Go here to read the obituary of Nicholas Swarbrick (1898-2006) and his memories of childhood and adolescence and as a young man in the Great War. One of the last two Merchant Navy veterans of the First World War, serving as a radio officer on Atlantic convoys, he has died aged 107. This link goes behind subscription at 7 PM (ET) on Wednesday, February 15.

"Never interested in sport, he was a great reader but not averse to a game of marbles or conkers." Conkers, you ask, what’s that? Go here and here. And to read why schools are now banning this time-honored pastime, go here.