Yeah! After a serious, pandemically imposed drought, yesterday I took my first 2022 booking for a Talk. Have to wait until October, though. #cantwait

Xmas Day 1915 Officers of the 130th (St John) Field Ambulance partook of "Rissoles Bully Bif de Bill Sykes", "Dindon Damn Difficile" (Damned tough turkey) & "Plum Puddings Divers de Croix Rouge" among other things. Courtesy diary of Captain Douglas Page/©Coggin Family

Went to Verona for a long weekend many years ago and thought I'd hopped into a different time zone!

Gave my 1st 130th (St John) Field Ambulance talk for an age yesterday. 1st Zoom Talk. Odd not seeing reactions and someone asleep in front row. Talk was well received. Onwards and upwards.

#jbanningww1 #1418research #TheWFA Can anyone comment on this unusual occurrence? Any comments?

70s I played snooker in a Highgate pub. Barry Cryer, Graham Chapman +1 often at a nearby table. I used to answer the public phone - always for Graham. Contacted Barry to ask if he remembered who the +1 was. He rang me and we had a long and entertaining chat. RIP Splendid man.

1/2 way through researching Lt. Col. Hugh Stanley Beadles, OC 4th London Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance. Gallipoli Aug to Oct 1915. Then DAG (3 Echelon) Egypt. Richard Luce's book most helpful.

This is a very good South Wales area booking case you've never come across it. Very good read.

International Women's Day - Hats off to my Mum.

Talking Pictures tomorrow night. Possibly the most bizarre war film ever made. Build a cricket pitch behind enemy lines in readiness???

Gezaincourt Cemetery, near the CCS and railhead. One of the prettiest I visited. Final resting place of Ieuan Phillips of Six Bells of the 130th (St John) Field Ambulance. d. 1st Sept 1918. 3rd from left front.

Is Johnson's "Prudence" another child born out of wedlock or, possibly, his next wife? + It may well be Ukraine's finest hour but stop playing at being Churchill. You simply don't match up!

1st Display in almost 3 years. The postponed Gwent British Legion Centenary event. Friend, local MP Chris Evans popped by. I had the opportunity to share a slice of St John Great War history with the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Officer of the Order of St John. lovely day. Lord Lieutenant

Returned the medals of 7247 Pte Milsom John Holder of West Dean to his family (grand-niece) this morning. Served with the 1st, 3rd and 7th Gloucestershires. Suffered a GSW to the head at the 1st Battle of Ypres. 1914 Star with clasp missing but will be replaced.

Thank you to Gill Hollister for this tribute in Risca.

Pte. William A Mason. S4/094889 A.S.C., 0/712 Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), 336294 Royal Flying Corps. Enlisted as Civilian Reservist into RAF 1919. Warrant Officer 1940. RAF List 1941 & 1942. RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Quite a service record.