At a recent book launch at the Imperial War Museum I bumped into fellow 'catter Walrus and at the end of the day one of the old WW1 soldiers, Fred Bunby, was trying to get up out of his chair, we rushed to assist. Amazingly the only wheel chair left was not his, likewise the Zimmer frame in the corner. He was walking to the cab. As people tried to convince him the best train home he insisted on a certain station because it was nearer to its taxi rank! Walrus & I looked at the row of WW1 medals and were joking about physical fitness and mental acuity going hand in hand when someone told us he danced every week - at 101! He insisted he was only 100 years old - a sure sign of a young mind as old people tend to tell you how old they are next birthday!. I was about to whisper to Walrus HUTZPAH in bold capitals when Fred told us he had recently been at an "Old Soldiers Hall" (merely to ceremonially open it) and he had danced with Vera Lynn.
What is the term for double HUTZPAH with a liberal top that topping?

There were 6 old soldiers from WW1 singing and all over 100. I did chat to a Chelsea Pensioner who told me WWII was his war, he looked more like a WW1 veteran than Fred! There were plenty of songs from the veterans some of which I mananged to record.

Book: When this Bloody War is Over.

written by Max Arthur Published by Piatkus Books

This is a book of lyrics from and comment on the evolution of the words and tunes of first world war songs, mostly those we would regard as true folk songs - anon, oral tradition and all that. No printed music. Songs from the UK, Canada Australia, and America.
Max can be contacted at maxarthurhistorian@hotmail.com and is keen to hear from people interested in the book.
He found both Walrus & me at the Mudcat Cafe.