Billy Bunter's Own (Annual). Billy Bunter's Own appeared for the first time in 1953 and was last published in 1961. The annuals contained a number of short stories, all original and mostly by Hamilton. The first three annuals were published by Mandeville and had distinctive yellow dust jackets. Oxenhoath published the remainder and as a consequence they had picture board covers and no dust jackets. You can find full details in the publications section of  The Greyfriars Index

Jack Free in the Billy Bunter's Own Annual

One of the characters featured in Billy Bunter's Own was that of Jack Free, AKA Jack Nobody. Hamilton wrote 8 Jack Free books but only three were published. Dr Peter McCall has managed to trace the missing manuscripts and has received permission from the estate of Charles Hamilton to publish all 8 books. Christmas 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Hamilton's death and it is hoped that these books will make a fitting tribute to the occasion. Further details will be made available on the Friars Club website at http://www.friarsclub.net/.

You can read an article by Derek Adley on Jack Free from the 1990 CDA here.

Three short Jack Free stories appeared in the Billy Bunter's Own Annual. Jack Free stories also appeared in Tom Merry's Own

Rio Kid in the Billy Bunter's Own Annual

Only one Rio Kid story appeared in Billy Bunter's Own, you can read it or download it by clicking the links in the table below.

The Rio Kid also made an appearance in the Popular, Ranger, Modern Boy, Boys Friend Library, Billy Bunter's Own and Tom Merry's Own.

To quote Eric Fayne "Nothing better ever appeared in the Popular or any other paper for that matter. The Rio Kid stories were grand. Completely convincing, geographically correct to the last detail, original in plot and full of thrills these wild west tales had unforgettable charm". For the 1952 Collectors Digest annual Eric Fayne wrote an article on the roamings of the Rio Kid. Charles Hamilton wrote to the CD to say it was the best article he had ever read. The article was reprinted in the CD annual some 35 years later and you can read it here.