John Duncan
@jockduncan.bsky.social
Better known as Newbattle at War on 'Twitter' Grandad, amateur filmmaker 🎥 and military historian. Author of Midlothian at War, With a Pick and Rifle and co-author of Only Remembered books. My 4th book Midlothian in WW2, I'm proud to say is now out.
Watch out @fcgordeaux.bsky.social you have some competition 😄
November 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Watch out @fcgordeaux.bsky.social you have some competition 😄
My latest book, in which I write about the men and women in CWGC graves here in Midlothian.
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 PM
My latest book, in which I write about the men and women in CWGC graves here in Midlothian.
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
My latest project at the proof stage.
Information on the service men and women buried here in Midlothian.
Information on the service men and women buried here in Midlothian.
October 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
My latest project at the proof stage.
Information on the service men and women buried here in Midlothian.
Information on the service men and women buried here in Midlothian.
And now a word from Ronan about my book. Good lad, and it only cost me an ice cream 🍦
October 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
And now a word from Ronan about my book. Good lad, and it only cost me an ice cream 🍦
Just a reminder that Midlothian in World War Two is still available should you fancy an autumnal read.
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
October 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Just a reminder that Midlothian in World War Two is still available should you fancy an autumnal read.
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
lulu.com/shop/john-dunc…
Getting on for 9 years since I worked with P7 at Newtongrange Primary School on Street of Sorrow, our entry into the Legion Scotland short Remembrance film. Made the final and came close to winning. A nice group of kids.
July 2, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Getting on for 9 years since I worked with P7 at Newtongrange Primary School on Street of Sorrow, our entry into the Legion Scotland short Remembrance film. Made the final and came close to winning. A nice group of kids.
In the 1930s Walter Goodall retired and the couple returned with their boys to Rosewell, Midlothian where Walter became the pit policeman. All three of the boys joined the Army, and in WW2 'wee Stan' was a PT instructor at Achnacarry. Mystery solved and 🧵end. 😃
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
In the 1930s Walter Goodall retired and the couple returned with their boys to Rosewell, Midlothian where Walter became the pit policeman. All three of the boys joined the Army, and in WW2 'wee Stan' was a PT instructor at Achnacarry. Mystery solved and 🧵end. 😃
In 1916 the couple married in Newtongrange and moved to London. RSM Goodall returned to Cameroon and served out the war they were also blessed with 3 children Stan, Walter and Cameron. When the war ended Walter returned to the Met to complete his service 🧵
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
In 1916 the couple married in Newtongrange and moved to London. RSM Goodall returned to Cameroon and served out the war they were also blessed with 3 children Stan, Walter and Cameron. When the war ended Walter returned to the Met to complete his service 🧵
Whilst on leave at home in London he took a shine to a young music hall singer, Jane Moffat some 16 years his junior, she came from Sixth Street in Newtongrange and was the daughter of a miner.🧵
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Whilst on leave at home in London he took a shine to a young music hall singer, Jane Moffat some 16 years his junior, she came from Sixth Street in Newtongrange and was the daughter of a miner.🧵
Before the war Walter Goodall from London had served in the Metropolitan Police and was one of the officers involved in the Sidney Street siege. On the outbreak of War he joined up and served in the Military Foot Police before transferring to the West African Field Force 🧵
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Before the war Walter Goodall from London had served in the Metropolitan Police and was one of the officers involved in the Sidney Street siege. On the outbreak of War he joined up and served in the Military Foot Police before transferring to the West African Field Force 🧵
For several years I've puzzled how RSM Walter Goodall with African Frontier Force stationed in Cameroon ended up marrying a young woman from Newtongrange in 1916 until tonight 🧵
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
For several years I've puzzled how RSM Walter Goodall with African Frontier Force stationed in Cameroon ended up marrying a young woman from Newtongrange in 1916 until tonight 🧵
Looking for a book to 'while away the hours' by the pool on holiday. Midlothian in World War Two could be for you. Available worldwide via Lulu www.lulu.com/shop/john-du...
June 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Looking for a book to 'while away the hours' by the pool on holiday. Midlothian in World War Two could be for you. Available worldwide via Lulu www.lulu.com/shop/john-du...
Tony's dad Zigmont was younger and was the Dux of Newbattle School in 1920. 3/3
June 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Tony's dad Zigmont was younger and was the Dux of Newbattle School in 1920. 3/3
Tony kindly sent me photos of his Uncles and Grandparents.
Turns out I knew more about his family history in Scotland and Lithuania before that and was able to pass on some information to him. Always nice to put faces to names. Jan in Royal Scots uniform and his brother Stan. 2/3
Turns out I knew more about his family history in Scotland and Lithuania before that and was able to pass on some information to him. Always nice to put faces to names. Jan in Royal Scots uniform and his brother Stan. 2/3
June 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Tony kindly sent me photos of his Uncles and Grandparents.
Turns out I knew more about his family history in Scotland and Lithuania before that and was able to pass on some information to him. Always nice to put faces to names. Jan in Royal Scots uniform and his brother Stan. 2/3
Turns out I knew more about his family history in Scotland and Lithuania before that and was able to pass on some information to him. Always nice to put faces to names. Jan in Royal Scots uniform and his brother Stan. 2/3
I was contacted by a man from England making enquiries about his Lithuanian family who used to live in Newtongrange. Turns out his Grandad Dominik Mikolajunas (Nicol) stayed in the Square and worked for my Grandad as a Baker. Dominik's eldest sons served in the Great War. 1/3
June 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I was contacted by a man from England making enquiries about his Lithuanian family who used to live in Newtongrange. Turns out his Grandad Dominik Mikolajunas (Nicol) stayed in the Square and worked for my Grandad as a Baker. Dominik's eldest sons served in the Great War. 1/3
I enjoyed writing them (well most of the time 😄) and still have an undying passion for the subject.
However, the research and writing took thousands of hours of work, and it's time to move on and hopefully get a bit of filming done.
However, the research and writing took thousands of hours of work, and it's time to move on and hopefully get a bit of filming done.
June 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I enjoyed writing them (well most of the time 😄) and still have an undying passion for the subject.
However, the research and writing took thousands of hours of work, and it's time to move on and hopefully get a bit of filming done.
However, the research and writing took thousands of hours of work, and it's time to move on and hopefully get a bit of filming done.
Decided that my current book, Midlothian in World War Two, will be my last. Being honest, there has been little interest in the book, but I'm immensely grateful to those of who that spent your hard earned cash on it, and my other three books. 1/2
June 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Decided that my current book, Midlothian in World War Two, will be my last. Being honest, there has been little interest in the book, but I'm immensely grateful to those of who that spent your hard earned cash on it, and my other three books. 1/2
There's 15% off all my books just now at Lulu.com including my newest venture, Midlothian in World War Two using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
June 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
There's 15% off all my books just now at Lulu.com including my newest venture, Midlothian in World War Two using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
This happened a year ago, the first time I've been 'heckled' giving a talk 😅
May 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This happened a year ago, the first time I've been 'heckled' giving a talk 😅
Must confess sales of Midlothian in World War Two have been pretty poor. A bit disheartening, but that's the way it goes I guess, time to move on.
May 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Must confess sales of Midlothian in World War Two have been pretty poor. A bit disheartening, but that's the way it goes I guess, time to move on.
Still swithering about buying Midlothian in World War Two?
Well, if it helps, there's 15% off all books at Lulu.com just now using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
Well, if it helps, there's 15% off all books at Lulu.com just now using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
May 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Still swithering about buying Midlothian in World War Two?
Well, if it helps, there's 15% off all books at Lulu.com just now using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
Well, if it helps, there's 15% off all books at Lulu.com just now using the code CONTENTCREATOR15
She looks more like Mercedes McQueen than Mary Barbour #Hollyoaks
May 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
She looks more like Mercedes McQueen than Mary Barbour #Hollyoaks
Looks squat all like for a start.
May 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Looks squat all like for a start.
Four books in 18 months means it's time for a break for a few months before I tackle anything else.
May 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Four books in 18 months means it's time for a break for a few months before I tackle anything else.