Laughter is the Best Weapon

By Charles Ritchie BooksPen & Sword Books

SOME READERS may have had the opportunity of meeting Brigadier Charles Ritchie, a bon viveur, recontour and thespian, but principally an inspiring military leader who sadly passed away shortly before Christmas last year. He died suddenly, two days after he heard that the manuscript his hilarious book “Laughter is the Best Weapon” had been accepted by his publishers.

I counted Charles as a friend and hence this review might be slightly biased! Whenever you met Charles there was an anecdote and this entertaining collection of stories taken from throughout his distinguished military career is described by Sandy McCall Smith as being “more funny than Evelyn Waugh.”

During his 38 years’ service as a Royal Scot, Charles travelled throughout the world with postings in Yemen, Bosnia and Northern Ireland to name but a few, his graphic descriptions of his escapades leave the reader wanting to turn the page.

For me, the chapter on his exploits as ADC to the Governor of the State of Victoria in Australia had me in stitches. The Governor had decided to visit a remote upstate township, Charles was duly dispatched to do a recce. During the visit The Shire President, a large man, questioned Charles how his wife should curtsy when meeting the Governor, Charles dutifully demonstrated. Upon arrival of His Excellency the Governor a few weeks later, the Shire President promptly performed a faultless curtsy! At which point Charles hurried down the long receiving line whispering loudly, “only ladies curtsy. Gentlemen nod your head.”

With an equally amusing foreword by HRH The Princess Royal, this is a very funny book and an excellent choice for summer reading!