Just to let you know, there is very visable evidence in Mametz Wood of metal detecting, there are numerous fresh holes clearly visable from the field edge, possibly last weekend.

Only been once and didn't get a chance to enter the wood which I believe is a bit risky, anyway. I certainly wouldn't be digging things up.

Thanks for the info.

Bernard

the evidence continues all the way upto flatiron cemty through Happy valley.

Saw some holes on edge last week,
Tony

Whilst i was at flatiron cemty, the "gamekeeper" drove down, saw i was not doing anything i shouldn't and drove off, so hopefully if anyone else goes into Mametz, without permission they may get a hot reception.

Lets hope that those responsible find something very dangerous and mishandle it.

[quote name='Max' date='Mar 31 2007, 01:20 PM' post='655908']


I take it you mean the wild boar that i bumped into at dawn, and not something that might go bang that would be too quick.

Well willy.
It has been happening for a long time i think. Last time i was at Mametz evidence of metal detecting was prevalent fom Strip Trench all the way down to Flat Iron Copse.
As you say, hope they meet a 'sticky end' one way or another.
Regards, Chris.

I remember going into Trones Wood about twenty years ago, and finding freshly dug holes, at the time didn't think much of it, but in retrosspect must have been the evidence of metal detecting, so sad that there are people who seem to feel the need to disturb the dead for profit. Hopefully the gamekeepers are on the ball, and will give them a bit of a shock.

well if i ever come across anyone detecting i will ensure it is well and truly inserted.

Interesting to note the comments about the gamekeepers or guardians of the wood and the assumption they will stop it. The amount of digging that has taken place isn't a 5 minute in and out job and those who have detected know that its not really a realistic nightime hobby, these people have been in the area for some considerable time in daylight and are French and really won't give a **** if an indignant Brit arrives and wants to discuss ethics. The holes on the edge of the field aren't any deeper than deep ploughing so I'm not sure they would consider it disturbing the dead. Where I would be concerned is the field behind Sheffield Park where I've seen a Frenchman in a hole deeper than his moustaches.

During the weekends there are quite a few families out and not necessarily looking for relics, they are looking for scrap brass which is at a high premium. This week there were several in the field opposite ADANAC and in Beaumont Hamel with sack loads of scrap. The scrap man that came to take my boiler showed a lot of interest in a bucket of shrapnel balls I had in the garden.

Mick

Mick the gamekeepers would only be a deterrent by their presence, as they would obviously not want anyone in the woods, during the rearing/nesting season disturbing the game, the detecting over the years i have seen has been mostly done by Brits, at night, or one or two regular locals, should i come across them i don't think i would bother to discuss ethics.
My main concern is not the scrap collectors, but those who detect for profit and would not bother when finding human remains to attempt to get them identified.
I accept it goes on, but it does not mean i have to like it.

I see your posts have reached 303/4 willy, how appropriate
Next time, take one with you and do all self respecting battlefield visitors a favour.
Kindest regards to you and the lad.
Chris.

Hi Chris, funny i noticed that too!, it is funny how those who know they are doing wrong allways try to disappear when anyone approaches them, one day i'll get lucky!!

Hi willy.
Just go careful though. Funny enough, couple of years back i had a right 'set to' in the area of Flat Iron with a couple of 'blokes'. Big lads. It was only when my son came up and told them he was a black belt, second whatever, that they beat a retreat.
Sad thing is...they were English.
Regards, Chris.
P.S. no fun when your only a 'Bantam'

I hope I didn't give the impression I condone it...I totally agree with you and would condemn anyone who stripped remains of identification. The only evidence I have ever heard of that happening is anectdotal and appears to be the same stories getting more and more elaborated (the remains of the German sniper on the the farmers table for example, Ive lost count of how many times I've heard that one) so I can't comment. Maybe I was to subtle in my hint about the detecting being done in daylight and not being a 5 minute job, certainly the detecting on farm land I'm aware of is done either by the farmworkers or with the farm owners permission.

Any visitor detecting now faces a huge risk to his wallet and I can't see how much a profit is being made to make it worthwhile. Sure relics sell and there is a market, but it is far easier to age a badge or shoulder title or to stamp a number on a spoon of a July 1st casualty, than to go hunting for them late at night with a metal detector.

Mick

Well Mick.
You know, and i know, and probably the Forum, who these 'people' are. French, well i have a likely 'candidate'. English. Lets put it this way. He had a pretty 'handy device' that could extract war material from a crater at High Wood. Now it seems, via the internet auction sites, that anything is 'game'. 'Other people' have taken up their 'mantle'.
Regards, Chris.
Just as an after thought. Seen a couple of threads on here that relate to Oppy Wood. Big trouble up in that area, just think twice about going on a ' walk about'.
Regards, Chris.

[quote name='Chris Noble' date='Apr 1 2007, 04:20 PM' post='656539']
Hi Chris, thanks for your concern, but i'm not the shy retiring type i may appear, nor can i run too fast either, so backs to the wall and dig in.

Oh and there is more than one way to skin a cat!

Was there in November and i was amazed to find an english couple and there two boys quit happily metal detecting, i asked what they were up to, and if they had found anything,and to my amazement the kids held out there hands and they were both holding several live rounds.


Cant tell you what i said as i think i would get kicked off this site.

Just noticed this thread and, while I am aware that there are some naughty people around, as a wildlife warden I was struck by some of the 'evidence' reported. Woods+wild boar=holes in the ground. They root around for acorns, truffles, worms and anything else they can find. Brilliant diggers! If you want to cultivate a field and you don't have access to a tractor, just pen a few pigs in there for a day or two - it'll look like Passchendaele before you know it.

Of course, if you see a couple of blokes with a detector and a spade.....

On Salisbury Plain we find that badgers and rabbits will also dig into deposits of this sort - Prehistoric archaeology through to Great War training fetures. In fact some of the more interesting mine craters (preparation for Messines) are now home to badgers. Thus as archaeologists we can't investigate as badgers are subject to strong protective legistlation. Sorry to hijack thread away from Mametz!
cheers
R

[quote name='IanA' date='Apr 3 2007, 09:16 AM' post='657570']
Ian as a former gamekeeper, i am quite sure that unless the french boars use little spades, this work was done by two legged types.
willy

Cunning beasts!

Of course, if you see a couple of blokes with a detector and a spade.....
[/quote]

feed em to the boar
tafski