Foreword by Sir John Junor

Churchill was in Number Ten Downing Street, Hitler strutted supreme in Europe, General Montgomery was the hero, and Rommel the dreaded enemy when the comic genius of Carl Giles first erupted on the British nation.

All the other actors have long since left the scene.

Churchill in glory, Hitler in flames, Montgomery and Rommel in nostalgia. Eight more Prime Ministers have kissed the Sovereign's hand on appointment.

But Giles and Grandma go marching on.

As this brilliant new annual proves, the humour, the compassion, and the capacitry for observing human frailties, Carl Giles shown no signs whatsoever of diminishing.

He is truly a giant of our time.