The General’s Game Book

Dare Wilson’s sporting career dates back to 1920s when, as a small boy, he started fishing in Northumberland on River Derwent. Since then as he has pursued successful careers in the Army and Conservation, he has fished and shot all over the world; turkey hunting and snake catching in Georgia, pheasants in Korea, sand grouse and quail in Palestine, geese in Ireland, ducks in Manitoba.

A natural storyteller, General Wilson’s sporting career almost ended while wildfowling in The Wash in early 1939 – he, his Cambridge University friends and their dogs were saved by a miracle. An uninterrupted line of black Labradors has shared Dare’s experiences. The current one is the 12th.

For good measure, the General tells of his thrilling winter sports (skiing and cresta) and parachuting experiences. His team of SAS free-fallers broke the World Record in 1962 – tragically one member died.

Dare may have lived life on the edge but the risks he has taken have always been carefully calculated. Had they not been he would not still be an active fisherman and shot in his 90’s. This is a treasure trove of sporting stories.