Salute to Tim

A couple of weeks ago I was pleased to get a call from a gentleman named Tim. He had seen "Soldier of the Horse" in the bookrack on a BC Ferry, and wanted to obtain a signed copy. Only too happy to oblige, I arranged to meet him. I was particularly intrigued because Tim told me he had been studying Canadian war horses for some years, and in fact was showing a horse at the Cloverdale Rodeo.

Tim has not only been researching Canadian war horses, and owns a number of cavalry manuals; he has a genuine Canadian cavalry saddle and 1908 Pattern cavalry sword, both with the "C" surrounding a broad arrowhead stamped on them. The broad arrowhead was still a brand used by British forces during my days on loan to the Royal Navy in the 60's, and the surrounding "C" was used in WW I to proudly denote "Canadian" back when our country was more closely tied to Britain.

For lots more about saddles and swords, see "Soldier of the Horse"; and for more about Tim, watch this space!

"Soldier of the Horse" at Vancouver Public Library

As noted previously, my fellow writer Ben and I presented ourselves to the Vancouver Public Library on May 16th. I was only recently back from the Canadian Authors Association AGM and conference/workshop in Ontario, so was still slightly jetlagged. Not wanting to be caught short, I took along a small wheelbarrow-load of copies of "Soldier of the Horse". Ben was grumbling because he only had ten books on hand.
We needn't have worried. As the appointed hour approached, our angel at the library--Sheila--draped tables and filled up water glasses. Someone stuck their head in and asked if this was the place for the mental health journalist's discussion. No, we said, he is next door. And, indeed, the topic of mental health and prescriptions was very popular--the speaker had to be assigned a larger room.
On the stroke of seven people started to arrive; not a full house, but quite enough to allow Ben and me to get fired up, read alternately, and answer questions about historical fiction afterward. Thanks to Margaret and Dennis for being there, and to Rosemary and Joe for making my evening. And special thanks to Sheila from the VPL for her help and support.

"Soldier of the Horse" at Vancouver Public Library

On Monday, May 16th at 7 pm, I will be reading from "Soldier of the Horse" at the Alma VanDusen room, on the lower level. My friend and fellow CAA Vancouver executive member, Ben Nuttall-Smith, will also be reading from his recently published historical novel, "Blood, Feathers & Holy Men".

CAA's CanWrite! 2011 Off to a Flying Start

Sandra Stewart, who, you will be able to tell from her expression was very happy to have this photo taken, is co-chair of this year's CAA conference and seminar. Matt Bin, who is to the right in the photo, worked with Sandra to pull together excellent workshop leaders and a Lightning Strikes! session this coming Saturday. The first morning's workshop, by Sandi Plewis, was on the topic of dealing with writer's block and perfectionism. Shoot, I thought perfectionism was good and I needed more of it--but I guess not in the first draft!
We have congregated in Grand Bend, Ontario, but the weather outside has a suspiciously Wet Coast feel to it.

Canadian Authors Association Retreat May 2-8

This year, the CAA has set up a writing retreat, AGM, and conference in Grand Bend, Ontario. I have never been to Grand Bend, but once was close: when going through the selection process for the Regular Officer Training Plan (navy) many years ago, I and other candidates were housed at Centralia RCAF base. Grand Bend was touted by those in the know as a party town, and various members of the group made their way there "after hours"--I seem to recall it was basically an AWOL situation. I was not among them. But May 2-8, I'll be in Grand Bend. I wonder if it has changed much since 1959.

Vancouver Military Studies Conference

 

Some 150 people stayed indoors on a glorious Vancouver weekend to attend the first annual Vancouver Military Studies Conference. The guiding force behind the conference was retired air force colonel Keith Maxwell, who is also archivist for the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own). Keith and his committee lined up a great slate of presenters: Professor Mike Bechthold of Wilfred Laurier University; Dr James Wood of University of Victoria; retired Colonel Patrick Dennis, also of WLU; Christine Leppard, University of Calgary; and Dr Geoffrey Hayes, University of Waterloo.

The final event was a panel discussion on the topic of "Reserve Soldiers in Afghanistan", with a question-and-answer session that was factual but at times emotional. The soldiers in attendance ranged in rank from private to major, and presented a very relevant picture of soldiering in Afghanistan that highlighted the day. The photos show Keith introducing the panel.

Moreuil Day

March 30th, 1918, was the occasion of the bloody Battle of Moreuil Wood. The day is commemorated annually by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). This year, through sheer good luck, I was able to make a presentation on the Canadian Cavalry Brigade (of which the LSH(RC) was a part) to a combined group of Naval Officers Association of BC and the Royal United Services Institute on March 30. It was an opportunity to talk about a part of Canadian history that is generally beneath the radar of modern courses. A very rewarding experience, for which I am truly grateful.