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mons14
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 20 Location: Canada
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:00 pm Post subject: Hello from Canada |
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Dear Sirs,
I must start by saying I’ve had some lovely correspondence with some members here over the recent weeks, who have made me feel very comfortable before taking the plunge to make a first post.
I must confess feeling a bit intimidated by the incredible expertise your group has. I’ve much enjoyed, and benefited from the information you have in your forum.
My name is David, and I have had a lifelong passion and obsession (my wife would say) with the Great War. I collect medals and memorabilia related to British and Canadian soldiers of the Great War. I feel a great responsibility and enthusiasm to research and share the stories of the men whose medals I have in my care. I try to formulate the research into stories, and publish them on forums like the British Medals Forum, GWF and the CEF Study group. (I am only an amateur writer but do enjoy this very much)
I bring my collection into schools and do little talks with the students to try and draw a connection between the medal and the man. ‘…This is much more than a piece of silver…it embodies the story of life and death of a man who has long since been lost the annals of history.’ The kids usually really enjoy these talks.
Amongst the medals in my care are many men whose names are found on memorial across Scotland, and for that reason I felt it important for me to join up here, and share my research on those brave men.
I’m also an artist and have taken to illustrating the men I research (when time permits). I’ve add a few below which I hope you will find of interest.
Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to join and much appreciate the fine work that is done here.
My kindest regards,
David
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David McNay Administrator
Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 11425 Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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David,
Welcome to the forum from another David! Happy to have you here. Thanks for posting your artwork, I really enjoyed looking at it. Do you take commissions?
Regards,
David |
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Kenneth Morrison
Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 7755 Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hi David and welcome. There that wasn't so bad was it?
You first drawing is of a Glasgow man, James H. Cowan, DCM. Sadly he was killed on 4 December 1915, just before the withdrawal from Gallipoli .
He is buried in the Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Turkey. _________________ Ken |
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spoons
Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 4991 Location: St John's Town of Dalry
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:03 am Post subject: |
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Welcome - amazing artwork, I look forward to seeing more.
I know how rewarding it can be to turn a name on a memorial into a real person for a bunch of schoolchildren, especially if I am lucky enough to find a service record which shows he had a scar or tattoo (or was disciplined for not shaving) or if I can find a photo of the man or of his house.
\Paul |
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Kenneth Morrison
Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 7755 Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:47 am Post subject: |
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Ah! The man with the wicked looking blade behind Lt. Winton is explained.
July 13. - A post in the enemy's front line system was raided in daylight by Gurkhas of the 1st Guides who captured fifteen prisoners and three machine guns........................."
From the Great War Forum
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71403 _________________ Ken |
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DelBoy
Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 4858 Location: The County of Angus
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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Vivid drawings. They put me in mind of Commando comics from my childhood.
Derek. |
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DerekR Moderator
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 3013 Location: Hawick, Scotland
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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David,
I'm REALLY surprised that it's taking you this long to get here.
Welcome aboard. _________________
Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear. |
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mons14
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 20 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you ALL very kindly for the warm welcome. It's good to meet all of you (and especially nice to see some old friends - DerekR )
Appreciate the kind words regarding my drawings, I did at one time take on a flurry of commissions over at the BMF, but due to the pressures of work and home I don't have as much time for these anymore. I try to put out one or two every now and again when time permits. (They do have comic book feel which I think is left over from the days when I worked as a comic book artist)
The drawing of Lieut. Winton MC, was done for a friend who has this gallant Officers medals in his collection; An amazing story:
From the Regimental History:
DECAPITATION BY A KUKRI
"A subaltern in charge of a party of had an extraordinary experience. He had stuck his bayonet into a Turk, but was unable to disengage it owing to the narrowness of the trench. Another Turk beyond began jabbing the butt end of his rifle into the ribs of the Officer, and seemed likely to inflict an injury, when the Officer saw his assailant's head leap from his shoulders, a Gurkha having dexteroulsy decapitated him with his Kukri, which is an invaluable weapon at such close quaters."
Ken – Thanks for the further details retarding Pte. Cowan of Glasgow; I’ve done a considerable amount of research on him, and wondered where would an appropriate place on the forum to post his story? |
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spoons
Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 4991 Location: St John's Town of Dalry
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Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:47 am Post subject: |
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mons14 wrote: |
Ken – Thanks for the further details retarding Pte. Cowan of Glasgow; I’ve done a considerable amount of research on him, and wondered where would an appropriate place on the forum to post his story? |
Hi David, I hope Ken doesn't mind me jumping in................
James Cowan is shown in the Glasgow Evening Times Roll of Honour as being resident of Carstairs Street (Dalmarnock). I haven't found him on any (listed so far) memorial apart from the City of Glasgow Roll of Honour so I guess that is where to post the info. http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=3144
Incidentally, do you know that he also received a mention in despatches (posted in London Gazette 28 Jan 1916, page 1203.
\Paul |
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Kenneth Morrison
Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 7755 Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie
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Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:06 am Post subject: |
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No worries Paul. In fact I was down the same track of checking the Glasgow RoH.
The "spooky" bit is that I was brought up not far from Carstairs Street but what I had not realised until I looked up the Google map is that there are three adjacent streets - Solway St. Colvend St. and Rockcliffe St.
I now live in the village of Rockcliffe, in Colvend Parish, on the Solway coast. _________________ Ken |
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mons14
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 20 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Paul - Thank you for the link to page, and the info on the street, to which I believe is new information for me. I will post my research on Pte. Cowan on there, appreciate the help.
Ken - Really appreciate the added info, and fascinating that you actually lived near his street! What a small world. (Is the street still that same, or redeveloped?)
Kind regards,
David |
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Kenneth Morrison
Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 7755 Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie
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Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:06 am Post subject: |
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While rummaging around the various old Glasgow site for street scenes I ran across the memorial to the men of the 7th (Blythswood) Battalion of the HLI and we've got it on the forum!
http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic476.html _________________ Ken |
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mons14
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 20 Location: Canada
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent, thank you again Ken for all your continued help - really appreciate all your help.
Kind regards,
David |
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neilston
Joined: 14 Dec 2012 Posts: 370 Location: Neilston
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Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:16 am Post subject: |
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Welcome David
Such Fantastic art, great to see. hope you enjoy the forums and the expertise these guys wield
Put them on the case and I bet they could tell us who Jack the Riper was!!
Cheers Matt
Neilston War memorial asociation |
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