As a fresh faced youngster in the second year of 'big school' in the late 80's, my world consisted of painting seemingly endless supplies of Airfix 1:72nd figures, and my first forays into building and painting 1:35th Tamiya AFVs and figures. After I'd finished them, there wasn't much else to do, other than make dioramas or move them around the dining room table. My mother, understandably, asked repeatedly 'What was I going to actually
do with them?'
Donald Featherstone's book 'Battles with Model Soldiers', borrowed from the library around that time, changed all that. Now I realised there WAS something I could do!!
So my wargaming life started, with trips to Partizan, buying Wargaming Illustrated, ordering my first figures - Essex Miniatures, painting, gaming, an enhanced love of history, and re-enactment!
Donald was truly an inspiration to so many, and has left a lasting legacy. He'll be greatly missed. Above all, he gave me (and probably thousands of other schoolboys) the response to Mum's ever-present question, with...'I'm going to WARGAME with my little figures, Mum! That's what I'm gonna do'
Thanks Don. RIP and keep shaking 6's.