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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The more I read about this man, the more I like him. My latest article is about Ralph Vaughan Williams, his music and work during the Second World War. There's a link to a Spotify playlist I created of his key works during this period as well. mattheweaton.co.uk/p/ralph-vaug... #skystorians

mattheweaton.co.uk

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Music and the Soul of a Nation

His work and music during the Second World War

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Indeed - it needs to come with a health warning. But once you're in, its a great read!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It provides a solid foundation for a new extension to the house too!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Next up, Jonathan Parshall's epic, 1942. I may be gone some time. #histbookchat

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Great conversation with Paul yesterday - looking forward to hearing this episode! If youre curious about reading more about wartime entertainment see Historical Ephemera on mattheweaton.co.uk #skstorians

mattheweaton.co.uk

Home | Matthew Eaton's Historical Ephemera

Historical stories found down rabbit holes whilst researching the lesser-explored parts of the Second World War.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Celebrating Bilbos, Frodos, and my birthday today with a cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Standing in a line waiting to get a bus to Wentworth to watch a sport I have absolutely no interest in. It's at times like these that I really wonder about my life choices.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

There's been a lot of interest in the story of Madam V since the book was published. I'm very excited to be speaking at the Real Magic Book Festival in Wendover next weekend. 3pm Saturday 26 September at Wendover Library. Buy a ticket here: wegottickets.com/f/27436

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Just finished @jonathanfennell.bsky.social's latest tome, Collapse. As you'd expect, very thought provoking and thoroughly researched. Recommended! #histbookchat

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

thanks James! Some light relief!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Surreal few days. I had the pleasure of speaking at the Fringe WHWF, followed by running around a media tech conference in Amsterdam. My body is waiting for my brain to catch up!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I was wondering where to go next with my PhD research due to a lack of sources. So I spent yesterday at Kew and thankfully hit the motherlode in the National Archive. The power of ignoring the metadata and looking at papers physically located close by on the shelves! Next chapter sorted.

static.klipy.com

John C Reilly's Surprised Stare

ALT: John C Reilly's Surprised Stare

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Reposted by Matt Eaton

Dr Paul Huddie @paulhuddie.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

My little babies also safely arrived. My sincerest thanks to my co-editors and to all our contributors #milwelfhist

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

You can watch my recent talk on wartime entertainment with @ww2tv.bsky.social here, together with a short article answering some of the questions the audience raised. newsletter.mattheweaton.co.uk/p/from-arras...

newsletter.mattheweaton.co.uk

From Arras to Rangoon

Battling to Bring (ENSA) Entertainment to the British Troops

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

There are few things as satisfying as cooking risotto.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

My talk on Friday on WW2TV looks at the experiences of Madam V - Virginia Vernon. This remarkable woman worked with the top brass in the British forces and travelled with the men from Arras in 1939 through to Rangoon on VJ Day. www.youtube.com/live/7yTXfNu...

youtube.com

Madam V - Virginia Vernon’s War: Battling to Bring (ENSA) Entertainment to the British Troops

YouTube video by WW2TV

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I'd recommend paper - I ended up creating 31 maps of Virginia's travels which will of course be on kindle but I prefer paper.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Started Collapse by Jonathan Fennell. I've been looking forward to this one. #histbookchat

Front cover of Collapse by Jonathan Fennell

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

thanks @bcbrews.bsky.social - please note, it is scheduled for Friday August 28 at 2pm UK time now.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Well that's a valid excuse. Wish I could. One day it'll be the San Carlo in Naples!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

A very special evening at Nell of Old Drury for the launch party of Madam V: Virginia Vernon's War!

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Looking forward to another jaunt with the Cambridge IC - this year to Hunstanton! Please donate if you feel you are able. The walk is on Saturday 22 Aug.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This month marks 80 years since the final ENSA performance - Tommy Trinder in India, August 1946. Today is the publication date of Madam V: Virginia Vernon's War. I've written an article on her 7 years working for ENSA around the world. newsletter.mattheweaton.co.uk/p/madam-v-vi... #histbookchat

newsletter.mattheweaton.co.uk

Madam V: Virginia Vernon’s War

And ENSA’s Final Curtain Call: 80 Years Ago

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I'll be full evening gown and elbow length gloves.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Well, this is going to be fun! Hugely thankful for the Fringe Committee at @whwcambridgeic.bsky.social for allowing me to bang on about ENSA at We Have Ways Fest next month! #histbookchat

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Fun! Absolutely no idea, though!

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Reposted by Matt Eaton

Ben Railton @americanstudier.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

August is here, & with it my 287th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more below, please share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️ + blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

blackwhiteandread.com

#ScholarSunday Thread 287 (8/2/26) – Black and White and Read All Over

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Certainly Naples or Bari, where she worked for several months in '43 / '44.

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Matt Eaton @matteatonmedia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

There's nothing like holding a physical book, especially when it's your first to be published. A privilege to be able to write about this great lady's wartime contribution with her godson, Adam Fairclough. Madam V: Virginia Vernon's War will be on sale from 13 August from all the usual places.

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