Category: History

I Berlin

It is always interesting how two diarists record the same event, in this case lunch at 10 Downing Street on 9th February, 1944.

Trials and Tribulations

Alan Brooke’s diaries have an unexpected dimension. His meticulous accounts of meetings, sherry parties, dinners and time with his family and bird books are what I expected and get. 

Habakkuk

There are only two K tiles in a Scrabble set so, besides being a name, it would not be possible unless in conjunction with a Blank. Cast your mind back to circa 600 BC and you will find the prophet Habakkuk railing against God’s injustice.

The King’s Choice

The King’s Choice is a misleading film title for an English speaking audience – it is not about the Duke of Windsor. The king, as portrayed in the film, bears a remarkably close resemblance to Alan Brooke. If he looks less than happy it is because his wife had died in 1938 and his neutral… Continue reading The King’s Choice

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Royal Reflections

  Yesterday, at the Savile Club, I asked Michael Bloch about the Dukes of Windsor and Sussex. His insights are too interesting to keep to myself and I prevailed upon him to write today’s post; thank you Michael.

Living with Alan Brooke

It’s May 1943 and I’m with Alan Brooke in Washington. A diarist, a blogger too, likes to show their best side although Chips Channon never seemed to have a best side.

A Trunk Call

Four years ago my cousin took me out on the Solent on his trimaran. He asked me again on Sunday.

The Riddle of the Sands

Lord Salisbury (in the latter half of the 19th century): “It is what a farmer would call very light land. We have given the Gallic cockerel an enormous amount of sand. Let him scratch it as he pleases”. Salisbury’s assessment of the value of North Africa to the British Empire proved spot on then. So why… Continue reading The Riddle of the Sands

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