Arborglyph

I haven't blipped an arborglyph for a few years (see the Charlie Bynski story here). I found this one this morning on Ashdown Forest. As well as the year '1942' there are various initials (most prominently 'LM') and a square shape cut into the bark. Like most of the previous arborglyphs I've blipped, I suspect this tree has carvings by one, or more, Canadian soldiers. For much of 1942 this area of Ashdown Forest was occupied by the men of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (the large open heaths of the forest were regarded as a potential site for German paratroop landings and were used extensively for training).  This beech tree would be a couple of miles from the regimental headquarters at Pippingford Park and stands next to the entrance to another large estate house. So, possibly the work of a bored soldier on guard duty at the entrance. 

On 6th June 1944 the QOR were in the first wave of troops from the Canadian Third Division landing on Juno beach in Normandy. Three hundred and thirty five officers and men were killed that day. You can read the QOR war diaries, including the time spent on the Ashdown Forest and the D-day landings, here.