Month: November 2017

Remembering The Titanic

It was 11.40 pm , on April 14, 1912, when the warning call came from the crow’s nest of the Titanic. Immediately, the liner swung to port – but not…

English Archers

An Italian cleric, Dominic Mancini, visited England in 1482-3. What impressed him during his visit were the archers. “Their bows and arrows are thicker and longer than those used by…

The Advent of the Aeroplane

In his wonderful book, ‘Before the lamps went out’, Wingfield Stratford describes the early days of aviation from his unique view point. Charles Rolls “In 1908, the long expected advent…

Cnut the Great

Cnut the Great (c. 985 or 995 – 12 November 1035), also known as Canute, was a king of Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden. Though after the death…

The Advent of the Aeroplane

In his wonderful book, ‘Before the lamps went out’, Wingfield Stratford describes the early days of aviation from his unique view point. Charles Rolls “In 1908, the long expected advent…

Cnut the Great

Cnut the Great (c. 985 or 995 – 12 November 1035), also known as Canute, was a king of Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden. Though after the death…

The Death of William Rufus

William II (1056 – 2 August 1100), the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100. William is commonly known as William Rufus,…

Queen Mary and German Goods

This nice little story was inserted into the Eastbourne Gazette on 18th November 1914.It captures the early mood of the nation just a few months after the war had begun.…

The Death of William Rufus

William II (1056 – 2 August 1100), the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100. William is commonly known as William Rufus,…

Queen Mary and German Goods

This nice little story was inserted into the Eastbourne Gazette on 18th November 1914.It captures the early mood of the nation just a few months after the war had begun.…

The Gallipoli Landing

Today 25th April 2012 is the 97th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. In the excellent book “Over There” with the Australians by R. Hugh Knyvett, there is a fantastic description…

Commissioned from the Ranks

The first recorded instance of a commission from the ranks in the history of the British Army is that of Sergeant Littler of the Befordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. In August,…