Further Forgotten Sons- Infantry Action 1925 - 1975 or do you know David Snowden

 Mark of MofT’s recent post and my one of the other day reminded me of my favourite rules from my early teens-

Here they are by the Wargames Research Group. I really enjoyed my solo games with these. 

In the mid eighties l recall wanting to try them again but had misplaced my copy, possibly a grubby photocopy. I wrote to Duncan Macfarlane in his capacity as magazine editor trying to find a copy and one day this letter turned up from David Snowden of Harlow , Essex. Please read for yourself below-

In his kindness he sent a photocopied set of the rules in a binder with two or three playsheets. It was such a kind and generous thing to do.

I always wondered what happened to him and is he still gaming . Anyone know?

Annotated rules for melee. 

Firstly does anyone know David Snowden? Secondly the rules can be downloaded from here-

http://www.wrg.me.uk/WRG.net/History/OLDWRG/InfantryAction.pdf

Interestingly they suggest you can play with 54mm 1/32 figures on a normal sized wargaming table

Thirdly Mof T’s post-

https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2025/06/20/airfix-and-spencer-smith-name-checked-in-how-to-create-an-army-appendix-from-charge-by-peter-young-and-j-p-lawford-1967/

Some like it hot…

 It was just too hot yesterday for me. I have had an even worse than usual time trying to sleep. Too hot to sit in the garden around midday. Yesterday saw me playing DBV again. An enjoyable non taxing game.

We pitted my Carolingians against P’s newly finished , relatively speaking, Arab Conquest force.

The Arabs take the high ground. I used flat foam hills as the figures kept slipping down the slopes last game. As ever P’s dice throwing was awful and my ability to throw sixes at a crucial moment, unbelievable. It is almost embarrassing.

Using dice or counters drawn from a bag to see which units have a chance to move is working really well. The rules are accessible and the majority of factors and movement distances are carried in our heads. After a close and see sawing game l won after l had killed the Arab Conquest force leader in one to one combat.

Continuing to enjoy my home grown strawberries which taste so much better than their gigantic shop bought cousins. Losing some to slugs but being vigilant…

The nasturtiums have really enjoyed the heat and rain and are a joy to behold. I have woken to a light breeze and cloudy sky, we shall see what the day brings.

Forgotten Sons or less remembered rules sets

 I was round at Ronnie’s this week and this book came up in conversation. It appears we both used it quite a bit in our youth. In many ways its influence was greater on my gaming beginnings than the Grant 18th C book or the Brigadier’s one. My copy was published in 1972 and I recall buying it at James Thin, booksellers in Edinburgh. As you will see my copy is annotated and has additions stuck in -

If anyone fancies buying one for themselves there is a fine copy going for £6 in the Oxfam bookshop in Stirling.

A day of two halves

 Morning- off for a battle between the forces of the Duke of Albion and those of the Duke of Tradgardland using “Charge” wargame rules-

Late afternoon whilst reading in the garden l looked at the shed and thought it looked a tad odd-

The pile of figure containing boxes had collapsed with some figures scattered everywhere and other boxes on their side or upside down. Couldn’t bear to look but will have to tomorrow…

New recruits in the Duchy of Tradgardland

 

Latest recruits for the Duchy of Tradgardland gather today .

They are vivandieres for the  regiments.

Here is one of the vivandieres on parade with her regiment.

Another view of the same regiment.

Final view of the parading regiment with Colours to the fore and vivandiere, pioneer and Colonel to the rear.

Friday

 

Finally getting round to trimming the hedge .

Unpacking the garden bit by bit . A curious figure looks on.

Some strawberries saved from the slugs , far less luck with the bean plants.

The end of the game today My Viking general attacks his Norman counterpart to no avail. My next action was to concede.

Norman cavalry ride down my Vikings with ease.

Stolid Norman foot advancing…

Watch out cavalry about!

My Vikings at the start of the game.

A helpful guide to planting.

Raabbiitt Hoooooooooole…..

 I have fallen down this rabbit hole-