English Chess Forum

Which British player (who had a grandmaster title) shared a part time occupation with the fictional character William Hodges during the second world war?

My guess is that Comins Mansfield was an ARP warden.

Gerard Killoran wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:20 pm

My guess is that Comins Mansfield was an ARP warden.

Gerard, You are about as close as it gets without being correct.

There is an interesting coincidence between CM and the correct answer based on the location of their obituaries.

(I cannot say for certain that CM was not an ARP Warden but the 1939 census states that the correct answer was an ARP warden).

This person was also a volunteer for the St. John Ambulance and a keen rower, being trialled for the Varsity crew.

He received the MBE.

A further clue is that his sister Mary also received an MBE

Must be Reginald Walter Bonham. Major clue was in sister Mary.

http://britishchessnews.com/2020/03/16/ ... -iii-1984/

Here is a picture of ARP wardens playing chess.

Geoff wins the star prize of a night out with Ray Keene at Simpson's-in-the-Strand including an all you can eat buffet meal.

RW Bonham was an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Warden and St. John Ambulance volunteer whilst at Worcester College for the Blind (originally Worcester College for the Blind Sons of Gentlemen)

See https://britishchessnews.com/2020/03/16 ... -iii-1984/

If anyone knows the year of the MBE award I would be most grateful. Was it New Years honours or Queen's Birthday honours ?

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:28 pm

If anyone knows the year of the MBE award I would be most grateful. Was it New Years honours or Queen's Birthday honours ?

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... 3/data.pdf

New Years Honours 1970. (Hot tip: honours are listed in the London Gazette, readily available online.)

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:28 pm

Geoff wins the star prize of a night out with Ray Keene at Simpson's-in-the-Strand including an all you can eat buffet meal.

For which he will of course have to pay for both, but Geoff is an old enough dog to know that.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 3:14 pm

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:28 pm

Geoff wins the star prize of a night out with Ray Keene at Simpson's-in-the-Strand including an all you can eat buffet meal.

For which he will of course have to pay for both, but Geoff is an old enough dog to know that.

I hope I haven't won second prize - two nights out with Ray Keene.

Gerard Killoran wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:49 pm

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 3:14 pm

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:28 pm

Geoff wins the star prize of a night out with Ray Keene at Simpson's-in-the-Strand including an all you can eat buffet meal.

For which he will of course have to pay for both, but Geoff is an old enough dog to know that.

I hope I haven't won second prize - two nights out with Ray Keene.

I was about to pass on the bad news...

The second night would be at the RAC Club in Pall Mall.