New South Wales Artist Blacksmith Association members held a successful poppy forging day and made 40 poppies.
Jenny Clark at the NSW Artist Blacksmith Association forging day
Jenny Clark, one of the participants said:
“Thought I’d drop you a quick email to thank you again for the opportunity to beat out a couple of poppies for the Ypres (Ieper) project in memory of my great uncles. I have quite an affinity with these men that I never had the opportunity to meet. I have their original letters that were sent home during their deployment which gives a small insight to their time in Belgium. Please thank the gentleman that helped me and I’m pleased he still has all his fingers and trusted me with the sledge hammer – sorry I can’t remember his name… I was a bit excited about the whole experience.
Today I’m nursing a small burn to my thumb, a skin tear on my sledge hammer hand and sore back muscles none of which matter and all of which will heal. It was all worth it for the experience and next time I’m in Europe I will definitely go via Ypres (Ieper) again.
I thought you may be interested in seeing the men that inspired me… below are some montages I put together for another family member. As mentioned Dolf is commemorated on the Menin Gate whilst Fred is buried at Lijssenthock Military Cemetry just outside of Ieper.
Again, thank you for what made a wonderful day out.
Regards,
Jenny Clark”
Frederick Leopold Calov, fatally wounded Polygon Wood, Belgium 27 September 1917
Ernest Dolf Calov, killed in action, Passchendaele 12 October 1917
