Damian Hurley was born famous. Even though his mother, Elizabeth Hurley, put her career on hold to look after him, paparazzi would harass them on a daily basis. His teenage years were tainted with the death of important people in his life, the mark of which is palpable in his short film The Boy on the Beach and his debut feature-length film as a director, Strictly Confidential. Our Editor-in-Chief, Julia Pasarón, had the chance to catch up with him recently and learn who Damian Hurley really is.
Blessed with ridiculously good looks and having had his every need always catered for, Damian could easily have become an insufferable brat. Instead, this young man is devastatingly charming and easy-going. He has been obsessed with the world of celluloid since an early age, which is no surprise given that his mother is an actress and his godparents include industry giants Hugh Grant and Sir Elton John. Growing up, Damian used to hijack every holiday, torturing his long-suffering family and friends to act in his mini-movies, shot on a Flip Video camera given to him…
Located on the hills of Sotogrande, one of the most sought-after destinations in southern Europe among lovers of golf, polo and luxury life in general, Villa Noon is billed as the world’s first zero-emissions villa. Not only that, Villa Noon also generates its own water… from the sun. Viewed as a ground-breaking achievement in sustainable […]
The signature elegant luxury of Rocco Forte Hotels has been transposed to a beautiful new setting with the unveiling of Rocco Forte House Milan. After the plaudits received by Rocco Forte House Rome, the group is now opening eleven graceful new apartments on the highly desirable Via Manzoni in the very centre of Milan. They […]
Who could have possibly thought that the famous Parisian Rue Saint- Honoré, could become any more magical? Like London’s Bond Street, the Rue Saint- Honoré is the by word of excellence for luxury shopping; a destination for those who crave true luxury and beauty, and for whom only the very best will do.
On the 24th of January this year Buccellati opened the doors of their latest flagship boutique at number 239 of the elegant Parisian street, at the heart of the Biéme arrondissement . Buccellati has long been recognised as one of the world’s most renowned jewellery houses since its conception in Milan in 1919. It has been celebrated all over the world for its sublime craftmanship and breath-taking one off master pieces.
Buccellati – Opera Cuff-Bracelet.
Set into the façade of the iconic Hôtel Costes, four large windows invite you to discover the world of Buccellati. Their wonderful jewels are preciously crafted by the most skilled and experienced artisans in the trade, who know how to bring to light jealously treasured traditions and workmanship techniques, passed over from generation to generation.
Buccellati has focused on the architectonic concept, enhancing the building front with accents of extreme luxury and refinement, where all the Buccellati collections of jewellery, silverware and watches find their ideal location and offer themselves with a renewed splendour.
Buccellati – Opera-Cuff-Bracelet.
This Italian Maison prides itself in its use of rare stones, with a strong focus on colour; a characteristic uncommon to many fine jewellery makers. Today, Buccellati jewels are admired worldwide not only for their design and genuine craftsmanship, but also for the house’s signature engraving techniques, which date back to the ancient traditions of the goldsmith’s ateliers of the Italian Renaissance.
Once upon a time, as time goes by, old father time… There are innumerable expressions to describe the elusive character of time, a most sought after commodity in our fast paced world. Very few companies in the watch industry have known how to keep the magic of craftmanship alive, even after 50 year behind the Iron Curtain.
I have just had the great privilege to visit The Glashütte Original factory, on the outskirts of Dresden, a beautiful historic town, surrounded by fairy tale castles and pine forests, twinkling in a gentle dusting of snow.
So, let’s go back to once upon a time… In this enchanting, picturesque town, we find a temple of German watch making dating back to 1845, Glashütte Original. Without a doubt, they are one of the finest examples of haute horlogerie that there is; its manufactury, a place where watch dreams really come true. In an era where we let computers, robots and machines do most of the work, at Glashütte Original, I found true passion and skill from a team of dedicated watch makers; to them, this is not a trade, it is a true calling.
I have always loved watches. I love to hear them gently ticking away, I love to watch their perfect mechanisms working together. To me, a truly hand-crafted watch is not a status symbol, it is a friend to rely on, to give you comfort, a kind of gentle reassurance.
I had no idea that it takes 450 separate pieces -all hand crafted- to create one of Glashütte Original timeless works of art. In a consumer world of here today, gone tomorrow, it’s worth to invest in a piece that will pass the test of time. In my book, a Glashütte Original watch is a perfect example of something that will grow to be part of your family legacy.
Glashutte Original Lady Serenade Watch.
This year, Glashütte Original have already launched three sublime watches.
The first is the Lady Serenade. This elegant limited edition of only 50 pieces perfectly combines the high precision of Glashütte Original watchmaking, with sparkling jewels and luminous red accents reminiscent of love. When it comes to fine mechanical watches, it is usually the movement jewels that are ruby-red. With the Lady Serenade, a grand total of 52 radiant rubies – one for every week in the year – frame the bezel of its 36mm stainless steel case. They are complemented by a sparkling cabochon ruby set atop the refined structure of the crown. The deep red colour stands in splendid contrast to the natural white mother-of-pearl dial.
Glashutte Original (2019) – New Sixties and Sixties Panorama Date.
The other two are the new Sixties and Sixties Panorama Date, in a stunning fiery burnt colour.
The new models feature unusual dégradé dials, as radiant as the eventful decade that gives them their name. In the 1960s the world was changing at breakneck speed, inspired by bold visionaries, unprecedented freedom and courageous ideas in art, culture, politics and society. This dynamic decade continues to inspire artists, designers, musicians and the watchmakers at Glashütte Original.
The watch face presents its signature curvature, from the dial and the hands to the sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides. Arabic numerals, diamond-cut indexes, manually applied hour markers and hands highlighted with Super-LumiNova.
After a galvanic bath gives the dial its golden yellow hue, the dial makers carefully apply a series of layers in red and black lacquer. The result of this filigreed craftsmanship is an individual colour gradient that renders each dial unique. In a final step, the dials are heated in a kiln in order to burn in the colours. The low-relief pattern is produced using the original tools and methods from the 1960s. These new timepieces are powered by the manufactory’s 39-52 (Sixties) and 39-47 (Sixties Panorama Date) automatic movements. Developed in-house, they are mounted in polished stainless steel cases, 39 mm in diameter for the three-hand Sixties, 42 mm for the Panorama Date model. A brown Louisiana alligator leather strap with pin-buckle closure rounds off the vintage design.
On Wednesday January 23, Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), hosted the 2018 Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Longines World’s Best Horse Race ceremony at the Landmark hotel, in London. With an equal rating of 130, Winx and Cracksman were together declared the 2018 Longines World’s Best Racehorses.
Winx has been in the Top 10 of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings since 2015 and has been the highest rated filly/mare in the world since 2016. In 2018, she claimed overall top honours during a season that culminated in her becoming the only horse in history to win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate four times.
Co-winner Cracksman impressed too, with his trademark victory coming in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot. The British runner was campaigned by the same connections as Golden Horn, the 2015 highest rated turf horse in the world. Cracksman’s jockey in 2018 was Frankie Dettori, who was named Longines World’s Best Jockey in 2018 and in 2015. Accelerate, with a rating of 128, earned the third place. Accelerate was the dominant older horse in America in 2018, and Longines was proud to time his great victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
This classification is established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top international races. Last year, Arrogate from the United States was named the 2017 Longines World’s Best Racehorse following his epic victories in the Pegasus World Cup in Florida and the Dubai World Cup. The representatives of the three winning horses were presented with Longines watches. The connections of Winx and Cracksman also received a replica of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse vase from IFHA representatives.
One ceremony, two awards On this occasion, Longines and the IFHA awarded the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as the 2018 Longines World’s Best Horse Race, where Longines is the Official Partner and Official Timekeeper. This Parisian mythic race attracts the best horses, breeders, trainers and owners in the world. France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild was at the ceremoy to accept the award. He was presented with a Longines timepiece, a commemorative plate and a replica trophy representing a proud horse head. The first four finishers of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2018 were Enable, Sea Of Class, Cloth Of Stars, and Waldgeist. The Arc also won the award in 2017 and was the inaugural winner of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award in 2015.
The Longines World’s Best Horse Race award recognizes the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment.
Two years ago, Princess Yachts promised a revolution and this is what the Plymouth based yacht manufacturers have delivered with the new R35. The R35 isn’t just the fastest Princess yet, she also redefines innovation, quality and performance within the world of luxury yachts.
This sleek and provocative boat features the revolutionary use of a world-first active foiling system developed in partnership with BAR Technologies, Princess AFS, aerodynamics inspired by the performance road car and Formula 1 industries, and the use of carbon throughout. Combined, this delivers enormous performance gains as well as comfort, predictability, usability and efficiency, reducing drag by up to 30%, what helps it reach speeds of up to 50 knots.
As guardians of beauty and elegance, designer partners Pininfarina have ensured that neither the form of the boat nor its functionality overshadow one another.
The R35 represents the very latest in naval architecture and the most advanced technology. She boasts twin direct injection V8 petrol engines with variable valve timing, which provide exceptional levels of torque and responsiveness to safely power her to her maximum speed.
Her windshield is a sweep of curved glass, tuned using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Together with deployable side wind deflectors, the airflow moves cleanly above the cockpit and passengers’ head levels to create a neutral ‘bubble’ enabling you to ride, protected from the wind, without getting wet. The aerodynamically tuned twin air outlets on the transom help suppress any back spray on the stern of the boat.
Aft of the cockpit a sun-pad invites you to soak up the sunshine before you step down to the swim platform to cool off. Crucially, the performance opportunities are accessible to all levels of experience and over a wide range of dynamic situations.
Her technologically tuned form and superb performance, place her in a class of her own.
George Bamford’s name is synonymous with personalised luxury products, having made a very successful career by customizing luxury time pieces. George’s passion and fresh approach to watchmaking clearly shows in his latest creation, the Bamford GMT, his first watch to house the Swiss Made self-winding Sellita SW330-1 movement with 25 jewels and a 42 hour power reserve.
Following the success of the Bamford Mayfair launched in 2017, the Bamford GMT is the next phase for Bamford London. George says “Being an avid traveller and constantly finding myself between two time zones, we felt inspired to create our first GMT watch with a Swiss mechanical movement and automatic 24-hour GMT hand function. Our vision for Bamford London is to continue to drive innovation over the next few years and we are delighted to have the GMT play its part in that.”
In addition to the Swiss mechanical movement with 28,800 beats per hour and a 4 hz frequency and perpetual calendar, the case of the GMT is made with 316L grade stainless steel measuring 40mm in diameter and 11.2mm in thickness. The new timepiece has the additional benefit of being water resistant to 100m / 10ATM and, as the name suggests, an automatic 24-hour GMT hand function with internal rotating bezel, allowing users to view a separate time zone.
The Bamford GMT timepiece is available in Bamford London’s own unique colourways, four of which can be pre-ordered from the 26th November 2018 online at Bamfordlondon.com, to be delivered at the end of March 2019. Rumour has it that they are going like candy so if I were you, I’d put my order in sooner rather than later.
The Falklands war in 1982 resulted in 649 Argentines and 255 Britons killed; thousands were injured. Among the 777 British service men wounded was Captain Robert Alisdair Davidson Lawrence MC, who lost 43% of his brain, and the use of his left arm after being shot in the battle of Tumbledown.
It was two days before his 22nd birthday. He lay in the snow for six hours before being airlifted. He was the last wounded to be operated on… and he figured it was because nobody expected him to survive. But boy! Not only he survived, but his recovery challenged all expectations and his determination took him to founding Global Adventure Plus, a project to rehabilitate British ex-servicemen through expeditions to foreign countries. His own adventures have taken him to the Arctic, India and Africa (escorting Princes William and Harry).
Before that, he was a Patron for Ticket for Troops and a Mentor for Heropreneurs. Robert also oversaw over £100,000 of fundraising for Combat Stress as a Patron in 2009. He co-wrote with his father ‘When the Fighting Is Over: A Personal Story of the Battle for Tumbledown Mountain and Its Aftermath’, an account of his experiences during and after the war, later adapted by the BCC for a television drama, Tumbledown, starring Colin Firth as Robert.
His wife of 25 years, Marion, describes him as an honourable, strong character, funny and extremely kind. She deeply admires how he has always kept his strength, and remembered what he fought for. He very rarely complains despite being in a lot of pain. “He is definitely not defined by his injury or sees himself as a victim,” says Marion with conviction, “he just gets on with things. He tends to physically overwork himself and then, of course, suffers the consequences.”
Captain Robert Lawrence MC is, without a doubt, charismatic and engaging, a big character. He makes friends wherever he goes. As his wife says with pride,
“He doesn’t live in half shades, he does everything to the full.”
In this interview, Captain Lawrence MC shares with us his disappointment on the British Government, his almost forty years fight to get veterans the care they deserve, and his profound respect for the soldiers all over the world that risks their lives to safeguard others.
I-M: Did you attend any of the events organised for the 35th anniversary of the war last year?
R.L: My wife and I attended a fundraising ball on behalf of Veterans in Action. This is a charity that I am a founding Patron of. We also attended Armistice and Remembrance events.
As President of The Scots Guards Tumbledown Veterans and Families Association my family and I were, as always, proud and honoured to gather with the Association in Blackpool for the anniversary where, with the support of the Lord Lieutenant and Mayor, we paraded through the town and held a service at the War Memorial.
I-M: More Falklands veterans have taken their own lives than the 255 who died during the war. You have been very outspoken about how you feel the Government fails to properly care for the wellbeing of ex-servicemen, which seems to be left very much in the hands of Charities. Can you see any steps in the right direction?
R.L: I am not impressed by the lack of effort by the British Government to take care of their ex-service men. This is their job, not the job of charities. Charities do, in general, an amazing job but there is the question of what some people in charities are paid, sometimes vast sums of money that could be used for much more worthy purposes.
They say things have changed a lot, but they haven’t changed that much. The ex-service men of the Vietnam war were hated by the people of the US, so the Government knew that they had to look after them. Therefore, they created special institutions and hospitals for Vietnam veterans. In the UK however, the Government knows people love their soldiers so they think they can leave the people to take care of them. This is wrong. The care of veterans is the responsibility of the Government that sent them to war in the first place.
I-M: At some point there was an injunction against your book, but it did little to stifle its success. Do you think your book has been critical in changing the public opinion about how Britain treats its servicemen and its veterans of war?
R.L: Although my efforts with the book and film were a very long time ago and as such are early observations about the lack of government care for veterans, I would still like to think that they added their weight, no matter how small, to the excellent work that we now see through the efforts of, for instance, HRH Prince Harry with the Invictus Games.
However, ultimately this kind of excellent and very well meaning charitable work should be the responsibility of and undertaken by the politicians, as I said before, who rightly or wrongly submit our armed forces into conflict but are not prepared to except the long term consequences.
I-M: What about yourself? We can see the physical scars, but what about psychological and emotional scars? How does your work and your family help you deal with all these difficult issues?
R.L: The Tumbledown Veterans Association included the families. As soldiers we tend to be keen to do our job and have mixed, but often good opinions of what we do. It is not so much the going to war as the returning home that presents us with the issues and sadly, it has long been the families who have born the brunt of the damage. In the years since the war I, of course, have lived through personal anguish and tried to share the struggle of a good number of my soldiers, some of whom are no longer with us. In my case, I can confidently say that my wife Marion saved my life.
I-M: You have been very open about the reporting of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and how you feel the “economic rationalisation” of the MoD has compromised the British army at a time when servicemen have never been under greater stress: closure of military hospitals, failing in the MoD duty of care… how do you think this affects our troops?
R.L: The doctors, nurses, and other medical staff are truly amazing. It is the Government who failed to realise that returning service men not only have physical injuries but also psychological wounds that stop them adapt- ing to normal life. That’s why after years
of fighting these demons, ex-service men end up committing suicide or becoming homeless. These injuries can’t be dealt with in a civilian hospital. Soldiers need to be in a military hospital, where they feel at home, and surrounded by people who understand them, who are their family. The NHS cannot deal with the special needs of ex-service men.
The most difficult thing is to find out who to talk to. There seems to be a Veteran Minister but I don’t know who he is, do you? And the Minister of Defence says that caring after veterans is not the Ministry’s business, that its business is to run an army.
Thank God organisations like Help for Heroes started… but they could only help people after 9/11. So if your war or conflict took place before then, you don’t get any financial support.
They have set up reach out centers which they bought from the Government… so the money went back to them. Now they have fourteen of these buildings but you can’t go to if you have left the army. Does that make any sense?
I-M: What about your work with Global Adventure Plus? How has this project helped veterans of war and how is it moving forward?
R.L: Global Adventure Plus (GAP) helps Britain’s ex-servicemen get back on their feet after serving their country in the forces. Through the challenges of adventure, team-work and camaraderie, GAP re-invigorates and re-motivates soldiers who have lost their way since leaving the job they knew and loved. The book that was published about this adventure, explores the background to GAP and is also a record of our inaugural adventure in the Himalayas.
I-M: What is your message for our current servicemen and women?
R.L: I loved being a soldier. I love the armed forces, they become your family. Our oldest son is actually hoping to join the army. We are very proud of him. So my message is one of hope, but we must make the Government take up their responsibility.
Our servicemen and women have to be looked after when they come back. Maybe, there should be a points system for the people that have been at the forefront of defending the country: policemen, nurses, paramedics, firemen, soldiers… If a person has put their life at risk for the rest of us, they should have some advantage and be looked after particularly well, don’t you think?
I-M: How do you think new media channels, such as social media can help raise awareness and encourage improvements?
R.L: Social media has allowed for communications between a number of Falklands veterans from both sides of the conflict. As a prime example this is a letter I received from my opposite Argentine number:
“Gentlemen,
I’m the one who in 1982 served as the 4th platoon leader / Nacar company / 5th Batallion, during the battle in the West end of Tumbledown.
In 1982, I was a Lieutenant, the second officer rank in the yooknavy, and I had 40 soldiers and NCOs at my position.
Like most of you, I am a professional soldier, and after the war I continued my career until last year, when I retired from the Argentine Navy, after 38 years of service with the rank of Captain.
Going back to the Battle of Tumbledown, I must say that I was surprised how the fight started, so close that we can not open fire on you at greater distances.
This led us to you and us, to a melee infantry fighting that lasted between 2310 hours on 13 June until 0815 hours of June 14, when you took my foxhole which was the last one to fall.
It was a battle in which both of us were fighting for our lives, but also for our honour as soldiers.
I never gave more importance if the reasons of the war were right or wrong.
That belongs to a level, which was not my responsibility as a Lieutenant, to be analyzed. But rightly or wrongly, we both fight in just doing what we have to do like soldiers.
In this battle, 17 of my soldiers were KIA, and only 6 finished the battle without any wound. I think these numbers speak louder than words, to describe what that was like.
I am proud to have command that 40 soldiers on that night. But I am also proud to have fought against you. On that night you showed professionalism, discipline, courage and chivalry.
After the battle, my men and I received the treatment of men by all of you, despite the bloody combat and emotions that we both had for our fallen and wounded comrades.
That sets the tone for who you are. True soldiers. Each did his duty, and both have put into play the same, our lives and our honour. So I feel you are true brothers in arms, that circumstances led us to be faced. Inthe years that have passed from the war, I received more recognition and satisfaction by the British military than by my own comrades and citizens.
I value that above all things. When my son, Lieutenant Carlos Horacio
Vázquez told me to write this letter, it meant for me a great joy to be able to reach you with these words that many years ago I wanted to tell you.
Gentlemen, receive in my name as Head of the 4th Platoon, my respect for you, my recognition of your value as soldiers, and especially my tribute to your fallen, for whom every year
I order a Mass as for my soldiers, on this anniversary.
You have my utmost respect, and it will be until the last of my days.
God Keep You, and all our comrades killed in combat.
Captain Carlos Daniel Vazquez Argentina’s Marine Corp”
Ultimately, one has to wonder how our young men and women can take part in these events and return to see life as normal.
G.I. Weiss enrolled in the army when he was 18 against his father’s wishes, and was, after training, deployed with the 143rd infantry regiment of the 36th (Texas) Infantry division.
He survived Anzio and the Liberation of Rome, took part in the combined landing and liberation of southern France and fought to free the rest of the country from German occupation. He was a scout behind enemy lines and cooperated with the French Resistance. He found himself at the sharpest end of war facing a fatalistic enemy, backed by an insensitive, inhumane and tough US Army regime. Worn down by three months of frontline danger, and on the verge of dying every day, along with being bullied by the army, Weiss found himself engulfed by depression and anxiety. In a surreal turn of events, he ended up being court-martialled and sentenced to prison. Fortunately the prison psychiatrist realised that Weiss wasn’t a deserter but a psychological casualty of war. Thanks to him, Weiss recovered his freedom and cleared his name.
Weiss suffered serious Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), even contemplating taking his own life on several occasions. He found the courage to recover and went on to qualify as a psychotherapist and a professional scholar of War Studies, becoming one of the leading experts on the psychology of soldiers in battle. I had the honour of meeting Steve a few years ago, and became his friend. This past summer, with the help of our mutual friend Sid Vasili, I had the privilege of interviewing him over several meetings, copious amounts of coffee and delicious muffins.
I-M: What were the events that lead to you being court-martialled?
S.W: It started in the summer of 1944, during the liberation of Montelimar. Chased by the Germans, I ended up retreating with seven other soldiers from my squad, seeking sanctuary in a farmer’s hayloft. The farmer, who was part of the local Isere French Resistance, kept us hidden despite of the risk to his life and that of his family. He contacted the leader of the Resistance through a local Policeman and they arranged to get us out, disguised in ill-fitting French Police uniforms. We drove in two groups of four, in an old police car, through German lines into safety. They saved our lives.
We split up and a few of us were taken to a farm house by the River Rhône. I ended up crossing the river chased by the Gestapo and joined the French Resistance, where I first met General Binoche. I joined his Special Forces Unit and went to Lyon, which had just been liberated, and from there moved on to Grenoble, which our unit helped liberate. I remained with Binoche’s group for a month. One day, one of his men asked me to join a firing squad as an act of “allied solidarity”. The man in question was being executed without trail. This appalled me so much that I left the group.
After several weeks in the wilderness trying to survive working with various US army groups, I decided to hitch-hike towards Dijon, in an effort to re-join my original outfit, the 36th. The Captain, a chap called Simmons, well known for his lack of leadership, totally ignored me despite of knowing me from the beginning in Italy.
It was Simmons who instigated the process for my court-martial. The truth was that what I needed was help and time to recover and regain my health; I was so distressed that I walked off the front in Vosgues twice, but returned under my own volition. I didn’t desert. At the end of the day, I didn’t have anywhere else to go. In fact, my regiment, the 36th, had one of the highest rates of desertion in the US forces, so maybe Simmons just thought I was just another deserter. I was interviewed by the divisional psychiatrist, in cursory fashion. He was the only mental specialist available to the 15,000 men of the 36th. Unlike civilian psychiatric practice, his purpose was to keep men fighting.
I-M: How would you describe your emotional and psychological status when you were at the front?
S.W: At the front we were all terrified, everybody is crazy. There is nothing in civilian life or army training that prepares you for the horror of war, it was a known fact that Scouts were given on average a life expectancy of 6 weeks on the front before being killed.
I was one, so I was always scared that the hidden enemy could see me while I couldn’t see them. I remember one particular place in the North East of France in the Vosgues, it was particularly scary. The woods were so dense! While leading the guys in my troop, I knew that the Germans may well easily make me out even when camouflaged. On one manoeuvre, it was pitch black and eventually I realised I was at an arm’s length from a German soldier; when he fired his gun I saw the sparks from its barrel! For the rest of my life the thought of going into thick and dense woodland has made me shiver.
I had nightmares, suffered from déjà-vu and visual distortions of reality. I was very worried that I wasn’t fit for purpose, that I would be a hazard to my comrades and contribute to their death. So I walked off the front and out of the woods with no plan in mind. That was October.
S.V: I have heard that some guys would shoot themselves in the foot to avoid going to the front, soldiers were just an expendable asset, they were nobody, just the human raw human material the army fed from.
S.W: That’s right. For those of us at the front, we were extremely anxious and depressed; our behaviour was erratic all the time. Trying to stay sane in an insane world was impossible, so we mounted subconscious psychical defences and instinctually, survival was the name of the game.
At 25 you had already grown old. The army drafted young men non-stop, they were almost children, many were illiterate; and all of us were expendable.
I-M: Did you see a lot of heroism while you were at the front?
S.W: I may have had moments of bravery and unselfishness on the battlefield, always with other men; but heroism was never thought of. Heroism is too random a description. A lot of what we did had nothing to do with heroism or group cohesion. Guys may have arrived at an outfit all at the same time, but that didn’t make you friends, just acquaintances, we all felt alone, and on the verge of dying or getting seriously hurt.
I have no patience with claims of heroism. It is like on Omaha beach. I’ve met several veterans claiming to have been there at the D-day landings. But the important question is … at what time did you land?
At 11am on D-Day it was over, however at 6.30am that same morning the landings began and it was hell on earth. Those who got to the beaches at 6.30am suffered
the indignity and horror of an enormous barrage by the Germans, and the guys that came after 11am were simply the drivers. That is the real problem for some veterans of D-Day, that some glorify landing on those beaches when the show was over. The glorification of war is a very dangerous thing.
When I am invited, as a speaker, to events with students and young scholars, they don’t want to hear about the horror or psychology at the front, but about the action and glory. They have no idea of the magnitude and trauma of total war, the consequences of defeat and the human price of victory. As Tony Bennett, the singer and a former combat infantryman, who fought in the war in Europe said: “Anyone who thinks war is romantic has never been in one.”
I-M: What happened when you got back to the US?
S.W: In Oct-Nov 1946 I went back to the US, and I was like an empty shell. Gone were the relatively carefree days of pre-war adolescence or the traditional and peaceful “rite of passage”, now replaced by an unpredictable post-war flare-up of neurotic symptoms and frightening thoughts. Today, it is known as “post-traumatic stress.” At the time, all they offered me was the only therapy available then: Freudian psychoanalysis, which is too extensive and hardly anybody knew what they were doing.
So I turned it down, because my mother and some of my relatives had somebody they said was very good. The US Government offered to pay for the treatment, but I am not sure if they ever did, I was so nervous and so scared all the time.
I was incapable of doing anything. I couldn’t even pass you the salt on request. All I did was stay in bed and have nightmares. I couldn’t go anywhere by myself, I was like this for over a year. I was finished and even contemplated taking my own life on several occasions. And let me tell you that even today, seventy years on, the trauma has not disappeared, I have just learnt to control it and live with it.
Stairway to the hayloft where Steve and another 7 US soldiers hid near Valence. Left to right: René Crespy (farmhand), Stephen Weiss, Marcel Volle (one of the policemen that drove the car through German lines) and Gaston Raynaud (farmer) in 1972.
I-M: Many feel that the lack of appropriate mental care for veterans is endemic in our armies. What is your view?
S.W: Actually, this is the reason why I wrote my book *Second Chance; wearing a uniform doesn’t mean that you are capable of pulling the trigger. Trauma leads soldiers and veterans to self-destruction. When veterans return home from the front, everything seems to have changed and feel that they are in a foreign wilderness. Veterans themselves feel very different from the human beings they once were. It is extremely hard on their families who are not equipped to deal with the changes.
In my case for example, I put my parents through terrible times. I was gone for over 2 years, incorrectly declared missing in action… I can’t imagine how horrifying it was for them. Most veterans who have seen action do not want to talk about the war because it is far too painful; talking reminds us of all those terrible moments and of all those who died far too young.
No one who ever fired a rifle in anger escaped Combat Fatigue in my day. In later wars, it became known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Men who were highly decorated and became publicly well-known like Audie Murphy and Dick Winters suffered from it. They tried to keep it secret, but eventually failed. It was non-heroic otherwise. Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot, Geoffrey Wellum, who died recently at 96, finally revealed that he, like thousands of others, suffered with it for much of his life.
Nowadays, thankfully there is more understanding and a wider choice of treatments. In my time there was Freud or nothing. So I decided to study and practice psychotherapy that was less in-depth and less lengthy than the Freudian method of psychoanalysis.
I-M: Could you describe the healing process?
S.W: First of all, you have to admit what has happened to you. If you don’t, you allow your subconscious to suppress the whole experience, and then you will never recover. The trauma though never disappears; it minimises as you learn to live with it.
With over twelve years of therapy, I learnt to control that emotional baggage, so it wouldn’t interfere with my life. However, if you scratch the surface, it is always there underneath, and it can be very intrusive. I know it’s always there, I have managed to control it and I have proof of performance, and have achieved a lot in my life. I am proud to declare my journey has definitely been a tale of success.
I-M: You have received many medals from the US and the French Government, including Commander of the French Legion of Honour. How does this recognition make you feel?
S.W: Although these honours and awards have been bestowed upon me in recognition of my contribution to the war, I have never accepted them on behalf of just myself, but for the many who took part in the liberation of Southern France. In combat, I was always part of a team, whether it was with my rifle squad, a member of the Resistance, or an Operational Group. What we accomplished together could not have been accomplished alone.
The Army made many serious mistakes which were only realised after the war had ended. How they recruited men, whether they were encouraged by the “glory of war”, or forced whether they liked it or not. These boys were drafted and treated like cattle. They sent the youngest, who were most vulnerable, to the infantry. We were so ill prepared! Many were here today and gone tomorrow. Simply cannon fodder.
Some of the medals and citations received by Stephen Weiss: Croix De Guerre with 2 citations, French Medal De La Resistance, French Military Medal, American Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, French Legion of Honor (Commandeur), Congressional Gold Medal, O.S.S.
*I-M would like to thank Sid Vasili for his help to put this feature together. Without his valuable input and endless patience, this article may have never happened.
On October 9th at ETHOS in central London, we celebrated the first edition of the I-M Formidable Women Awards, hosted by the talented journalist Kat Brown. This year has marked the 100th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in Britain. At present we have a female Prime Minister in the UK and a female First Minister in Scotland, there is a female Chancellor in Germany… and we almost had a female President in the US.
More and more women are climbing through the ranks of the corporate world and more female artists and athletes are being recognized. It is an amazing time to be a woman. At I-M Intelligent Magazine we wanted to celebrate the success and worth of women in Britain, and thus we were very proud to launch these Awards.
Over 10 weeks, 13,000 people voted online for our 24 nominees and more than 120,000 read about these formidable women on our website… and 28% of our social media followers engaged with the finalists through our Instagram account.
Categories, nominees and winners:
The nominees to the Entrepreneurial Award were Nadja Swarovski, Karen Adler and Maria Hatzistefanis.
The winner was Maria Hatzistefanis, founder and CEO of Rodial
Maria Hatzistefanis: Maria says that getting fired for her banking job at the age of 25 was the best thing that ever happened to her. A couple of years later she had founded Rodial, a cosmetic business that today is worth £100million, and she did it all without a single penny from investors.
The nominees to the Inclusion & Diversity Award were Carolanne Minashi, Justine Waddell and Hager Jemel.
The winner was Carolanne Minashi, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at UBS.
Carolanne Minashi: As Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at UBS, Carolanne is focused on fixing the system rather than fixing the women. She has been driving a cultural change agenda to have a greater number of Women in Senior Leadership roles. She is a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at the Women and Public Policy unit at Harvard Kennedy School, a Chartered Fellow of the British Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.
The Award was presented by radio hostess and TV Personality Samantha Renke.
The nominees to the Young Talent Award were Eve de Haan, Hazel Hurley and Kim Vanessa Kortlepel.
The winner was Kim Vanessa Kortlepel.
Kim Vanessa Kortlepel: She is not even 25 and Kim has already graduated in Law, completed a Masters in International Public Law and founded her own jewellery brand, KVK73. Her designs are fresh and colourful, inspired by her family and her experiences from her childhood days. Kim is a talented designer, driven and determined, and believes in never giving up.
The Award was presented by Paralympian Sophie Christiansen.
The nominees to the Artist of the Year Award were Beth Cullen-Kerridge, Alexandra Llewellyn and Day-z.
The winner was Beth Cullen-Kerridge
Beth Cullen-Kerridge: Beth is a celebrated sculptor who has firmly established her singular vision upon the contemporary art scene. She honed her craft producing works for Edwardo Paolozzi, Elisabeth Frink and Alberto Giacometti, before becoming a studio assistant for Mike Bolus and Sir Antony Caro. She has worked on projects with Sir Norman Foster on the Millennium Bridge, Richard Rodgers at The Tate, and a number of shows at the Venice Biennale. Her recent 16-foot-high Carrera ‘Dhow Sail’ marble sculpture installation for Dubai Opera received worldwide critical acclaim and in November 2017 Beth was awarded the ‘Global art prize for sculpture’.
The Award was presented by fellow artist and philanthropist Mouna Rebeiz.
The nominees to the Inspiring Personality Award were Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sophie Christiansen and Kamin Mohammadi.
The winner was Kamin Mohammadi.
Kamin Mohammadi: is an author, journalist, broadcaster and public speaker. Born in Iran, she and her family moved to the UK during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Her journalism has been nominated for an Amnesty Human Rights in Journalism award in the UK, and for a National Magazine Award by the American Society of Magazine Editors in the US. She has authored two books and has spoken on Iranian issues at universities, conferences and peace events. An avid commentator, she has appeared on many radio programmes in the Uk and abroad, taken part in the BBC television documentary Iranian Enough? and helped to write and co-present the BBC World Service’s three-part radio documentary Children of The Revolution.
The nominees to the Conservation and Sustainability Award were Inger Andersen (IUCN), Dr Vreni Häussermann and Caroline Scheufele.
The winner was Vreni Häussermann
Dr Vreni Häussermann: As as a marine zoologist, Vreni has spent the last 20 years of her life studying the biodiversity of the Chilean Patagonia aiming at its sustainable use and conservation. Since 2003, she is the Scientific Director of the Huinay Scientific Field Station in Patagonia. Part of Dr. Häussermann’s vast amount of work is to advise both NGOs and the Chilean government on matters of conservation and marine resource management.
The nominees to the Philanthropy Award were Olga Murray, Suzanne Ruggles and Lise Pape.
The winner was Olga Murray
Olga Murray: Olga founded the Nepal Youth Foundation in 1990 to help impoverished children in Nepal and free young girls from slavery. Over the decades, she has helped hundreds of thousands of children and raised millions for new schools, nutritional centres and feeding clinics. Her work is globally recognised; even Ophra Winfrey made a tv show about her!
The Award was presented by actress, author and founder of the charity Starlight Emma Samms and accepted by Gina Parker, co-founder and trustee of NYF UK.
The nominees to the Life Achievement Award were Christiana Longarini, Koo Stark and Harriet Harman MP.
The winner was Koo Stark
Koo Stark: Koo Stark is a writer, teacher, actress and most importantly, a photogra- pher. She is also a a long-time student of HH the Dalai Lama, whose friendship and teachings gave Koo the insight to meditate on the potential of capturing the beauty of life through photography and using the medium as a means of non verbal communication. Harassed by paparazzi for many years, she initiated legal actions that would end up in the creation of the law on privacy in this country.
Once again Bentley has surprised us with a car of impeccable design and outstanding performance (0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 333 km/h). All of Bentley’s heritage and craftsmanship come together in the new Continental GT to deliver the most outstanding looking coupé completed with a new 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine.
The car has four driving modes which range from a Comfort mode, which optimises the chassis and drivetrain making it ideal for long journeys to a Sport mode, which retunes the powertrain for a more dynamic response and a closer driving experience. The active suspension and chassis settings are also altered, delivering firmer damping and more direct steering turn-in. With its dual-clutch and eight-speed transmission, the new Continental GT delivers a faster, more efficient performance than its predecessor. The engineering excellence of this vehicle includes a front axle featuring the largest iron brakes in series production. The internally vented, slotted brake discs dissipate heat more effectively, while the enclosed, one-piece callipers are both light and resistant to deformation.
Inside the cabin, the optional Bentley Rotating Display allows you to choose between a 12.3” high-resolution touchscreen or my favourite, a more classic instrument style with three analogue dials: a compass, a temperature gauge and a chronograph timer.
The materials used for the interior are, as one would expect, only of the highest quality, ranging from incredibly soft leathers to the rarest (and sustainably resourced) veneers and hand-polished chrome details. I particularly like the new ‘diamond in diamond’ quilt, which is extraordinarily soft to the touch. This new interior pattern features both stitching and embroidery. Eighteen months were spent developing the embroidery, individually optimising and programming the exact alignment of each one of the 712 stitches that make up each diamond shape – an unrivalled attention to detail. Needless to say, the new Continental GT comes with all kind of intelligent features, such as Lane and Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Apple CarPlay. Furthermore, a Head-Up display (must have), Comfort Seat, Bang & Olufsen sound system and a City Specification package are available if you want your GT completely kitted out.
For me, this car is seriously elegant and surprisingly sexy to drive. As grand-touring cars go, I can’t think of a better one.
The car has four driving modes which range from a Comfort mode, which optimises the chassis and drivetrain making it ideal for long journeys to a Sport mode, which retunes the powertrain for a more dynamic response and a closer driving experience. The active suspension and chassis settings are also altered, delivering firmer damping and more direct steering turn-in. With its dual-clutch and eight-speed transmission, the new Continental GT delivers a faster, more efficient performance than its predecessor. The engineering excellence of this vehicle includes a front axle featuring the largest iron brakes in series production. The internally vented, slotted brake discs dissipate heat more effectively, while the enclosed, one-piece callipers are both light and resistant to deformation.
The materials used for the interior are, as one would expect, only of the highest quality, ranging from incredibly soft leathers to the rarest (and sustainably resourced) veneers and hand-polished chrome details. I particularly like the new ‘diamond in diamond’ quilt, which is extraordinarily soft to the touch. This new interior pattern features both stitching and embroidery. Eighteen months were spent developing the embroidery, individually optimising and programming the exact alignment of each one of the 712 stitches that make up each diamond shape – an unrivalled attention to detail.
