[Andy Saunders]

Arnaud

I have re-read your post.

I am utterly baffled by why anyone even researching this subject should be "banned" in the region - although your comments mirror what has emerged these last weeks. By who's order, edict, regulation, code or legislative process has such work been banned? Has Pas de Calais/Nord declared itself outside of the EU and written its own rule book? Or is it just a regional law? It must, surely, otherwise be complete nonsense but utterly astonishing that, apparently, DRAC should declare that nobody is allowed to research (let alone engage in any excavation or recovery work) without their permission - which they are not likely to give. I have been telling myself that something has been lost in translation here. Now, from your comments, it sems to be correct.

I am more than lost for words, especially as one local private enthusiast team ARE allowed to do such research, hand in glove with DRAC, but all others (French, British and an official Dutuch team) have all been forbidden. Worse, that private French team have chosen to demean our work in the French press calling us 'amateurs', 'pirates' and that we have 'been banned from this work in the UK which is why we have come to France'. On the latter point, I would just say that last week we did a UK dig with the MOD involved and present. The week before, we did another excavation in the UK working in conjunction with an MOD archaeologist and team of British Army soldiers undergoing post-injury rehabilitation after being wounded in Afghanistan. Banned? I don't think so. That same newspaper (probably fuelled by the same private French group) rather disingenuously stated that we "...had not obtained permission from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the dig". How disingenuous and dishonestly slippery of the newspaper to state this, and present a situation which did not and does not exist. No, of course we didn't get CWGC approval. Why? Because we had no need to and, in any event, it is not in the CWGC gift, remit or charter to either grant or deny "permission". What rubbish.

I am afraid that much of this can only be put down to small minded and petty jealousy of a just a small and insignificant minority. Those involved should instead work towards a common goal and work co-opertatively together. To do otherwise is disrespectful, in my view, to the memory of men like Derek Allen and Sgt W J Smith. If these people do not wish to do so, then they should stand aside, keep quiet and allow those who wish to work in this field to do so freely, and to work together - French and British researchers. Not against each other. Meanwhile, DRAC Nord/Pas de Calais, should explain exactly what the rules are and how, and to whom, a request for permission to carry out such work can be made. To date they have declined to do so.