On 17 September 2019, on the 80th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland, a new statue was unveiled in the main square of Gdańsk. It commemorates the remarkable Polish patriot, Withold Pilecki, who is only now becoming more well-known…
The Spanish Civil War was a particularly bloody and merciless conflict which consumed the country during 1936-9 and left lasting rifts in Spanish society. While the battles on the mainland and the role of the International Brigades has received much…
It is no accident that the National Memorial Arboretum is situated in Alrewas, Staffordshire. It is, after all, in the very centre of the UK. In the heart of the site lies the magnificent Armed Forces Memorial commemoration to all…
In April Jonathan gave a talk in Somerset on the daring exploits of female agents in WWII. Over one hundred and twenty people packed Long Sutton Village Hall to attend the evening to raise funds for the fabric of the…
A new book on Yemen has just been published by IB Taurus, titled The Deluge - A Personal View of the End of Empire in the Middle East. The book's dust jacket contains an endorsement by Jonathan, who was asked…
The Spring edition of the county magazine Devon Life featured Jonathan as one of the writers who are inspired by their gardens. As the early mornings become lighter, he enjoys writing in his summerhouse. The peaceful surroundings are certainly a…
In January, Jonathan was delighted to accept an invitation to deliver a talk at The Merchant's Hall Bristol to supporters of the Young Bristol charity. This organisation is Bristol’s leading provider of community-based youth services and through the good work…
Jonathan supported the Memory Cafe Charity (Alzheimers) by giving a talk on the female heroines of the Special Operations Executive [SOE] during WW11. He told the 90-strong audience about how these brave girls were recruited, firstly into the FANY Corps…
In November Jonathan was invited to give a talk to the Totnes branch of The Arts Society and the venue was in the glorious surroundings of Dartington Hall estate. It was just several days after Remembrance Day and the packed…
Jonathan was asked by Clifton College to deliver the address for the Remembrance Day service on 11 November. In a moving service conducted by the school chaplain, Rev. Simon Chapman, the large congregation listened to the anthem, Libera me and…