Wednesday, September 4

Donald Featherstone (1918-2013)

It's with huge sadness that I have to report that it's been reported on a number of other blogs and sources that after a short spell in hospital following a fall at home, Don Featherstone died yesterday..

Dons books single-handedly propelled me into a hobby that has now fascinated me for almost 40 years, and while I may have dabbled with Charles Grant and "Charge!" I am at heart, a follower of Featherstone...

His writing was crisp, easy to follow, his hints and tips worked, and as a hideous, spotty, kid of 12 or 13 I devoured his books whenever I could get them from the library.

For me his seminal works were the big four - "Wargames", "Advanced Wargames", "Wargames Campaigns" and "Battles with Model Soldiers" - if I hadn't come across the first (and I've no idea how I did) my life story could have been entirely different....

He was approachable (and I count myself blessed that I got to meet him twice at Colours), always free with words of encouragement, and I for one am very much sadder today for hearing of his passing....

Thanks for everything, Don.....


Sources:
  • http://theminiaturespage.com/editorial/ 
  • http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2013/09/donald-featherstone.html http://hordesofthethings.blogspot.com/2013/09/donald-featherstone-1918-2013.html
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14 comments:

  1. BigLee04/09/2013, 11:35

    My introduction to his books came a bit later in life, after I had been a war-gamer already for several years. But his work helped encourage me to change direction and get into historical wargaming just at the point when I was starting to loose interest in the Fantasy/Sci-fi games I had played until then. His books gave my hobby a new lease of life and have entertained, informed and inspired me ever since.

    He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered.

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  2. Steve-the-Wargamer04/09/2013, 11:39

    Lee, hear hear... :o(

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  3. Greg Sapara04/09/2013, 12:34

    I feel as though I've lost a friend. RIP

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    1. Steve-the-Wargamer05/09/2013, 11:35

      Greg - know what you mean - I hoisted a pint to him last night - suggest we all do the same...

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  4. Carlo04/09/2013, 13:58

    Very deeply saddened by this news. I still remember the afternoon I discovered his wargaming books at the public library in Midland when I was about 12. Couldn't believe the wonderful world I was reading about and have been hooked since.

    God bless his remaining family and friends.

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    1. Steve-the-Wargamer05/09/2013, 11:37

      Carlo - liked your blog post on this sad event - I'd encourage the others here to check it out as well - very evocative.... took me right back, Cosham Library, "Battles With Model Soldiers", wet rainy cold afternoon, warm fug in the library, and that slightly musty, booky smell... happy days

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  5. Rafael Pardo04/09/2013, 14:23

    Is a very, very sad news. Don's books introduced me to the solo wargaming in the 80's.
    Requiescat in Pace

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  6. Conrad Kinch04/09/2013, 19:29

    What a man. We shall not see his like again.

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    Replies
    1. Steve-the-Wargamer05/09/2013, 11:39

      CK - it's a sad thing but do you know, I think you're right - has the age of heroes gone??

      Delete
    2. moif16/09/2013, 08:44

      Our heroes are certainly fading away :(

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  7. Herman van Kradenburg04/09/2013, 22:26

    Very Sad News. I share your roots of cutting my wargaming teeth on his books in the late 70s and 80s. Hooked ever since. RIP Don!

    A good friend's late father introduced us to gaming as teens, and was featured in one of his books ("South African Wargamers refighting the Battle of Waterloo", I think was the caption):

    I blogged on his publications last year: http://wargamesobsession.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/blast-from-past.html

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  8. John Curry Editor History of Wargaming Project05/09/2013, 20:29

    Having worked with him for the last decade, he was a pleasure to work with

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