Don Featherstone - A Great War Game Pioneer

Don Featherstone & Peter Gilder

I was very sorry to  hear this week that Don Featherstone passed away after having a fall at home. The early development of modern war gaming was established by the likes of Don and today's gamers owe a lot of gratitude to him for the fantastic hobby we have today. I, like others, want to pay tribute to a great pioneer of the hobby and offer my condolences to his family.

I, like many other gamers of my age,was influenced greatly by Don's books. I have always kept my original copies and occasionally flick through them to remind myself of the thirteen year old who was captivated by the campaigns and games outlined in them. The enthusiasm for the hobby shines through despite the years that have passed and I smiled whilst flicking through my copy of War Game Campaigns, my copy published in 1974.

I was reminded that the first time I read about re-fighting the battle of Rolica was in Don's book and the fact that I am still interested in this battle and produced my own version of the scenario is a tribute to the writing that inspired a thirteen year old to find out more about war gaming.

Thank you Don Featherstone for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm and helping to create the hobby we have today. If the tributes that I've seen from my fellow war-gamers is any thing to go by, your legacy as a war-gaming great is firmly established.