Pam Tilling

@Mr_Andrew_Fox My dad was shot in the leg at this battle and spent the rest of the war in a prison of war camp. I have all sorts of artefacts including the knife that cut out the bullet.

It’s Arnhem Day 4, this day in 1944. At Arnhem Bridge, 2nd Para Battalion are out of ammunition and their battle is over. The remainder of 1st Airborne Division have met strong German resistance and are consolidating on defensive positions at Oosterbeek. But one of 2nd Para Bn’s Africa and Italy veterans didn’t make it to the bridge with them. After Tunisia and Sicily (winning the Distinguished Service Order to add to the MC he won in Waziristan in 1938), Major Richard Lonsdale was posted to 11th Para Bn. Whilst the remnants of 2nd Para Bn were being rounded up by the Germans at the Bridge, Major Lonsdale was in the defensive fight at the Oosterbeek Perimeter. His experience of Operation Market Garden had started badly. His C-47 Dakota had been damaged by enemy flak on the approach to the Drop Zone, wounding Lonsdale in the hand badly enough that he had to stay and receive treatment whilst the 11th Para Bn advanced into Arnhem without him to try and relieve 2nd Para Bn at the Bridge. Only the remnants of 1st, 3rd and 11th Para Bns, and 2nd South Staffords, were able to extract themselves from the carnage in Arnhem. Lonsdale was sent forward to command these shattered units and organise them into a defensive position. They were known as Lonsdale Force. The Germans attacked the isolated Lonsdale Force, and he sustained three further head wounds. The force was permitted to withdraw to new defensive positions, with his new HQ at the Old Church at Oosterbeek. Here, the battered Lonsdale, arm in a sling, head and leg bandaged, gave his famous speech: “You know as well as I do there are a lot of bloody Germans coming at us. Well, all we can do is to stay here and hang on in the hope that somebody catches us up. We must fight for our lives and stick together. We've fought the Germans before - in North Africa, Sicily, Italy. They weren't good enough for us then, and they're bloody well not good enough for us now. They're up against the finest soldiers in the world. An hour from now you will take up defensive positions north of the road outside. Make certain you dig in well and that your weapons and ammo are in good order. We are getting short of ammo, so when you shoot, you shoot to kill. Good luck to you all.” Lonsdale Force fought against repeated German assaults until 25th September when what could be salvaged of 1st Airborne Division was evacuated across the river. He remained behind until all his men were across the river, then, unable to find a boat for himself, and in spite of his wounds, swam the river to safety. For his actions at Arnhem, he received a bar to his DSO. His citation reads: “At Arnhem on the 20th September, this officer, although wounded in the hand and arm, was given command of the remnants of three Parachute Battalions who had withdrawn from the town. This detachment, about 400 strong, was allotted the task of holding part of the divisional perimeter.   Major Lonsdale so organised and inspired those under him that in spite of repeated attacks by enemy infantry, tanks and self-propelled guns, the positions taken up were subsequently held until the remains of the division withdrew over the River Lek. Throughout this period of six days the positions were continually mortared and shelled.   Major Lonsdale, although again wounded, organised several counter attacks to regain ground temporarily lost and his personal example and supreme contempt of danger was an inspiration to all those with whom he came in contact.” He later commanded the 3rd Para Bn as a Lieutenant Colonel, and has far and away the most dashing photo of any commanding officer in the top corridor in Colchester Battalion HQ.

FRI 31st March DO NOT miss #ComedyCottage our Annual @comicrelief show 8pm @HarlequinTheat wth spec guest host @Annabel_Giles headliner creator of Viz comic, comedian @simondonald support frm @MerylORourke @Pammyginge + More! £13 Bk now 01737 276500 harlequintheatre.co.uk/events/comedy-…

@marybourkecomic What do you mean want to be …?

I want to be a dollybird!

@GussieGrips @msjlindsay @MagiGibson @marybourkecomic @RosieKayK2CO Burling

Who’s your dream line up? @msjlindsay and @MagiGibson for more poetry. @marybourkecomic and @Pammyginge for comedy. If we push the chairs out the way maybe we could make enough space for @RosieKayK2CO to have a burl. If Alison Moyet was in town maybe she’d do a wee song?

Should I organise“Fingertips” - a women’s open mic night? Suggest we open with @roarnowheesht! Any art form, up to 20 minutes? What’s your party piece? Want in?

@marybourkecomic I was on that train and now on the way back

Our Edinburgh train will terminate at Newcastle.1000 people just abandoned and told to get cabs to Edinburgh and "claim it back"

#ComedyCottage one more week folks! Award winning comedy! Penultimate show for 2022 £13 Book Now! 01737 276500 #SupportLiveComedy #SupportYourTheatre #BigNightOut

Our favourite physio @GussieGrips giving a fabulous speech on why women's health matters #WomensRally #NoToSelfID #NoMenInWomensSpaces

@acadofideas @EmmaBurnell_ @No2euDenny @buffsoldier_96 @MrWinMarshall @joelvmills @AliMirajUK Penny Evans

WHAT’S THE GREATEST PROTEST SONG? The #BattleFest Balloon Debate aims to find out! With @Emmaburnell_ @tom_collyer1 Neil Davenport @No2euDenny @buffsoldier_96 @MrWinMarshall @joelvmills @AliMirajUK & @DaveBowdenPR battleofideas.org.uk/session/balloo…

Redhill, Reigate, any Surrey Twitteratti we would love a RT for this event. We held back from advertising sooner as a mark of respect! Please can you help a wee Comedy Club out!😍

V excited to finally share #ComedyCottage is back FRI 30th SEP @HarlequinTheat 8pm £13 wth Star of stage/screen @joshxhowie +@phatcomedian @IAmSeanGorman Margaret McGough. Mc Moi & Tunes @petedennismusic 4 @magic_breakfast Pls RT & help us spread word🙏 harlequintheatre.co.uk/events/comedy-…

@msjlindsay @GussieGrips I was lucky enough to be at your poetry reading where I met my friend @GussieGrips

Just wanted to do a shout out to Elaine Miller @GussieGrips. Doing a Fringe run with people lying about you, defaming you, harassing you/ yr venue, being plastered across the papers, when your show is hilarious, informative & *vital* must've been v hard to take. Salute! x 👏

@marybourkecomic @Kate_Martin27 @StandComedyClub @edfringe Lovely to bump into you after Mary’s show and the @AdaCampe too.

@Kate_Martin27 @StandComedyClub @edfringe Lovely to see you! Are you.chaperone to the teens?

@GussieGrips last night you smashed it out the box if you know what I mean! @Gildedballoon were lucky to have you.

A great show and that’s the brutal truth.

@GussieGrips @joannaccherry Funny #FannyParty. Don’t be an arse join today!

@joannaccherry Thank you. I think I am building up my abuse tolerance - maybe soon I’ll be resilient enough to go into politics? The Fanny Party has a certain ring to it.

It’s a shocking indictment of where we are that a woman is being harassed for staging a brilliant, witty & informative 5 star show about female anatomy. Go see it. tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:3890/ I’ll be there Sunday evening. 5* review 👉 scotsman.com/arts-and-cultu…

@roseveniceallan I got the job because they say I’m a total fanny.

Caption competition

@marybourkecomic I can see through you

I bought a laminator! I don't even know who I am anymore.

Learning all about my lady garden in my lady garden. @GussieGrips #Viva your vulva the hole story. #EdinburghFringe Go see. Tickets Gilded Balloon