Fiction
Némésis, Ch 1 – Prologue
In this work of fiction I have used the term The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) rather than the more familiar Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The term Daesh (al-Dawlah [more…]
Articles by Blown Periphery
20th Century
The Westland Whirlwind
The Whirlwind was a twin-engine, heavy fighter developed by Westland Aircraft, not to be confused by the Westland Whirlwind helicopter of many years later. It was developed in the 1930s as a heavy fighter and [more…]
Fiction
Merry Christmas, Sergeant Edge
Edge knew that he was coming down with something. His head felt muggy and the back of his throat and soft palate felt enlarged and spongy. He had been unable to clear his left ear, [more…]
History
The York Cohort
In 1953 Harry Martingale an apprentice plumber was working in the cellar of the Treasurers House in York. The building had been acquired by the National Trust in 1930 and it required extensive restorative work. [more…]
17th Century
The Edgehill Camp Spectres
Edgehill was the first pitched battle of the English Civil War. It was fought near Edge Hill and Kineton in southern Warwickshire on Sunday, 23 October 1642. The soldiers of both sides were raw and [more…]
20th Century
Military Ghosts – Lincolnshire’s and other Airbases
The ending of Len Deighton’s meticulously researched novel “Bomber” is in my opinion some of the most poignant written words to appear in a book. He describes visiting the fictional bomber airfield of Warley Fen, [more…]
20th Century
RAF Halton – Ghosts Abound
In 1986, RAF Halton was the No 1 School of Technical Training responsible for training the RAF’s Apprentices, with the sister School at RAF Cosford. It was also the site of Princess Mary’s RAF Hospital. [more…]
19th Century
The Ghost with Wet Boots
Admiral Tyron was an extremely gifted Royal Naval Officer with a proven career of command, in the peacetime, post-Napoleonic era. On 22nd June 1893 he was Commander of the Mediterranean Station and was on board [more…]
20th Century
The Angels of Mons
The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) had its first major engagement on 22nd – 23rd August 1914. The “Contemptable Little Army” although heavily outnumbered by the Germans, stopped their advance and repulsed them at the Battle [more…]