Keeping the Flame Alive

Yesterday we received the sad news that another wargaming great has died. Should you be one of the rare  wargamers who has not at least heard of Larry Brom or the Sword and the Flame then his article on the Sergeants Three website and a read through some of the tributes on tmp will give you some idea of the man and his impact on the hobby. Larry didn't just do Colonial gaming and has published rules for other periods as well as various magazine articles but TS&TF and his emphasis on fun as well as history are what he is best remembered for.

The Fusiliers (now Canadian Grenadier Guards)  approach a detachment of Victoria Rifles guarding a broken down supply cart, but are those Cree warriors in the woods?

I have only played a handful of TS&TF games and I can't claim Larry as a personal friend but his rules and attitude were a major influence on me and were reflected in my With MacDuff to the Frontier rules. It was always a pleasure to chat with him at conventions and I was pleased and flattered to be amongst the OnLine Colonial wargamers recognized by him in the 20th Anniversary Edition of TS&TF. It was a very special pleasure to finally fight hand to hand with him, or rather to roll dice against him, at El Teb, Historicon 2005.   A true gentleman and an inspiration.

This is a wheel problem sir!

I decided today that I should stage a memorial TS&TF game. The obvious choice was Zulus but they would have had to fight my home service Guards and Highlanders and might just disrupt my new plans. So, I have set up an 1885 North West Rebellion skirmish to be played out in memory of Larry Brom this weekend.