Nick Maxwell

Sir,—In his informative contribution, ‘Bulmer Hobson, “the mostdangerous man in Ireland”’ (HI 10.1, Spring 2002), Des Gunning mentionsthe peculiar fact that Hobson ‘has failed to attract the attention of aserious biographer’. So diverse was Hobson’s influence that publishedtwentieth-century Irish history is seriously undermined by thisomission. He certainly doesn’t fit into any of the stereotypes associatedwith … Read more

Sir,—I am a trifle disappointed, but not surprised, with Tim Bowman’sfinal conclusions in his otherwise well-informed and scholarly reviewof the role of the Ulster Volunteers before World War I—‘The UlsterVolunteers 1913-1914: force or farce?’ (HI 10.1, Spring 2002). Inhindsight it is unfortunate that he opted for a title that delivers thedistinct impression of an ability … Read more

Sir,—In his article, ‘Major Robert Gregory and the Irish Air Aces of 1917-18’ (HI 9.4, Winter 2001), Adrian Smith asserts that John McCudden, brother of James McCudden, was ‘posthumously awarded the family’s second Victoria Cross’. The sole Victoria Cross awarded to the McCudden family was that awarded to James and announced in the London Gazette … Read more