Page 66 of today's issue of THE TIMES has a three-quarter page obituary about Paddy Griffith. The headline describes him as being a 'Military historian who re-created key battles in history as war games and was a fearless challenger of the accepted version of events'.
The first sentence is a very succinct description of Paddy and captures the essence of the man:
The first sentence is a very succinct description of Paddy and captures the essence of the man:
Large, convivial, yet dedicated to the serious analysis of military history, Paddy Griffith was a fearless challenger of the accepted version of events and an iconoclastic war-gamer.A suitable memorial to his life and work has yet to be determined, but this obituary is the first step towards achieving a lasting legacy that will continue and build upon Paddy's frequently ground-breaking achievements.
Hello Bob,
ReplyDeleteIs there a link to that obituary in The Times, please? I'd like to read the entire piece if possible. Thanks!
Best Regards,
Stokes Schwartz
Stokes Schwartz,
ReplyDeleteFor some reason THE TIMES has only made access to its pages available via the Internet if one is willing to pay (the cost is £1.00).
This is a recent 'innovation' that other newspapers may well copy in the future.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThanks for drawing that to my attention - i rushed out and bought a copy. It's a pleasant surprise to see PG getting such recognition in a mainstream broadsheet. I couldn't see any indication as to the author - any idea?
BTW, most of the pieces on Griffith i've seen have omitted his involvement with Battleground - so i've posted a small article:
http://unfashionablyshiny.blogspot.com/2010/07/griffith-at-gettysburg.html
cheers.
DC,
ReplyDeleteIt was gratifying to see that Paddy Griffith was given such a long and detailed obituary; he deserved it ... but I wish that it had not been necessary for it to be written.
The 'Battleground' series is an elusive 'animal' to try to find. I know at least one other person who is trying to find copies of the various programmes, but it would appear that the production company that made them do not have copies, and that the TV company that commissioned the series did not keep copies. I am sure that there must be copies somewhere; one hopes that they will turn up some day so that they a new audience can enjoy them.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteRe. Battleground - that's not quite the situation as i understand it. A couple of years ago a chap enquired at ITV - he was told that the show did exist in the archives and that they would run off a copy for any individual who was prepared to pay the approriate fee (at the time that was in the 100s of pounds). Of course this would be a 'private use only' copy - not for resale, copying, etc. I can dig out the relevant email if you'd like the full details?
cheers,
d.
DC,
ReplyDeleteHave a look at Trebian's comment (and my reply) to my blog entry Griffiths at Gettysburg.
Perhaps there is a possibility of making these programmes available again.
All the best,
Bob
Paddy founded SMATS (South Manchester Tactical Society) when he was in Manchester and I was lucky to make his aquaintance in his last 2 years.
ReplyDeleteWe are continuing the group in his memory, so if you are in the vicinity on the 2nd Monday of a month pop along.
More info at smats.org.uk.
Ian Sanders
Boxer,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invitation. It is nice to know that there are other people out there trying to keep the flame of Paddy's memory alive.
All the best,
Bob