Your Letters

Let us know what you think of your favourite militaria magazine or ask other readers a question

Your comments on what you’ve been reading and doing. This month we’re discussing RAF men gardening to relieve the stress, the English Civil War and a lengthy piece on auctions.

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Post: Letters Page, The Armourer, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH Email: armourer@warnersgroup.co.uk

GARDENING IN WARTIME

The three officers in the photo are John Searby, Guy Gibson and Peter Ward-Hunt at RAF Syerston, Notts in 1943. I met Peter on several occasions and he told me that Gibbo encouraged them in the pursuit of gardening although aircrew were keener to visit the Blackboy, Palais and other places of entertainment in nearby Nottingham. Imagine my surprise when I was sent this photo which clearly shows officers and clerks actively gardening. Gibbo is there with his dog, whose name we all know! The tall officer on the right is the academic John Wooldridge, a brilliant pilot who later wrote the story, film score and contributed to the screenplay for the wonderful film on Bomber Command, Appointment in London.

Gibson left 106 Squadron at Syerston to form 617 (Dambusters). He clearly recognised the stress aircrew suffered and encouraged gardening as a relaxing therapy.

Tim Chamberlin by email

Ed says: Great photos Tim, thank you for sharing. I would imagine that gardening would be some light relief during wartime.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

Thank you to Neil Melville for spotting the caption mix up in my English Civil War piece in April. I apologise for this and any other errors, past or present. Now that copy goes direct from author to print I can only blame myself. For some reason proof reading ones own work is harder than it should be! At least it tells me that someone out there is reading the final result!

Graham Priest by email

AUCTIONS

I am writing in regard to Steve Woolnough recent’s article responding to a letter about auction house activities. I have been a paid employee of several auction houses for 40 years, until recent retirement, so feel

I’ve probably seen it all at some stage. I would concur that most of what the letter writer stated has, and does still happen, though the advent of online bidding has created less opportunity.

Whilst working at auction houses I was inundated with dealers wanting to be my friend to give them the nod when something interesting came in. Many porters, who just got paid for the days worked, were dealers. This even included older ladies who dealt in jewellery and ceramics. Nearly everyone had an interest in being involved. I don’t think it was out of the goodness of their heart but for a financial advantage. Waiving of commission was normally preagreed up to a limit, but buying up to £1,000 wasn't frowned upon, as everyone benefitted.

I think the main issue was who was involved. Did the cataloguer deliberately under describe that single decal helmet with maker’s marks as just an old army helmet? Slipping it into the middle of the catalogue, which was only available a few days earlier to read, with viewing on the morning of sale, with the helmet discreetly out of obvious sight for viewing?

The point about sellers being present is valid but many sales are from estates of the deceased, with vast collections being disposed of at the auction house.

The issue of pushing bids up has always gone on, with sometimes bids being taken off the wall or a dealer pushing up his own items. I’ve lost count of buyers who didn’t realise they had won the item as the high bidder melted away. Arthur, by email

Ed says: When money is involved, there will always be someone looking to gain an unfair advantage. The best advice is to avoid auction houses where you feel they tolerate shady dealings. Stick to those companies that are above board and give them your business.