HMS Tyne, March 1957

In 1956 Patrick Nairne was “head of the Middle Eastern and international law section of what was, rather quaintly, known as Military Branch of the Admiralty secretariat“. He found himself “though relatively junior, in a front-line administrative post during the Suez affair”.

Published
Categorised as History

Uncle George Remembers XII

The apotheosis of Uncle George’s career at the College of Arms was Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation but please be patient while he explains about a pain in the neck.

The Coincidence of Novembers

As it’s Sunday let’s start with an extract from a Sermon given by Patrick Nairne at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, on 30th October 1983.

Woolton Pie

When Margaret Thatcher, as she then was, made Irwin Bellow a Life Peer in 1979 he wanted, unsurprisingly, to be known as Lord Bellow. This was not allowed by the College of Arms which, I suppose, means Garter as he might be mistaken for Lord Bellew.

Sir James Cassels

Who was Sir James Cassels? He was born in 1877, the only son of an assistant clerk at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. James learned shorthand at school but was destined for greater things than life as a clerk.

Published
Categorised as History

Irish Church Monuments

You may recall Homan Potterton’s first novel, Knockfane, published last year. This is his first book, published in 1975 when he was a young Assistant Keeper at the National Gallery in London.