Who is This ? ? ?

[Uncle George]

Is he Clough Williams-Ellis, the Portmeirion chap?

Edited 28 September , 2017 by Uncle George
Spelling

[Andrew Upton]

2 hours ago, Uncle George said:

Is he Clough Williams-Ellis, the Portmeirion chap?

 

Correct! - That would be the "Who is he", and now just missing the "why is this so?"

[Uncle George]

Coz Portmeirion was the setting for that dog's breakfast 'The Prisoner'.

 

Here's CWE's 'The Tank Corps':

 

https://archive.org/stream/tankcorps00willgoog#page/n10/mode/2up

 

 

[rolt968]

Oddly the carved heads look rather like A J Ayer who was officially in the Welsh Guards in WW2.

RM

[Andrew Upton]

17 minutes ago, Uncle George said:

Coz Portmeirion was the setting for that dog's breakfast 'The Prisoner'.

 

And here we have the pair of them together:

 

 

4 minutes ago, rolt968 said:

Oddly the carved heads look rather like A J Ayer who was officially in the Welsh Guards in WW2.

 

 

The Colonnade in it's current wider setting - originally built at Arno's Court in Bristol in c. 1760 and rebuilt at Portmeirion in 1959.

 

[Uncle George]

Interviewer: "So, who was Number One?"

 

Patrick McGoohan (with a pleased look on his face): "Number One is oneself!"

 

Me (watching the interview on the telly): "Oh get over yourself."

[Ron Clifton]

This should be an easy one.

 

Who said of whom, and on what occasion?

 

"[He] is a real fire-eater, and longs for the fray."

 

Ron

[Uncle George]

4 minutes ago, Ron Clifton said:

This should be an easy one.

 

Who said of whom, and on what occasion?

 

"[He] is a real fire-eater, and longs for the fray."

 

Ron

 

Carton de Wiart?

[Stoppage Drill]

It was said by Haig of George Patton when he accompanied Pershing on a visit to GHQ

Edited 29 September , 2017 by Stoppage Drill
Remembered

[Ron Clifton]

Well done Mr Drill. It comes from Haig's diary, and I feel that it well illustrates Haig's ability to form accurate impressions of men on short acquaintance.

 

Ron

Edited 29 September , 2017 by Ron Clifton

[neverforget]

Every picture tells a story, and I'm surprised that this one appears not to have been told as yet. 

A nice easy one to get the thread back on track. 

Devonshire wallah.

[Knotty]

That NF is Sir John George Smyth VC, whom I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1969 when he inspected our CCF.

He won his VC at Richebourg in 1915 as a lieutenant, whilst serving in the Indian Army (3rd Div.) by personally carrying cases of bombs to his men, the story is here http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/mmsmyt03.htm .

Post war saw him rise through the ranks and also recieve a MC for actions in what now is Pakistan.

In WW2 he commanded at first a brigade, and then first the 19th then the 17th Indian Divisions however his strategic handling of 17th Indian Infantry Division in Burma was blamed for the loss of Rangoon and surrounding area.He was dismissed by Wavell, and did not hold any post again, and he retired from military service.

He then began a successful political career in 1945 and bowed out in 1966, having been created a baronet in 1956. He passed away in 1983 aged 89.

 

John

[neverforget]

12 minutes ago, Knotty said:

That NF is Sir John George Smyth VC, whom I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1969 when he inspected our CCF.

He won his VC at Richebourg in 1915 as a lieutenant, whilst serving in the Indian Army (3rd Div.) by personally carrying cases of bombs to his men, the story is here http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/mmsmyt03.htm .

Post war saw him rise through the ranks and also recieve a MC for actions in what now is Pakistan.

In WW2 he commanded at first a brigade, and then first the 19th then the 17th Indian Divisions however his strategic handling of 17th Indian Infantry Division in Burma was blamed for the loss of Rangoon and surrounding area.He was dismissed by Wavell, and did not hold any post again, and he retired from military service.

He then began a successful political career in 1945 and bowed out in 1966, having been created a baronet in 1956. He passed away in 1983 aged 89.

 

John

That sounds just about pukka John.

Jackie Smyth it is. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Smyth,_1st_Baronet

 

[Knotty]

I can remember him speaking to us about the bravery of the Indian Army on the Western Front, including  the early days during the retreat to the Marne.

It's a subject of the war which I have always wanted to get to grips with, but never found the time, it's a crying shame as the Indian Army contribution is overlooked by that of the Anzacs and the Canadians.

 

John

[neverforget]

Agreed. Not just the W. F. either of course. Their loyalty is quite amazing when we consider the previous history between our two nations. 

Could say the same about the Irish too, amongst others. 

Edited 1 October , 2017 by neverforget

[Guest]

15th Sikh's War Diary record of his VC action is below. Smyth's autobiography is an interesting read.

 

17th May 1915......Of the progress of the Guards Brigade nothing was heard until later in the night. Of the progress of the Sirhind Brigade, the Highland Light Infantry attempted to dribble men up the communication trench already referred to between the support trench and the firing line with their bombing parties, but they were seen and lost heavily, being unable to make any further progress. The attack of the 4th Bn King’s (Liverpool Regt) thus never materialised and the action of the Regiment  was limited to the gallant efforts of a bombing party of ten men under Lt J G SMYTH of whom only two men and Lt J G SMYTH were not killed or wounded.

 

The detail of this little party’s journey over 200 yards of mostly open country within at the outset but 250 yards from the German trenches is recorded below and forms but one of the little incidents which occur daily all along the great length of trenches opposed to the Germans but which nevertheless was one of the greatest gallantry and pluck and it is to be hoped will meet with some reward.

 

At 15:30 on May 18th Lt J G SMYTH received orders to take bombs and a bombing party from the support trench (old fire trench) in front of RUE DU BOIS up to Capt HYDE-CATES who was holding the captured portion of the German trench about 250 yards in front. The only means of communication was a shallow trench half full of mud and water and in many places exposed to the fire of the enemy’s snipers and machine guns. The party consisted of Lt J G SMYTH and ten bomb throwers from No. 4 Company with two boxes of bombs containing 48 bombs apiece. For the first 50 yards the communication trench gave cover from view but then the party came under the enfilade shrapnel fire of the enemy’s field guns. This became so hot that they had to turn to the right, and take cover in a stream where the water came up to their chests. The first man was hit here. The work of getting the heavy bombs along the muddy trench was very difficult as they were knee deep in it at every step and they had to have continual reliefs. When the shellfire slackened the party continued but man after man was hit, as the trench was full of dead bodies, which had to be climbed over, and in many places blown in. When within 30 yards of the trench only three men and Lt J G SMYTH were left and the slightest rise from a lying position meant a bullet. 

 

Lt J G SMYTH then gave orders for the boxes to be opened and each man to take two bombs in his hands, but on trying to do this one man was immediately hit in the head and killed. The bombs then had to be left in the communicating trench to be brought up at night, and by crawling in the mud and water on their stomachs Lt J G SMYTH, L/Naik MANGAL SINGH and one Sepoy reached our fire trench. Nearly all the bombs then were found to be wet and unserviceable and the enemy in a very strong position to repel any bomb attacks.

 

The captured trench held by Capt HYDE-CATES was barricaded by us at ‘A’ and by the Germans 10 yards further on at ‘B.’ From ‘B’ to ‘C’ there was an open trench without traverses 30 yards long with a strong iron loophole overlooking it at ‘C.’  ‘D’ is a small redoubt with machine gun which prevented any attempt to pull down or climb the barricades at ‘A’ or ‘B.’

[neverforget]

13 minutes ago, QGE said:

15th Sikh's War Diary record of his VC action is below. Smyth's autobiography is an interesting read.

 

17th May 1915......Of the progress of the Guards Brigade nothing was heard until later in the night. Of the progress of the Sirhind Brigade, the Highland Light Infantry attempted to dribble men up the communication trench already referred to between the support trench and the firing line with their bombing parties, but they were seen and lost heavily, being unable to make any further progress. The attack of the 4th Bn King’s (Liverpool Regt) thus never materialised and the action of the Regiment  was limited to the gallant efforts of a bombing party of ten men under Lt J G SMYTH of whom only two men and Lt J G SMYTH were not killed or wounded.

 

The detail of this little party’s journey over 200 yards of mostly open country within at the outset but 250 yards from the German trenches is recorded below and forms but one of the little incidents which occur daily all along the great length of trenches opposed to the Germans but which nevertheless was one of the greatest gallantry and pluck and it is to be hoped will meet with some reward.

 

At 15:30 on May 18th Lt J G SMYTH received orders to take bombs and a bombing party from the support trench (old fire trench) in front of RUE DU BOIS up to Capt HYDE-CATES who was holding the captured portion of the German trench about 250 yards in front. The only means of communication was a shallow trench half full of mud and water and in many places exposed to the fire of the enemy’s snipers and machine guns. The party consisted of Lt J G SMYTH and ten bomb throwers from No. 4 Company with two boxes of bombs containing 48 bombs apiece. For the first 50 yards the communication trench gave cover from view but then the party came under the enfilade shrapnel fire of the enemy’s field guns. This became so hot that they had to turn to the right, and take cover in a stream where the water came up to their chests. The first man was hit here. The work of getting the heavy bombs along the muddy trench was very difficult as they were knee deep in it at every step and they had to have continual reliefs. When the shellfire slackened the party continued but man after man was hit, as the trench was full of dead bodies, which had to be climbed over, and in many places blown in. When within 30 yards of the trench only three men and Lt J G SMYTH were left and the slightest rise from a lying position meant a bullet. 

 

Lt J G SMYTH then gave orders for the boxes to be opened and each man to take two bombs in his hands, but on trying to do this one man was immediately hit in the head and killed. The bombs then had to be left in the communicating trench to be brought up at night, and by crawling in the mud and water on their stomachs Lt J G SMYTH, L/Naik MANGAL SINGH and one Sepoy reached our fire trench. Nearly all the bombs then were found to be wet and unserviceable and the enemy in a very strong position to repel any bomb attacks.

 

The captured trench held by Capt HYDE-CATES was barricaded by us at ‘A’ and by the Germans 10 yards further on at ‘B.’ From ‘B’ to ‘C’ there was an open trench without traverses 30 yards long with a strong iron loophole overlooking it at ‘C.’  ‘D’ is a small redoubt with machine gun which prevented any attempt to pull down or climb the barricades at ‘A’ or ‘B.’

Great stuff thanks for posting. As I said, I'm surprised he hadn't already featured here on WIT. You may be interested to hear him talk of his VC action here: 

And something else that may be of interest:

 

[Guest]

Thank you..

 

Here is a picture of him with a group of British and Sikh Officers. He is on the right looking at a book wearing a turban. Photo was taken by Girdwood (official Photographer) and dates 24th Jul 1915 just two months after his VC action. 

 

Photo is in the public domain. Crown copyright has expired. 

 

 

 

war diary

 

24th Jul 1915.

In the morning some photographers visited our billets to take some cinema photos of the men in billets etc. They were sent by the India Office, the idea being to show these photos in India so as to do away with the rumours, circulated by the seditionists that the Indian soldier is badly treated. The following pictures were taken:

 

(i)    A Company (No. 4 under Lt J G SMYTH VC) returning from trenches and marching to billets.

(ii)   A Company (same as above) marching into its billets.

(iii)  A Company in billets.

(iv)  A Group of Sikh and British Officers was also taken.

 

The photography took some time as several showers of rain interrupted the proceedings. In the afternoon the Companies paraded for physical drill and bomb throwing.

[neverforget]

41 minutes ago, QGE said:

Thank you..

 

Here is a picture of him with a group of British and Sikh Officers. He is on the right looking at a book wearing a turban. Photo was taken by Girdwood (official Photographer) and dates 24th Jul 1915 just two months after his VC action. 

 

Photo is in the public domain. Crown copyright has expired. 

 

 

 

war diary

 

24th Jul 1915.

In the morning some photographers visited our billets to take some cinema photos of the men in billets etc. They were sent by the India Office, the idea being to show these photos in India so as to do away with the rumours, circulated by the seditionists that the Indian soldier is badly treated. The following pictures were taken:

 

(i)    A Company (No. 4 under Lt J G SMYTH VC) returning from trenches and marching to billets.

(ii)   A Company (same as above) marching into its billets.

(iii)  A Company in billets.

(iv)  A Group of Sikh and British Officers was also taken.

 

The photography took some time as several showers of rain interrupted the proceedings. In the afternoon the Companies paraded for physical drill and bomb throwing.

Nice picture. 

Amuses me the way officers used to sport walking sticks as a kind of badge of honour or status symbol. I wonder when that particular fashion-trend died the death. 

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, neverforget said:

Crown copyright has expired. 

 

       Crown copyright never expires.  Copyright exists for 70 years after death of copyright holder. The King may die, the Queen may die- the Crown never dies-thus, "Crown Copyright" cannot

[neverforget]

4 minutes ago, voltaire60 said:

 

       Crown copyright never expires.  Copyright exists for 70 years after death of copyright holder. The King may die, the Queen may die- the Crown never dies-thus, "Crown Copyright" cannot

I don't doubt it, but it wasn't my post that you've quoted? 🤔

[Guest]

On 02/10/2017 at 22:20, voltaire60 said:

 

       Crown copyright never expires.  Copyright exists for 70 years after death of copyright holder. The King may die, the Queen may die- the Crown never dies-thus, "Crown Copyright" cannot

 

**groan** ...here we go...  In a literary or artistic work,Crown Copyright only lasts 125 years...If Crown Copyright material is published within 70 years of its creation, copyright expires 50 years after first publication. This is why all the Official Histories (military Operations) covering the Great War are no longer protected by Crown Copyright....the last one was published in 1948, so Crown Copyright ended in 1998 on this last of the volumes..

 

The photo in question was made by an agent of the Crown and therefore originally Crown Copyright. 

 

[seaJane]

I have been a bit mean with my cropping and her name's likely to be hard to trace unless you already know it, so I'll accept her position  [ed. NB Image courtesy of QARNNS archive curator]

 

[Guest]

Matron-in-Chief?

 

[neverforget]

Staff nurse (Australian) ?