FIRESIDE CHAT WITH COLONEL STUART TOOTAL
Wednesday 16th October at 18.30 | The Drawing Room and Zoom | £15.00 per person*
*Includes one glass Prosecco
*£10.00 for those joining via Zoom
John Humphreys was a Royal Engineer when war was declared in 1939. His service ultimately included the Battle of Arnhem Bridge, as part of the Parachute Regiment whose defence of the location 80 years ago now was immortalised in the film, “A Bridge Too Far”. Prior to that he experienced the fierce fighting of the North African desert, and two stints as a POW after being captured, escaping the first time to rejoin comrades in the fight against Hitler. He ultimately joined the SAS.
Colonel Stuart Tootal, himself with a distinguished military career to his name before becoming an acclaimed author and historian, is the author of “The Last Para”, a book he produced in partnership with John Humphreys, before he died in April this year, aged 102. “The Last Para” is an account of John Humphreys’ unique experience at Arnhem and serves as a fitting memorable to the last survivor of this battle, elevated in the public’s mind by Hollywood’s take on the conflict.
Join Col. Tootal for this months Fireside Chat to consider the genesis of this first-hand account of Arnhem, as well as his own military service in Northern Ireland and the Middle East then evolution into a noted writer and speaker in the field of military history. Then, as is traditional for the Fireside gathering, join our guest of honour and a select few members for supper in the Coffee Room when the evening’s conversation can widen and deepen in whatever direction the table takes things.