Blog

Mule Lines : British military mules in the spotlight

I am pleased to announce the publication of a book which describes and honours the service of the military mule. It could be said that mules have had walk-, or trot-on roles in many volumes of military history, but I believe this is the first book in which the British military mule has taken centre stage without having to share the limelight with horses and camels! Continue reading “Mule Lines : British military mules in the spotlight”

Kiwis in Salonika

Having been taken by surprise by Anzac Day and with nothing appropriate prepared, I will simply share this link to a fascinating series of articles about the New Zealand contribution to the campaign in Macedonia:

I know I have some interesting material on Australians in the campaign, but that’s for another day!

New Stanley Spencer Exhibition in Cookham

A new exhibition at the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham explores the often complex relationships he forged with the group of people who supported him and enabled his existence financially, emotionally and artistically, what drove them to collect his work and how he was not the distant figure some may believe him to be. Continue reading “New Stanley Spencer Exhibition in Cookham”

Remembering William George Arscott, 10/Devonshire

William George Arscott was remembered in two moving ceremonies on the centenary of his death on 29 January 1918, one in his home village of Drewsteignton, Devon, the other at the Sarigol Military Cemetery in northern Greece, where he is buried. Continue reading “Remembering William George Arscott, 10/Devonshire”

1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika

If you look though our order of battle of the British Salonika Force you will not find any mention of the Northamptonshire Regiment. This being the case, I was puzzled to receive an enquiry from Simon Gale who has documentary evidence that his great-grandfather, of 1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, had been in Salonika. Continue reading “1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika”

BBC Four on Sunday 4th at 10pm : Arena – Stanley (Spencer) and His Daughters

The artist Stanley Spencer, who served with the BSF and produced the marvellous paintings at Sandham Memorial Chapel (NT), is the subject of a television documentary as part of the Arena strand on BBC Four at 10pm on Sunday 4th February. Focussing as it does on his family and private life, it is unlikely to feature much about the Salonika campaign – but you never know! Read more about the documentary here:

Faces of Salonika : Frank Whitehead, 13/Manchesters

My thanks go to  Caroline Booth and Joseph Travis for sharing with us their fascinating and detailed blog – A Year of War – about their grandfather/great-grandfather, Frank Whitehead, who served in Salonika in 1918. Frank served with 13/Manchesters, which was in 22nd Division, 66th Brigade on the Doiran Front. Continue reading “Faces of Salonika : Frank Whitehead, 13/Manchesters”