The Diary of a Staff Officer at Advanced HQ - published 1941

Discussion in '1940' started by jerrymurland, Jul 11, 2014.

  1. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    The author was an Air Liaison Officer - one of two - and I am trying without success to find out who exactly he was - name etc. Someone must know ..... I hope. Any suggestions gratefully received.

    Jerry
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I have a copy of the book somewhere according to my database, the author is listed as Cyril Falls on my spread sheet.
     
  3. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    I'm not sure Falls served in Ww2 although I could be wrong.
     
  4. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

  5. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    It's most certainly a book - I have it on front of me, its called 'The Diary of A Staff Officer at Advanced Headquarters North BAFF 1940'. Author anonymous. Published by Methuen in February 1941.The author was one of two Air Liaison Officers appointed to serve under Lt Col J Woodhall. I have come up with Major G P Chapman so far.

    Jerry
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    There doesn't appear to be a war diary for this unit or I'd look him up in the Officer Field Returns. I suspect it may be in a AIR Series.
     
  7. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    Any luck with that 12 Lancers Lumsden piece yet?
     
  8. Adam Sutch

    Adam Sutch Junior Member

    The best bet for him is Philip leGrand Gribble. A First World War aviator and civilian pilot. He was born on 6th May 1891 at Chelsea to George James Gribble and Norah Gribble (nee Royds) of Henlow Grange, Henlow, Bedfordshire and Kingston, Russell House, Dorset. He married on 5th June 1915 The Hon. Mary Morvenna Bolitho Mc Neill. His brother Captain Julian Royds Gribble won the the VC (LG 25th June 1918) he died on 25th Nov 1918 and is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery. He was an author and wrote under the name Major Philip Gribble. He was a War Correspondent for the News Chronicle during WW2 and later a racing horse owner and trainer.

    His books include

    Maj, Philip (le Grand) GRIBBLE (M: 1891 May 6 - ?)
    No Road [1928]
    Mulleins [f|1928]
    Loggerheads [f|1931]
    The Diary Of A Staff Officer, Air Intelligence.. (anon) [n|1941]
    Ways And Means (anon) [n|1941]

    His autobiography is called "Off the Cuff".

    This is not my research. It is a chap called "Tim", here, http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=80117 that you need to thank.
     
  9. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    I've just bought this for 65p off amazon after seeing it listed in 'The Battle of France Then and Now'. It seems odd that the identity of the author isn't more widely known?
     
  10. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

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