Henrician1509

Henrician1509 Just out and about having fun in history!

Yup, me again, well me in the character of Sid Arthur Travers Harris, Air Chief Marshall, CIC Bomber Command, it’s a rol...
04/11/2024

Yup, me again, well me in the character of Sid Arthur Travers Harris, Air Chief Marshall, CIC Bomber Command, it’s a role I’ve been privileged to portray at many events over the last ten years plus, and at not one of those events do I take a payment, not even in kind, I didn’t choose to rank myself up as Harris, the portrayal sort of chose me, with encouragement of a dear friend, Neil Storey you know who you are 😂😂😂, I’d sincerely have lived to be a lowly airman or at a push a junior officer at best, but my age and infirmities (official Blue Badge holder 👍) meant I had to follow the rule I’ve followed all my life, my portrayals have to be as accurate as my research and budget allows, and also fit my age and general state of dereliction. So as was commented at the time I began, the late great actor Basil Sydney appeared in ‘The Dambusters’ movie as Harris, but anytime the film gets a showing I get a rush of queries, is Basil portraying me, portraying Harris?? 😂

I don’t join any groups, for reasons stated in yesterday’s post, and also due to the politics that the set up and operation of such groups inevitably ends up in, usually chaos where the group leader dictates policy, and the rest follow along like faithful sheep for fear of being ousted and left out on the periphery of WWII events. Believe me it’s not that bad! No seriously, you get to arrive at a time that suits you, to leave at a time of your choice, and you can eat what you want and even drink directly from a very anachronistic 2024 can of fizzy drinks without having to decant it into a tin mug out of sight of your audience! 👊 speaking of your audience, it seems to become increasingly a fact of life that many groups no longer recognise that there are people there who have come to see you, and woe betide you as you look around unflinchingly in your huddle of group members that you should actually spot one of those people, and I believe it’s written in your group ‘regs’ that communicating with ‘future people’ will be summarily dismissed your insignia being torn from the shoulders of your uniform and drummed off site!

So if you feel you want to engage with people to share the knowledge you’ve probably, or at least hopefully gained whilst researching your character, then be a maverick! Ok you won’t get to pose and drape yourselves all over and around veteran historic and iconic aircraft, and various other airfield facilities, but what you will get is a much deeper sense of satisfaction that the history is being kept alive and passed on for posterity, and let’s be brutally honest just how many aircrew photographs in your flight suit do you truly need for your albums? Or is it a bit like trainspotting where you try and out trump your mates and members of other groups by the range of aircraft you’ve squatted in front of?

On the subject of ‘Regs’ or rather ‘Kings Regs’ of which I’m sure you regularly train your groups members to observe, there’s a whole list of etiquette which details what ranks you should salute, and exclusions to that procedure, now when I started doing this and there were maybe several groups taking part in an event we sort of came to a gentlemen’s agreement that we would follow those directions accross the whole event! The reason being it represented all of us in the correct light in the eyes of the visitors! In other words authenticity you all pride yourselves on achieving. Now yeah I understand I’m a total non entity, I’m not in your group, or groups, and nether do I want to be. But remember these small details, I wear the uniform of an ACM, and not just any ACM but Harris himself, and your salute if you deign throw one in my direction, will be returned to you in the correct manner, and no to be honest right through the time I’ve portrayed Sid Arthur I actually cringe inwardly when I receive a salute!! Yup that’s 100% correct, and as a consequence I’ve endeavoured to have a lady on my arm, negating anybody to feel they should salute me!!

But it’s truly not me you are there for is it? I’d like to assume you’re there for the visitors, but on what I witnessed over many hours the only people you appear to be there for, are yourselves, and the photographers who fulfill the need you all appear to have of recording your trips into you fantasy existence, yes I get pictures, and no the guys with all the big lenses and synchronised flashes on big stands don’t even ask me for a snap! But when a visitor wants a picture of me, or alongside me, I’ll happily oblige and will no doubt have a chat on what we are there for, despite me being just another visitor who’s used my own free will to wear my uniform.

03/11/2024

Once again this weekend I have to say I sadly witnessed what I feel is very poor historical reenactment.

Or maybe my approach is completely at odds with the rest of the dressing up community?

It seems to be the accepted practice for the so called living history people to completely ignore the paying public, to carry on almost as if the public dont truly exist at all? To completely ignore people who evidently would like to engage with them, it’s as if they are portraying being preserved in aspic, to be observed getting on with whatever they choose to do, and the year 2024 and it’s very real people do not exist? Somebody pull me up and correct me if I’m wrong? But I had almost eleven hours, a large proportion of which I sat on my arse to observe proceedings.

Now I’ve been in this game probably twice as long as some of these people have lived, and there are certain undeniable truths you sort of get to realise, a big one is that whilst increasing numbers of the public expect you to see costumed characters in many heritage locations and museums, there are still a considerable number who for whatever reason, fight shy of having any kind of contact with those in costume, seriously they cringe, and look for the nearest available diversion around those people, and if they can’t see a way round they retreat and possibly miss out on seeing parts of the location, as I’ve gained experience in doing this I’ve also learnt how to cold read my audience, exactly who might like to interact with me, and those who’d rather I disappeared, and it never usually puts me on the wrong track, but seriously when you have a whole mob of living historians virtually blocking access to a very important part of a location they can appear particularly intimidating to certain paying visitors, especially so when their elitist attitude means they ignore the visitors completely because by virtue of their costume they have a sense of entitlement, almost ownership of the facilities! The more timid amongst Joe Public are putting it bluntly scared away!!

Now yesterday I was in full uniform, fully authentic, but I wasn’t in their group, which to be honest is something that under the circumstances I’m sincerely grateful for, I was merely another punter who’d paid for the privilege to be there, who happened to have taken the opportunity to dress appropriately for my own enjoyment, and for the private photo opportunity that the event presented me with. But I’d lay a bet that I interacted with far greater numbers of the public who wanted to know various details of what was being displayed. And no I don’t ignore these people, I enthusiastically engage in conversation with them! Something I did not witness the official persons present doing!

It really makes me realise that me not allying myself to these groups is the way I should continue to go! I don’t know everything! I freely admit to that, but neither do these youngsters, and in any case their encyclopaedic knowledge of the era, or I’d hazard more likely lack of it never gets tested as it really does seem to be they are under orders not to engage with the visitors, tell me if in fact I’m wrong in this assumption, it’s actually not something I’ve dreamt up, I actually witnessed the lack of such communication throughout the entire long day! 🥺

Can’t wait for it to go dark now 😂😂😂
02/11/2024

Can’t wait for it to go dark now 😂😂😂

Sometimes a power tool is called for! Preparing for a return to Bomber County on Saturday 👊
31/10/2024

Sometimes a power tool is called for! Preparing for a return to Bomber County on Saturday 👊

A very different photo shoot yesterday evening portraying ‘Peaky Blinders’ in the lanes and alley ways of Great Yarmouth...
28/10/2024

A very different photo shoot yesterday evening portraying ‘Peaky Blinders’ in the lanes and alley ways of Great Yarmouths South Quay district, good to catch up with old friend Darren, and to meet new people with similar interests, and to work with professional photographers to capture the quintessential element in the images that I can only dream of achieving.

Here’s a taster, yes it’s manipulated! And it’s my own humble composition! Can’t wait to share the results of the people who really know their art, it’s like alchemy to me, and despite my real ‘Peaky’ heritage it’s a first time out doing the fictional image justice! I’m more used in dressing up and trying to meet the image, the fictional gang have a style and elegance and yet it’s transposed to a really grim and menacing look, the tell gang would have been so much more dressed down! But fun nonetheless!! 😂😂😂

Well I’m sat up almost at the end of the hour that doesn’t exist, All prepped now for a shoot tomorrow in the alleyways ...
27/10/2024

Well I’m sat up almost at the end of the hour that doesn’t exist, All prepped now for a shoot tomorrow in the alleyways of Great Yarmouth as a member of the fictional Peaky Blinders, ironic really as my Great Great Uncle David Taylor was a member of the real gang at the end of the 19th century and was arrested and served time in Winson Green prison at the age of 13 being found in possession of a revolver! Very strange too that I ended up serving in the West Midlands police 😂 at least I can voice coach on the original Brummie accent if needed 😂😂

A word to other country bumpkins such as myselfYou’ve heard the legend of Dick Turpin I have no doubt, well he’s been re...
16/10/2024

A word to other country bumpkins such as myself

You’ve heard the legend of Dick Turpin I have no doubt, well he’s been reborn! I kid you not!! He know has the assumed name of ‘TRANSPORT FOR LONDON’ or ‘TFL’ for short!

On the 28th September regular readers of my twaddle will remember I visited the capital to visit the Royal Air Force museum in Hendon, no not the infamous ‘Hounslow Heath as I rode o’er’ but Turpins territitory has increased, no longer skulking in the dark wild spots of Epping Forest!, he’s broadened his patch considerably taking in huge swathes of the capital. Now I was aware of his policy of ULEZ, if your steed is a bit dirtier than the more compliant pedigree mounts that can be had providing one’s purse can stretch to their acquisition. You may cross his manor for free! But as I’m only a poor country bumpkin living in North Norfolk, my old dirty mannered hack sees me liable to a toll! So in effect unlike his legendary predecessor the equally legendary ‘Robin Hood’ from Sherwood Forrest, he takes from the poor on their aging steeds, and lines the pockets of the Mayor of London of whom he seems to be a bosom buddy.

Now daring to visit his North London estate saw me liable to a £12.50 toll which covered me untill the clock struck midnight on that day, now being an aging old bu**er, the traffic on the the thoroughfares of the capital, and their flamboyant habits saw me concentrating hard in the saddle on my navigating my way safely rather than risk becoming unseated or unseating somebody else, so I paid little heed to the signs proclaiming his stewardship of his lands, and the matter that a toll might well now be due to be levied upon myself. Now I was aware that closer in to the hallowed streets of the square mile there is indeed another toll by the name of the Congestion Charge, but I’m aware also that my proud blue insignia allows me free passage within the city itself, so I did have some belief that I was perhaps also assured of safe and free passage through the ULEZ lands, but be warned henceforth fellow travellers going under the protection of said document, it DOES NOT! As I found when the local messenger delivered a rather heavy scroll to my abode this Monday lunchtime, four foolscap sheets of parchment in length! Not requesting I pay the missing toll! Nothing so simple, but demanding a penalty payment of £90! If I paid within 14 days of the documents date which was the 4th which is in fact a reduced rate, taking it beyond that date would incur the full penalty of £180, and a couple of weeks beyond that it grows to £270!

But I thought I would investigate the facts on the interweb, a new fangled thing very much beyond my usual ken, and discover that there is indeed a loophole, or a loophole I thought I could exploit! Recently I discovered that I do indeed qualify for a 50% reduction in the tax I pay to the stables in Swansea to take my mount out on the road, due to the infirmities I now suffer, I had spoken to the ostlers in wales and they had sent me messages stating that yes I was entitled to this reduction in my excise payments, but unfortunately being poor and somewhat distressed I elect to make payments to them on a monthly rather than a single annual toll, and the easiest way to claim my reduction was to apply when the charge once again becomes due in June of next year, at which point half of my payments will be returned to me! I have full and comprehensive correspondence showing this, along with the various proofs of my fragility to demonstrate my entitlement to it, but on speaking with one of their representatives that does not cover me in this instance?? So the Ostlers at Swansea stud tell me I have to do it one way and that I do indeed qualify, and yet old Dick Turpin does not see that free passage should be allowed??

Once again another case where our oh so modern communications systems fail us the customer out on the mean streets! Thankfully my companion on that visit to the capital Lauren King sent me the full penalty, I said I could not accept it, and sent half the money back to her as it was something we both wanted to do!

I’m completely disgusted that Dick (TFL) see fit to send out a penalty of such an ammount to somebody who lives out in the wilds of Norfolk and who consciously on trips to the capital actualy parks at the terminus of one of the northern area tube lines and travels in via those means rather than run the gauntlet of the capitals traffic. Apparently it is my duty to seek out knowledge of these tolls, whereas it’s my sincere belief that they should let the owner of every vehicle registered in the U.K. exactly what the arrangements are! Especially those travelling in from the wider country. What was wrong with a polite letter pointing out the error of my ways requesting the £12.50 daily fee?? The letter does say you can make a representation and that they have discretionary powers! Do not believe the bull s**t! If they ever move back from enforcing a penalty I will be shocked to hear it and the grounds that their discretionary back down was made under!!

And in closing, just as I’m registered for ‘Dart Charge’ I’m now attempting to register for the ULEZ toll, but the application appears to require a degree in computer programming to join! I will also ensure my vehicle gets its disabled classification in Swansea, and then heaven help them should I make a return visit as I plan to and they take a charge for me when my exempt vehicle crosses their boundaries! I’ll possibly send them a £90 penalty increasing to £180 in fourteen days from the date of my letter, or £270 if they take four weeks to pay me!

Hey what’s good for the Goose or Mr Turpin himself is also good for me!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

Well regular readers will recall I’m working as time and finances allow in building up a uniform in tribute to my father...
10/10/2024

Well regular readers will recall I’m working as time and finances allow in building up a uniform in tribute to my fathers service in the 8th Kings Kings Royal Irish Hussars, he didn’t serve in WWII, but he did serve in that regiment in both Malaya and also Korea. Evidently I’m not a wealthy man and do all I do on a strict budget, so needing new khaki drill uniform for my RAF portrayals I decided to make them serve two roles. The epaulettes are an easy job by using two sets of rank slides, but then it came to the various items of insignia which would be stitched on the upper sleeve in the form of these desert rat division patches, for the 7th armoured division in the North African campaign circa 1940-1942, the same goes for the RAF wings on the left breast, I tacked these on with needle and thread for the Sunday at Sheringham 1940’s event just a couple of weeks ago, but I don’t fancy doing that each time I need to change the uniform.

So I had a brainwave, I purchased my desert rat patches, certainly not cheap but a good representation, and then backed them with a piece of heavyweight buckram/interfacing after first pushing through clutch pin mounts, and then blanket stitched the buckram to the patches, this then gets pushed through the fabric of the sleeve, and another square of buckram the same size as the patch, and the clutches are pushed on at the back. I’ve tested this idea by fitting them to a scrap of RAF blue grey serge, to see how convincing or not my idea is, basically because I didn’t want you to drag the KD’s out of the store! But after fitting I’ve manipulated the fabric to see if they really appear to be sewn on, I’m pretty happy with the look! I’ll leave you to judge for yourself.

I’ll be doing the same to the RAF wings and think it should look pretty seamless when switching between portrayals next year. All we need now is the sun ☀️

Well you must have all realised that my passions for heritage, for aircraft, for the RAF, and for ACM A T Harris, and fo...
30/09/2024

Well you must have all realised that my passions for heritage, for aircraft, for the RAF, and for ACM A T Harris, and for a bit of photographic jiggery-pokery had to result in something more than my standard touristy reel, I wouldn’t assume to wear my uniform to Hendon, but I hope these two compositions are viewed in the same manner in which they were created.

STRIKE HARD, STRIKE SURE

Well it’s all about the aircraft this morning, but where??? 😂
28/09/2024

Well it’s all about the aircraft this morning, but where??? 😂

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