Revd Nicholas Pye

20 July 1944, in Operation Valkyrie, Claus von Stauffenberg, a practising Christian, and others attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler, inside his Wolf's Lair field HQ near Rastenburg. As a result, the Gestapo arrested more than 7,000 people, 4,980 of whom were executed. #WW2

20 July 1916, Major William Congreve VC DSO MC, died aged 25. Buried Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension. Awarded VC for bravery over 14 days. One of only 3 father and son pairings to win a VC. Left widow whom he'd married 7 weeks previous and a daughter born in March 1917.

20 July 1893, George Davies, born. Along with his 4 brothers, he was the inspiration for J. M. Barrie's characters of Peter Pan & the Lost Boys. Character of Mr George Darling named after him. 2nd Lt in King's Royal Rifle Corps. 15 March 1915, killed by sniper in Belgium, #WW1.

@GeraldPens46 @militaryhistori @GilesMacDonogh @MargyMayell @EdnaKB2 @alanhinkes @theskibeagle @MalcolmCGodfrey @pirateirwin @FAB87F @michaelkeegan14 The date of 19 July 1919 followed the signing of the Versailles Treaty on 28 June and allowed time to organise National Peace Celebrations - centred on a huge national event in London. It was on a Saturday so making it easier for large crowds to attend.

@RevdPye @militaryhistori @GilesMacDonogh @MargyMayell @EdnaKB2 @alanhinkes @theskibeagle @MalcolmCGodfrey @pirateirwin @FAB87F @michaelkeegan14 What was the significance of July 19th?

19 July 1919, first Remembrance March Past took place in Whitehall. Cenotaph was a temporary construction. Current one erected in time for 1920 Service & March Past on 11 Nov. In 1946, date was changed to nearest Sunday to 11th Nov & changed again in 1956 to 2nd Sunday in Nov.

19 July 1918, 7 Sopwith Camels from HMS Furious attacked airship base at Tondern. For loss of one man & several aircraft, they destroyed two Zeppelins & a captive balloon. First air attack using planes from aircraft carrier. Most successful attack by shipboard aircraft of #WW1.

19 July 1917, British troopship SS Eloby, torpedoed & sunk by U-38 (photo), 3rd most successful U-boat in #WW1, 75 miles s-east of Malta, killing 156 people. Used as transport between UK-France & UK-Alexandria. In 1917, Wilhelm Canaris, head Abwehr 1935–1944, became U-38 captain.

19 July 1915, Albert Jacka became first Australian to win Victoria Cross in #WW1 for actions at Gallipoli. Soon became famous. His image used on recruiting posters. Served Western Front, being seriously injured in 1917 & 1918. Died 1932, aged 39. Coffin carried by 8 VC winners.

18 July 1918, Pte George Dilboy, U.S. Army 103rd Infantry Regt, died, aged 22. Buried Arlington National Cemetery. 1st Greek-American to receive Medal of Honour in #WW1. General Pershing listed him as "one of 10 great heroes" who "died in France with super-human heroism & valor."

17 July 1917, Sir Eric Geddes (1875–1937), one of Lloyd George’s "men of push and go" and a highly gifted organiser, appointed First Lord of Admiralty. While in office, convoys in home waters lost only 1.25% of their ships & over 2 million American soldiers reached Europe. #WW1

17 July 1917, Winston Churchill appointed Minister of Munitions as part of a cabinet shuffle within Lloyd George’s administration. Held position until January 1919. In 1918, ministry had a staff of 65,000 people, employing 3 million workers (many women) in 20,000+ factories. #WW1

17 July 1917, George V issued proclamation, stating that male line descendants of British royal family will bear surname Windsor rather than anglicised German Saxe-Coburg & Gotha due to anti-German sentiment in UK during #WW1. In March 1917, Gotha aircraft began bombing London.

17 July 1918, RMS Carpathia, the ship that rescued 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic in 1912, while bound for Boston, sunk off Ireland after being torpedoed three times by German SM U-55. Five lives lost. She was the fifth Cunard steamship sunk in as many weeks. #WW1

16 July 1932, Field Marshal Herbert Plumer died (aged 75). Having served in the army since 1876, he was one of the ablest British commanders in #WW1, winning an overwhelming victory at Battle of Messines in 1917. Renowned as a meticulous planner & held in high regard by his men.

16 July 1917, Rev Basil Plumptre MC, Chaplain London Regt (1st Surrey Rifles), killed by shell, aged 34. Buried La Clytte Military Cem. Educated @EmmaCambridge (Classics) & @ridleyhall (Theology). Curate @StMaryMagSE1. Headstone: With Christ which is far better. @ArmyChaplainMus

15 July 1948, John J. Pershing, U.S. Army general, died, aged 87. Commanded American Expeditionary Force in Europe during #WW1. Nickname, “Black Jack,” derived from his service with a black regiment early in his career, signified his stern bearing & rigid discipline.

14 July 1993, the Old Contemptibles Memorial in the West Cloister of Westminster Abbey was unveiled by the Queen Mother. The name 'Old Contemptibles' arose from an Order of the Day issued by the German Kaiser, which mentioned 'Sir John French's contemptible little army'. #WW1

14 July 1917, during debates on the peace resolution that was passed by the Reichstag, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg (1856-1921), German Imperial Chancellor, was forced by military leadership to resign after 8 years in office. He was succeeded by Georg Michaelis (1857–1936). #WW1

12 July 1942, Allied convoy PQ 17 arrived in Russia after losing 24 of its original 33 vessels. Worst convoy loss of #WW2. On 4 July Admiralty ordered warships to withdraw due to fear that Tirpitz was on way to attack. Convoy scattered, leaving ships as sitting ducks for Germans.

11 July 1924, having refused to run on Sunday in 100 metres, Eric Liddell, Flying Scotsman, won gold in 400 metres at Paris Olympic Games. Born China. Convinced Christian & Rugby Union international, served as missionary in China. Died, aged 43, in Japanese internment camp 1945.