"A tribute to Donald Featherstone" Topic

I have always felt that HG Wells and his ilk were dead ends in wargaming history. Quaint eccentricities by quaint eccentrics.

It was Donald Featherstone and HIS generation that were the REAL ancestors of wargaming as we know it.
I never had the privilege of meeting the man, but I have always felt his influence.

To honor his passing, I suggest that we schedule games that do not take themselves seriously. A REAL wargame, but that has fun elements. In fact, the main object will be for Gentlemen to have fun in a gentlemanly manner.

Who is up for this?

I am planning something now, but will need a few commitments from our group's members before I announce what I have planned.

As soon as you have something planned, announce it here. It can be as serious or as non serious as you want.

I will gladdly be counted in. Although I am two states away from you, perhaps multiple games around the globe all honoring his passing.

A great idea!

I shall fight a colonial battle using his rules.

Yes, he and Jack Scruby were my models for how miniature gaming should be. Old school wargamers that impact us to this day. Really loved Mr. Featherstone's writing style too. He will be sorely missed.

Great plan OFM. I'm going to cook up something for Friday night I think.

That would be a great tribute to Don. I'm sure that he is looking down at us from the beyond with a big smile on his face.

I did see him at Salute a few years ago, gave him a nod, but as he was busy, I didn't stop to talk.

We like to think that things have changed a lot in Wargaming since those days, but he did capture the essence, we have more and prettier toys, larger variation and different nuts and bolts on how to handle things, but we still game in much the same same way he and the other founders did.

Our coming North Africa game will be dedicated to Mr Featherstone.

Thumbing through an copy of Wargaming Pike and Shot….I'll do Battle of Pinkie I reckon.

John – not sure what it'll be but I'll probably pick something to replay solo from "Solo Wargames".

The Battle report will turn up in LW – Don' was a lifetime honoury member of the Solo Wargamers Association, so that seems an appropriate place.

Other SWA members might like to consider doing the same – perhaps we could make for a series of articles over the next year, or a special issue.

Well I might be able to organise a 'Donald Featherstone Memorial Wargame' in NSW Australia. One of the scenarios from his Battle Notes for Wargames perhaps – Lone Pine or something…

I'll see how much interest there is around the bazaars and report back – is this going to be a global event, and, if so, what date do you have in mind?

John;
I'm in.

Sparker, we're doing ours on 21 September. John's house.

Bit far I suppose for you to make to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, but we'll save a cold brew for you.

Eric

I am scheduled to play a 1943 Tunisia game on Thursday. I shall try to play as 'The Don' intended.

Excellent idea!

Our next club game will be a salute to Mr. Featherstone.

John,

Your assessment of Featherstone's place in the hobby is spot on. We enjoy playing with toy soldiers because of his enthusiasm and ideas.

Rick

I think a game using Airfix plastic soldiers with everything resolved with a single D6 would be appropriate.

The problem isn't games that don't take themselves too seriously, but gamers who take them selves too seriusly.

I am thinking of Tank and Infantry Action on the St James Road using the basic rules in "Wargames". I am sure it will be a fast and enjoyable game regardless of it's accuracy.

Southend Wargames Club would like to acknowledge the debt owed by wargaming to Don Featherstone. He was instrumental in putting me in touch with Ken Lazenby at Southend back in 1967 on condition I subscribed to Wargamers' Newsletter. I never regretted the decision to do so and have most if not all the back issues from 1967 to the date the Newsletter ceased publication. I was lucky enough to meet him on a couple of occasions and his books have been an inspiration.

The club is planning a Horse & Musket game in a couple of weeks which we will dedicate to his memory – thanks, Don.

Mike Oliver

… is this going to be a global event, and, if so, what date do you have in mind?

Global? Sure, why not?
Date? As convenient. How about within a month?

Do it as you want. Announce it ahead of time, or not. Write an AAR, or not. Just have fun and be a gentleman.

I heard this morning, it's a sad day. I posted a little something on my blog this morning, an appreciation more than an obit. link

Not much more I could say. I'll miss the bloke.. he had a hell of a run and a long and productive life. You can't get a bigger "bucket of win" than that.

Games that don't take themselves too seriously?? I'M YOUR MAN!!

I'm working on two of such at this very moment, both of which owe a lot to Mr. Featherstone's early influence.

V/R

Walt O'Hara

Well theres a fair amount of interest at the University of Wollongong in some sort of Donald Featherstone Memorial Game. Just goes to show what a great influence Don was.

Not to sure on the scenario or date yet. ACW inspired by 'Battles for Wargamers' or Gallipoli Lone Pine inspired by 'Battle Notes for Wargamers' are favourites at the moment. The wearing of ties and the pouring of a libation are definates though…I think he'll approve!

I'll talk with our group tomorrow night.

Want to know something weird?

I dreamed about DF the night he died and I didn't know he had died! I had never dreamed about the man before!

I was at a gaming con (they occasionally show up in my dreams) and someone brought me up to a table where this old guy was sitting and said "That's Donald Featherstone".

If you're a materialist (like me), chalk it up to subconsciously noting something about his death somewhere on the internet and having this pop up in my dreams.

Still, it's unsettling.

Here's the report of our tribute game:

link

And proof that we wore ties:

link

Secondhand Lions

Tribute Game to Don Featherstone