1978 replies to this topic

[George Armstrong Custer]

Clype!

[jlang]

Hi

What sort of wrecks are we.  Bob with damaged hands (cause suspected), George with knees gone (tripping we were told), Pete with bones missing (cosmetic surgery but not on the most common parts), Gary on pills while I got 5 different potions for my skin from my GP.  And these only the ones that are known about!

Jim

[jlang]

Hi George

Have you been ordering books for you university library?  They have new acquisitions on Allenby, Byng, the German air forces, British naval aviation, My Boy Jack,  Private 12768, a diary of someone in the Gordon Highlanders, a diary of someone in the Cameron Highlanders and some others.  

Jim

[Locheelad]

jlang, on 26 November 2011 - 09:29 PM, said:

Hi George

Have you been ordering books for you university library?  They have new acquisitions on Allenby, Byng, the German air forces, British naval aviation, My Boy Jack,  Private 12768, a diary of someone in the Gordon Highlanders, a diary of someone in the Cameron Highlanders and some others.  

Jim

My god ....... not a Haig mentioned! Unless of course Kiplings dug wiz called Duglass !

[jlang]

They only have five books on Haig in their catalogue!

[George Armstrong Custer]

They've actually got 14 titles either by or directly about Haig, Jim - well under half the number in my personal library, though. No, it wasn't me who ordered the new Great War titles you mention - I haven't been in to look at new acquisitions for a long time, so thanks for the heads up on those.

Now you list our various defects or infirmities I reckon we need a new regimental name - perhaps the 1st Tay Valley (Knackered Bilk's Own) (regimental march: Stranger on the Shore), or 1st Tay Valley (The Cream Crackerds).....

George

[jlang]

Apologies, you are right, George.  My initial keyword search was too restrictive.

Jim

[truthergw]

jlang, on 27 November 2011 - 12:35 PM, said:

Apologies, you are right, George.  My initial keyword search was too restrictive.

Jim

Did you forget to look under bloodthirsty, bungling butcher, Jim?

[George Armstrong Custer]

Cut it out, you.

[jlang]

No, I was not thinking about blood or butchers.  Having seen the new books, I wondered what books they had by/about their distinguished former student-elected rector and  chancellor.

[George Armstrong Custer]

Well, they may not have added any of the better biographies from the past five years, but then neither have they bought a copy of J P Harris' effort!

George

[Locheelad]

George Armstrong Custer, on 27 November 2011 - 07:21 PM, said:

Well, they may not have added any of the better biographies from the past five years, but then neither have they bought a copy of J P Harris' effort!

George

J P Harris - now you are talking. Thats a book indeed. International best seller and never once been hawked about at a WFA branch as part of a 3 for a tenner deal

Bob but Julia typing

[Locheelad]

Remember all, next WFA Tayside meeting is on Saturday 10th December when the one and only Peter Hart visits Dundee with his Jutland talk.

Usual location 2.30 prompt start.

regards

Bob

[jlang]

Hi George,


I also noticed the following books, "The Haigs of Bemersyde", published 1881 and  "An Account of the freedoms of cities and burghs in Scotland and university honours conferred on sir Douglas Haig after the Great War" by Lady Haig.  Why just Scotland?

Jim

[George Armstrong Custer]

Bob - 3 for a tenner for J P's book? That is cheap - you can't even get Hart's books for less!


Yes, the 1881 'The Haig's of Bemersyde' is the standard geneaology of the family, Jim. You may recall that dear old Pete egged me on to buy a first edition copy when we were all in Edinburgh last June, and then promptly phoned Mrs Libby Custer before I got back to the hotel to tell her what I'd paid for it! That's why I call him BMF Pete!

The Lady Haig book, 'A Scottish Tour: An Account of the Freedoms of Cities and Burghs in Scotland and University Honours conferred on Sir Douglas Haig' was published in 1935. She explains in her foreword that she is giving addresses to her husband and his replies from his tour of Scotland in May 1919. She says he had described these to her as his welcome by his "ain folk." As stated on the cover, the book was to raise funds for the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. She goes on to say that, "If this book proves to be a success, I have in my possession the further speeches made at such ceremonies during the latter part of 1919 to the end of 1925, including some appeals for the formation of the Officers' Association, the British Legion and the British Empire Service League, which I may also publish." However, with Lady Haig's death in 1939 the follow up volume dealing with other parts of the country than Scotland was never published. You can see a pic of the cover of my copy of the Scottish book here: A Scottish Tour

George

[jlang]

Hi George

I do remember a book but did not the title. I do remember that the price was clouded by obfuscation!  Thanks for the resume of the book.  All for a good cause and a year before "The Man I Knew"

Jim

[Ian Robertson]

Looking forward to meeting up next Saturday. My mate Pete is coming along (this is a different Pete to the eminent Mr Hart). Are we decided on the "Gunners"?

[George Armstrong Custer]

Ian Robertson, on 04 December 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

Are we decided on the "Gunners"?

Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt.

[jlang]

Hi George,

As self-acknowledged water carrier for the oral historian and author  Mr P Hart, I wondered what aqueous treats you were planning for the WFA meeting in Dundee on Saturday.  Will there be any additives? Or is it the case, as in old adverts, of "Don't be vague, ask for Haig"?

Jim

[George Armstrong Custer]

Hi Jim. As they used to say at the start of 'Stingray' - "Anything can happen in the next half an hour...." And sadly half an hour's about all Pete can manage these days before starting to babble senselessly - I wouldn't waste the Haig on him. I'm just wondering if Ian's mate, the other Pete, will still be his mate after Ian's got him involved in such larks.....

George

[jlang]

George,


In reply to post 1868, I think Ubique might be correct as the intention is to start in one place and move to another, and then.......

Jim

[Ian Robertson]

George Armstrong Custer, on 04 December 2011 - 03:27 PM, said:

Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt.

I'm not expecting anything right or glorious to come out of the evening George..if it does it will be the first time!

[George Armstrong Custer]

Indeed, Ian, indeed. The Tay Valley Chums' forays around the Ferry have more in common with the retreat from Kabul, and usually end in some desperate situation resembling the last stand of the 44th at Gandamak.



George Flashman

[KOF]

Hi all!

This Saturday in the Ferry. What time for meeting up and where?

Cheers

Colin (KOF)

[Black Watch]

Looks like 7:30 for 8 in the Gunners Kof (77-79 King Street), if you are coming all that way you should make a day of it and go tothe WFA meet in the afternoon.

Not sure how much I will be participating on Saturday, recently had a little trip in an ambulance and an overnight stay in Ninewells. Feeling not so bad now but I doubt if I could handle a heavy session.

Cheers

Neil