Robert StJohn Smith Posted 27 April , 2023 Share Posted 27 April , 2023 The Wipers Time is the best known of the trench papers that appeared in the First World War with its story immortalised in the 2013 BBC Film of the same name, based on the stage play written by PrivateEye editor Ian Hislop and cartoonist Nick Newman. My research has uncovered that one of the writers on The Wipers Times was not in France at the Front, but was actually Dorothy V. Hall (1881-1962), a pianist and writer from Nottingham. This is a story that is still being written, but one that involves the Wipers’ relationship with Tatler magazine – a writer who used the non-de-plume Sabretache introduced Dorothy to the Wipers staff. Details on Dorothy’s life are scarce: she was head girl at Nottingham Girls High School, a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, and lived in Ruddington. Her brother, Henry Cecil Hall (1885-1970), maybe the key to unlocking her past. He was a well-known art expert in Nottingham, wrote for several newspapers in the area, and consulted for Nottingham Castle. My full write up can be read here. https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-04-27-the-wipers-times-tatler-and-the-identity-of-violet-from-violet-s-chronicle-of-fashion-an-expos/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 27 April , 2023 Share Posted 27 April , 2023 Robert, Thanks for posting, an interesting article. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 28 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 28 April , 2023 Cheers, thankyou –– I hope to be able to find out more and complete the story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 1 June , 2023 Author Share Posted 1 June , 2023 I was provided a lead, and took a trip to Nottinghamshire Archives. Here is what I found out https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-06-01-the-wipers-times-expos-addendum-conclusive-proof-the-letters-of-thomas-moore-emmanuel-ward-and-other-contributors-identified/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastSurrey Posted 3 June , 2023 Share Posted 3 June , 2023 Amongst the contributors to the 'W.T' and its successors was Captain Patch, M.O. to 8th Queen's. Two of the characters in the Sherlock Holmes spoof series are inspired by then Brigadier General Bertram Mitford and his Brigade Major- Captain Oliver Sutton-Nelthorpe (see 'The real "General Mitford"', as discussed elsewhere on this forum. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 7 June , 2023 Author Share Posted 7 June , 2023 On 03/06/2023 at 11:13, EastSurrey said: Amongst the contributors to the 'W.T' and its successors was Captain Patch, M.O. to 8th Queen's. Two of the characters in the Sherlock Holmes spoof series are inspired by then Brigadier General Bertram Mitford and his Brigade Major- Captain Oliver Sutton-Nelthorpe (see 'The real "General Mitford"', as discussed elsewhere on this forum. Michael Another name to add to the growing list, thankyou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 29 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 29 July , 2023 Continuing my research; a list of the Wipers Staff suspected staff, and witnesses https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-07-29-the-wipers-times-expos-staff-suspects-and-witnesses/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastSurrey Posted 30 July , 2023 Share Posted 30 July , 2023 22 hours ago, Robert StJohn Smith said: Continuing my research; a list of the Wipers Staff suspected staff, and witnesses https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-07-29-the-wipers-times-expos-staff-suspects-and-witnesses/ Congratulations! A great piece of work! Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 2 September , 2023 Author Share Posted 2 September , 2023 (edited) Part four; The identity of the Printer and the location of the Presses –– parts five and six- are coming soon as this has opened a floodgate of new leads. https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-09-02-the-wipers-times-expos-the-printer-and-the-presses/ Edited 2 September , 2023 by Robert StJohn Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 2 September , 2023 Share Posted 2 September , 2023 (edited) Fantastically interesting articles Robert, positively reeking of the period and subject that they describe. Thank you for sharing them with us here in the forum. Edited 2 September , 2023 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 7 September , 2023 Author Share Posted 7 September , 2023 Cheers –– a few more twists and turns coming up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 15 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 15 October , 2023 (edited) Part Five. If you think you own a complete series of the Wipers Times, then think again. The Actor, Avesnes, and the Forgotten Evening Edition of the Wipers https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/the-missing-edition-of-the-wipers-times/ Edited 15 October , 2023 by Robert StJohn Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastSurrey Posted 16 October , 2023 Share Posted 16 October , 2023 More great detective work! Well done, Robert! Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 16 October , 2023 Share Posted 16 October , 2023 (edited) 19 hours ago, Robert StJohn Smith said: Part Five. If you think you own a complete series of the Wipers Times, then think again. The Actor, Avesnes, and the Forgotten Evening Edition of the Wipers https://robertstjohnsmith.com/post/the-missing-edition-of-the-wipers-times/ Very evocative of those times Robert and I can totally see why this is a passion for you. You’re finding so much new information that I’m wondering if you might publish a book about it. I understand that paperbacks are not so expensive ways to get a small print run going and I think there would be some interest. Edited 16 October , 2023 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueburden Posted 16 October , 2023 Share Posted 16 October , 2023 I found the articles fascinating and would certainly buy the book if you did write one. Sue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert StJohn Smith Posted 17 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 17 October , 2023 @sueburden @FROGSMILE @EastSurrey Thanks for the kind words. I am very much finding my feet, as both a writer and a historian at the moment, but I do have some longer pieces (maybe a book) in the works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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