This recent photograph looks northwards, past the former mining village of Loos-en-Gohelle, towards the village of Hulluch. In the centre, the Commonwealth Graves site at Dud Cemetery is a constant reminder of what happened over 100 years ago in today’s tranquil rural setting.
This is an area that would become familiar to Robert and the 15th Division of the British Army. This is where he was to experience most of his frontline action in his times in France.
Hill 70 is to the east of this landscape. It takes the form of a gentle rise over open farmland. By the time Robert arrived here the German Army was well entrenched along this area, holding any high ground as a defensive position prior to any attack by French or British forces.