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On Monday 27th July, 2009, David Bartlett was invited to appear on the BBC1 National Breakfast News in the light of the passing of the last surviving veteran of the Great War trenches, Harry Patch, who died on 25th July 2009, aged 111.  Joining David was Laura Patton (nee McClintic) a previous traveller with BBJ.

Interviewed by Kate Silverton & Robert Hall, David was primarily asked to attend to discuss his relationship with Harry Patch, ‘The Last Fighting Tommy’, from which David was able to offer his impression of this brave soldier arising from his various meetings with Harry whilst travelling on the Western Front.  The interview then expanded to include David’s friendships with many other old soldiers of the 1914 - 1918 war which he had enjoyed over the years, and was also requested to provide an insight into his philosophy of remembrance and the interest in battlefield exploration which he inspires amongst pilgrims from all over the world. He extended upon the specialism developed by BBJ into the importance of historical research especially in relation to family military records of the people who fought in the conflict.

Laura Patton from Lincolnshire was 13 years old when she first travelled with BBJ and her school to the battlefields of Belgium and Northern France.  There she found herself quite overwhelmed by the number of graves of unknown soldiers.  She composed a poem which is now considered a classic by all who read it.  In July 2007 on the occasion of the 90th Anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele, Laura was invited by the Zonnebeke Memorial Museum to read her poem before Their Majesties Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Paola of the Belgians.  During the BBC News interview she was invited to recite part of her poem once again bringing to a heart warming conclusion a television experience which has aroused great interest amongst our many friends and former clients who took the opportunity to watch.  Please click here to read "My Unknown Soldier", by Laura McClintic.