Death of a General....

[Chris Boonzaier]

I bought this small victorian vase on german Ebay.....

A General who had an interesting end...

[John]

If that's who I think it is... fascinating character, called ' Fighting Mac', and ended in suicide, I believe, over his sexuality... am I correct?

Regards

John

[Chris Boonzaier]

Indeed. I thought noone was going to even read that post, nevermind answer it :-)

[Guest Rick Research]

I'm pleased that TWO of you know the story.

[Kev in Deva]

Indeed. I thought noone was going to even read that post, nevermind answer it :-)

Well are you gonna keep us all in the dark duckie please reveal all as the Bishop said to the actress

Kevin in Deva

[Chris Boonzaier]

Now is google time lads......

[Michael Johnson]

Heavens, I don't need Google for that. Blew out his brains in a French hotel.

Edited July 25, 2006 by Michael Johnson

[Guest Rick Research]

Why?

(This is the School Of Dentistry method of story telling, yeeeeegawdz! )

[Michael Johnson]

Why?

(This is the School Of Dentistry method of story telling, yeeeeegawdz! )

Because he pulled the trigger! (Unless you want to go into uber-conspiracy theories and say he was murdered).

Did he or didn't he, was he or wasn't he? There wasn't any proof one way or the other. Could have been a frame-up.

And he was married, if secretly.

Edited July 25, 2006 by Michael Johnson

[Chris Boonzaier]

Because he pulled the trigger! (Unless you want to go into uber-conspiracy theories and say he was murdered).

I heard he was seen partying with Jim Morrison

[Chris Boonzaier]

There was a scandal, rumours of him and a male friend.

[Guest Rick Research]

Tish.

And upon what portentious occasion was he ceramically memorialized? I detect various Gordon-of-Khartoum-ish era gongs on there.

WE had a presidential candidate last time whose grampa blew his brains out in a hotel lavatory, which was VERY d?class? since everyone KNOWS that is properly down all over the carpet of one's study.* Shocking parsimony in not having the decency to pay to clean up after oneself. Nouveaux riches....

Antedeluvian "scandals" are now the stuff of afternoon television boasting shows.

* not to mention another Recent President whose great-great-grandfather got away with murder after jury intimidation, whose great-grandfather and great-grandmother were BOTH killed brawling at a carnival, and whose grandfather was shot dead in the street fighting over a desk.

Sniff.

Reality TV.... puhleeeeeeez.

[sabadgeman]

I once attended a Crown Imperial lecture given by Ian Crowe (now sadly deceased) on the subject.

He was on Kitcheners staff in Boer war there were a number of unfounded allegations of the old rear gunnering but he also had a drink problem and a huge problem with Colonel Plummer and others.

There was also something adrift in his rather strange marriage but after all these years about 10, I cannot recall the whole lecture.

Regards

Steve

[David C]

Ok then, I'll do the google thingy:

Fighting Mac

Most intriguing.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Back then, like now, a narrow minded society can drive a good man to ruin.

[Christophe]

Very interesting and informative thread, thanks to Chris and all!!!

Just for my information : are there other sources / books than :

"Royle, Trevor - Death before dishonour : the true story of Fighting Mac - Edinburgh : Mainstream, c1982 - New York, St Martin's Press, 1982"

that gives details about the von Mackensen story ?

Thanks again.

Ch.

[Chris Boonzaier]

It was really funny... I was surfing German Ebay and found this vase.... no idea how it made its way here.

Maybe once "the Story" became public they couldnt sell then in England so they shipped them to Germany to sell.

[landsknechte]

Ok then, I'll do the google thingy:

Fighting Mac

Most intriguing.

May be the first time I've ever seen Mr. Crowley quoted in a military history context...