Whilst out with his metal detector on the muddy foreshore of Thameside, amateur historian and enthusiast Tobias Neto stumbled on a very small but very special piece of history in December 2016. It was a medal, a VC or Victoria Cross, the highest medal for valour possible in the United Kingdom and old Commonwealth… Continue reading A tragic hero, forgotten in his own time but now remembered in ours.
Category: Life
Queuing by the numbers
There are few things more British than queuing or Standing In Line as it is called in some places. It’s often said that we will stand behind a queue of one and I’ve seen that quite a few times. It’s one of those characteristics like a stiff upper lip, a pot of tea, talking about… Continue reading Queuing by the numbers
From the Palace to the Jungle
You don’t have to have been to London to know what The Household Cavalry look like. With their bright red uniforms, highly polish breastplates and distinctive tasseled helmets. Their traditions date back to 1680 and are the personal mounted escort of The Queen and to a degree, the public face of the Army to the… Continue reading From the Palace to the Jungle
10 of the most oppressed minorities around the world
Whilst much of the world is pre-occupied with protesting against Donald Trump, as worthy as that may be, I’d like to illustrate what real oppression looks like around the world with just some of the longest standing and most severe cases of ongoing injustice around the world. 10. Jewish and Christian people in some Muslim… Continue reading 10 of the most oppressed minorities around the world
So, we’re going on YouTube!
Sooooo, I’ve spent the last day or so creating two YouTube channels as it seems to be the way the world is going. Unlike some channels, hopefully I can put up some videos of interest and perhaps even a little merit. It doesn’t mean I’m stopping blogging, far from it but it is just… Continue reading So, we’re going on YouTube!
Vegetable Shortage Crisis Tip Of The Iceberg
This week, much of the country has been focused on the shock of a vegetable shortage with rationing having been introduced back to Britain for the first time since the 1950’s. In news that will send children across much of Northern Europe rejoicing, there is now a shortage lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, courgettes and several… Continue reading Vegetable Shortage Crisis Tip Of The Iceberg
WW1 Iraq & The Desert Campaigns
Last week I wrote on how it was the 100th anniversary of the death of my Great Grandfather in Iraq in WW1. In fact just last night I found a bookmark from my Great Grandmother who must have had it made long ago to remember her husband. So much of the history of The Great… Continue reading WW1 Iraq & The Desert Campaigns
Up Helly Aa – The Modern Day Viking Festival
This coming Tuesday sees one of the most spectacular event of the British cultural calendar though it is a long from most people in the British Isles. It is known as Up Helly Aa and takes place in the town of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. I’ve always wanted to go to the Shetlands, partly… Continue reading Up Helly Aa – The Modern Day Viking Festival
Remembering My Great Grandad Ernest Heard Who Died 100 Years Ago Today in Amarah, Iraq.
Today marks the 100th anniversary of one of the biggest moments in 20th century history, if not for many people, at least for myself and perhaps a few others. For on this day, January 25th 1917, my Great Grandad Ernest Heard died in Iraq during WW1. Like many others in that particular campaign, he didn’t… Continue reading Remembering My Great Grandad Ernest Heard Who Died 100 Years Ago Today in Amarah, Iraq.
Lion – The Movie Review
I’m not lucky in many ways but one thing I am fortunate in is that I really know what sort of movies I like. What I like is something substantial and thoughtful. The majority of films I see advertised at the cinema do exactly what they are supposed to do… show potential audiences the… Continue reading Lion – The Movie Review