61004: Ring around the moon', memoirs of John and Frank Barnard

Written by Mike Barnard about his father John and his uncle Fred Barnard, and their service during the First World War. Includes their recruitment - John went missing that morning and almost missed the draft because he wanted to plant the asparagus. Their service in Flanders, on the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele. Fred Barnard was in the Artillery, and recalled how they re-captured one of their guns at Bourlon Wood. The account includes the story of the composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams, a doctor in a field hospital, hearing the Last Post.

In one attack John Barnard lost his two best pals, along with 20,000 casualties.

John Barnard witnessed the action of Capt. J.J. Crowe who won the V.C., and he remained in touch with him for many years.

Also recalled is John Barnard's journey home after his service, when he got lost walking from Evesham to Badsey "I was under an English moon, no more shell 'oles or blinking parapets."

Part of a collection relating to Lance Corporal John Barnard (52258 Worcestershire regiment), market gardener of Badsey near Evesham; and his son Mike's drawings and newspaper articles relating to the First World War.