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Waugh's War

Having used this down time to read Evelyn Waugh's brilliant Sword of Honour trilogy, I was charmed to come across this neighbourhood reference. Hero Guy Crouchbank has lost his wife and uncle in a V bomb attack ."The bodies were recovered from the debris intact and recognisable... He had them buried by the river at Mortlake...It lay in sight of Burton's stucco tent."

Hugh Thompson ● 2150d4 Comments

Somewhat off at a tangent, but:-"Winston Churchill was neglected by his parents. He made the opposite mistake with his only son, Randolph, and spoiled him. After hearing that doctors had removed a benign tumor from Randolph, Evelyn Waugh noted in his diary:“A typical triumph of modern science to find the only part of Randolph that was not malignant and remove it.” (March 1964)"Waugh and Randolph Churchill had served together, in harm's way, in the war, and been both rescued from a crashed Dakota.

David Ainsworth ● 2148d

Mr Thompson,I also have just finished the same three books.Not that I at all belittle the efforts of individuals and the country as a whole in what was as close to a 'just war' as is possibly the case, but it was revealing to me in its depiction of the general chaos and mayhem that the forces and civilians were exposed to.A good counter to the often jingoistic depiction of what went on and how we behaved.Re the 75th anniversary of VE day, I found it refreshing that all the celebrations were necessarily scaled down.No pomp and circumstance from self-seeking politicians and 'celebs', no march passes.The Queen making an appropriate speech and those that wanted to making do with their own domestic and local street commemorations.Much more moving in these tense times.

John Hawkes ● 2148d

I have visited any times and although it is not, a  literally riverside plot I do feel in a novel and given Mortlake's name and place in our culture,by the river  is an acceptable description. After all Putney is on the river but like Burton's grave how many of us  live actually on the river.

Hugh Thompson ● 2150d

Funny because Burton's tent while being in Mortlake is decidedly not by the river.  If you've never been, do visit.  There are some steps so you can see in...http://www.mmtrust.org.uk/mausolea/view/318/Burton_Mausoleumhttps://www.environmenttrust.org/blog/geographical-magazine-burtons-mausoleum

Adrian Pearce ● 2150d