Tag Archives: WW1

Being Generous: Thoughts On All’s Quiet On The Western Front

Two things had me thinking today. The one year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and watching the much lauded film, All’s Quiet On The Western Front. I read the book at school and it was too heavy going then. … Continue reading

Posted in history, miscellany, thought piece, WW1 | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

A Family At War #armisticeday

During the First World War, I had several relatives directly involved in the conflict. My maternal grandfather, Percy Francis had a fascinating war, joining the London Branch of the Seaforth Highlanders, having lost a bet that meant he had to … Continue reading

Posted in family, miscellany, WW1 | Tagged , , , | 38 Comments

November 11th And Giving Thanks To A Small Statue And Many, Many Men And Women #remembranceday

My brother, the Archaeologist wrote this piece for my blog back in 2014 when we were thinking about the 100th anniversary of the start of that god-awful conflict. On this day of days, a unusually mild and beautiful November here … Continue reading

Posted in family, France, memories, WW1 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

How Martin Fisman Played A Small But Important Part In Rebuilding Europe #flashfiction

Martin Fisman grew up unaware of life beyond the farm in Wiltshire. His life followed the seasons. One summer afternoon, in 1912, he was ploughing the high field when the ground gave way and he found himself in a dark … Continue reading

Posted in creative writing, flash fiction, miscellany, WW1 | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

The Impossible Art Of Soldiering On #microcosms #flashfiction

The Impossible Art Of Soldiering On Geraldine ran a finger round the stiff collar. The VAD uniform wasn’t made for comfort. She felt eyes on her and glanced at number fourteen. Mrs Ephram shuffled out of her door; she nodded … Continue reading

Posted in creative writing, flash fiction, microcosms, miscellany, prompt | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

How Joan Of Arc Ensured My Existence #WW1 #family

In a display cabinet, a few feet from where I am sitting is a small porcelain statue of Joan of Arc. Whilst it is over one hundred years old, it is of no particular value, especially as the head has, … Continue reading

Posted in family, memoires, WW1 | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

The F***You Up #filmreview #goodbyechristopherrobin

You wonder at some people. I enjoyed Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy so, as a sort of instinct I thought only good of the man. Then, a few days ago he was interviewed in a National Sunday, dissing Winnie … Continue reading

Posted in Film, miscellany, review | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

O is for Orford Ness – so weird but so wonderful

I originally posted on this extraordinary place a while ago and the A to Z challenge seems to be an apposite place to repost it. Is that another cheat? Whatever! Orford Ness is tenuously attached to the Suffolk coast, and … Continue reading

Posted in A to Z blogging challenge, miscellany, suffolk, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

And Will We Remember Them?

I cannot help reflecting, following Remembrance Day yesterday, how we still seem incapable of learning lessons from the past. In the aftermath of the terrible events of WW1 the victors took their revenge on Germany. In doing so and in the … Continue reading

Posted in miscellany, WW1 | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

What happened next?

I have referred to the Archaeologist on several occasions in this blog. One of his many notable characteristics is his extraordinarily wide range of interests and the depth of his knowledge in those areas.  A conversation with him may start with … Continue reading

Posted in literature, miscellany, politics, WW1 | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments