Above the Trenches anniversary.

[Russell]

Hello to all

Above the Trenches was published by Grub Street 30 years ago last week. I was lucky enough to join up with Chris Shore's and Norman Franks to produce it. I hope people still find it useful. The officers records files were not available, possibly a good thing only as I doubt we could have resisted listing the naughty boys who contacted sexually transmitted diseases.

What I find hard to believe is how hard it was to write it in the bad old days of typed words on paper, drafts sent , in my case from Australia to England, via air mail. A response to a question took four weeks i f lucky and that was rapid. Now with computers email, on line records etc, the world has shrunk.

Regards to all,

Russell

['14-'18aviationcollector]

Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the publishing of Above the Trenches!

It is one of the must have books on the subject of WW1 aviation. I lost contact with you during the early 1990's, so it's great to see you here on The Aerodrome.

I have sent you a private message regarding the well known collection of photographs I purchased during the early 1990's. Being such a significant collection is my intention to make it available for authors such as yourself. I would like to see as many of these photos published as possible.

Regards,

David.

[await]

Well, I still get use out of that whole series of reference books. So your efforts are of continued value.

I too remember how difficult things were in the days before personal computers and the Internet. I still have my Smith-Corona 110 Electra typewriter, now sitting in storage. I also have some sheets of carbon paper, which I used when I didn't have the time or desire to go to the local drugstore to make poor quality photocopies of correspondence.

One could go on and on. Still, that simpler time had its virtues, and I'm glad that I have lived both before and after the advent of the Internet. It certainly gives one a perspective lacking in the generation that has grown up with all the modern technology. That's a more sophisticated phrasing of the old fogeyism: "Kids these days don't know how good they have it!"

Still, I wouldn't trade places with them for the world.

[tcrean7828]

Mate,
Congrats as I have used that book over and over again to find items and to cross/or double check my results.

tcrean7828

tom

[Paul Bardell]

Hi Russell

Your book was one of the first I purchased when I became seriously interested in the 1st WW in the air, an interest that has continued and grown for over 30 years.

So from me a big thank you for the information you and your fellow authors made available.

Best Regards

Paul
from
Leicester UK.

[Ira_Silverman]

Hi Russell,

What memories this brings back!

After the original pre-publication announcement, I ordered a leather bound copy from Grub Street, and received a numbered copy signed by yourself, Chris and Norman, as well as Gwilym Lewis and Bertie Giles. Willie Fry had also intended to sign the book, but was taken ill at the time and passed away shortly after.

The book was accompanied by a very nice letter from the publisher, John Davies, which led to an all too brief correspondence.

Needless to say, I have the entire series, and use them often as a reference, and to refresh my memory.

Those were indeed the good old days.

All the Best,

Ira Silverman

[Volker_Nemsch]

.
Hi Russel,

both books are a substantial part of my little WW1 library and still among those very useful books to own for every WW1 aviation enthusiast.

Thank you for your work.

.