As we approach Armistice Day, I thought I would write on another history related item, this time from WW2. Not many people know that part of the British Isles was conquered and occupied by Nazi Germany. The Channel Islands, in the English Channel lie around 90 miles south of the British mainland and the small… Continue reading The tragic story of Sidney Ashcroft & the Guernsey Eight
Tag: war
The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
As today is Remembrance Sunday, I thought I would share a short account of someone who is rarely spoken of outside his homeland but whom I have been a fan of for many years. For most people when they are taken prisoner, their war is pretty much at the end, which is often a good… Continue reading The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
The Battle of Agincourt & Why It Still Matters Today!
Today marks the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, one of countless historical battles one has to remember if you are interested in English or British history. This one though has gained something of a mythical status. In its own way the Battle of Agincourt made England; as surely as Magna Carta, the Book… Continue reading The Battle of Agincourt & Why It Still Matters Today!
Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough
Many of us are familiar with the phrase “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”, a quote that remains as true today as it was when it was first coined and is still evident by many politicians in particular around the world. Not so many people though are familiar with the equally if not… Continue reading Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough
Building walls instead of knocking them down!
When I was leaving school we were all used to the idea that divisions between people were coming down. In the autumn of 1989 when I was 15 and readying for my end of school exams the Berlin Wall came down and within a matter of weeks the nations of eastern Europe finally became free.… Continue reading Building walls instead of knocking them down!
75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour
Today marks the start of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the skies of London will be treated once again to the familiar sights and sounds of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers. As strange as it sounds, I think the sound of a Spitfire Merlin engine is possibly the best man-made noise… Continue reading 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour
The British Schindler Sir Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport
Not many people have heard of Sir Nicholas Winton even in his own country but his actions undoubtedly mean that thousands of people are alive today that would not have been without him. The Kindertransport has its origins on 15th November 1938, just five nights after the terrible events of Kristalnacht and a series of… Continue reading The British Schindler Sir Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport
VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
The 8th May 1945 was V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day. As the U.K. is in the midst of remembering and celebrating perhaps the most momentous day in our history, I thought it would be interesting to post some old photos of that incredible day as well as showing how war had left London and… Continue reading VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
Gallipoli and ANZAC Day – One of the biggest disasters in history
The Gallipoli campaign in the Dardanelles region of modern day Turkey was a landmark battle of World War One. It is counted as perhaps the greatest Ottoman Turkish victory in the war and set about creating a Turkish nationalism that went on to create a modern country out of the ashes of defeat at the… Continue reading Gallipoli and ANZAC Day – One of the biggest disasters in history
100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Most of us are familiar with the holocaust in WW2 enacted by Nazi Germany against Jewish people, Gypsies, communists and the mentally ill but this week sees the 100th anniversary of another holocaust or Genocide, the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. Historically The Ottoman Empire had far outshone most European states for centuries in terms of… Continue reading 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Stephen Liddell 