Author Archives: Magicfingers

The Rifle Grenade Part Two – The French Viven-Bessière Grenade

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Magicfingers

Here’s a neat, but deadly, little thing. 

Posted in French Grenades, Rifle Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 2 Comments

Godalming – Nightingale Cemetery (Godalming Old Cemetery) & the Battle of Spion Kop

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Magicfingers

A curate’s egg of a post, this one, as I take you from leafy Surrey to the African veldt. 

Posted in Surrey, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 8 Comments

Busbridge Churchyard & War Memorial

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Magicfingers

Last post we took a look inside the church – the spire is visible in the background – as well as Lutyens’ curious design for the grave of Gertrude Jekyll, which is actually sited just beyond the church. This time … Continue reading →

Posted in Surrey, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 5 Comments

Busbridge – St. John the Baptist Church

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Magicfingers

Here’s a nice little Surrey church for you. And once inside, there’s a feature at the far end that is quite unusual,… …which is this wrought-iron chancel screen actually designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and I don’t suppose he designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Surrey, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 22 Comments

The Men Who Came Home – A Memorial Part Ten – The Scottish, Irish & Welsh Regiments

Posted on September 25, 2021 by Magicfingers

Here’s a postcard I haven’t shown you before, with plenty of tam o’ shanters on view – or are they Balmoral bonnets – I believe there is a difference, but being a Sassenach, what would I know? 

Posted in Soldiers | Leave a comment

Puttenham Cemetery

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Magicfingers

Here’s one for you Google Earthers.  Within the grounds of Puttenham Golf Club, just over 500 yards from Puttenham parish church, and after a bit of searching among the trees adjoining the 18th fairway, you’ll find Puttenham Cemetery. It’s only … Continue reading →

Posted in Surrey, U.K. Churches, Memorials & Cemeteries - Back in Blighty | 4 Comments

The Rifle Grenade Part One – The Italian Benaglia Rifle Grenade

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Magicfingers

This is the Italian Benaglia rifle grenade, actually a rod grenade, there being different ways of launching a grenade from a rifle.

Posted in Italian Grenades, Rifle Grenades, Weaponry & Relics | 6 Comments