WWII? Man that would be so much easier with a computer. It had to have taken hours if not days or more to compile the action in just this one little village. Thanks for teaching me something new-as you always do!

  • @dallasreid7755
    @dallasreid7755 14 дней назад +2

    Very moving story

  • @martinjf467
    @martinjf467 12 дней назад

    Bloody marvellous. Well done on your research for this. It is so moving. My wife worked out what happened to my cousin (twice removed) from the battalion departing Britain (right down to the ship they sailed on) to his demise in late October on the Menin Road a short way out of Ypres past Hooge. We followed his footsteps over a week. It is very moving to follow a soldier's time in this way and your work on Elphi is amazing and deeply moving. Thank you.

  • @mickmc5807
    @mickmc5807 14 дней назад +2

    What a fantastic story

  • @walkingdad6978
    @walkingdad6978 11 дней назад

    A very touching story. 😢The amount of research must have been overwhelming to piece together this tale. Thank you for sharing this, and all your other hard work. It’s much appreciated. One of the many reasons that you’re my “go to” channel here,and my “go to” podcast
    Superb 😊

  • @grahamwaz4689
    @grahamwaz4689 14 дней назад +1

    Excellent content, well presented.

  • @la_old_salt2241
    @la_old_salt2241 13 дней назад

    What a marvelous story! Thank you for sharing. God bless, Rob

  • @elliottgoad3128
    @elliottgoad3128 14 дней назад +1

    Excellent. Thank you.

  • @nickward1366
    @nickward1366 14 дней назад +1

    Utterly fascinating thank you so much

  • @marciabaldwin2506
    @marciabaldwin2506 8 дней назад

    Fantastic story of this brave young man and the families here in the UK and Belgium totally fascinating ❤

  • @bobbybates2614
    @bobbybates2614 13 дней назад

    To those brave soldiers who fought and died in ww1 R.I .P you will always be remembered

  • @loafersheffield
    @loafersheffield 14 дней назад +3

    Thanks.

  • @MarkDenson-ld8bf
    @MarkDenson-ld8bf 12 дней назад

    Absolutely amazing story it had me in tears what a lovely lady total respect to her and all the families thank you for sharing this with us

  • @resnonverba137
    @resnonverba137 13 дней назад

    Thanks for your research and for keeping stories like this alive. God bless one and all.

  • @ph6475
    @ph6475 14 дней назад +5

    Netflix level documentary as usual, nice job.

    • @BattleGuideVT
      @BattleGuideVT  14 дней назад +1

      Thanks for the very kind comment!

  • @RaspberryWhy
    @RaspberryWhy 13 дней назад +1

    Wow, just wow. A veery powerful story. What a story to research

  • @davidroberts8874
    @davidroberts8874 14 дней назад +1

    Thankyou for this

  • @FilipDePreter
    @FilipDePreter 14 дней назад +2

    Fascinating story.

  • @jamesharryward5595
    @jamesharryward5595 13 дней назад

    Sensitively done ... I really enjoyed your short Documentary .... great Editing and a wonderful story - thank you

  • @blackpoolrox6475
    @blackpoolrox6475 12 дней назад

    What a meticulously researched story. The adopted Mother Madame Delay's love for this lady's child is one of many 1,000s of cherished links to all those who endured this atrocious waste of young lives, of all countries involved.

  • @1MrMoor
    @1MrMoor 13 дней назад

    Stunning, poignant, heartbreaking and yet so heartwarming. My sincere respects to the Chamberlain Family along with a very belated salute to brave Elphinstone. ….Dearest Madame Delaye… you are and you were an Angel …Caring for Elphy as you did, reaching out to his family….those are acts of an Angel …To the Delaye Family of 2024… There is a special bond of caring and kindness shared between your family because of the kind acts of your grandmother Madame Delaye…and millions of English people who’s family members served in WW1. My love and respects to you all ❤

  • @14rnr
    @14rnr 11 дней назад

    I have lived in Letchworth almost 60 years and never heard of this brave young man. And further to that he was in the Essex Regiment which is the one my Grandfather served in too.

  • @joslynscott466
    @joslynscott466 8 дней назад

    So heartbreakingly beautiful.

  • @kevinsenior8155
    @kevinsenior8155 11 дней назад

    A very touching story.... thanks.

  • @TwoMikesProductions
    @TwoMikesProductions 13 дней назад

    This is superb. We followed the 10th Essex heading to Tombois a couple of years back. One of our members was from the same school (Gordonbrock Lewisham) as one of the casualties at the Cemetery there.

  • @CalasTyphon488
    @CalasTyphon488 14 дней назад +3

    Wow , brought tears to my 6.4 ft four eyes this story did , fantastic humanity, us European's don't get along a lot but stories like this prove there's a shared friendship

  • @johnpage4581
    @johnpage4581 13 дней назад +1

    The youth of today should read this to realise how they owe such a lot to the youth of the great war.

  • @huibertlandzaat1889
    @huibertlandzaat1889 13 дней назад

    Thank you for uploading

  • @sandykenuk
    @sandykenuk 13 дней назад

    Fantastic story, puts my faith in humanity high

  • @steve7956
    @steve7956 14 дней назад +1

    Excellent 👌

  • @el_aleman
    @el_aleman 13 дней назад

    Outstanding research and channel.

  • @michaeldouglas1243
    @michaeldouglas1243 10 дней назад

    Amazing story and content

  • @redtomcat1725
    @redtomcat1725 7 дней назад

    Brought tears to my eyes !!

  • @hachimaru295
    @hachimaru295 12 дней назад

    powerfull and personal well done !

  • @kenroberts6906
    @kenroberts6906 14 дней назад +1

    Wonderful

  • @bigjohno242
    @bigjohno242 14 дней назад +1

    A very moving story . Letchworth is not far from where I live in Herts , and I have a big interest in all the forbear regiments to the now Royal Anglian Regiment..

  • @richsmith4363
    @richsmith4363 14 дней назад +1

    Really interesting story. Sad though.

  • @johnvandezilver1388
    @johnvandezilver1388 14 дней назад +2

    A sad story, afther 4 years he still was a soldier !? No promotion afther all those years.

  • @timmermansj1300
    @timmermansj1300 9 дней назад

    I will look for his grave in the next two weeks.. may he and all others rest in peace. We will remember them 🕊

  • @jamesross1799
    @jamesross1799 12 дней назад

    That poor lad. The spanish flu epidemic was a final tragic twist to ww1.

  • @danrooc
    @danrooc 13 дней назад +1

    GREAT WORK. (I just rather like to listen it in English).

  • @ragandoil
    @ragandoil 11 дней назад

    This made an old soldier weep

  • @lisathomas627
    @lisathomas627 14 дней назад +2

    At least he went in his sleep.😢

  • @coreychipman
    @coreychipman 11 дней назад

    I have a modern story about the how wonderful the Belgian People are. I was in Belgium for some training. That is probably all I can say. I was 19 years old at the time and my impacted wisdom teeth got infected. They had to send me to a military hospital for two or so days before I could get back to training. Every single person I met treated me like a visiting prince once they found out I was an American Soldier. I will never forget that experience. They have NOT forgotten our sacrifices, I assure you. My Belgian friends, do not forget that we were saving ourselves as much as helping save you. Oh...and between the SAS, Para's and Belgian Commandos, the Belgians would pull us aside over beers and we would tell harmless jokes at the expense of our good friends of Britain. America is blessed to still have both as Allies.

  • @anthonyquinn5058
    @anthonyquinn5058 14 дней назад +4

    The lost generation

  • @scrubsrc4084
    @scrubsrc4084 День назад

    My grandma lost her uncle a few days after the war whilst disarming germansg in Holland.

  • @angelamary9493
    @angelamary9493 10 дней назад

    Rest in Peace to All the Fallen past and Present ..

  • @bigsarge2085
    @bigsarge2085 13 дней назад +2

  • @bernies6528
    @bernies6528 7 дней назад

    Eine traurige Geschichte über einen jungen Mann, der letztlich nicht nur seine Jugend, sondern auch sein Leben für einen Irrsinn verloren hat.

  • @douglynn8357
    @douglynn8357 13 дней назад

    Great video I to am trying to put together some bits about my grandmothers 2 brothers family name doe one unfortunately Kia a few days before the end of war

  • @thetimetraveller6550
    @thetimetraveller6550 14 дней назад +2

    As I always have said detail is incredible but using trench maps and war diaries it really is like looking for a needle in a haystack, the brutality of the first war was such that the advancements in medicine isnt as good as it is today had they had the antibiotics available at the time perhaps the Dow, s (died of wounds) patients would have been far less the hell and suffering of these men is just unimaginable. Those men died so we could all have freedom and it saddens me to see what's happening in Britain at the current times we live in. but one things for sure absolutely none of them will ever be forgotten there's many people that will never allow there sacrifices to have ever been made in vain, at the going down of the sun we shall always remember them.

  • @ravenseft
    @ravenseft 13 дней назад

    At 9:19, the letter reads "possible" and not "horrible".

  • @henrychinaski712
    @henrychinaski712 11 дней назад +1

    Recordad que los alemanes no son los malos, y que en la guerra sólo ganan los políticos, los banqueros y los fabricantes de armas.

  • @hoppycom888
    @hoppycom888 6 дней назад

    Damn Ninjas cutting onions behind my couch again 😢😢