Tag Archives: Royal Navy

The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

The Scottish Isle of of Islay is best known these days for its world famous peaty single malt whisky but a century ago, this normally tranquil place which sits on the western coast of the U.K and facing the fierce … Continue reading →

Posted in Heritage, history, WW1 | Tagged First World War, HMS Mounsey, Islay, Malcom MacNeill, Otranto, Royal Navy, SS Tuscania, WW1 | 1 Comment

The Americans Are Coming!

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

When war was declared in Europe, the United States of America had no interest in joining what they labelled as the European War. American doctrine of the time was insular with regards to the old world and instead concentrated on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics, WW1 | Tagged American Preparedness Movement, Lest We Forget, RMS Lusitania, Royal Navy, war, Woodrow Wilson, WW1 | 7 Comments

When WW1 came to East Africa

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

As we approach Armistice Day, it’s become something of a blog tradition for me to write some posts related to WW1. I thought this time to pick a little bit of an unusual subject and a little discussed arena … Continue reading →

Posted in history, WW1 | Tagged Africa, Empire, Geoffrey Basil Spicer-Simson, Lake Tanganyika, Lest We Forget, Royal Navy, The African Queen, war, WW1 | 3 Comments

The tragedy of Smalls Lighthouse

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Stephen Liddell

There have been lighthouses around the coasts and islands of Great Britain almost as far back there have been people travelling by ship. A fine Roman lighthouse of nearly 2,000 years is still standing tall within the walls of Dover … Continue reading →

Posted in Heritage, history | Tagged British, history, Life, Lighthouse, Royal Navy, Smalls Lighthouse, Strange but true, Tragedy of Smalls Lighthouse, Trinity House, Wales | 3 Comments

Captain Bligh, Fletcher Christian and The Mutiny on The Bounty

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Stephen Liddell

HMS Bounty was a small and rather unremarkable ship that was bought and re-fitted for the Royal Navy for a not particularly exciting mission but little did anyone onboard realise their names would go down in maritime history. It started … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged Australia, Captain Bligh, Fletcher Christian, history, HMS Bounty, John Adams, Life, Mutiny, Mutiny on the Bounty, Pitcairn Islands, Royal Navy, Tahiti | 8 Comments

I Salute You – The History of Saluting

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Stephen Liddell

Saluting is primarily but not exclusively a military sign of respect with a very long history. This week it hit the news that some senior officers have become upset as recruits are not showing them the respect they are due … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged Curtsey, Flag, Gun Salute, history, Knights, Life, Military, Neil Armstrong, Royal Navy, Salute, The Queen, UK, USA | 4 Comments

70th Anniversary of D-Day

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Stephen Liddell

This time 70 years ago on 6th June 1944, the world held its breath as the largest amphibious military operation even seen was under way. Operation Overlord was the long-awaited Allied invasion of Nazi held Europe that would lead to … Continue reading →