Looking for Wings of Glory WWI players in SW London

**Conall** · 08-09-2016 03:47

Hi all,

I've recently got into Wings of Glory and have got to the point where I'm reasonably familiar with the rules and have collected a few aircraft. I'm looking for fellow players in SW London for friendly games (I'm not overly competitive - it's the fun and the interest in WWI aviation which I enjoy).

My interest in WWI aviation is personal: my paternal grandfather was in the RFC/RAF from 1912-1920, initially a pilot in No.2 Sqn RFC and then in 1915 forming No.19 Sqn RFC (from No.5 Reserve Sqn RFC), which he commanded until February 1917. He ended the war as a wing commander and was awarded the Army Flying Cross as well as being mentioned in despatches, having flown all RFC/RAF types of aircraft except for the Sopwith Dolphin.

So, if you're based in SW London and fancy a game PM me.

Tom

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 08-09-2016 04:43

Good to see my latest Wingman has touched down Tom. Let me now formally welcome you to the Drome on behalf of the U.K. Wing.

What an interesting story about your Grandsire.
Do you have any photographs or artifacts left to you or did they all end up dispersed as did my paternal Grandfathers, and great Uncles never to be seen again!
Rob.

**grumpybear** · 08-09-2016 05:28

Hi and welcome from Alberta

**Nightbomber** · 08-09-2016 05:38

Tom. Welcome from Poland.

I am sure there are stories to be shared with us here, aren't they?

**okko** · 08-09-2016 07:29

From one new player to another welcome from Blackpool

**Conall** · 08-09-2016 08:34

Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

Good to see my latest Wingman has touched down Tom. Let me now formally welcome you to the Drome on behalf of the U.K. Wing.

What an interesting story about your Grandsire.
Do you have any photographs or artifacts left to you or did they all end up dispersed as did my paternal Grandfathers, and great Uncles never to be seen again!
Rob.

Dear Rob,

We've got quite a few photos, especially from 1912-1914 (my avatar photo was him in early 1914) and a couple of wartime photos (1916 and 1918, I think). We've also got his memoirs from 1912-1915 ('Air memoirs of a Contemptible') and one of his working diaries from 1917 (almost unintelligible and very little prose - just lists/appointments etc.). Very little in the way of memorabilia - his RFC wings, his medals, and his Sam Browne I think.

I managed to get over to Vert Galant, where 19 Sqn RFC was based, this July while visiting Fromelles (where my great-grandfather was killed in July 1916) and the Somme. Despite the empty fields and no trace of the aerodrome apart from the original farmhouse it was still very atmospheric.

Tom

**Lt. S.Kafloc** · 08-09-2016 09:51

Welcome Tom. May I also extend an open invatation to join other forum members, UK Wing and International, at our 3rd annual bash at the South Yorks Air Museum in Doncaster over weekend 1st/2nd October. Most are attending both days (we also have an informal dinner on Saturday night), however there are some who can only make it for the Saturday or Sunday not both. Be great to meet you and listen to some of the many stories I'm sure you have about your Grandfather.

Neil

**Archidamus** · 08-10-2016 00:31

Hi Tom - welcome to the 'drome from here in Tunbridge Wells. Don't know if you can make it down to High Brooms railway station on a Sunday, but if you like I can PM you when the Tunbridge Wells club are next having a WoG bash (will be soon, what with new planes due out) on either a first or third Sunday - you'd be most welcome to join us.

**johnbiggles** · 08-12-2016 23:55

Hi Tom, and a belated welcome from Leicestershire!
Don't worry about novice status and few planes, it will change faster than you can imagine.

**Naharaht** · 08-13-2016 00:27

Welcome to the Aerodrome, Tom, from here near Norwich. Please do not be surprised if we ask you lots of questions regarding what your grandfather told you about aircraft, which he flew.

**Foz** · 08-13-2016 05:18

Hail and welcome from the other side of London. I'd be up for games soon once a few medical issues are finished.
If you can take Brian's (Archidamus) offer up, the chaps down in Tunbridge Wells are really a good bunch.
I'm going to be taking up the offer again soonish.

**Conall** · 08-13-2016 08:16

Thanks everyone for the very warm welcome, which is very kind of you all. I'm more than happy to answer questions about my grandfather, insofar as I can. I can tell you for free that he thought the BE12c, with which 19 Sqn RFC was equipped on the Somme, was utterly useless - underpowered, overweight, unreliable & too stable/docile to be a frontline fighter - and as a result a veritable death trap for his pilots. Hence his lobbying RFC HQ very hard for a suitable replacement & getting Spad VIIs instead.

Sadly I can't make it to Doncaster, as I think I'm moving house that weekend. But the invitation to Tunbridge is very welcome & I will try to take it up.

Tom

**Conall** · 08-13-2016 08:20

Originally Posted by Foz

Hail and welcome from the other side of London. I'd be up for games soon once a few medical issues are finished.
If you can take Brian's (Archidamus) offer up, the chaps down in Tunbridge Wells are really a good bunch.
I'm going to be taking up the offer again soonish.

Dear Steve,

Let me know when you're up and about & we can fix up a game. In the meantime I hope you get well soon.

Yes, I will definitely try to take up Brian's very generous offer if I can.

Tom

**Conall** · 08-13-2016 08:25

Originally Posted by Archidamus

Hi Tom - welcome to the 'drome from here in Tunbridge Wells. Don't know if you can make it down to High Brooms railway station on a Sunday, but if you like I can PM you when the Tunbridge Wells club are next having a WoG bash (will be soon, what with new planes due out) on either a first or third Sunday - you'd be most welcome to join us.

Dear Brian,

Thanks and, yes, I'd be delighted to take up the offer if possible (my availability will depend a bit on childcare arrangements). Please do PM me with the details.

Tom

**Herkybird** · 08-13-2016 09:03

Welcome from all of us in Northumberland! I hope you find the Aerodrome a happy and friendly place to be!
Thanks for sharing your WW1 stories from your Paternal Grandfather!

Mine was in the trenches from late 1916 (Lancashire fusiliers) and was a second on a Lewis gun. He was captured in 1917, which, considering the casualties suffered in the last year of the war, may have been a blessing!

**Barkmann** · 08-13-2016 09:41

Welcome from Brazil Tom!

Thanks for sharing some of your Grandfather's stories, i loved to read them! I hope you have a nice time here.

Nick

**gully_raker** · 08-13-2016 17:21

G'day Tom & welcome to the 'drome on behalf of the pilots who fly in NSW down in Australia.
Playing Wings will be quite a nostalgic event with the link to your Grandfather.

My dad was an original ANZAC & had me rather late in his life.
I will look forward to hearing more info on your Grandfathers experiences.

**Conall** · 08-14-2016 01:29

Originally Posted by gully_raker

G'day Tom & welcome to the 'drome on behalf of the pilots who fly in NSW down in Australia.
Playing Wings will be quite a nostalgic event with the link to your Grandfather.

My dad was an original ANZAC & had me rather late in his life.
I will look forward to hearing more info on your Grandfathers experiences.

Dear Barry,

Thanks and yes, indeed the connection does add a certain something. One of my immediate projects is to repaint a couple of 23 Sqn RFC SPAD VIIs to 19 Sqn RFC markings.

Speaking of ANZACs I was in France earlier this year (July) visiting Laventie where my great-grandfather is buried. He was killed on 16 July 1916 in the preparations for the ill-fated supporting attack at Fromelles. We also visited the Australian memorial at VC corner & the (excellent) museum in Fromelles. The sheer futility and ill-conception of the attack (Lt-Gen Haking) was quite staggering and very sobering. And the courage, determination and gallantry of the Australian (and British troops) involved was very moving. Also worth mentioning is the skill and tenacity of the Bavarian defenders - they knew what they doing and it was very much a German defensive victory. We also went to the Somme and visited Pozieres and the Australian memorial there (my aunt, who lives in Gladesville, Sydney was with us so there was a strong Aussie theme to the visit), which was very impressive. Reading the first hand accounts of the battle there and the severity/savagery of the fighting made a huge impression. Again the courage and sheer determination of the Australian troops was very much in evidence.

Tom

**Conall** · 08-14-2016 01:33

Originally Posted by Barkmann

Welcome from Brazil Tom!

Thanks for sharing some of your Grandfather's stories, i loved to read them! I hope you have a nice time here.

Nick

Oi Nick,

Tudo bem?

Muito obrigado! Y foi um a prazer.

Tchau,

Tom
(morava no Rio por seis meses em novente nove - foi muito legal)

**Flying Helmut** · 08-14-2016 02:29

Hi Tom, welcome to the 'Drome!

I'm in NW London, so not too far from you. We sometimes play WGF at my local club in Pinner (though we've just started a Frostgrave campaign, so WGF won't happen any time soon).

I'm hopelessly busy at the moment, but when things calm down a bit I should become available for a game or two.

**andron234** · 08-30-2016 18:31

Hi Tom, welcome to the 'Drome!

I'm in NW London near Tim, so I'm available for a game or three as well

**Conall** · 09-03-2016 06:19

Originally Posted by andron234

Hi Tom, welcome to the 'Drome!

I'm in NW London near Tim, so I'm available for a game or three as well

Drew,

That's great. Will PM you & Tim in due course. Many thanks for your response

Tom

**A0S** · 09-03-2016 11:42

Hi Tom, a belated welcome from Essex. I was born in SW London and lived there till last year when I was exiled to my wife's native land ��

I still have family in SW London so do visit there occasionally.

Andrew

**Hedeby** · 09-03-2016 14:42

Welcome aboard Tom - hope you locate some opponents soon

**Conall** · 09-03-2016 14:56

Originally Posted by A0S

Hi Tom, a belated welcome from Essex. I was born in SW London and lived there till last year when I was exiled to my wife's native land ��

I still have family in SW London so do visit there occasionally.

Andrew

Well, PM me if you're ever in this part of town & have time for a game. I've got more than enough planes now (ahem

) for both of us.

And I don't know whether to congratulate you or commiserate with you on the move to Essex.

When I got married I got dragged kicking & screaming south of the river to Putney. I'm shortly about to escape back north again (still SW Ldn - Fulham)...

Tom

**Conall** · 09-03-2016 15:00

Originally Posted by Hedeby

Welcome aboard Tom - hope you locate some opponents soon

Thanks Chris.

Definitely making progress finding opponents. And I've been hugely impressed & gratified by the very welcoming response from here!

Also doing well converting guys at my local gaming club (Eagle Gaming - Wandsworth) back from a certain two dimensional space fantasy game to ways of three dimensional righteousness in Wings of Glory!

Tom