Hi from Somerset, UK.

[Alex_a]

Hi guys

I’ve just joined up, so I look forward to meeting you all and learning lots. I really became interested in WW1 aviation a couple of years ago when I started to research my great uncle, Arthur Powney who died as an observer with no. 9 squadron RFC flying RE8’s in September 1917.
I have also been really into collecting early and rare books on the subject, so anything contained within I’m happy to share, if you want something looked up please let me know.

Anyway, that’ll do for now, all the best
Alex.

[Chock]

Hi and welcome.

Quite fitting that you should join up on Remembrance Sunday, given that it was your great uncle's service in WW1 that sparked off your interest in the subject

Al

[cvalk]

Welcome, Alex! I'm new here myself. Out of curiosity...

Originally Posted by Alex_a

I have also been really into collecting early and rare books on the subject...

...what books do you prize the most? I've been trying to build up my collection, and some pointers on what titles to look out for would be helpful.

Also, please excuse an ignorant Yank -- what is Remembrance Sunday?

Regards,
Chris

[Chock]

Remembrance Sunday is the nearest Sunday to the Eleventh of the Eleventh (i.e that is this coming Wednesday). In the UK it is traditionally the day on which those who have died in all past wars are remembered. Invariably it involves a parade and memorial ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in London, where the Monarch and a few political leaders place wreaths made from Flanders poppies on the Cenotaph War Memorial, which is dedicated to 'The Glorious Dead'. A very solemn occasion, where two minutes of silence is observed at the eleventh hour as a cannon shot is fired.

The Eleventh of the Eleventh relates to the signing of the Armistice which ended WW1. In the run up to it, in the UK you will find many ex-military veterans and volunteers selling poppies and carrying collection tins, the proceeds from which go towards the care of those in the UK either injured or bereaved by warfare. It is considered respectful to wear one of the poppies during this time. The poppy is of course synonymous with WW1, since they grew in Flanders and after there was a huge battle there, the legend being that in the following summer there was a huge bloom of them in the fields, since the blood which had flowed into the soil contributed to the growth of so many of them that year. There is in fact some truth in that.

The poppies which go on sale these days are in fact replica ones and not the real thing, being made from plastic and paper. They used to have the words 'Haig Fund' in small lettering raised off the black centre. That relates to the charitable fund which Field Marshal Douglas Haig set up in 1921 to assist those who had been injured in the Great War, although in recent years Haig came under criticism from many anti-war protesters who claimed that he was a military butcher. That is of course a little unfair, and glossed over the fact that the fund wouldn't even have been in existence had it not been for him, but nevertheless, in a bout of political correctness, the lettering on the poppies was changed, and it now reads 'poppy appeal'.

On Wednesday of this week in the UK, that being the 11th of the 11th, at 11am across most cities and towns in the UK, a single cannon shot will sound out and echo across the towns, whereafter there is a minutes silence (although some modernists claim it should be two minutes, as though twice as long is somehow twice as respectful, but there you go). Still, many people will stop what they are doing and remember the dead from various wars. Some ignorant bastards completely ignore it unfortunately, but that's modern life for you.

Here's a scan of my poppy, one of two I've bought this year, since they are notorious for coming off your jacket, in case you are curious what they look like:



Al

[tcrean7828]

Mate,
Welcome to the flagship of the Aerodrome - where the greatest minds on the planet get together and talk about their favorite subject - WW1.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

P.S. Werner Voss fan here.

[Alex_a]

Originally Posted by cvalk

Welcome, Alex! I'm new here myself. Out of curiosity...



...what books do you prize the most? I've been trying to build up my collection, and some pointers on what titles to look out for would be helpful.

Also, please excuse an ignorant Yank -- what is Remembrance Sunday?

Regards,
Chris

Thanks for all the replies, I feel that I've been made most welcome.

Chris, the books I most cherish are a first edition of Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps by James McCudden (a bit dry but it's one of the classics), and my signed copies of two Arthur Gould Lee books, No Parachute and Open Cockpit.
I don't know if you know Gould Lee, but these two books describe his service with 46 squadron in 1917. He was shot down no less that three times but always managed to survive, he tells a great story so I would recommend these books to anyone. My copy of open Cockpit was given by Lee to his publisher Gerald Austin, and is given with "best thanks for the help in writing this book". Another great book is Wind in the Wires by Duncan Grinnell-Milne, he was a pilot on BE2C’s, he was captured after being brought down behind the lines, managed to escape, make his way home and returned to fly SE5a’s, all great stuff.
There is a bibliography of first war aviation books by James Noffsinger, it’s a big help when looking for a title, have a look on abebooks for all the above.

Regards
Alex.

[cvalk]

Thanks for the info, gents!