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
Today. Oaks, red deer, a castle.
Birthday for Mrs J.
January 4, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Birthday for Mrs J.
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
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 10:08 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/...
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
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 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
This terrific photo of Polish graphic artist Wiktoria Goryńska, front right, in a fencing competition in 1934 has been added to her Wikipedia page.
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
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.
Windsor this morning.
December 31, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Windsor this morning.
Retro anniversary lunch.
Love is a fire of flaming brandy
Upon a crepe suzette
Love is a fire of flaming brandy
Upon a crepe suzette
December 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Retro anniversary lunch.
Love is a fire of flaming brandy
Upon a crepe suzette
Love is a fire of flaming brandy
Upon a crepe suzette
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
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.
The most greatest movie ever.
December 29, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The most greatest movie ever.
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
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I saw Ian McCulloch buy cheese at a petrol station.
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?
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
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?
Specifically, I wondered about Pte. V. McFarlane, the soldier who did the sexy "Salome Dance" in the 2nd Division spring concert.
Who was he?
There's always a Brian Bilston poem to express my rage more calmly.
December 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
There's always a Brian Bilston poem to express my rage more calmly.
It's 'tried' you bunch of illiterates.
'Germany calling': How fascist 'Lord Haw-Haw' was trialled for treason
With his mocking English accent, the mysterious radio host broadcast to the UK from a German station, spreading rumours and exaggeration in the early days of World War Two.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
It's 'tried' you bunch of illiterates.
Reposted by Simon Jones
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
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.
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
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...
"In this country, they drive on the wrong side of the road."
December 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"In this country, they drive on the wrong side of the road."
First Christmas at the in-laws without Angus. A photo from 2021 and Chichester dragon's teeth.
December 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
First Christmas at the in-laws without Angus. A photo from 2021 and Chichester dragon's teeth.
Mini-🧵 on Edward Bawden 👇
December 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Mini-🧵 on Edward Bawden 👇
Tell me this isn't the true meaning of Christmas.
December 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Tell me this isn't the true meaning of Christmas.