Posted By pferguson on June 29, 2024

WWI Exhibition with WW2 Story

In December 2015 I made my way through the new First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum, London. At the time, I was ingrained with all that was new to see. However after my wander, I felt I preferred the earlier exhibit to this one but…after a few visits I realized that this new exhibit held the visitors for some while. Many of these interested persons likely came to visit because of the Great War centenaries and I recognized many were unlikely to be students of the conflict. These visitors were here, at the IWM Great War, because their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and so on has been there…wherever they served. They knew their own family stories…they came here for additional context and to share their remembrances of their families in times of conflict. It was wrong for me to impose any interpretation above this. The exhibit was for those that served and those who remembered them.

As one walks up the ramp into the gallery I saw some model ships on exhibit below the explanatory video that plays on the glass.  One of these models is of HMS Hercules which, until 2024, I had not realized…that the model…had been a victim of the London Blitz. Originally this scaled down version of the actual ship was first exhibited in 1936 in the Naval Gallery of the Imperial War Museum. On 31 January 1941 the model was considerably damaged when the gallery suffered a direct hit from a German bomb. The gallery was ruined but the Hercules in its blitzed state was retained.

Of the Naval Gallery’s artifacts, several ship’s badges were later found outside with the surrounding park of the IWM as well as on the building’s rooftop. Much of the Hercules ship model required repair as its showcase was destroyed and the subsequent flying debris taking its toll on the model. In 2010 the Imperial War Museum decided to restore the model which is now in the first exhibition gallery in the Great War Gallery. I should also like to learn the identity of the ship’s badges that suffered at the same time. Perhaps I will make an enquiry?

Category: Odds & Ends | No Comments »
Tags: 31 January 1941, Exhibitions, HMS Hercules, Imperial War Museum, London Blitz, Remembrance

Posted By pferguson on May 26, 2024

St. Quentin 1914

Artist depictions of the stirrup charge of the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) and Black Watch are part of Great War mythology. It is unlikely they ever took place.

Great War artist, Caton Woodville, painted a scene illustrating the Scots Greys stirrup charge with unidentified Highlanders claiming the date of the action as 30 August 1914. Woodville’s work was based on the 1881 painting by Lady Elizabeth Butler of the 18 June 1815 charge of the 2nd Dragoons at Waterloo entitled Scotland Forever which does not include any Highland foot soldiers. An earlier depiction of a stirrup charge at Waterloo, Gordons and Greys to the Front (18 June 1815) was painted by Stanley Berkeley in 1898 also featuring the 2nd Dragoons together with soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders.

The bronze statuette by Countess Feodora Gleichen with charging horse and 2nd Dragoons Trooper shows a soldier of the Black Watch leaning back with rifle and bayonet at hand attempting to keep up. An oil painting created in 1917 by Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton depicts the same event but the Highlander is identified as a soldier of the Black Watch. Although the charge of the two regiments did not take place the 2nd Dragoons together with the 12th Lancers probably charged the German lines on 28 August 1914 during the Battle of the Guise. This charge was heralded and reported upon as one of few successes of the British Army during the first actions of the Great War. Perhaps inspired by the 2nd Dragoons 1914 action artist Feodora Gleichen’s bronze was replicated and these copies sold in aid of the Prince of Wales’s Fund for the relief of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families.

The galloping speed of a horse charge is estimated between 25-30 miles per hour whereas a soldier can only attain a running speed between 10-15 miles per hours.

Category: Art | No Comments »
Tags: 12th Lancers, 1815, 1914, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), Art, Black Watch, Caton Woodville, Cavalry Charge, Countess Feodora Gleichen, Gordon Highlanders, Gordons and Greys to the Front, Lady Elizabeth Butler, Mythology, Prince of Wales's Fund, Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch), Scotland Forever, Soldiers' and Sailors' Families, St. Quentin, Stanley Berkeley, Statues, Stirrup Charge, Waterloo

Posted By pferguson on April 29, 2024

Dad’s Army: CP1 of Walmington-on-Sea

A weekend of what to watch was resolved as disc 1 from the original Dad’s Army (1968-1977) television series was launched over the weekend. The catchy theme, often mistaken for a wartime tune, was written by the show’s creator Jimmy Perry who together with Derek Taverner wrote the music. The seemingly familiarity of the tune was brought about when Perry asked Bud Flanagan the well-known wartime entertainer to sing the lyric. The song, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler? added considerably to our erstwhile Home Guard troop of those too old or too young to serve or those in reserved occupations. The British sitcom ran for nine seasons comprising 80 episodes and was broadcast on BBC 1.

Though I have previously written about the cast and their wartime service, I will again mention that both Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey MM) and John Laurie (Private Frazer) were veterans of the Great War. Both men returned to service during the Second World War, Ridley being evacuated from Boulogne in 1940 and then served with the Caterham Home Guard (age 44) and so too Laurie (age 43). At the time of production in 1968 Ridley was 72 years of age and Laurie his junior at 71.

The elder Private Jones was played by Clive Dunn (age 48) who wore late Victorian medal ribands on his CP1 battledress as a veteran of the Egypt and Sudan campaigns, the Second Boer War, India and the Great War. One of Jones’ catchphrases was, Permission to speak, sir?, and with the recent viewing I enjoyed his meanderings with the platoon and his ability to always be one step out from the remainder of his mates.

The British Home Guard wore printed shoulder designations comprising letters with numbers. The letters identified the area from which the guard was based, e.g. OXF (Oxford), DHM (Durham), NK (Norfolk), ESX (Essex) amongst many others. The television show used the designation CP1 and was not based on any town, the letters chosen were the show’s writers, David Croft (C) and Jimmy Perry (P).

Category: Odds & Ends, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: Arnold Ridley, Bud Flanagan, Clive Dunn, CP1, Dad's Army, David Croft, Derek Taverner, Film History, Jimmy Perry, John Laurie, Theme Song, Walmington-on-Sea

Posted By pferguson on March 29, 2024

Courage – Honor – Sacrifice

After several days visit to Waikiki to relax and seek an even keel…I have walked…from Natatorium to Fort DeRussy…wandered Honolulu in search of familiar old buildings. Found new and old to photograph. Been amused amongst the waves, drifted with the current, seen new living species, found cognac in the waters whilst removing plastic fragments and glass shards from the water and ocean floor. I become environmentally conscious here [though much admittedly there is more I could do].

Still, after these past days of low pressure there is one episode I must take in which was almost lost due to having been before…but there is no limit to how many times…and I feel the better for it…taking in what I do…Pearl…1941…Pearl 2024.

Yes there have been visits before…but Pearl’s  7 December 1941 day is one to take in…here during one day in 2024. And its ok if this time I do not make it to the memorial…one more seat for someone who may not have been before. Having hopped on a bus near Ward Centre, the journey seems longer than I remember. Being on my own there is no one to remind me how far out 7 December 1941 is. As we near the Harbor there are reminders of what is on the horizon.

Together with visits to the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial and Hawaii’s Great War Roll of Honor I have, this 2024, engaged the three monuments I forever bow with caring eyes and heart, recognizing with them courage, honor, sacrifice. Equal words these words…they can never be old fashioned – there is strength in their saying – expressions of respect for that the greatest generation…so too followed by today’s others who so too unfurl their acts of valor, strength, thoughts. This day 2024…one day 1941..

Category: Remember Them Well | 1 Comment »
Tags: 7 December 1941, Arizona Memorial, Courage, Everett Hyland, Greatest Generation, Honor, Pearl Harbor, Sacrifice, USS Arizona, USS Missouri, USS Pennsylvania, War Memorials

Posted By pferguson on February 25, 2024

During Air Raids

Mary Meta Hodge was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. A resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba the above portrait appeared in the Canada Illustrated Weekly, 21 December 1918, p. 397. Nursing Sister Hodge was one of nine Canadian women awarded the Military Medal during the Great War. Eight of the women served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps and the ninth in the British Army.

Canadian Army Medical Corps

Matron Edith Campbell RRC
No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. Regardless of personal danger she attended to the wounded sisters, and by her personal example inspired the sisters under her charge. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918. Previously awarded the Royal Red Cross).

Nursing Sister Helen Elizabeth Hansen
No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry during an air raid at ETAPLES May 19/20th 1918. She worked devotedly in the operating room throughout the period of the severe bombardment, which lasted for two hours. Sister HANSEN was ready for any duty, and exhibited qualities of coolness and courage. (London Gazette: 29 January 1919).

Nursing Sister Lenora Herrington
No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. She remained at duty the entire night, and by her excellent example and personal courage was largely responsible for the maintenance of discipline and efficiency. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918).

Nursing Sister Mary Meta Hodge
No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. Although injured by a falling beam, this sister displayed great presence of mind in extinguishing overturned oilstoves and later rendered valuable assistance in the removal of patients. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918).

Nursing Sister Beatrice McNair
No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry during an air raid at ETAPLES May 19/20th 1918. She carried on her duties throughout the night without interruption, and throughout the the period of the severe bombardment, which lasted two hours, Sister McNair showed great solicitude for the patients in her wards, and was wholly unmindful of her personal safety. (London Gazette: 29 January 1919).

Nursing Sister Eleanor Jean Thompson
No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. Although injured by a falling beam, this sister displayed presence of mind in extinguishing overturned oilstoves and later rendered valuable assistance in the removal of patients. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918. Awarded the French Medailie D’Honneur des Epidemies en Bronze London Gazette 9 July 1926. No. 6 Canadian General Hospital).

Nursing Sister Lottie Urquhart
No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid, when four bombs fell on her wards. Regardless of danger she attended the wounded. Her courage and devotion were an inspiring example to all. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918).

Nursing Sister Janet Mary Williamson
No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. When in charge of a ward badly damaged, she displayed exceptional coolness, and, regardless of personal danger, sustained her patients and ensured their evacuation. (London Gazette: 24 September 1918).

British Army

Acting Sister Marie Dow Lutwick ARRC
No. 58 Casualty Clearing Station
Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve)

Born in Alma, New Brunswick. Awarded Associate of the Royal Red Cross in June 1918. Married James B. Taylor 1938. Died Canada 1953.

For bravery and devotion to duty during a hostile bombing raid when in company with the Matron who was severely wounded and a Sister who was killed. She crossed the open bomb-swept ground alone in order to procure help. Subsequently she returned to the Casualty Clearing Station and continued to work for many hours, under conditions of great danger. (London Gazette 4 June 1918. Previously awarded the Associate of the Royal Red Cross).

Category: Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: Air Raid, Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Beatrice McNair, Canadian Army Medical Corps, Doullens (France), Edith Campbell, Eleanor Jean Thompson, Etaples (France), Helen Elizabeth Hansen, Honours and Awards, Janet Mary Williamson, Lenora Herrington, Lottie Urquhart, Marie Dow Lutwick, Mary Meta Hodge, Military Medal, No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, No. 58 Casualty Clearing Station, No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, Nursing Sisters, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve), Royal Red Cross