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Author: Alan Malcher
Military historian and defence commentator View all posts by Alan Malcher
Alan Malcher 
Alan: Please your opinion on what Stephen Grey says about operation, Banner and NI in general in his book The New Spymasters, please
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Sorry Giles, I have not read the book and consequently cannot comment. However, I have read several books by Aaron Edwards who is worth mentioning.
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Alan,
Thank you for this piece on Northern Ireland. I probably told you that I was in Belfast during 1955 at the age of 11. First, we lived off Malone/Huntingdon Road near the Parade Ground & Rugby Field, then on to Ravenhill Road opposite the Golf Course but what was then a Park with Tennis Court. I first went to the Malone Elementary School which was abolished for new homes behind the Church. I later attended Rosetta Elementary which still stands in the Protestant Sector. Lifetime Learning began there in climbing the Hills overlooking the Harbor & City. Going to the Theater we watched the Quiet Man with Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne. I required a Tutor, Mr. Cecil Colbert, later Superintendent of Belfast Schools during the Troubles. I visited him one last time in 1988 – The Perfect Edwardian Genteleman. He lost his brother in World War II flying Lancasters over Germany. He died over Leipzig. Cecil was my first encounter with WWII stories in Europe even though I had an Uncle that flew in the Pacific.
Your work is grateful to those that died and those that survived. The survivors were my teachers.
Sincerely,
Mr. Gail H. Nelson, Ph.D. German & Russian Area Studies Boulder, Colorado USA
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Thank you Gail, much appreciated.
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Hello Gail. Not sure how I stumbled across this article but you mentioned Cecil Colbert. Cecil was my grandmother’s brother. I’m interested to know how you knew him. I also recall stories about his brother who was a Flight Engineer in the RAF and flew Lancaster Bombers as part of the Pathfinders. I love your description of him as an Edwardian gentleman! Kind regards John
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Cecil Colbert was my Great Uncle but more like a grandfather to me. It was great to see his name again…. Edwardian gentleman indeed!
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Peter, you won’t remember me but your mum will. You and Susanne(?) were very young when we met last. I vividly remember your granny, my Great Aunt Trudy. Her sister Lily was my granny.
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Hi John, thanks for the update. I’m 54 now & Suzanne is 52! I spoke to my mum who sends her regards. I remember Auntie Lily well too. Cheers, Peter
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