21st February 2020 - Of Dad's Army and Books

Thought for the day:"Is the opposite of formaldehyde casualdejeckyll?"

In other news - this popped up in my feed - quite interesting....

Pte Godfrey - Arnold Rodley

Pte Godfrey, played by Arnold Ridley, was the only member of the original cast of Dads Army who had served in both world wars – as well as signing up for the Home Guard.

Arnold endured horrific hand to hand combat in the trenches at the Somme in 1916. A bayonet through his left hand rendered him unable to use his fingers. He also suffered blackouts after being hit on the back of the head with a German rifle butt.

Arnold first volunteered for the Army in 1914. But the 18-year-old was rejected as he had broken a toe playing rugby. After reapplying a year later, he was accepted to the Somerset Light Infantry. He was posted to France and within days of arriving was hit by shrapnel and shot through the thigh.
He returned to the front from convalescence only to be sent over the top twice during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The first time, was at Delville Wood, where many of his comrades fell. And during a second attack, at Gueudecourt, now as a Lance Corporal, Arnold’s battalion took even more devastating losses from machine gun fire.

When the survivors reached the German trenches they pushed back the enemy troops with bayonets and bombs, before Arnold was knocked to the ground by a rifle blow to the head. A German soldier lunged with a bayonet, but Arnold survived by deflecting the blade into his groin instead of his stomach. The next blow pierced his left hand and wrist. Arnold came round in a field hospital. It took 15 ops to save his hand and he was invalided back home.

Arnold volunteered for the Intelligence Corps in the Second World War, making films in France. After being discharged on medical grounds, he joined the Home Guard, before touring bases, entertaining the troops. While he described the First World War in detail in his unpublished autobiography, Arnold could not write about the Second World War. He said: “To recount events, I would have to relive them. I am too afraid.” He suffered horrific nightmares and regularly woke drenched in sweat. He was terrified he would black out on stage but was such a brave man and kept acting when he could.

And so day two of the great clear down... and lots of bags of "stuff" ready for places. Apparently the only Bra Bank in the area is in Crosshands - and I need to call the Coop there to see if they are still taking underwear. 

Started a Book Clear down with Music Magpire, Webuybooks, Ziffit and Moxom 

About £10.30 so far and that was just the top room and living room - though the large pile is ready 

for weighing in when I find someone taking books ... looks like getting a box a day and seeing how long it takes ...

Seems about time that we had a Trumpton ...

So - stop prevaricating !!! 

Cheers !