Robert St. John Smith
@chance1234.bsky.social
PhD Candidate @University of Exeter researching the image of Tommy Atkins 1896-1926, MA in Britain and the First World War, University of Wolverhampton.
https://robertstjohnsmith.com/
Leeds, UK
https://robertstjohnsmith.com/
Leeds, UK
I've reopened my #WipersTimes case files (not that they were ever actually closed!). I am very honoured to have been asked by Talbot House to contribute to the commentary for the upcoming 2026 reprints. Make sure to get your copies! 1/2 #HistBookChat #PhotoFriday #FWW
November 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I've reopened my #WipersTimes case files (not that they were ever actually closed!). I am very honoured to have been asked by Talbot House to contribute to the commentary for the upcoming 2026 reprints. Make sure to get your copies! 1/2 #HistBookChat #PhotoFriday #FWW
A new addition to my collection, from 1900: Thankful Tommy. While Pictures of Little Englanders and ABC for Patriots are reasonably known, this is from the same publisher.If it were satire, it would be brilliant-ish, but alas, it was intended to be serious. #HistBookChat #BoerWar #CartoonHistory
October 14, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A new addition to my collection, from 1900: Thankful Tommy. While Pictures of Little Englanders and ABC for Patriots are reasonably known, this is from the same publisher.If it were satire, it would be brilliant-ish, but alas, it was intended to be serious. #HistBookChat #BoerWar #CartoonHistory
Adding further to my claim that 1900 is a vintage year for Political cartoons, this gem from Midland Reporter and Westmeath Nationalist (8 March 1900, p. 5) #PoliticalCartoons #CartoonHistory #SouthAfricanWar #BoerWar #BNA
October 8, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Adding further to my claim that 1900 is a vintage year for Political cartoons, this gem from Midland Reporter and Westmeath Nationalist (8 March 1900, p. 5) #PoliticalCartoons #CartoonHistory #SouthAfricanWar #BoerWar #BNA
Just come across this absolutely cracking illustration – one of those you can hear – of the 'Brixton's Patriotic Carnival' by G. Glover in the South London Press (17 March 1900, p.5 via British Newspaper Archives). #Illustration #Victorians #BoerWar
October 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Just come across this absolutely cracking illustration – one of those you can hear – of the 'Brixton's Patriotic Carnival' by G. Glover in the South London Press (17 March 1900, p.5 via British Newspaper Archives). #Illustration #Victorians #BoerWar
R. Klanica is my guess,
September 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM
R. Klanica is my guess,
New to my collection are some #FWW sketches by a German soldier, part of a Licht-Messtrupp unit. Light measuring AKA flash spotting artillery. A fairly competent degree of skill in the drawings, a bit at a loss on how to start researching the chap behind them.
September 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
New to my collection are some #FWW sketches by a German soldier, part of a Licht-Messtrupp unit. Light measuring AKA flash spotting artillery. A fairly competent degree of skill in the drawings, a bit at a loss on how to start researching the chap behind them.
I have been after a copy of this for some time. Written in 1917, it offers a unique satirical take on the Poilu. Time to find out if all those hours on Duolingo have paid off. #histBookChat #PhotoFriday #poilu #fww
September 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
I have been after a copy of this for some time. Written in 1917, it offers a unique satirical take on the Poilu. Time to find out if all those hours on Duolingo have paid off. #histBookChat #PhotoFriday #poilu #fww
September 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
September 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Exploring the North Coast with the dog. There are some dramatic skies in this neck of the woods
September 4, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Exploring the North Coast with the dog. There are some dramatic skies in this neck of the woods
Rather than continue to spam you all with my Operation Hush game development—especially now that I’m getting into the nuts and bolts—I’ll be posting updates over on my gamedev account, @doginatank.bsky.social , if you fancy following along. Especially if you’re a fan of spreadsheets and constants
August 20, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Rather than continue to spam you all with my Operation Hush game development—especially now that I’m getting into the nuts and bolts—I’ll be posting updates over on my gamedev account, @doginatank.bsky.social , if you fancy following along. Especially if you’re a fan of spreadsheets and constants
Continuing with my Operation Hush game, I've reached the point in development where one needs to crack open the spreadsheet.
August 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Continuing with my Operation Hush game, I've reached the point in development where one needs to crack open the spreadsheet.
Well, no barges were lost
August 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Well, no barges were lost
Getting to the micromanagement stage of my Operation Hush game. Can switching the assignment of the 17th Cyclist Battalion swing the operation's success? Watch this space
August 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Getting to the micromanagement stage of my Operation Hush game. Can switching the assignment of the 17th Cyclist Battalion swing the operation's success? Watch this space
A bit of a tidy up on the UI (well, work in progress) for my Operation Hush game
August 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A bit of a tidy up on the UI (well, work in progress) for my Operation Hush game
Just the batteries to go !
August 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Just the batteries to go !
The seawall is a bit pesky
August 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The seawall is a bit pesky
I think Mata Hari was executed before Operation Hush would have been put into effect, but let's not stop facts spoiling things.
August 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I think Mata Hari was executed before Operation Hush would have been put into effect, but let's not stop facts spoiling things.
Continuing on adding to the realism
August 15, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Continuing on adding to the realism
I need a palate cleanser, so I am throwing together a quick alternative history game based on Operation Hush in 1917. As you can see, I am going for accuracy here.
August 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I need a palate cleanser, so I am throwing together a quick alternative history game based on Operation Hush in 1917. As you can see, I am going for accuracy here.
Reminds me of this photo from the 1920s. 'It's a real tank! Honest Guv'nor'
August 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reminds me of this photo from the 1920s. 'It's a real tank! Honest Guv'nor'
Much has been written on tanks and trench warfare, but I am still waiting to read the paper: Doctrine and Dogpower: A Reappraisal of Tactical Dog-Cart Deployments in the Evolution of Combined Operations within the British Expeditionary Force, 1914–1918. (source: Western Mail, 16 October 1914, p.17)
August 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Much has been written on tanks and trench warfare, but I am still waiting to read the paper: Doctrine and Dogpower: A Reappraisal of Tactical Dog-Cart Deployments in the Evolution of Combined Operations within the British Expeditionary Force, 1914–1918. (source: Western Mail, 16 October 1914, p.17)
Successfully passed my MPhil viva voce and now have a seven-hour train journey back to Leeds. No academic reading needs to be done, so I’m finally enjoying the chance—which I’ve been looking forward to—to get stuck into James Clavell’s Shōgun. #PhDlife
July 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Successfully passed my MPhil viva voce and now have a seven-hour train journey back to Leeds. No academic reading needs to be done, so I’m finally enjoying the chance—which I’ve been looking forward to—to get stuck into James Clavell’s Shōgun. #PhDlife
An updated take (well, for 1899) on James Gillray's famous The Plumb-pudding in Danger cartoon—featuring Uncle Sam, John Bull, and Wilhelm. Source: Dundee Courier, 21 December 1899. #CartoonHistory #Gilray #PoliticalCartoons #JohnBull #UncleSam #Wilhelm
July 9, 2025 at 8:34 AM
An updated take (well, for 1899) on James Gillray's famous The Plumb-pudding in Danger cartoon—featuring Uncle Sam, John Bull, and Wilhelm. Source: Dundee Courier, 21 December 1899. #CartoonHistory #Gilray #PoliticalCartoons #JohnBull #UncleSam #Wilhelm