All posts by administrator

the name’s Bond…. James Bond

On the morning of 17 February 1952 Ian Fleming started writing what would become his first book “Casino Royale” at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. Fleming took the name for his character from that of the American ornithologist,  James Bond… Read more

H. F. S. Mackreth

Whilst I was researching the picture of John Hodgson for the Wall Face exhibition (on display at Segedunum Roman Fort) I was interested to find out that the painter of the original portrait used as the base for the published engraving,… Read more

First World War Stories: A headmaster’s view of the War’s first months

On 4 August 1914 Britain entered the First World War. Events moved swiftly over the following months and I thought it would be interesting to take a look at them through the eyes of someone who lived through those turbulent… Read more

Robert Spence – artist and ambulance service hero in France in World War 1

North-East artist Robert Spence (1871-1964) joined an ambulance unit in France as soon as possible after the First World War broke out. This scene shows a first-aid post on the front line near the village of Mesnil-les-Hurlus. In 1915, French troops… Read more

First World War – Viscount Grey and the Natural History Society of Northumbria

Elizabeth Garnett  – a Volunteer in the Great North Museum: Hancock Library has been investigating the fascinating link between the Natural History Society of Northumbria and a key figure in the First World War, Viscount Grey. “The lamps are going… Read more