War Research "The Shipton Brothers"

The starting point of this new route of research came from one of my work colleagues know as Mike Bray. I'd previously worked with him on various work related projects within Autoworld. It was one particular day when I was working on this project were Mike asked what I was up to, after a long discussion, I asked if he had any stories that he wanted to share from within his family. Mike agreed to be involved and eventually came back with this poignant story about two distant relations who were brothers that both lost their lives in the First World War.

I was handed a variety of different materials (that I don't want to publish online because they are sensitive) that have given me a new route of research. You can view this information in my sketch book.

The Shipstone Brothers were born in Eastwood and both joined the great war. Percy Shipstone joined the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (see cap badge below) but sadly died of his wounds in June 1917 aged 28. There is a piece of information stating hat he was shot in the back on the 7th June at Messiness Ridge before he died back at the field hospital on June the 23rd.

The Battle of Messiness Ridge
www.firstworldwar.com/battles/messines.htm

According to this piece of research, on June the 7th ( the day Percy was injured) the allies detonated explosives in 22 mine shafts that laid beneath the German lines before a major infantry assault was launched, I can only presume that Percy was among those troops where he sadly fell to those injuries.

Leonard Shipstone served in the 402nd Battery Royal Field Artillery (see cap badge below), he was injured in France on 26th April but, later died from his injuries in May 1917 aged just 21. The piece of writing doesn't go into much detail of which battles Leonard fought in except one, which was most likely (but uncertain) that he fought in the battle for Vimy Ridge as his unit was attached to the Canadian Army.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge took place on Easter Monday (9th of April) and was part of a offensive to draw the Germans attention from another offensive from the French.  The assault was classed as a success but came at a heavy cost of thousands of lives. These dates fit but I still can't be 100% sure.

Image from library & Archives Canada

The two Brothers are both buried near one and other at the Etaples Military Cemetery in Northern France. Gosh! what sight, you cannot comprehend the vast scale of these war graves, they look immaculate.

Staples Military Cemetery
www.cwgc.org

After further research, I discovered that during the First World War, this area around Etaples was full of camps and field hospitals. The cemetery contains 10,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and over 100 burials from the Second World War. The graves look as if they are lined up like Soldiers in lined formation. These stories and images have confirmed a possible idea that I'd previously sketched out in my sketchbook earlier today. I had this idea which was inspired by Stephan Sagmeister to see type as something different. I'm imagining my logo type placed in rows, just like these memorials,  to spell out the underlining message I'm trying to communicate.

Although this was a brief piece of research, it's been one that has generated a powerful piece of content. I will have to include the Shipstone Brothers and pay tribute to their lives with the families permission.