Finally finished the draft of my #FWW British Propaganda article for my website. Just have some footnotes to check, a couple of bio bits to add, and it needs proofing, but the finishing line is in sight.

I 've found many things in second-hand books before, but this is a first. In my copy of Blythe's 'The Age of Illusion,' it seems the previous owner was drafting their novel, 'Digging up the Pitmen' by John Swain.

My bookshop is closing down Jam Bookshop - Closing shop March 24th :(
I'm pretty devastated tbh.

But I hope to keep busy by making a book about it the ridiculousness of the whole project.

Looking for literary agents & publishers that might be interested.

After several failed starts (not a fan of January and February), I managed to get back into gear with writing this week. I am about halfway through, but I am aiming to add this article to my website before March is out.

I just received my acceptance stating that I will be starting my PhD in April at University College Cork. My topic is the image of Tommy Atkins from 1896 to 1926.

Continuing the expansion of my collection outwards: Just in from the postman, bound copies of the Gifford Journal of the Queens Alexandra hospital for discharged soldiers 1923-1925.

Starting to expand outwards on my #trenchjournal collection. This is from 1900 and what could be called a modern regimental journal.

100% True. This was the #RoyalNavy 's greatest-ever display of Power Projection, which took place, at the end of #ww1 in Russia.

With apologies to Ed McLachlan,

Another #FWW soldier-cartoonist published in #Blighty added to my site robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-12-0…

Some more copies of ‘The Outpost’ for my collection. I would argue that this publication should be the benchmark which other #trenchjournals are held up to; given it is probably the most ‘representative’ of such publications

This might cost me some Christmas cards

Its been a while, and horribly out of practice, but time for a cartoon. With apologies to #Punch cartoonist JH Dowd, 'The Great Rat Truce of 1917'

Handwriting detectives assemble! I am trying to decode this signature, I thought it was P Jack, but I am not getting any hits. Also, no idea on the line under 14th Battery #handwriting #autographbooks

If, in a future pub quiz, the question 'What was the first poem to be associated with the Great War?' pops up, you will have been glad to have read this article. robertstjohnsmith.com/post/2023-11-1… #autographbooks #fww #ww1 ephemera #ww1 #WarEphemera

A new lead has landed on my desk in regards to tracking down Dorothy Violet Hall, the female writer on the #WipersTimes . I will need to write it up, but here is the story so far robertstjohnsmith.com/series/the-wip…

Head scratching time. One of these images shows a fake tank, can you spot it ? (Hint: all these images are post 1920)

Not only come and listen to me- get to see amazing WW1 images in 3D. We have 2 projectors and give you special glasses - this is a real chance to experience the war in an immersive way. 2 talks - Devizes or Chippenham. Book on so we can get the right no. of 3D glasses

If you think you have a complete series of the Wipers Times on your shelves, then I am afraid you need to think again. The Actor, Avesnes, and The Forgotten Evening Edition of the Wipers Times

robertstjohnsmith.com/post/the-missi…

#FWW #WW1 #WipersTimes #Trenchjournals #FWW Hist #TheatreHist

Not a #trenchjournal , but an important addition to my collection, as POW journals were free of the censor. This is the Vistula, 1918, from Graudenz Camp. The question is, chess moves or a secret code ? #Fww #FWWhist #ww1