Mark Simner
@marksimner.bsky.social
Author and Magazine Feature Writer of British Military History | MHM Book of the Year Nominee | Book Reviewer | Militaria Collector | BA (Hons) MSc
I think this has become one of my most favourite TV series of all time!
Mad Men | Netflix share.google/g4QtWfA1Ommt...
Mad Men | Netflix share.google/g4QtWfA1Ommt...
Watch Mad Men | Netflix
Inside a sleek Manhattan ad agency, ambitious executives, creatives and assistants pursue power, love and identity in a world fueled by image and desire.
share.google
October 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I think this has become one of my most favourite TV series of all time!
Mad Men | Netflix share.google/g4QtWfA1Ommt...
Mad Men | Netflix share.google/g4QtWfA1Ommt...
Remembering William Simner of the 1/6th South Staffordshire Regiment, who was killed-in-action on this day in 1915.
www.cwgc.org/find-records...
www.cwgc.org/find-records...
www.cwgc.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Remembering William Simner of the 1/6th South Staffordshire Regiment, who was killed-in-action on this day in 1915.
www.cwgc.org/find-records...
www.cwgc.org/find-records...
Just arrived for review. That's my weekend reading sorted.
October 4, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Just arrived for review. That's my weekend reading sorted.
One of the more challenging but oddly enjoyable aspect of writing a book. Finding photos and images. Thankfully, I have a large collection of original antique prints and photographs.
September 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
One of the more challenging but oddly enjoyable aspect of writing a book. Finding photos and images. Thankfully, I have a large collection of original antique prints and photographs.
If you are an old fart like me, you will absolutely love this!
watch.amazon.co.uk/detail?gti=a...
watch.amazon.co.uk/detail?gti=a...
Watch The Rubber-Keyed Wonder | Prime Video
The Rubber-Keyed Wonder tells the story of legendary British inventor Clive Sinclair and the birth of the ZX Spectrum home computer in 1982, opening the door to a new world of technological possibilit...
watch.amazon.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
If you are an old fart like me, you will absolutely love this!
watch.amazon.co.uk/detail?gti=a...
watch.amazon.co.uk/detail?gti=a...
New additions to the collection incoming. I've no doubt you can guess the medal and topic.
September 16, 2025 at 11:03 PM
New additions to the collection incoming. I've no doubt you can guess the medal and topic.
Probably my favourite painting/picture from the Anglo-Egyptian campaigns. The Storming of Tel-el-Kebir by Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville. A subject I am currently writing about.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
September 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Probably my favourite painting/picture from the Anglo-Egyptian campaigns. The Storming of Tel-el-Kebir by Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville. A subject I am currently writing about.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
#OnThisDay (31 August 1918) The Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin begins on the Western Front in France, during which the Australian Corps crosses the Somme River and breaks the German lines at Mont Saint-Quentin and Péronne.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
August 31, 2025 at 8:54 AM
#OnThisDay (31 August 1918) The Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin begins on the Western Front in France, during which the Australian Corps crosses the Somme River and breaks the German lines at Mont Saint-Quentin and Péronne.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
#OnThisDay (29 Aug 1807) British troops under Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) defeat a Danish militia at the Battle of Køge, southwest of Copenhagen. It is also referred to as 'the Clogs battle' due to the wooden Clogs worn by the Danes.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
August 29, 2025 at 11:41 AM
#OnThisDay (29 Aug 1807) British troops under Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) defeat a Danish militia at the Battle of Køge, southwest of Copenhagen. It is also referred to as 'the Clogs battle' due to the wooden Clogs worn by the Danes.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
#OnThisDay (28 August 1914) British and German warships clash at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in the North Sea. It was the first naval battle of the First World War and resulted in the sinking of three German light cruisers and a destroyer.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
August 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
#OnThisDay (28 August 1914) British and German warships clash at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in the North Sea. It was the first naval battle of the First World War and resulted in the sinking of three German light cruisers and a destroyer.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
#OnThisDay (27 Aug 1896) The The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between Great Britain and Sultanate of Zanzibar takes place. It is said the war lasted for approximately 38 to 45 minutes, making it the shortest recorded war in history.
(Images: Wikimedia Commons)
(Images: Wikimedia Commons)
August 27, 2025 at 7:55 AM
#OnThisDay (27 Aug 1896) The The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between Great Britain and Sultanate of Zanzibar takes place. It is said the war lasted for approximately 38 to 45 minutes, making it the shortest recorded war in history.
(Images: Wikimedia Commons)
(Images: Wikimedia Commons)
Another 8.5km run done this morning and several more hours working on my next book this afternoon. I might just have a relaxing and lazy bank holiday Monday as a treat... 😂
August 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Another 8.5km run done this morning and several more hours working on my next book this afternoon. I might just have a relaxing and lazy bank holiday Monday as a treat... 😂
The first part of my Friday evening sorted...
www.primevideo.com/detail/Vende...
www.primevideo.com/detail/Vende...
Watch Vendetta for The Saint online – Prime Video
Set against an appealingly sunny Sicilian backdrop, this movie finds Simon Templar, an elegant thief and ethical busybody, outraged when a British banker is murdered after he recognizes an old colleag...
www.primevideo.com
August 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The first part of my Friday evening sorted...
www.primevideo.com/detail/Vende...
www.primevideo.com/detail/Vende...
Today started with a 10km run, followed by several hours working on my next book. Now I'm about to undo all my good physical and mental work with a burger, rum, and a Netflix binge... 😬
August 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Today started with a 10km run, followed by several hours working on my next book. Now I'm about to undo all my good physical and mental work with a burger, rum, and a Netflix binge... 😬
I have posted these before, and will post them again. Two of my favourite Second World War period cap badges: (left) King's Own Malta Regiment and (right) Royal Malta Artillery. There was also a Malta Fortress Squadron of the Royal Engineers, but they wore the standard RE badge.
August 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I have posted these before, and will post them again. Two of my favourite Second World War period cap badges: (left) King's Own Malta Regiment and (right) Royal Malta Artillery. There was also a Malta Fortress Squadron of the Royal Engineers, but they wore the standard RE badge.
I've read 23 (soon to be 24) books this year so far. I always feel I need to up my reading game and that I don't read enough. People who have read more books than I, how on earth do you find the time? (And yes, I appreciate lengths of books vary a lot.)
August 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I've read 23 (soon to be 24) books this year so far. I always feel I need to up my reading game and that I don't read enough. People who have read more books than I, how on earth do you find the time? (And yes, I appreciate lengths of books vary a lot.)
#OnThisDay (8 August 1945) The London Charter (also known as the #Nuremberg Charter) is signed by the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. The charter established the rules and procedures under which the Nuremberg trials were conducted.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
August 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
#OnThisDay (8 August 1945) The London Charter (also known as the #Nuremberg Charter) is signed by the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. The charter established the rules and procedures under which the Nuremberg trials were conducted.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
If you have £15k spare (probably more).
BBC News - 'Top secret' D-Day landing maps to go to auction
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - 'Top secret' D-Day landing maps to go to auction
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Top secret' D-Day landing maps to go to auction
The restricted-access maps were used by Allied troops and are expected to fetch up to £15,000.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 11:05 AM
If you have £15k spare (probably more).
BBC News - 'Top secret' D-Day landing maps to go to auction
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - 'Top secret' D-Day landing maps to go to auction
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
For those of you in Doncaster this weekend.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/...
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Historic aircraft set to fly over Doncaster this weekend
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is set to fly over Doncaster this weekend – and here’s where you might be able to catch a glimpse of the historic aircraft.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
For those of you in Doncaster this weekend.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/...
I have to admit I do not recall this TV series. Did anyone watch it?
#ANZACGirls
www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-r...
#ANZACGirls
www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-r...
‘Perfect’ war series ‘like Band of Brothers but better’ is based on huge book
World War history buffs have discovered an "incredible" TV series based on a true story that's "better than Band of Brothers"
www.express.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I have to admit I do not recall this TV series. Did anyone watch it?
#ANZACGirls
www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-r...
#ANZACGirls
www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-r...
I had boxes of these as a child. Its great to see they're still produced by Airfix. I'm tempted to buy some just for nostalgic reasons...
uk.airfix.com/products/wwi...
uk.airfix.com/products/wwi...
A02701V WWII British Paratroops
A02701V, WWII British Paratroops, Airfix, Figures, 1:32
uk.airfix.com
August 4, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I had boxes of these as a child. Its great to see they're still produced by Airfix. I'm tempted to buy some just for nostalgic reasons...
uk.airfix.com/products/wwi...
uk.airfix.com/products/wwi...
BBC News - Thame WWII hero awarded blue plaque to mark legacy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thame WWII hero awarded blue plaque to mark legacy
John Henry Smythe is being remembered as a heroic WWII resident after being given a blue plaque.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
BBC News - Thame WWII hero awarded blue plaque to mark legacy
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Greater Manchester's role in the WW2 battle for the skies
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Greater Manchester's role in the WW2 battle for the skies
The region was home to a number of factories building planes vital to the war effort.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
BBC News - Greater Manchester's role in the WW2 battle for the skies
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#OnThisDay (3 Aug. 1940) Italian forces invade British Somaliland during the East African Campaign of the Second World War. The invasion would end within two weeks in Italian victory, with Somaliland being annexed to Africa Orientale Italiana.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
August 3, 2025 at 12:21 AM
#OnThisDay (3 Aug. 1940) Italian forces invade British Somaliland during the East African Campaign of the Second World War. The invasion would end within two weeks in Italian victory, with Somaliland being annexed to Africa Orientale Italiana.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)