Cadman, the Fighting Coward
Cadman was a story that was in VICTOR. Gerald Cadman, originally of Prince Rupert’s Horse “The Fighting 43rd”, was a cowardly and dishonest officer during the first world war. His character was based on George Macdonald Fraser’s Flashman, a cowardly officer of the Victorian period.
Like Flashman his cowardice did not stop him from winning many medals, including the Victoria Cross, the DSO, MC and various foreign decorations, none of which he deserved
Whilst we, the reader, are aware of Cadman’s deficiencies, only his batman, Tom Smith, knows of his senior officer’s cowardice. But who would believe the word of a lowly private against Captain Cadman, darling of the 43rd and a British officer and a gentleman?
There were at least 16 Cadman stories:
The Coward of The Fighting 43rd
Cadman in The Desert
Cadman in The Tanks
Cadman in The RFC
Cadman on The NW Frontier
Cadman and The Yanks
Cadman Spy (featuring a cameo from Hitler!)
Cadman and The Cossacks
Cadman in East Africa
Cadman of The African Rifles
Cadman and The Gurkhas
King Cadman (based on ‘The Prisoner of Zenda)
Cadman in Russia
Cadman in The Alps
Cadman in The Foreign Legion
Cadman’s Felons