A must read

On Saturday afternoon the postman delivered my long awaited edition of Graham Knight’s latest labour of love. From the moment I heard of Graham’s latest find I knew that there was no doubt in his mind that another book needed to be written before the pictures faded further and were lost forever. Over 100 photos of 1/RWF never seen before was something very special indeed. The fact they fell in Graham’s lap is a godsend. Sassoon, Bluck and Barter are all present amongst many others.

“The Quartermasters Album” is based on the astonishing photograph album compiled and annotated by QM Joe Cottrill DSO DCM a long serving member of the RWF, from a time when camera’s were not an everyday item, nor allowed in the field. Graham has done a sterling job in presenting these previously unseen pictures and entwining them with the written history of 1/RWF in places such as Malta when the 1^st and 2^nd Battalion’s met for the first time since 1880 and also through, and beyond, the almost complete annihilation of 1/RWF in October 1914 to the end of the war.

To compliment the album the book is packed with biographies of the officers and men, maps and rolls and is a most excellent tribute not just to Joe, but the men of 1/RWF. I would heartily recommend anyone with an interest in the RWF to read this fantastic insight into the regiment and see these pictures for themselves.

Graham has yet again done the RWF proud.

My copy arrived today Rich, also looking forward to reading through.

Thanks for the heads up on this, where can I get a copy please?

Message "Blairy"…or visit his FB page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal...933117?fref=ts
He has a very small number left, its unlikely to be reprinted.

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Originally Posted by ap1

Message "Blairy"…or visit his FB page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal...933117?fref=ts
He has a very small number left, its unlikely to be reprinted.

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Thanks, I messaged Graham on FB and have arranged to buy a copy.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Thank you for your kind words Richard I had no intention on writing another book but as Joe’s Album came into my possession I knew it had to be preserved and copied before it was lost forever. I financed the whole project out of my own pocket not knowing if I was going to make a loss or just break even, but that did not concern me. Hidden gems like this show up rarely in one’s lifetime and for me and my interest in the RWF it was like winning the lottery and looking at the men’s faces in the photographs and what happened to 1^st battalion RWF will stay with me forever. It became a labour of love to be able to tell Joe’s story and bring his photographs to life and the icing on the cake is I made a profit!
Thank you to all that bought a copy you have restored my faith in human nature as so many people say they would like a copy and you never hear from them again.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->

Hello Graham and Richard,
You are dead right Richard the book is just great. I rec it on Monday and managed to have a quick shufti. Graham you have hit the nail right on the head, I wonder if you had to enhance the photos? Many thanks for the dedication. Thanks for all your previous work for the well being of the Royal Welch Fusiliers you have written in the past. Many thanks.
Regards Don

Now all books ..Gone ...Sold Out

Well done Graham. A testament to your hard work. Sold out in less than a week.

Impressive!

That is the power of FACEBOOK Richard without it I doubt if I would have sold 5 books

No doubt about that Graham. Without it there would have been no book in the first place!

Just so happy that there was someone to write it. Fighting with the Royal Welsh was excellent - The Quartermaster's Album is another I just can't put down right now.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Richard, you have just seen what has gone on, on my RWF Facebook page

Because of Joe’s Album I have reunited Joe Cottrill’s Great Grandchildren and they have never met ….Makes it all worthwhile only one problem they now want a few books and I have run out so have to put my thinking cap on ….makes it all worthwhile though<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->

Amazing that. More power to your elbow Graham!

I saw that, brilliant end story. Listen if you decide to do a reprint, I will happily send you my copy back. The family should have a copy.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Thanks for the offer Al, but I will see if all the books go out to the advanced order chaps, I have a feeling they will not so I will have about six spare. If they fly out the door I will go back to my printers and see if I can get a short print run of 10.
To the ones that have read my book you will know that when Joe Cottrill died he was that well loved his send off was like a State funeral with that many people attending.
The great granddaughter asked me where was he buried in Wales, I had not got the heart to tell her as I have seen his grave in Llanbeblig Churchyard and it is in a very bad state, overgrown smashed and forgotten so I dodged the question. I also had not got the heart to even put a photograph of it in the book. Sad in a way isn’t it.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->Al, I have just got back from the Printers and the good news is they will run me 10 copies off as a personal favour as I said it was for family. …<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->

Thats excellent news Graham….Next task…tell them about the grave. It may spur one of the family into getting it sorted. I would want to know. :biggrinicon:

Or a job for the local cadets?

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Originally Posted by ap1

Thats excellent news Graham….Next task…tell them about the grave. It may spur one of the family into getting it sorted. I would want to know. :biggrinicon:

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I agree, hopefully if they know they can do something about it.

My copy arrived today, thank you very much Graham, I look forward to starting to read it.

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Originally Posted by Blairy

Al, I have just got back from the Printers and the good news is they will run me 10 copies off as a personal favour as I said it was for family. …

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If you have another book I would like one. Don't know how I missed this one.

I have sent you a PM Dai

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Its Heart-warming after you have finished a project to then have so many letters of thanks, its what makes it all worthwhile. Below is one that came in a few minutes ago
The books now are all sold out and I am only holding the 6 I have on reserve for a few weeks, the two I have, going abroad I will hold onto longer as I understand the situation.

Hello Graham,

I want to thank you so much for your book, I must say I'm in awe of the job you have done. What strikes me is you've given a face to the men that fought for this country so many years ago. No other history I've read does the job in the same way. Your commitment to do this project has to be a labour of love, and you've done the men and their families proud. I want to thank you for including my Grandfather (Private William Frazer 10150 1^st &2^nd Bn) and Fred Barter; I look forward to meeting you one of these days.

You can now take it easy!!!

Take care

Bill<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->

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Originally Posted by Blairy

I have sent you a PM Dai

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Thanks

Our copy of the book has already gone out on loan, twice, a great piece of work which by chance includes a photograph of one of Mam's serving brothers.
An original is in our possession along with a 7th Div. Christmas card from Italy 1918.
Thanks for your efforts Graham.

Not been posted here already as far as I am aware, but I am pretty sure that a run of copies in hardback have been published for those who still want a copy.