Wargamers Newsletter was on of his greatest achievements, not just for the length of time over which he published it monthly (1962-1980) but the way in the pre internet age it informed and sustained wargamers across the world.
It therefore seems appropriate to let Don's own words speak for him. In issue 201 of December 1978 he confessed he had forgotten to mark the 200th consecutive monthly issue. He then published this article looking back on those 200 issues, including a look back to issue no 1.
We also should not (and will not) forget his many books, which introduced many people to the hobby.
Just me then?
But a serious point - outside of the hobby Don Featherstone had many achievements and a whole other set of published work in his professional life as a physiotherapist, with Southampton FC and elsewhere.
Rest In Peace Don. You brought the wargaming hobby to life for so many people, including me.
ReplyDeleteI thank you.
A sad day for the hobby, I always loved his Solo Wargaming book in particular.
ReplyDeleteIf immortality is measured by the lives you touch, he will indeed live on for many years to come.
Thank you for the very fine post. A very sad day - I'd forgotten about Don's other (non-wargaming) publications, so you're quite right to mention them! Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that article, that was really interesting. Don's influence on the hobby and on wargamers is huge, even in today's digital age IMHO. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute, thanks
ReplyDeleteI bought Don's classic War Games ('62 first edition) on a lark at the Squadron Shop in Syosset, NY circa 1972. Although we soon moved on to other rules, that little book launched me and a small army of my mates into a lifetime of happy Wargaming. The must be many others with a similar tale...Thank you Don.
ReplyDeletePS - I still have my "Lionel Tarr periscope" (as described by Don in his book) somewhere in the basement !
Glad to see a Don's contribution
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be a lovely thing to gave all the Wargamer's Newsletters
ReplyDeleteon a CD? I have about 30ish varied paper copies in the Gentleman's Parlour, but a complete set would be nice.
Nowadays we are all guilty of over egging the pudding in our praise for celebrities-would have put it in parenthisis but not keyboard literate- but Don Featherstone deserves all the accolades we desire to heap upon him.The modern age as given us the internet and the ability to organise and exchange ideas and information, in the old days, it required a lot of work and huge amounts of enthusiasm. I remember when I had that. Don and others of his ilk, set off a hobby, past time whatever, which will live on. He also belonged to that generation who had fought and suffered in a desperate conflict, the result of their sacrifice was that we are here today and enjoy the lives and freedoms so heroically won. RIP Don. by J ames Shepherd
ReplyDeleteGreat to read Don's piece
ReplyDelete