The Home Guard (initially Local Defence Volunteers) was an armed citizen militia supporting the army during WW2. Operational from 1940 to 1944, the Home Guard had 1.5 million local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, such as those who were too young or too old to join the regular armed forced (regular military service was restricted to those aged 18 to… Continue reading Don’t tell him Pike!
Category: WW2
The Rutland of Jutland – WW1 Flying Ace to WW2 traitor
There aren’t many things that connect WW1 Battle of Jutland to The Beatles and Pearl Harbor but if such things float your boat then this post is for you and it is all about a man called Frederick Rutland. Rutland’s 300-page FBI dossier describes an almost James Bond type figure “Square jaw; well poised; highly… Continue reading The Rutland of Jutland – WW1 Flying Ace to WW2 traitor
St Stephen Walbrook Church – Prototype for that famous dome
Last week in a rather cool and stormy London, I arrived early for an appointment as I often do. This time I was attending a function at Mansion House so I decided to visit the neighbouring old Church, St Stephen Walbrook. I’m sure you’ll agree St Stephen is a fine name for a church, particularly… Continue reading St Stephen Walbrook Church – Prototype for that famous dome
The Anglo/Portuguese Treaty of 1373 – The Worlds oldest alliance
With the various high profile wars going on at the moment (and many more low-level ones the people don’t care about), I thought it was high time to post about something which is kind of the opposite of a war. The worlds oldest Alliance, some might say peace treaty though it didn’t involve two warring… Continue reading The Anglo/Portuguese Treaty of 1373 – The Worlds oldest alliance
How a dyslexic schoolgirl helped design the Spitfire!
With its graceful curves, elliptical wings and distinctive engine sound, the Spitfireis a British icon. A status solidified since its heroic efforts in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The Spitfire is the most famous fighter aircraft in British aviation history and has a fighting chance at perhaps being the most famous plane in history. More than any… Continue reading How a dyslexic schoolgirl helped design the Spitfire!
My first Remembrance Service at Bushey Memorial
Due to Covid, Sunday was the first opportunity I have have had to attend the local Remembrance Sunday ceremony at 11am as it didn’t run last year so despite having moved almost 2 years ago, this was the first time I got to witness it in person. I’d been to the memorial last summer and… Continue reading My first Remembrance Service at Bushey Memorial
150 years of disasters at Liverpool Street Station
It is nearly 150 years old and the third busiest railway station in the U.K. and only behind London Waterloo and London Victoria Station with around 64 million passengers every year acting as a London gateway and exit to travellers from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Greater London, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. But over the last century it’s… Continue reading 150 years of disasters at Liverpool Street Station
Visiting the statue of Noor Inayat Khan in Bloomsbury, London
When I was in London a few weeks ago, I realised I had 20 minutes or so to spend before my engagement so decided to pop along to Gordon Square Gardens, a place a I know very well, to visit a relatively new statue in London to Noor Inayat Khan whom I wrote about in… Continue reading Visiting the statue of Noor Inayat Khan in Bloomsbury, London
Noor Inayat Khan – Born an Indian Princess, Lived a French writer, Died a British Spy
Every now and then I like to post on great but often overlooked female figures in history. Over the 9 years I have been blogging just some of the notable women I have written about include Khutulun – The Mongolian Wrestling Princess Empress Matilda Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough Mary Seacole – The Greatest Black Briton… Continue reading Noor Inayat Khan – Born an Indian Princess, Lived a French writer, Died a British Spy
Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant
Michael (Mickey) Victor Davies (sometimes mentioned as Davis) was born in Stepney in East London on the 22nd April, 1910. Sadly as a result of some sort of spinal defect, he only grew to the height of 4 feet 6 inches tall and became affectionately known as “Mickey the Midget”. Despite his small statue Mickey became an… Continue reading Micky Davies – the little man with the heart of a giant
Stephen Liddell 