Bespoke Western Front Battlefield Tours

30/08/2024

Also worked with the LRDG and the SAS during his service in WW2.

The Legend Sir Christopher Lee poses with a 1965 Aston Martin DB5!

The great Sir Christopher Lee: - He was the only Lord Of The Rings cast member to meet Tolkien.
He played Dracula 12 times.
- Writer Ian Fleming, his cousin, used him to create James Bond.
- During his career he acted in almost 280 movies.
- Entered the Guinness as the most cited actor on the screens.
- Spoke fluent English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Swedish, Russian and Greek.
Christopher Lee At 90, he released the heavy metal song "Let legend Mark Me as the King," making Lee probably the oldest heavy metal singer ever.
The legend, the one and only Christopher Lee, the man who lived a hundred lives left us on June 7, 2015.

Produced between 1963 and 1965, the Aston Martin DB5’s unique charm and breathtaking performance quickly solidified its status as a cultural icon. Its prominent feature in the James Bond films further amplified its allure, cementing its place as a symbol of luxury and style.

The DB5 was renowned for its potent 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, which could propel it to a top speed of 145mph. Beyond its performance, the DB5 also stood out for its stunning design, luxurious interiors, and cutting-edge features for its time. With its price tag matching its exclusivity, the DB5 remains an enduring symbol of British automotive excellence.

30/08/2024

Nice to get a mention in the magazine of the Military Vehicle Society!

30/08/2024

The latest blog from our resident team author/historian/petrolhead

CREATIVE INSPIRATION I thought I’d take a short break from giving abridged profiles of the subjects of my book ‘Motorsport’s Military Heroes’, and give a

03/08/2024

It’s a good problem to have too many excellent museums to visit in the area.

If you haven’t visited our memorial museum we have an open day tomorrow Sunday 4 August 10-4pm.

A few miles south of Norwich and located on the edge of an active airfield so you might see several light aircraft flying.

Loads of free parking and free entry and a cafe with the best home made (and value) cakes around, a well stocked shop with tee shirts, other clothing and our 448th baseball caps, all good quality too.

Our very hard working volunteers keep the museum in pristine condition and every penny we make from the cafe and shop and of course donations goes back into the museum.

Do give us a look if you want to visit a new venue that’s interesting and informative. We
also look forward to seeing our lovely regular visitors too.

02/07/2024

Then and Now at Thorpe Abbotts. An officer stands on the roof of the Tower with a B17 on a 351st Squadron Hardstand visible in the background. The airfield recognition letters ‘TA’ are on the roof directly behind the officer. The contemporary photo on the same spot shows a reenactor on a recent visit to the museum. Barley now grows in the field where the B17 once stood.

28/06/2024

Fascinating post 😢🙏🏻

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EZCfP5Bkp32wHAMo/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Barbara Jane Harrison was awarded the George Cross for her role in the evacuation of BOAC Flight 712, she is the only woman to have been awarded this medal in peacetime.
•
Known as Jane, she was a flight attendant on a BOAC Boeing 707 (G-AWRE) that had departed Heathrow for Sydney (via Zurich and Singapore) on 8 April 1968. The aircraft suffered an engine fire immediately after take-off and immediately returned to Heathrow. One of the duties assigned to her in an emergency were to help the steward at the rear station to open the appropriate rear door and inflate the escape chute and then to assist the passengers at the rear of the aircraft to leave in an orderly manner. When the aircraft landed, Miss Harrison and the steward concerned opened the rear galley door and inflated the chute, which unfortunately became twisted on the way down so that the steward had to climb down it to straighten it before it could be used. Once out of the aircraft he was unable to return, Miss Harrison was left alone to the task of shepherding passengers to the rear door and helping them out of the aircraft. She encouraged some passengers to jump from the aircraft and pushed out others.
•
According to witnesses, after the escape chute had been burnt away Harrison continued to force passengers to safety by pushing them out the door, even as “flames and smoke were licking around her face”. She then seemed to be preparing to jump but instead turned back inside when there was another explosion and she was not seen alive again. Her body was found with four others near the rear door, all had died from asphyxia. She is buried in Fulford Cemetery, York.

26/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/Tq3ySUx3q6bc3SvF/?mibextid=WC7FNe

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

On a sunny day like today, what better way to spend your time than to read A Guide to Creative Writing published by White Owl Books. Now available everywhere.📚☀️

23/06/2024

An Absolutely brilliant museum
Niek and Else have really created an outstanding attraction!
One of the many amazing reasons to visit the Ypres Salient.

07/06/2024

We chose to post this for the power of the video image not the commentary of the text, but they have a point.

05/06/2024

05/06/2024

80 years today after crews returned from a mission to France the officers and aero clubs at Station 146 Seething were closed and movies cancelled. All personnel were confined to base and those airmen away on a pass recalled.

D-Day was imminent.

The first of four mission briefs for the 448th would take place a few hours later at 0030 hrs 6 June 1944.

The first mission utilised 37 aircraft (crewed by 370 young men). Support personnel on the base would work non-stop to keep the airfield running.

The three remaining missions for the day involved deployments of a further 34 ‘ships’.

In addition to D-Day, June was to be a very busy month for the 448th with 26 missions to France and 4 to Germany.

A total of 15 crews failed to return that month, their fate at the time unknown.

To commemorate the contribution and sacrifices made by the 448th at Seething the control tower memorial museum will have a special open day tomorrow Thursday 6 June 2024.

We will be open 2-10pm with a beacon being lit at 9pm as part of a nationwide event.

We aim for the afternoon and evening to be one of quiet reflection at the tower in memory of all those who served here.

There are many interesting and informative D-Day related events taking place at various locations in the region.

Anyone calling into the tower on their way home from such an event will be made most welcome and be able to learn more about the 448th’s contribution on that significant day.

Light refreshments will be available.

Information on D-Day deployments courtesy of Pat Everson.

01/08/2023

24/07/2023

Book Review: Motorsport's Military Heroes by Bryan Lightbody Bryan L'Bodie and published by Pen and Sword Rosie Crofts

I have read a lot of books on motorsport ranging from biographies of drivers, presenters and manufacturers but this book provides a unique insight.

Structured well, this book delves into the lives of those drivers, shares what they did before, during and after conflicts, and how they got into motorsport. It also highlights their individual successes.

A really enjoyable and well written read. Recommended.

Reviewed by Robert Banham

23/07/2023

Today we mark the passing of Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967). Rathbone played Sir Guy of Gisbourne in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

Rathbone was twice the British Army Fencing Champion, a skill that served him well in the Robin Hood classic and allowed him to even teach actors Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power swordsmanship.

He was a Captain in the First World War and undertook highly dangerous daylight reconnaissance missions. In September 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous daring and resource on patrol"

A consummate actor and the best Guy of Gisbourne ever.

21/07/2023

Plus, hearing about a book looking at the links between military history and motorsport.

09/06/2023

I set up my business nearly a dozen years ago. It's evolved somewhat since then, but my aim has not altered. I'm still very much interested in helping empower new writers, providing services like editing and proofreading, and working with Creatives through coaching.

Should you require assistance with your book or, indeed, your writing career, why not get in touch for a chat?😎

loveofbooks.co.uk 📖

06/06/2023

On today's , we recognize legendary actor, comedian, and filmmaker, Mel Brooks.

Mel served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a combat engineer in the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion, 78th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and one of his tasks was to defuse land mines.

Discharged as a Corporal, Mel went on to act, direct, and produced Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Spaceballs.

Thank you, Mel, for your service to our country. We salute you!