Trench Chat: War Cemeteries & Landscape with Tim Godden

In this latest Trench Chat we are joined by military historian Dr Tim Godden to discuss his research on the Junior Architects of the Imperial War Museum, and the design and meaning of the ‘Silent Cities’, the British cemeteries of the Great War. We also discuss Tim’s work as an artist, and how that connects to his wider interest in the conflict.

5 Comments on “Trench Chat: War Cemeteries & Landscape with Tim Godden”

Peter Shotton
March 2, 2021

That certainly put a different perspective when visiting our war cemeteries as like many others I walk around looking at the gravestones and never think of looking over the wall so to speak. I sincerely hope it’s something I can try this year assuming the leger trips I am on can go ahead.
Its also worthwhile looking at Tim’s artwork it certainly gave me a chuckle.

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- oldfrontline
  March 2, 2021
  
  Thanks, Peter.
  
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Nigel Marshall
March 6, 2021

What I thoroughly enjoy about your podcasts is the differing perspectives each one gives. The point about looking out from the graveyard is so important but easily missed as is the individual story that each one tells. Fascinating and great to listen to as ever, thanks for doing these.

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- oldfrontline
  March 6, 2021
  
  Thanks, Nigel. Tim was really great in this one.
  
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Antony Davenport
July 8, 2023

I agree with Peter and Nigel above, and how the gravestones focus the mind, making it so easy to miss the bigger picture. It was an excellent interview with Tim and I learned so much about the positioning and setting of these cemeteries. It’s all the more amazing, given that the pressing issue in the early 1920s, must just have been to get everybody buried.
I’m still working my way through, but thanks Peter for this superb resource.

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