Note - this index is updated monthly...well most months anyway).

Index last updated - September 2023.

WARNING - This index has story plot spoilers, if you haven't read some of the stories.

An A to Z index to the Guard series, with entries for characters, places, events and stories.

Glossary

Note - words in italics indicate that there is a separate entry for that person, place and so on in the index.
AS1 refers to the Autumn Special 1.
WS1 refers to the Winter Special 1.



A hash sign followed by a number and the story title for example, #1 Snookered refers to the issue number of the story.

A#

  • Abby - leader of the small community of Happy Valley based out in the Nullarbor Desert. Married to Rollo. Abby has issues with Happy Valley remaining secret. And is less than pleased when The Guard shows up and even more annoyed when Thompson the journalist arrives.
               
    
    
    
    Adam Alpha - a robot with the ability to think like a human? Based in South Africa. Not much known about it currently. see also Flying Squad, The leader of a group of heroes banding together to fight against criminal organisations.
  • #1 Heroes banding together.
  • #17 The Aeronauts.
  • #25 Scallywag, joins the team.
  • #50 Battle Royal in the South China Seas.
  • #108 Flying Squad, issue 27.
    Advertisements for Green Lion Comics publications -
    
    
    
  • Alne, P.C. - Police Constable for the Yorkton Railway Police.
               
    
    
    
    Another Time, Another Place - Stories in this series take a character out of their normal time line and places him or her into a different time period.
    
    
    
  • Arctic Station Napier - A British run scientific research base situated in the Arctic. The crew changes every so often.
     
    
    
    
  • Army stories -
    
    
    
    
  • Army Blues, The - an humorous series that was first published in the first issue of The Guard comic. The series was short lived.
     
    
    
    

    Ashton, Ensign - A junior officer in the Royal Space Force and a member of the English Captain's crew.

    
    
    
    
  • Auntie Claus - In the Yorkton Christmas Panto, she plays the Auntie to her nephew the Naughty Santa Claus. This actress Lady Judith Tench was once married to the Naughty Santa Claus actor in real life. It wasn't a successful marriage.
     
    
    
  • Australia - regarded as the officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's sixth-largest country by total area.
    
    Australia is Albert and Whistle's first stop after leaving Yorkton, England after the events in issues 48 - 50.  Albert joins the Coast  
    to Coast Railway as a conductor, working Tea and Sugar trains across the Nullarbor Desert between Port Augustus and Perth.
                  
    
      
    
    
  • Australian Coast to Coast Railway - train service that Albert works for as a conductor working Tea and Sugar trains across the Nullarbor Plain between Port Augustus and Perth. This railway train company is fictitious.
     
    
    
    
    
  • Autumn Customs, Strange British - features four British traditional customs including -
     
    
    
  • Autumn Fox - female fighter from the Robin Guard series.
     
    
    
    
    

    B##

  • Backpacker, The No name, just an extra who makes a cameo appearance in various stories every now and then.
     
    
    
  • Bagby, 'Nibs' a Yorkton Courier staff cartoon artist, who along with Jotty Ritter (who wrote the scripts), provided the artwork for the strip. #65.
    
    
    
  • Baker, Police Woman - A police officer for the Yorkton Railway Police.
     
     
    
    
  • Ballinabricky - A Lego comic created by Anthony Valentino. Ballinabricky is a fictional town set just west of Cashel, Tipperary in 1936. The population includes many famous figures from Ireland’s literary past…whether they were around in 1936 or not.
    
    
    
  • Bard A character from the Robin Guard tales. A wandering minstrel, who has unwittingly annoyed Robin Guard. Is wounded at the Castle Folly siege and acted bravely.
     
    
    
  • Barlow, Janette - regarded as a leading practitioner in the field of railway science, with a specific interest in the use of metals in the railway industry. (Note - Barlow is not related to the real life railway engineer W.H. Barlow (1812 - 1902) of the Midland Railway, England. He invented among many other things, Barlow Rail.
     
    
    
  • Batman - a fictional character from the DC Comics world.
    
    
    
  • Battenburg, the Principality of - A small landlocked Principality (country), ruled by the eldest Prince of the ruling family. The Principality is regarded as a country in its own right and is about the size of Scotland, with mountains, forests and lakes. The nation's flag is a chequered pink-and-yellow squares, against a light yellow background. Visitors to the country have said it is like stepping back into the 1920's, 30's. This is an image that the country likes to encourage. But the country does keep up with the rest of Europe.

    
    
    
    
  • Bellhorn, Tom - Whistle's real name. See issue 111.
              
    
    
    
  • Bero - a Canadian pilot, who flys cargo and passengers between North Ontario and Arctic Station Napier. He's also a small-time petty thief, who was caught by McGill after he started stealing money from the scientists at Napier.
     
    
    
  • Big Red - A troublesome lumberjack, who enjoys causing trouble and mayhem. Operates out of the small town of Snowy Bay, Northern Ontario, Canada. Meets The Guard for the first time, during a fight with Albert on top of a moving train. Big Red pushs Albert off the train after the latter slips on some snow. The resulting fall causes Albert to lose his memory.
     
    
    
  • Black Swans - Volume one collecting stories 1 to 12 of the Guard's adventures.
    
    
    
    
  • Bold - Latter day Australian Bush Ranger operating in the south of the country. Works with his mate Kellie. They 'work' for themselves (by thieving, petty crime and so on) or are hired by others. Described by Sergeant Duke 'as a couple of thieving bludgers.' That is, lazy thieves. Bold and Kellie's names are based on the infamous bushrangers Ned Kelly and Jack 'Bold' Donahue.
      
    
    
    
  • Bonnor, Dr. Eugene - Geologist at Arctic Station Napier.
     
    
    
    

    Bo’sun - The English Captain’s right hand man. Has been with the Captain through many a hazardous mission. Can fix any type of mechanical machine. Has over twenty years experience of being in the Royal Space Force. The stories are set in an alternative Victorian Steam Punk era. This series was first published in the very first issue of The Guard.

    
    
    
  • 'Boss' - Leader of a group of men trying to find gold in the Nullarbor Plain. No actual name mentioned.
     
    
    
    
  • British Intelligence - The organisation's motto is, Intelligence We Trust. The head of this shadowy organisation is known by the codename, Walsingham. The crown signifies King and country, the oak leaves endurance, strength and bravery. The service operates worldwide.
    
                
    
    
    
    
    
  • Buckeye - a henchman and associate of Penny Fair. Buckeye is a railway term and refers to a type of train / passenger / wagon coupling. The Ohio state in America is known as the Buckeye state, as this was where the coupling was originally marketed.
    
    
    
    
  • Bull, Patrolman Ed - A patrolman who works out of the New Yorkton Central Railway Precinct. Has over fifteen years experience of police work. Tends to be wary of people, due to being shot several years ago. He can be brash and impatient with people. A colleague of Patrolman Joe Madison
    
    
    
  • 'Bully Boy' - leader of a gang of rough, tough Teddy Boys.
    
    
    
  • Bunt, Syd - Vehicle Mechanic and Airfield Clearance at Arctic Station Napier. Likes to bend the rules slightly by playing poker with Ronald 'Ron' Douglas. Gambling is frowned upon at the station.
     
    
    
    
    Burrows - a burrowing expert brought in by The Warden to help digging down to the cave where gold bars are held.
    
    
    
    
    

    C#

  • C & C - City and Country Railway.
    
    
    
  • Calderbank - a English Civil Servant who is mad about cricket. Usually to be found in the company of Charteris These two characters tend to provide light relief in a story.
    
               
    
    
                
    
    
    
    
    
  • Canadian set stories
     
    
    
  • Captain Guard see Guard, Captain.
  • Caretaker - works mainly at the Yorkton City Hall. Tends to have mainly cameo parts in a story.
    
    
    
  • Charles, Sir - head of British Intelligence during the Great War
    
    
    
    
  • Charteris - a English Civil Servant who is mad about cricket. Usually to be found in the company of Calderbank These two characters tend to provide light relief in a story.
    
               
    
    
                
    
    
    
    
  • Chellow, Winifred - Research Assistant Geologist at Arctic Station Napier.
     
    
    
  • Cherry Blossom Lady - A Geisha lady working for a criminal Hong Kong based triad. Her fan always obscures the right side of her face. Is known to occasionally quote haiku poems. Possibly related to Victor Lam?
    Cheung Fu - an enforcer for a criminal Hong Kong based triad. Holds a grudge against Victor Lam. Cheung believes he is the better fighter.

    
    
    
  • Chibi see Watchdog.
  • Chinese Far Eastern Steamship Co. - One of the 'big four' of the Yorkton Guild Merchants.
    
    
    
    
  • Chinese Curio shop A Chinese shop in the centre of Yorkton, stuffed full to the rafters with all sorts of curio's and knick knacks, including sound boxes. The shop tends to be well hidden and customers tend to stumble upon it accidentally. The owner of the shop is a chinaman with at present no name.
    
    
    
    
  • Christmas / snow stories
    
    
    
    
  • City and Country Railway (C & C) - The railway that employs Albert Copperwaite amongst others. Also known affectionally as the Comfort and Calm Railway.
    
    
    Claus, Auntie see Auntie Claus.
    
    
    
    
  • Claw, The - A costumed criminal who robs banks for money. In reality he is Henry Wade. Captured by The Grey Shadow and The Guard.
    
    
    
  • Clowns - A gang of bank robbers working in New Yorkton, America. Has a run in with The Grey Shadow. The head clown goes on the run in an effort to get away from wrath of The Grey Shadow. Under the name of Pierrot, he escapes on a freigher ship, the Jamuda Star heading for Ninjago City. The Grey Shadow gives chase, but Pierrot evades the heroine.
     
                
    
    
    
    
  • Co-Operative Fishing Co. - One of the 'big four' of the Yorkton Guild Merchants.
    
    
    
    
  • Coffin Ship, The - story outline - A three part story in collobration with Anthony Valentino's Ballinabricky Lego Comic. The Guard travels to Ireland to locate and return the Coffin Ship painting stolen from the Yorkton Museum by the Will O' the Wisps gang. Note - a reference to the painting was made in the Guard Tales - #21 Race For Life.
    
    
    
    
  • Comfort and Calm Railway - an affectionate nickname provided by the railway's passengers and the newspapers to the City and Country Railway.
    
    
    
  • Copperwaite#, Albert - The hero of our story and a railway guard for the City and Country Railway, (C&C). Also dons a mask to fight crime as The Guard.
    
    
    
  • Cotton, Private - soldier serving in the North Yorktonshire, 1st Battalion, B Company, No.4 Platoon during the Great War. Current whereabouts not known after the events told in The Patrol story, assuming he survived.
    
    
    
  • Coronavirus - a deadly influenza strain wrecking havoc in the real world. There has also been an outbreak of a similar flu strain in the Guard's world. No doubt we will hear more about it...unfortunately.
    
    
    
    
  • Cutter - Leader of the York Docks gang.
    
    
    
    
    

    D#

  • Dahl, Roald - author of The Landlady short story. WS1.
  • Dangerous Journeys Volume Three which collects stories 23 to 32 of The Guards and Grey Shadow's adventures.
    
    
    
    
  • Danish Station Master - an amateur Danish railwayman who occasionally fights crime on the Danish railways in disguise. No other details are known about him at present. Reports about him appear in the Danish Despatch newspaper.
    
    
    
  • Dantis - an Fritzrovian top enemy field agent. The equalivent of a British Intelligence Utility Man. Highly trained, Dantis is dangerous and a killer. Is known to have killed Mason in Cairo, Egypt. (Dantis is a Prussian word for tooth).
     
    
    
  • Davis, Ray - a mysterious, cloaked snooker player who plays exhibition matches. In fact this is another occasional alias used by Albert Copperwaite. Davis is managed by Barry Earner.
    
    
    
  • Delarosa Jnr, Captain - In charge of the New Yorkton Central Railway Precinct. Known for his fiery outbursts.
     
    
    
  • Destinations Unknown - Title for volume six which which collects stories 51 to 60.
    
    
    
  • Desert Railway, The - (series of stories set during the Great War). Featuring Corporal Copperwaite, Lieutenant Smythe, Privates Dennison, Venning, Singh (medical orderly), Privé La Zaar (Moroccan Spahis).
    
    
    
  • De Vere, Professor Florence - Scientist in charge at Arctic Station Napier. Meteorology is her speciality. Asks McGill to investigate the theft of money from the base.
      
    
    
  • Dewey - a mischievous character who makes his money through gambling with cards. (He's happy to cheat when playing cards if necessary). Not an out and out villain, but he does sail very close to the wind as regards breaking the law. Attempts to con Albert out of some of his money, but is out played, losing $170.00 in the process. Does learn that 'the limey' as Dewey calls Albert, is also The Guard. But he doesn't know Albert's real name - yet. Decides not to use the information (for the time being), as The Guard saved his life by stopping a runaway stagecoach.
    
    
    
    
  • De Winter, Grace - works as a police forensic officer in New Yorkton City, America, for the New Yorkton Central Railway Precinct. De Winter is also secretly The Grey Shadow.
    For story appearances see Grey Shadow, The.
    
    
    
    
  • Diabolo Prison - situated off the coast of Mexico.
    
    
    
    
  • Dolman, Police Constable - A Yorkton Police Officer with seven years experience. Served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the final two years of The Great War as an aircraft mechanic. A loyal, resourceful (and it has to be said scruffy) officer. Dolam was never impressed by District Superintendent Ferriby. But is solidly behind District Superintendent Harrow, who Dolman believes is an excellent commanding officer. Promoted to Sergeant (much to Sergeant's Greene and Hudson's disgust), by Harrow in issue 59, Night Shift. Placed on probationary rank of Sergeant, working in the community (regarded by Dolman as a fate worse than death), by the new District Superintendent Morrell in issue 104.
    
    
    
  • Douglas, Ronald 'Ron' - Handy man and cook at Arctic Station Napier. Likes to play poker with Syd Bunt, which is against the rules of the station.
     
    
     
    
  • Drake's Wheel - a small town on the branch line to Hoppley Wood.
    
    
    
    
  • Duke, Sergeant Doris - Police Sergeant for the South Australia Police Force based in Port Augustus. Assigned to the case of missing families. In Australian crime fiction there is a character called Detective Inspector Napoleon "Bony" Bonaparte of the Queensland Police Force, a half-caste Aborigine created by Arthur Upfield. I wanted my policewoman's name to have some Australian crime fiction connection. I settled on the surname of Duke. As in the Duke of Wellington, who beat Napolean at the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th June, 1815.
      
    
    
    
    
  • Duval, Jacques - A French Canadian lumberjack who goes on to become a professional boxing champion, in somewhat suspicious circumstances. Lost an eye in a woodcutting incident. Boxed in a money fight against Robert Finlayson, when both men were working as lumberjacks. Duval, a mean character, took offence at losing and swore to get even with Finlayson. Years later he got his revenge by knocking out Finlayson in a professional boxing championship fight. His win wasn't without controversy, as Finlayson died. Duval disappeared shortly after the fight. McGill has sworn to bring Duval to justice.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    E##

  • Earner, Barry - Snooker manager and promoter. Occasionally employs Albert Copperwaite (as Ray Davis), to play Snooker exhibition matches. The only character in the series not to be represented by a Lego figure, because his appearances will be very infrequent and probably just be a voice at the other end of a telephone.
      
    
    
  • El Mono, see Mono, El.
     
    
    
  • Ellis, Mrs. Janet and her husband and son, Ian - A British family that moved from England to Cook, South Australia to start a new life away from the problems of the world. Their disapperance was mysterious, but deliberately so. Eventually tracked down by The Guard and Sergeant Doris Duke of the South Australian Police.
     
    
    
  • Emperor Panda's - law enforcement officers who report directly to the Emperor. They regard themselves as being above the everyday duties of the Watch. The Watch and Emperor Panda's don't always see eye to eye.
    
    
    

    En-Haut, Mademoiselle Ajouter - a 17th century direct ancestor of The Tallyman, in an alternative, parallel world. The Guard saves her from arrest, but at the time isn’t aware of who she is. Her surname is made of French words meaning Add up. Over time the name changed to Tallyman.

    
    
    

    English Captain, The – an adventure story that was first published in the first issue of The Guard comic. A long running steam-punk series. A Captain of Her Majesty’s Royal Space Force. Lost an eye during a Martian Expedition. The Captain now has a glass eye, which can also analyse gases, clouds and has other features. He is in command of H.M.S. ?. The stories are set in an alternative Victorian Steam Punk era.

    
    
    
    
    
  • EVE - stands for Electro Verbal E-messenger. Tranquility Base's talking computer system that controls everything. As the name suggests EVE speaks with a female voice.
     
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    F#

  • Factual articles
    
    
    
    
    
  • Fafferton, Sam - Another small time crook who is actually making money through horse-racing and gambling. Agrees to work with Jack to show him the 'ropes'. Along with Jack and Jill he trespasses on the railway in order to steal cables. The events of that night will forever haunt Sam. Currently spending time in jail at Her Majesty's Pleasure. Sam surname is a from a slang phrase - faffing around. Which means not achieving anything.
    
    
    
  • Fair, Penny see Penny Fair.
    
    
    
    
  • Faramond, Lady - a character from the Robin Guard tales. The word Faramond is protection for travellers, which is the job of his brave and Commander of troops. Is in charge of Castle Folly during a Orc siege.
    
    
    
    
  • Ferriby, District Superintendent Edmund - Topham's immediate new superior. Nearing retirement, he doesn't want to blot his clean (and so far), unremarkable police record. Has won the Police Officer of the Year Award, a record three times in a row. This award doesn't cut much ice with the hard-working rank and file officers.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Finlayson, Robert - father to Mary McGill, nee Finlayson. A boxer all his life. Finlayson died in suspicious circumstances.
    
    
    
  • First Meeting #10 - a Guard Tales story. Essentially, an introduction to some of the police officers working at Yorkton Station. Also introduces District Superintendent Ferriby, Inspector Topham's immediate superior.
    
    
    
  • Flat Cap A new young hero who appears in the late 1950's. Gains experience in crime fighting from The Guard. Real name Raymond St. John, who works as a lamplighter.
    
    
    
  • Fleming, Peter author of The Kill, the short story that was adapted as a Hallowe'en story related by The Guard.
    
    
    
    
  • Flu - a deadly wrecking havoc in the Guard's world. No doubt we will hear more about it...unfortunately.
    
    
    
    
  • Flying Bobby, The - nickname for Police Constable Terret.
    
    
    
    
  • Flying Squad - A series of front covers telling the story of a group of heroes banding together to fight against criminal organisations.
  • #1 Heroes banding together.
  • #17 The Aeronauts.
  • #25 Scallywag, joins the team.
  • #50 Battle Royal in the South China Seas.
  • #108 Flying Squad, issue 27.
    
                  
  • Team members have included -
    
    
    
  • Fortescue, Mrs. - runs an informal Mothers and babies mornings, two days a week in St. Simon's Park, Yorkton.
  • #105 Spring, Part Two.
    
    
    
    
  • Fox, Autumn - See Autumn Fox.
     
    
    
    
  • Foxy - retired former pilot working for British Intelligence, flying agents and others in and out of occupied Europe during the Great War. Now married to Molly Wilberfoss. He proposed to her after an altercation with some Teddy Boys on a train journey. Lives in Yorkton.
    
    
    
  • Frank (no surname as yet), is a porter for the C&C Railway. All we know about him at present is that he likes a drink or two and he doesn't take life to seriously.
    
    
    
    
  • Fratzka, Baron Von Klaus - a Fritzrovian nobleman from one of Fritzrovia's minor families. Various generations have been in Battenburg stories.
    
    
    
  • Fritzrovia a large, western European militaristic country that fought against the Allies during 1930 to 1935. Five years of conflict which resulted in a stalemate. Today, the country has an uneasy relationship with some its neighbouring countries and with those countries it fought against in the Great War.
    
    
    'Fritz or Fritzy' A Fritzrovian agent, during the Great War.  Has tangled with Albert on several occasions.  
                  
    
    
    
    
    
  • Fu, Cheung Fu - see Cheung Fu.
    
    
    
  • Fusiliers, North Yorktonshire see North Yorktonshire Fusiliers.

    G#

  • Game of Patience, A. #22 - A British Intelligence Utility Man Operative story, in which Albert gains further experience when Turkish criminals intercept a briefcase from a contact, instead of Albert. It's then up to George and Albert to retrieve the briefcase if they can.

    
    
    
    
  • Games - games that were published in the Guard comic.
    
    
    
  • Genie - plays a trainee genie in the Yorkton Christmas Panto.
     
    
    
  • Gentleman Thief, The - as this criminal's name suggests, he is a gentleman, who does not use violence to rob his victims. He works alone and plans his robberies meticulously. Has so far made two brief appearances in -
     
    
    
  • George - British Intelligence Utility Man operative stationed mainly in Istanbul, Turkey during the Great War. Speaks fluent Turkish. (His mother is turkish, father a British businessman). The family lived in the country during George's youth. George is in his late forties by the end of the war.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Great War, The This terrible conflict was fought between the Allies and Fritzrovia between October 1930 and October 1935. Five bloody years of conflict which resulted in a stalemate.
    
    
    Green Lion Comics Investigations - factual articles that explore common, but possibly not thought about much, subjects.   
                    
    
    
    
    
  • Greene, Sergeant based at Yorkton Railway Station. An experienced, respected and knowledgeable officer with over twenty years service. We learn in the Medical story, that Greene has a heart condition. Needs to take it easy.
    
    
    
  • Grey works in Operations on Tranquility Base. He's one of the characters on the base who does know what he is doing and is an essential cog in the efficient running of the base. Rank not currently known, (assuming he even has one).
    
    
    
  • Grey Shadow, The - costumed crime fighter in New Yorkton City, America. In reality she is Grace De Winter who works as a forensic officer for the New Yorkton Central Railway Police. The Grey Shadow has no super powers.

    The Grey Shadow operates from her forensic officer at the New Yorkton Central Railway Precinct. Access to her garage and lair is via a secret sliding door disguised as a bookcase in De Winter's office. An old lift (fully restored), transports the Grey Shadow swiftly down to the sub-basement. During the journey down De Winter changes into The Grey Shadow. A selection of equipment available to her in the lift includes smoke bombs, guns and a vehicle tracking gun. Waiting in the garage is her main mode of transport, her motorbike. She also has access to other vehicles.

    
    Note - the now infamous Grey Shadow issue 666 has never been re-printed and is much sought-after by collector's.    
    
                
    
     
    
    
  • Griffiths, 'Taff' (Taffy is a form of address for a Welshman. But Griffith's has somewhere along the line had this shortened to Taff). A British Intelligence service legend. Formally a Grade 1 Utility Man Operative before later becoming Head of Training (Operations). Served as a Utility Operative before, during and (briefly) after The Great War.
      
       
              
    
    
  • Grisdale & Lyle Co. - One of the 'big four' of the Yorkton Guild Merchants.
    
    
    
    
  • Grisdale, John - first chairman of the City and Country Railway.
    
    
    
  • Grisdale, Sir Robert - Current Chairman of the York Guild Merchants as of the late 1940's. A grandson of John Grisdale who was the first chairman of the City & Country Railway. Owner of the Grisdale & Lyle Co.
    Grisdale is planning to run against Councillor Strong in the local election for Mayor.
    
                
    
    
  • Gruffy, Eustace a railway porter for the City and Country Railway, based mainly in Yorkton, but occasionally works at other stations as required. Not the cheerest of people, Eustace is known to be grumpy more often than not. Assists Ray Davis, the snooker player at times.
    
    
    
  • Guard, Captain A different version of The Guard in a parallel universe, 23rd Century.
    
    
    
  • Guard#, The - Crime fighter and our hero. In reality, Albert Copperwaite, railway guard. The Guard has a secret headquarters in...a disused Guards van! Where else? His origin story is still shrouded in mystery. (Well only some of it is now. I've written the first part, it just needs to be 'drawn').
    
    
    
    
  • Guard Life newspaper strips - a short lived cartoon strip that featured in The Yorkton Courier. Scripted by Jotty Ritter and drawn by 'Nibs' Bagby.
    
    
    
  • Guard, Robin - is an ancestor of Albert Copperwaite, The Guard who lived in Medieval times. This series of stories has no connection to the main series. Also stars Whistle and Miles Vane. Albert Copperwaite plays his ancestor in the panto, A Spot of Bother at the North Pole.

    
                 
    
    
    
    
  • Guard, The - comic publishing history -
    
    
    
    
  • Guard Comics History, A -
    
    
    
    
  • Guard, the & Flat Cap - Not much is known about this series, which features these two heroes teaming up to fight crime.
    
    
    
    
  • Guard Tales# - a series of short, short stories about the characters inhabiting the Guard's world. Stories provide information about characters backgrounds, events and so on. The stories don't always feature The Guard.
     
    
    
    
  • Guard's Van, The - The secret HQ for The Guard is a former Canadian Caboose (in the UK it would be called a Guard's van).
    
    
    
  • Gull'em, Dr. I. - purveyor of healing potions, oils, balms and so on. Was once a doctor of medicine, but was struck off the medical register.
              
    
    
    
    
    
    

    H#

  • Haiku - a Japanese three line poem of usually seventeen syllables (The Oxford English Dictionary 6th edition 1986). Victor Lam and The Cherry Blossom Lady' quote haiku poems. Kobayashi Issa is one such poet.
    
    
    
  • Hallowe'en stories
    
    
    
    
  • Happy Valley - a small community based out in the Nullarbor Desert. A community of families (no religious people or criminals), who want to get away from crime, political bickering and general everyday stress. People selected to live there must have a useful trade that can be of use to the community. For example, teachers, doctors, gardeners and so on.
     
    
    
    
    

    Harrow, District Superintendent - a tough, no nonsense police chief. Assigned to Yorkton Railway Police.

    
    
    
    

    Haut, Mademoiselle Ajouter, En - see En-Haut, Mademoiselle Ajouter.

    
    
    
  • Hillary - Works as a police Forensics Officer for the New Yorkton Central Railway Police. Grace De Winter is her boss. Hillary is also the only other person to know that Grace is The Grey Shadow.
    
    
    
    
  • Hinto - A Watchwoman (policewoman) for the West Central area of Ninjago City. A Watchwoman who on first meeting comes across as someone not really with it. Not suitable to be a Watchwoman. But this outward dotty act, hides an intelligent brain. And criminals who underestimate her, do so at their peril. An example of this is issue 63.
    #66 sees Hinto protecting and dealing with a sabotaged robot, along with her Watch colleagues.
    #67 and Hinto visits an injured Kymoano in hospital, before going on patrol at the Ninjago West Annual Fair.
    Dies in combat alongside Kymoano, after Kingfish kills her.
    
    
    
  • Hitch-hiker see Backpacker.
     
    
    
  • Ho, Charles 'Charlie' - owner of one of the Yorkton Guild Merchants (YGM) big four trading companies, operating out of the Yorkton Docks. Sits on the YGM Committee. Runs the Chinese Far Eastern Steamship Co. Ho is a fourth generation Anglo-Chinese merchant.
    
    
    
    
  • Hollingberry, Fred - British Intelligence's Head of Station, Turkey, during the Great War in the early 1930's. Later rises to become the head of British Intelligence. Has over thirty years experience. The head of this organisation is always known by the codename Walsingham.
    
    
    
  • Holly - a junior foresnic's officer based at the New Yorkton Central Railway Precinct. Doesn't have a very tidy work attitude.
    
    
    
    
  • Hoppley Wood - a small, charming English town surrounded by woods and lakes. Passengers arrive at the town after a fifty minute journey via a branchline from Yorkton.
    
    
    
  • House#, Detective Sergeant (later Inspector) Hudson - A member of the detective Railway Police force stationed at Yorkton Station. Doesn't like being made a fool of by the criminal element. House in the past has settled rude comments made to his face, by challenging the person to a fight on the spot. Saved Albert Copperwaite's life on their first meeting. As a result they became firm friends. Being the good detective that he is, he later learned of Albert's secret identity, but has kept this to himself.
    
    
    
    The two friends fell out after the events in issue 50, which resulted in The Guard leaving Yorkton and House brooding about this event. All that changes though in issue 70 Medical, when House learns that no one died in the house fire. The screaming was from a radio detective series being broadcast on a radio.

    Issue 48 sees the appearance of District Superindentant Harrow, who doesn't see eye to eye with House. Events come to a head in issue 70, when the detective resigns from the Yorkton Police, to become a private detective.

    The name Hudson House is an in railway joke. Hudson refers to George Hudson the railway king and Hudson House refers to a railway office building in York named after him. (Sadly, this building was demolished in 2018 to make way for a complex of flats).

    
    
    
  • House of Death - a large house full of traps and clockwork operated, situated in a dodgy part of London, England.
      
    
    
    
  • Hovernauts, The - an adventure story that was first published in the first issue of The Guard comic. (Guard Comics History, A) #25
     
    
    
    
  • Howsham, Percival - an Englishman who works at the British Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey during 1932. Knocked down and killed in a car hit and run accident. (Unseen character in the story and probably only appearance). Transpires that Howsham has been taking sensitive papers home to work on. Albert and Fred Hollingberry, British Intelligence's Head of Station Turkey, attempt to retrieve the papers from Howsham's flat, before the Fritzrovian Secret Police do.
    
    
    
  • Humour tales -
    
    
    
    

    I#

    
    
    
  • Imp - a minor (in Lego height 3 blocks and a bit), criminal with big aspirations who causes Dainel Parker to lose his eyesight, when he set fire to a derelict building in a park. Arrested by Patrolman Joe Madison. Imp has been arrested on numerous ocassions for GBH (Grevious Bodily Harm) and pick-pocketing amongst other crimes.
    
    
    
    
  • Influenza in the Guard's world see Flu.
  • Investigations - see Green Lion Comics Investigations
  • Ireland, stories set in this country
    
    
    
    
    

    J#

    
    
    
    
  • Jack and Jill
  • Their surname is not revealed. Jack is a minor criminal, a few balls short of a full snooker ball set. He marries his childhood girlfriend and thinks the way to happiness is through getting rich by stealing. The consequences of his actions has severe repercussions for both of them. Jill is killed and Jack lives out his days in jail, with a broken heart, thinking of what might have been.
    
    
    
    
  • Jacko - is a senior train driver. An Aborigine, Jacko has a laid back attitude to life.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Jamuda - A large island situatied in the Atlantic Ocean, north of the West Indies and south of Bermuda. The island's name is a mixture of Jamaica and Bermuda. The C&C Railway own and run the island's train passenger and freight services.
    
    
    
  • Jamuda Star - freighter ship which carried the Clown (under the name of Pierrot), from London to Ninjago City.
    
    
    
  • Jamudian Police Force members -
    Jenkins, Mrs. - works at a Yorkton Employment Agency.  Got caught up in an attempt on Detective Hudson's life by some of Cutter's
    men.
                  
    
                 
    
    
  • Jill
  • see Jack and Jill.
    
    
    
  • Jimmy the Mouth a minor criminal, who said something derogatory about Sergeant House and ended up on his backside.
    
    
    
    

    K#

  • Kaylock, Mollie - owner of one of the Yorkton Guild Merchants (YGM) big four trading companies, operating out of the Yorkton Docks. Sits on the YGM Committee. Mollie is very much a hands on owner of the Co-Operative Fishing Co. She took over the ailing family business and turned it into a success story, through hard work and shrewd business deals.
    
    
    
  • Keel - a criminal, who we first meet in Yorkton Prison. Nothing is known about his background or his 'skills.'
    
    
    
  • Kellie - Latter day Australian Bush Ranger operating in the south of the country. Works with his mate Bold. They 'work' for themselves (by thieving, petty crime and so on) or are hired by others. Described by Sergeant Duke 'as a couple of thieving bludgers.' That is, lazy thieves. Bold and Kellie are based on the infamous bushrangers Ned Kelly and 'Bold' Jack Donahue.
      
    
    
  • Kingfish - leader of criminal gangs and crime in Ninjago City West Central, in the early 1950's. Arrived in the city penniless and through 'hard work' rose to become the top Kingpin. Prior to that, Kingfish kills Hinto and Kymoano, who also kills him at the same time, (#69).
    
    
    
  • Knight, Addison - a racing driver legend, who has won Formula One and Rally championships over a twenty year plus period. His one final dream is to break the world land speed record in his car, the Kavlin. The attempt to be made in the Nullarbor Desert, Australia.
    
    
    
    
  • Kobayashi Issa - a famous Japanese poet (1763 to 1827). Both Victor Lam and the 'Cherry Blossom Lady' quote haiku poetry including this poet's work.

    
    
    
  • Koral, Dr - Marine biologist. Member of Seabase Alpha crew.
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • Kymoano - A Watchman (policeman) for the West Central area of Ninjago City. One of life's moaners. Never happy with his life. He's a bit put out that the Guard 'an outsider' was promoted to Senior Watchman, instead of him. Nevertheless, he is a competent Watchman. In Dog Story, Kymoano makes a new friend, Watchdog, who temporarily changes his grumpy personality into a happy one.
    After receiving burns after a sabotaged robot blows up (#66), Kymoano spends #67 in hospital recovering from burns.
    Dies in issue 69, killing Kingfish, who in turn kills him.
    
    
    
    
    
    

    L#

  • Lam, Victor - works for a criminal Hong Kong based triad. Sent on a mission to England to destroy a Tallystick, a missing automaton. Meets The Guard for the first time. Likes to quote Asian poetry such as Haiku by Kobayashi Issa. Possibly related to the 'Cherry Blossom Lady'?
    
    
    
    
  • Lamplighter - employed by the Yorkton City Council, to light and extinguish gas lights in central Yorkton . One of the things I wanted to do with the series was to make use of now long gone traditions. And one of these are lamplighters which in the days of gas lamps would have been a common sight in many cities and towns. H.V. Morton in one of his London social history books mentions the lamplighters in a chapter.
    
    
    
    
  • Landan Times, The - a large, broadsheet newspaper published in London.
    
    
    
  • Lander, S. - S. Lander, Editor of the Yorkton Mercury, a rival newspaper to the Yorkton Courier, published in Yorkton. Lander has just been recently appointed editor (as of #32). Very keen on running The Guard out of Yorkton. Doesn't think vigilantes should be allowed to roam the streets. Note - S. Lander is a play on the word, slander, meaning, 'false report maliciously uttered to a person's injury.' (Definition from the Little Oxford Dictionary).
    
    
    
  • Landlady, The - a middle-aged lady from Ninjago who kills for peace and quiet. Woe be tide you if you make a noise! You could end up like her 'tenants'.
    
    
    
    
  • Laxton, Tom Works for British Intelligence. Head of Station, Cairo, Egypt during The Great War. Also had spells as head of station in other countries in Europe and Russia. Later Head of Operations (Africa).
    
    
    
    
  • Loch Ness Monster, The - The title does not refer to Nessie, but Dantis a Fitzrovian Utility Agent, who died at the Loch when his boat blew up.
      
    
    
    
  • London City - The big smoke and capital city of this great nation, that this story is set in. Situated down south.
    
    
    
    
  • Lone Stranger, The - a masked 'hero', who believes he is helping the fight against crime in the old wild west. In reality, he may well look the part, but is regarded as a nuisance. Everyone is scared stiff of him. Not because of his temper, but because of his reputation of causing mayhem wherever he goes. Number of bad guys caught - none.
    
    
    
    
  • Lumberjack Bob - Professional boxing name for Robert Finlayson, Mary McGill's father.
    
    
    
    
    
    

    M##

  • Mack, Private - soldier serving in the North Yorktonshire, 1st Battalion, B Company, No.4 Platoon during the Great War. A dour Scotsman, Mack was the mine detector expert for the Platoon. Current whereabouts not known after the events told in The Patrol story, assuming he survived.
    
    
    
    
  • Madison, Patrolman Joe - a policeman based at the New Yorkton Central Railway Station Precinct. Has seven years experience. Easy going, with a dry sense of humour.
    
    
    
  • Madman - a mad, crazy scientist who so far has made a brief appearance in one issue that was styled as a TV episode.
    
    
    
  • Mallard, Mrs - a rich lady who on first appearance seems highly strung and witless. However, she served as a nurse during the Great War and is an accomplished singer. Has a dog called Hubert.
    
    
    
    
  • Merry Andrew - character from the Robin Guard series. A travelling fool who is caught up in the Castle Folly siege. Runs from the castle to Castle Parrogate with a message requesting assistance. Doesn't survive the journey, but does deliver the message.
    
    
    
    
  • Mason - a British Intelligence Utility Man Operative, based in Cairo, Egypt. Is killed by Dantis, a Fritzrovian field agent during the Great War. Appears in the series by name only.
    
    
    
  • Maven, Dr. Abby - Medical doctor. Member of the inspection team checking Seabase Alpha is ready to be put into use. Note - Maven means 'a person with good knowledge or understanding of a subject.' (From the Cambridge English Dictionary).
    
    
    
  • McGill, Corporal - Grizzled veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Operates out of the small town of Snowy Bay, Northern Ontario, Canada. Meets The Guard for the first time, when Albert is pushed off a train by Big Red and loses his memory. Both men become firm friends. Married to Mary McGill.
     
                
    
    
    
    
    
  • McGill, Mary - Wife of Corporal McGill (RCMP). Trained as a nurse, she meets Albert after he was pushed off a train by Big Red and loses his memory. Mary nurses him back to full fitness.
    
    
    
    
  • McNair, Roy - Scottish laird carrying a Quaich, a cup of friendship from Europe to Scotland. Ambushed by robbers in a forest. Saved by Robin Guard and his men. But dies.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Me# - Stories I have made a cameo appearance (as Hitchcock used to do in his films) -
    
    
    
  • Mexico - The Guard and Whistle visited this country in issues 82 - 84.
    
    
    
  • Minty - A Yorkton crime boss operating in Yorkton City. Not adverse to killing, he shoots and kills Flatfoot Thomsen who he thinks is The Guard. Was hoping to pull a job with The Tallyman, but was arrested by Sergeant House and convicted.
    
    
    
  • Mole, The - a local name for Yorkton's underground railway system. Yorkton Underground Operated by the C & C Railway the system has two lines, the City and District line and The King's Line. The system was first opened in 1907.
    
    
    
    
  • Mono, El - a long term prison inmate who is transferred to Diabolo Prison for his knowledge of the prison when he had been held there many years ago. Teams up with The Guard to find out what is going on at the prison. Almost loses his life, but is saved by The Guard.
    
     
    
    
  • Montagu, Dr. - Medical doctor at Arctic Station Napier. A Fritzrovian by birth, he is slightly aloof from his colleagues at the base, possibly due to being on the opposing side during the Great War.
     
    
    
  • Morrell, District Superintendent - Senior officer in charge of Yorkton Railway Police from #104.
    
    

    N#

    
    
    
  • Napier - see
    
    
    
  • Naughty Santa Claus - played by a TV soap star, with a drink problem. Essentially, he's playing himself on stage. He's a nephew to his Auntie Claus. Was married to the actress playing the part of Auntie Claus. The marriage wasn't a success.
     
    
    
    
  • Needle - A dangerous inmate in Diabolo Prison, Mexico. As his name suggests he likes to needle people. Didn't get on with The Guard. Was a former Fritzrovian Petty Officer who served with The Warden during the Great War. Needle was in the prison for the same reason as The Warden, to retrieve gold bars that had been left in a cave. The Warden double-crossed Needle resulting in the death of both men.
     
    
    
    
    
  • Newspapers - the Guard stories appear in -
    
    
    
  • No. 4 Platoon, North Yorktonshire Fusiliers see North Yorktonshire Fusiliers.
    
    
    
  • Ninjago City 1953 West Central stories -
    
    
    
  • North Yorktonshire Fusiliers - An infantry regiment comprised of men from North Yorktonshire. Topham and Tallon were soldiers in the 1st Battalion, B Company, no. 4 platoon. (Albert Copperwaite was a soldier in the 2nd Battalion, A Company, no. 6 Platoon).
    
    
    
    
    
  • Nullarbor Desert - an aborigine word for no trees. is part of the area of flat, almost treeless, arid or semi-arid country of southern Australia. The desert occupies an area of about 200,000 square kilometres (77,000 sq miles). At its widest point, it stretches about 1,100 kilometres (684 miles) from east to west across the border between South Australia and Western Australia.
    
    It's across this desert that the Australian Coast to Coast Railway run their Tea and Sugar trains.  Albert is a conductor for this railway, 
    after he had left Yorkton. 
    
                  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    O#

  • Old Hag - a witch, no other name at present. Exists in Robin Guard's time.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    P#

    
    
    
  • P.C. stands for Police Constable, a member of a British police force.
    
    
    
  • P.C. 59 - This character is based on a British BBC radio drama PC 49 broadcast between 1947 and 1953. 112 episodes in total. The character (Police Constable Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby) also starred in two films, The Adventures of PC 49 and A Case for PC 49. As well as appearing in the children's comic Eagle.
    In my series, P.C. 59 is an experienced copper.
    
    
    
    
  • Paintings - that have been reproduced in Lego and have appeared in stories.
    
    
    
  • Panademic stories - During 2021, the world (as in the real world), went into lockdown in a fight against the Covid and other virus's. The following stories were created during this time.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Pantomime or Panto definition from the - What’s On Stage website –

    
    
    
  • Parker, Dan - worked at Wade Electronics until fired by Wade, who wanted and does steal his plans. Parker vows revenge, which he doesn't carry out, due to drinking instead. Loses his eyesight after a fracas with Imp. The Grey Shadow rescues Parker from a burning building set alight by Imp. But fails to save his eyesight. A now blind Parker repays The Grey Shadow by telling her about the weaknesses of the costume and vehicle The Claw is using to rob banks.
    
    
    
  • Patrol, The #24 - story outline - A Halloween horror adventure, featuring members of the North Yorktonshire Fusiliers, who set out on a fighting patrol to attack and destroy a troublesome Fritzrovian Artillery unit. We learn how Topham received his facial scar.
    
    
    
  • Pen, Iver A writer for the Yorkton Courier who specialises in local history.
    
    
    
  • Penny Fair - an adventuress always on the lookout for an opportunity to make money, legally or otherwise. Has a soft spot for The Guard. Sometimes plays the part of an innocent, naive young lady. Attempted to rob a stagecoach of its money, but was foiled ironically by The Lone Stranger! Buckeye is one of her henchmen.
      
    
    
  • People of Yorkton - short one of two page biography of a leading person of Yorkton.
      
    
    
    
  • Peterson (see also Tranquility Base entry) - a not particularly bright astronaut, who nevertheless managed to obtain a job on Tranquility Base. Not known for his scientific experience or skills, but he's always enthusiastic and cheerful.
      
    
    
    
  • Pierrot - the name the Clown travels under when travelling from London to Ninjago City to evade The Grey Shadow.
    
    
    
  • West Central, Ninjago City 1953 stories see Ninjago City 1953 West Central stories.
  • Westwood - a small town in the wild west of America. Just about still hanging onto the old ways. It's local rag (newspaper), is the Westwood Express.
    
    
    
    
  • Whistle# - A friend and informer for The Guard. A down and out who spends his days drinking and keeping his ears open for titbits of information. Tends to keep to himself and as far as possible to the shadows. Rumoured to live in a disused coach. One side of his face is covered as a result of an incident during the Great War (see issue 111), which makes some people uneasy in his presence. At a distance Whistle looks to be well-dressed. But his clothes and hat have seen better days. How The Guard and Whistle came to know one another is not known. He is often to be found sleeping rough covered by copies of The Landan Times newspaper. Prefers sleeping under this newspaper as it provides more protection from the elements, than any of the other gossip rags. Very knowledgeable on many different subjects. As the series progresses we learn that Whistle has an excellent memory and is an expert in disguises.

       
                   appearances in the Robin Guard series - 
                   
  • #51 The Quaich
    
    
    
  • Wilberfoss, Molly - retired British Intelligence operative who was a member of an escape line in occupied Europe during the Great War. Met Foxy for the first time when he used the escape line after being shot down. Foxy proposes to her (she accepted), after an altercation with some Teddy Boys on a train journey.
    
    
    
  • Winter Special - contents stories include -
    
    
    
    
  • Will O' the Wisps gang - a well organised gang of criminals who steal The Coffin Ship painting from the Yorkton Musuem and take it to Ballinabricky, Ireland to sell.
    
    
    
  • Wood Church a small town, near Yorkton.
    
    
    
  • Wood, Lawson - English illustrator, cartoonist and water-colour artist, who drew many humorous paintings and worked on four animated Hollywood films. He drew many humorous cartoons and drawings of cavemen, dinosaurs, policemen and animals, especially a chimpanzee called Gran'pop.
    
    
    
  • Wressle, P.C. - an alias used by District Superindendent Ferriby. Ferriby adopted the disguise so he could retrieve his Best Admin Officer of the Year Award, which has accidentally been thrown out with the rubbish. Wressle is supposedly part of the Yorkton Rural Police.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Y#

    
    
    
  • YFDWC - see Yorkton Flumen Docks & Waterways Company.
    
    
    
  • YGM see Yorkton Guild Merchants.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton - an historical city, somewhere in the north-east of England and the headquarters for the City and Country Railway and where most of the stories in this series take place.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Book of Days - A day by day book of historical, interesting events and traditions that have ocurred in the City of Yorkton, over the centuries.
    
                  
    
    
  • Yorkton Docks - the area of the city where goods are transported by small ships and barges into and out of Yorkton. In centuries past this area was a bustling hive of activity. By the time of this series, the Docks area is much smaller, but still regarded as a small important trading centre.
    
     
    
    
  • Yorkton Repertory Company (former members of hush, hush units during the Great War, who now ply their skills in the theatre and also help out in other activities as required.
    
    
    
    
  • Yorktonshire Fusiliers, North - see North Yorktonshire Fusiliers.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Flumen Docks and Waterways Company (YFDWC) - responsible for operating and maintaining the Yorkton Docks. Created in the early 1800's.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Guild Merchants (YGM) - the association that looks after the interests of the York Docks merchants.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Mercury - a Yorkton tabloid newspaper and rival to the Yorkton Courier. Current editor is S. Lander.
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Strangler - a character who strangled four people (including Mr. Ira Thackery, a booking clerk for the C & C Railway), before being caught by The Guard. Met his death after attempting to make his escape from The Guard and the police, when he was being transferred from Yorkton to London.
  • appears in -
  • #30 Single to Hangman's Noose.
  • #34 Running Commentary.
    
    
    
    
  • Yorkton Underground system - The C & C Railway also operates the Yorkton Underground system, known locally as The Mole. Only a few stations are physically undergound. The system has two lines, the City and District and the King's lines. The former line runs roughly north and south, whilst the latter runs east to west. The system was first opened in 1907.

    
    
    

    If anyone has been adversely affected by reading these stories and notes, a telephone helpline number will be published in due course!

    text © Adrian Banfield, 2022.