Was Ramsbottom there then?

Probably. I got the book (my request) as a school prize for best
'o'-level results. Now, my beard is white and my hair is - er - sparse,
and I remember seeing a doodle-bug being shot down. Rasbottom would have
been considerably older.....

My beard isn't white, my hair isn't sparse and I don't remember seeing a
doodlebug being shot down.

Even so I reckon that you and I must be about the samew vintage - i.e. pre
war.

But I have researched viking life quite seriously and from time to time live
it. None of us uses anything other than mead or ale for mind enhancing
properties - nor have I heard of such a thing as that foreign name you used
....

Mary