iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

One for the ever growing ‘to read’ list, a truly fascinating character. Here he is as General, inspecting my Grandpa when he was just 17 (front right) at Warwick School. 📷 1936 - family album

Picture of Major Anton Carton de Wiat inspecting the Army Cadets of Warwick school in 1936.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

📢 Desert maps klaxon! 🗺️ Always worth a listen if you get the chance. The allure of the desert is quite something, my Grandpa’s comrade Maj H Cartmell RE MC flew solo from Egypt>UK via the Libyan desert airfields they knew, many years after the war, such was his fascination with the sand seas.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Thanks Andreas, fingers crossed something comes up. There’s a lot people in the same boat right now. On the plus side, I did get some new accounts if the 1939-41 perspective. Not read that telling of the Siege either.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

My wife’s laid off as another local ‘grass roots’ charity goes to the wall due to incompetence & greed from the top. These dying troves are gold. Public archives where our past is passed along for all to enjoy. Shame when they’re gone. Latest finds 🗺️ @crusaderproject.bsky.social @merrynwalters.uk

Image shows collection of books, maps & old Japanese binoculars all found in a local charity shop for next to nothing.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

In an attempt to try & grasp the enormity that faced the airmen trying to navigate/land the airstrips my Grandpa’s Chindit Cmd Pl built in the Naga Hills 1944, I’ve taken to the console. Impossible in clement conditions let alone under fire in full monsoon. Next level piloting. #Kohima #Nagaland

Still image of In-game footage showing a light aircraft flying over Kohima, Nagaland with +6000’ mountains of Manipur in the background.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

An interesting point & a similar conclusion met the previous January as 10’s of thousands of malnourished prisoners poured down the road from Bardia to Sollum. Reports of mistreatment quickly dismissed as everyone was on hard rations & shared what little resources they had.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

‘Quartered Safe Out Here by George MacDonald Fraser, dramatised by Robin Brooks. A gripping, and vivid dramatisation of George MacDonald Fraser's account of his time with the 14th army in Burma, fighting Japan in 1945.’

bbc.co.uk

Drama on 4 - Quartered Safe Out Here - BBC Sounds

The story of MacDonald Fraser's time in Burma, 1945. Based on his outstanding war-memoir.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

22 Jan will mark 85 years since my Grandpa, 2/Lt Douglas Victory Hutchinson, led No.1 Sec 12FCRE into Tobruk the evening it fell. He took a party to fight the raging fire near the jetty all night, their efforts a complete success, saving the jetty. @thinkdefence.bsky.social

Black & white aerial photo showing Tobruk during Operation Compass.
The port and harbour are shown with a large fire near the jetties. January 1941.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I love reading of various the vehicle ‘acquisitions’, like in April 1941 whilst training at HMS Glengyle post Op Compass; My Grandpa’s war diary simply reads “In Cairo 8x motorcycles & 3x 15CWTs obtained for the Coy”. Sounding like won in a game of cards or ‘borrowed’ to be returned to depot, maybe.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

All historical based websites related to this account including Royal Engineers / RAF ASR have been taken down due to ongoing unauthorised extraction of personal data/IP for AI training. Feel free to contact directly with any research based enquiries. *Account not monitored*

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

I don’t miss the place. People will look back on Twitter like the Wild West days of social media. Apart from there were no cool gunslingers & cowpokes. Just tw**s & bigots.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Thank you for the repost @crusaderproject.bsky.social. Interestingly I’ve been given a stern dressing down for posting this & other posts of remembrance in the past. Disrespectful apparently. But for all the research of my forebears war, it was the losses they endured that stick in my memory most.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Great footage. I’m sure @crusaderproject.bsky.social would concur that the efficiency of the Axis recovery units above the Escarpment during the springtime operations of 1941 gave them the upper hand in battle second only to the woeful Allied communications!?!

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Remembering my Grandpa & the ‘fine fellows’ he lost along the way serving King & Country in the Far East. After 38 months in India & Burma his VJ Day passed with little fanfare as he helped dismantle camps & rebuild German infrastructure. Life went on for the living. #VJDay80

Memorial to those who fought in the Far East

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Thought I’d mark the occasion and let some of the collection see the light of day. Even dug the old desert goatskin out of the garage. 🐐 PS don’t tell anyone but the LRDP Sappers wore it better than those little-known SAS chaps! 😉😎

Personal items of Col DV Hutchinson MBE from WWII

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Reposted by Ubique Vir

RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

59 Infantry Division sappers. (#OTD in 1944. Class 9 folding boat bridge spanning the Orne at La Bagotière, France. #WW2 #HISTORY)

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Final call to sign up to watch this tomorrow night. #RoyalEngineers supporting the armoured & infantry formations throughout the lesser known Operations in the Western Deserts, Syria, Burma & Assam during WWII. Maps, bridging, fieldworks and more. #REspect #VEDay80 www.instre.org/events/my-gr...

instre.org

14 August 25 "My Grandpa's war in the 12th Field Company RE" with Nathan Hutchinson - The Institution of Royal Engineers (InstRE)

Royal Engineers Historical Society (REHS)Webinar series 2025"My Grandpa's war in the 12th Field Company RE" with Nathan Hutchinson

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

So many great tips from some amazing presenters on here. My growing fear for tomorrow nights @rehs-1716.bsky.social webinar is palpable, I’m up to my 4th hard edit and it’s still feeling too wordy for the time allowed. Fingers crossed it’ll be alright on the night

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Having just given this Thursdays Webinar a ‘hard-edit’ and read through, I was horrified to see it is still running 30 minutes over. Time to take the chain saw to it and resign all that research to the cutting room floor! It won’t be the same without every CRE etc but 5 years into 50 mins is tough.

Map of troop movements in the Western Deserts.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

‘Sapping the strength out of the river’ was right there! Back to journalism school for those hacks!!

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Reposted by Ubique Vir

Susan @ssyu.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

I'm a complete amateur, gave talks at work but hated it. Thankful that Woody gives viewers the chance to tell their stories and with much encouragement by the sidebar mates. www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3cv...

youtube.com

Quin Shen Yu and the Burma Road

YouTube video by WW2TV

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Honoured to shine a light on my Grandpa’s time in 12 Fld Coy RE during WWII. From Palestine, the Western Deserts, to the Arakan & beyond. Defence, logistics, desert patrols, Chindits & maps. @rehs-1716.bsky.social @crusaderproject.bsky.social @thinkdefence.bsky.social @merrynwalters.uk Link in ALT

Royal Engineers Historical Society Webinar on 14/08/25 - My Grandpa’s war in the 12th Field Company RE.

https://www.instre.org/events/my-grandpas-war-in-the-12th-field-company-re/

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

So many creations of engineering ingenuity that came together to form the greatest logistical supply chain in history. Meanwhile 8000 miles away, it was good old ‘stick & string’ doctrine that filled the void from lack of resources. Not sure a bamboo dreadnought would fare well on the Channel mind?

Taken from an original 1940s British Army document showing how to construct a 36’ Dreadnaught, designed to carry troops, mules and equipment across rivers.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Thanks RG. It has been long neglected & I’ve many new research discoveries that need to be updated throughout the site. (And then there’s the part of me that want to pull it all down because of AI data farming etc) A mini ‘virtual museum’ would be my preferred way to display the collection/stories!

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Been absent of late but your threads are always a joy to return to, lots to think about. Here’s a Battleaxe treat I cobbled together for a recent talk. (Also August 14th REHS webinar) Can you imagine this lot trundling up the Escarpment? What a sight/sound to behold. @robertglennie.bsky.social

Diagram showing the 22nd Guards Brigade (Escarpment Force) Desert Formation in June 1941 at the outbreak of Operation Battleaxe on the Egyptian/Cyrenaica border.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

A thoroughly enjoyable telling of the professional soldier Stanley Henshaw on @ww2tv.bsky.social. Honoured to get a name check from the great @philipwblood.bsky.social too. This video hints at the impossible jungle topography where Stan earned his MM on May 1 1944. youtu.be/PIMbYYslhho?...

youtu.be

1944 - 12th Field Company R.E. Khuzami airstrip.

YouTube video by Devon Dad

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

That’s a shame, missed you in Bilbao by only a few weeks. Safe travels.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

What a touching letter she wrote to the mother’s? A reputation for bravery well earned. The first allied reinforcements to bolster the Canal Brigade in Oct 1939 with Neame’s 4th Indian Division. Post Op Brevity in May 1941 their reputation truly cemented with exemplary conduct & courage under fire.

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Reposted by Ubique Vir

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Today thanks to Queen Mary and a band of hard working volunteers, you can learn all about the brave exploits of Indian soldiers in Africa at the beginning of #WW2 achurchill.substack.com/p/article-in...

achurchill.substack.com

ARTICLE: Indian Valour in Africa 1941-2

A few months ago I did a piece based on a guidebook to India that was presented to soldiers bound for the sub-continent.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Remarkable indeed. Like a recent connection with the Grandson of a local tribal leader that helped my Grandpa build the airstrips in the Naga Hills 80 years ago over 5000 miles away! Also connecting with a dozen or so descendants of 4 Border men on social media. 💙 bsky.app/profile/ubiq...

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Very much looking forward to this episode of @ww2tv.bsky.social. I was excited to share a handwritten note from 34 Coln commander to 23rd Inf Bde C/O Montague Stopford, detail the attack whilst my Grandpa was off recceing suitable grounds to build a jungle landing strip! @historybowsh.bsky.social

Hand note from John Burgess to Montague Stopford written in the Naga Hills in May 1944 detailing the airstrip built by the Commando Platoon of 12th Field Company RE/34 Chindit Column.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

The RAF were crucial in disrupting Axis supply lines & reinforcements, keeping the Luftwaffe away from the battlefield. As the bombardment fell 12th Fld Coy RE moved up Halfaya with 4RTR 22 Gds Bde. Allied communications continued to be their own undoing. ubiquevir.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/1...

ubiquevir.wordpress.com

12th Field Company War Diary (12 May) #OTD 1941

Operation Brevity Operation Brevity was an Allied offensive conceived by General Archibald Wavell. As Commander-in-Chief Middle East, Wavell had seen earlier successful offensives against the Itali…

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

#OTD 80 years ago parachute training continued for 12th Fld Coy RE. They started their long war based in Palestine & ended it in Punjab. Both countries still blighted by war today. #VEDay80 marks a win against past aggressions, but will the world ever know peace? 📷 Rawalpindi

1945 Rawalpindi.
A Dakota drops a stick of men from 44th Indian Airbourne Division.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Both my Grandfathers felt ‘forgotten’ in the British forces. One, a Sapper of the Forgotten Army in Burma. Another patrolling the North Sea in RAF ASR. So many across the globe contributed to the war effort from Palestinian to Naga Pioneer Coys. To the forgotten on #VEDay80

Image depicting the many countries that contributed to the Victory over European Fascism in WWII.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

The internet is not a total lost cause. Only today I met the Grandson of the Naga Chief who commanded the levy that helped my Grandpa’s Chindit Commando Platoon build the roads & airstrips deep in the Assam jungles in impossible conditions in 1944, #Burma. I can’t help but feel emotional. ALT ✏️

Noksang Ao of the Ao Tribe, Mokokchung.
Commander of No.2 Pioneer Naga Coy of 23rd Long Range Penetration Brigade, Special Force.
Oversaw a 600 strong labour force to construct roads, mule tracks, airstrips alongside the Royal Engineers Commando Platoons.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

A warm welcome to Bluesky Edith. If you’re not following @edithmirante.bsky.social yet, then behold this epic thread bridging the history of Burmese bridges, to get a taste of what you’re missing out on.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

What else to do on a rainy Good Friday, than finally document the small collection for map & Survey aficionado Col. M Nolan. Under Brig. Thomas, this 1942 reprint was collated during the 1912-15/16-18/23-26 seasons with fabulous detail of the Naga Hills tribal areas. @merrynwalters.uk

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Returning once more to @ubiquevir.bsky.social’s 1935 copy of Eothen by A.W. Kinglake. Remarkable to see it filled with his scribbles & annotations for his exams at school, then only a few years later he’d be destined to retrace part of the route 100 after Kinglake with the Royal Engineers in 1940.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

By all accounts the Axis kept a remarkably tidy battlefield. Even with fuel constraints, around Brevity/Battleaxe the AK tank recovery transports would mop up with such efficiency that returning Allied patrols failed to find a scrap at daybreak. Recovered Axis stores often in top condition too.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Absolutely doable. 27 Jan 1941 @ubiquevir.bsky.social & No.1 Sec 12FCRE carried 100 tons 95 miles from Machilli, arriving with 85t at Msus for the 5,000 7th Armd Div troops & 12,000 POWs. They found ample water along the way (and thermos bomb fields) but no fuel.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

From concrete reservoirs of Matruh to cisterns & water points in Barrani, Buq-Buq, Sollum, Bardia, Tobruk, Tmimi, Msus, Soluch & beyond. Quenching all that fought or got caught. An endless thrust & parry of ‘find it-fix it/leave it-level it’ one thing is certain. All nations engineers excelled.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

It was very kind of #NewtonAbbot #REA to allow me to talk today on the 12th Field Company #RoyalEngineers 1936 Palestine - 1945 Rawalpindi. Lots of nerves and lessons learnt from the preview showing so I can fine tune it for the #REHistSociety webinar in August.

Presentation with items from Western Desert and Burma Campaigns on display.

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

My dear 90y/o neighbour is sadly moving & having a clear out. She was happy for me to share these pics of her father, a signalman in the Navy at 15, enlisting in RAF 103 Sqn at 18, crashing his DH9a E550 in Ronchin at 19 & injured in Coolavohig Ambush at 21! @trevcaviation.bsky.social

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Ubique Vir @ubiquevir.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

A great thought for the day. Thanks. I’m thrilled my youngest is pursuing a route to archeology after his GCSEs this year, a happy marriage of geography & history? Prompting me to leave lots of maps around the house to subtly imprint their importance through time.

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