Simon Jones
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simonjones.bsky.social
Simon Jones
@simonjones.bsky.social
Writes about the First World War. FRHistS. Late museum curator. https://simonjoneshistorian.com/
Today. Oaks, red deer, a castle.
January 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Birthday for Mrs J.
January 4, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Simon Jones
I love this. And the framing is *chef's kiss*
Soldiers from the Royal Flying Corps Kite and Balloon Section rehearsing the pantomime Cinderella at Bapaume, France, 2 January 1918. Photo by David McLellan. Source: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
January 2, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Soldiers from the Royal Flying Corps Kite and Balloon Section rehearsing the pantomime Cinderella at Bapaume, France, 2 January 1918. Photo by David McLellan. Source: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
January 2, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I appear to have received an email from Roddy Ho and it's magnificent. It's long, so I'll just share the last bit.
January 2, 2026 at 9:30 AM
January 2, 2026 at 7:34 AM
This terrific photo of Polish graphic artist Wiktoria Goryńska, front right, in a fencing competition in 1934 has been added to her Wikipedia page.
January 1, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Reading the last Slough House story and my first since watching the TV series, which means that the actors' portrayals have now wholly supplanted the mental pictures I had of the characters when I read the previous books. Also, it makes perfect sense that Roddy Ho wrote the corny theme song.
December 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Windsor this morning.
December 31, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Retro anniversary lunch.
Love is a fire of flaming brandy
Upon a crepe suzette
December 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
When John Nash was commissioned to produce an epic war painting, he chose to depict an attack #OTD in 1917 in which he had actually taken part that he described as 'pure murder'. A short piece that I wrote a few years ago.
‘Pure murder’: John Nash’s ‘Over the Top’
In John Nash’s painting ‘Over The Top’ 1st Artists’ Rifles at Marcoing, 30th December 1917, the artist depicted a disastrous attack in which he himself took part. A painting…
simonjoneshistorian.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The most greatest movie ever.
December 29, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I saw Ian McCulloch buy cheese at a petrol station.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie

Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Simon Jones
Looking for something else, I got sidetracked by an April 1919 issue of "Aussie: The Australian Soldiers' Magazine," produced for ANZACs in France.

Specifically, I wondered about Pte. V. McFarlane, the soldier who did the sexy "Salome Dance" in the 2nd Division spring concert.

Who was he?
December 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
There's always a Brian Bilston poem to express my rage more calmly.
December 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
December 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Simon Jones
British-US printmaker Clare Leighton, #Snow Shovellers, #NewYork, 1929 #WomensArt
December 29, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Germans beginning to research their Second World War family history in today's Observer. The comment: "The narrative was always that he was a victim" reminded me strongly of the reasons for the massive popularity of Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front in 1929.
December 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Mendacious drivel trying to make readers think that a physical museum gallery has been replaced by a completely unrelated trail through the existing galleries. You can access the trail 'Refracted Histories: Exploring LGBTQ+ Stories in Times of Conflict' here: www.iwm.org.uk/events/refra...
December 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"In this country, they drive on the wrong side of the road."
December 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
First Christmas at the in-laws without Angus. A photo from 2021 and Chichester dragon's teeth.
December 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Mini-🧵 on Edward Bawden 👇
Settling in for some Gentle Comedy
December 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Tell me this isn't the true meaning of Christmas.
December 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM