First World War Trenches to be Mapped

From the September 23, 2012, Hemeltoday "Berkhamsted's First World War trenches to be mapped."

Plans are to begin a serious mapping of trenches dug at Berkhamsted and North Church Common to train soldiers for the front during the First World War.  These trenches originally covered over eight miles, but now only around 500 meters remain.  Much of the rest were filled in over the years.

It is estimated that some 14,000 Tommys (British soldiers) from the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps (nicknamed "The Devil's Own") were trained at these.  The unit was based at nearby Kitchener's Field, named after Britain's 1914 war secretary.  By 1918, 2,147 of the unit's men had died in France.

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