Monday 25 August 2014

Guild Update 22nd August 2014



Mytchett Validation Event Sat 30th August

Alison Hine writes:

The joining instructions for the Mytchett Validation Event are attached to this Update.  

Mytchett Lift Wanted

Peter Gascoyne-Lockwood writes:

Are there any members who are attending the Guild event at Mytchett on the 30 August, who live near Shaftesbury/Salisbury.  If so we could meet up and travel in one car.

If so please contact Peter Gasgoyne-Lockwood oldcount@aol.com

Chinese Labour Corps

Brian Fawcett writes:

There is a campaign, recently started, to raise 100,000 signatures on a petition, which is to be  discussed in Parliament, for a permanent memorial  to be erected in the UK  to the Chinese  Labour Corps (CLC) of WWI.

Please log-on to the website:  ensuringweremember.org.uk   and sign the petition.

On this site you can sign the petition and also view  films and read about the CLC and what duties they performed.  You can also see a photograph of a Memorial Plaque to members of the CLC in St George's Memorial Church, Ypres, by pressing the 'contact' site.
Please pass to your friends and maybe they can also sign the petition.

My reason for sending this message is that I have been studying the CLC, visited their cemeteries, attended a Conference held in Boulogne and Ypres and carried out further research.

Chinese Labour Corps

Secretary writes:

Co-incidentally to Brian's note above I have received the following:

“May we take this opportunity to draw your attention to the publication of "THE CHINESE LABOUR CORPS (1916-1920)" by Gregory James. ISBN 978-988-12686-0-0   Hardback, xxiv + 1,285 pages.

Please our website www.bayvieweducational.com.hk for a brief introduction.”

Recognising Bairnsfather’s Cartoons

Tonie & Valmai Holt write:

Our online Campaign for the recognition of the value of Bruce Bairnsfather’s cartoons during the First World War has just gone line – hyperlink Bruce Bairnsfather Campaign Would  much appreciate your support and that of all Members. Do what you can!!

Last Post Bugler

Brian Fawcett writes:

On Wednesday 27 August 2014, the Last Post Association will celebrate the 60 years of service of Mr. Antoon Verschoot (89). Mr. Verschoot has served as one of the Association’s buglers since 1954, a record of dedication and devotion to duty that seems unlikely ever to be equalled. The Last Post Association plans to mark this unique achievement with a special programme of events.

Where Units were on each day of the Great War

John Greene writes:

Members may be interested to note a French website which shows the position of every major unit of all combatants on every day of the war. Pick a date and then click on the map. See http://www.carto1418.fr/19141016.php?cal5_date=081914

The Belgium Element of the CWGC

Time Stoneman writes:

These are links to a series of three articles about the Belgian element of the CWGC.  They may be of interest to Guild members.


BBC News

·         World War One Christmas truce football match recreated - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-28917860
·         Freckleton Air Disaster: Memorial held to mark 70th anniversary - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-28900066
·         East Grinstead WW1 paving stone honour for Sidney Godley - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28910744
·         South Wales policeman who died in World War One remembered - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28905082
·         Funeral for Bomber Command crewman Eddie Gurmin - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-28857103

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Guild Update 15th August 2014



New Members

Jo Hook writes:

We welcome the following new members into the Guild:

·         Oliver Green Taunton joins. His interests are Fall of France in 1940, Waterloo, Rorke’s Drift and WW2
·         Dan Hill from Hertfordshire joins. His interests are 1st Bn Hertfordshire Regiment, 1914/1915
·         Anthony Rich from Solihull joins. His interests are Battlefields of Midlands, Cold War, Use of Reservists
·         Andrew Morgan Dover Kent joins. His interests are British in Europe 1939 – 44-45, Inns of Court Regt Belgium 1914-18

New Books

Secretary writes:

Members may be interested to note that member Nick Lipscombe has two major publications hitting the stands in the next few months.  Firstly, a revised edition of his award winning Peninsular War Atlas and concise history, which will be published in September - ISBN: 978-1472807731 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peninsular-Atlas-Revised-General-Military/dp/1472807731/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408106576&sr=8-1&keywords=Peninsular+War+Atlas).  The first print run ran out and so this is the long awaited new and revised edition which coincides with the final commemorations of the War and includes four new maps (including Maya and Tarbes) and four new map inserts (including Pombal, Foz de Arouce and Ordal).  Secondly, a fascinating book, Waterloo – The Decisive Victory, which Nick contributed to and edited.  This book has a foreword by His Grace the Duke of Wellington, an introduction by Peter Snow and 10 international contributors (including Jeremy Black, Charles Esdaile, Philip Haythornthwaite, Andrew Field, Mark Adkin, Natalia Griffon de Pleineville, Hew Davies, Julian Spilsbury and Ian Fletcher) covering discreet topics associated with this decisive Battle.  It will be released this October and will, like the Atlas, appear in a slip case - ISBN: 978-1472801043 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Decisive-Victory-Companion-Military/dp/1472801040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408106671&sr=8-1&keywords=Waterloo+%E2%80%93+The+Decisive+Victory). Both are being published by OSPREY Publishing.

Validation Day - Mytchett 30 August 2014

Alison Hine writes:

The Validation Day will take place at the Defence Medical Services Museum, Mytchett on 30 August. Joining instructions will be sent out nearer the time. The cost for the day will be £20 which includes lunch. It is anticipated that the day will start at 1000 with coffee etc. available from 09.30. The duration of the event will depend on the number of Assignment One presentations.

Please would any other validators wishing to attend contact Alison Hine asap. alisonhine@btinternet.com.

Lift Wanted – Mytchett Event

Secretary writes:

Chris Finn asks that if anyone going to the Mytchett event is in a position to pick him up from Farnborough Main railway station at around 09:15. If you can help please could you drop him a line at christopher.finn1@btinternet.com

Badged Guides Dinner

Secretary writes:

The badged Guides dinner took place last Friday at the Oriental Club at Stratford House in London. As part of the event, expertly organised by Graeme Cooper, the guides were initially shown around by the Club Secretary looking at some of its rich history and the extraordinary characters who have been associated with the Club, since the Duke of Wellington founded the Club as the first and only President. Afterwards dinner was taken in a private dining room.   

New Search Tool

Bruce Littley writes:

Members may be interested to note that there is a new search tool which enables you to discover the records of one million casualties of World War One - searchable by name, street, town or city. See http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ww1-use-search-tool-discover-7527694

Op Market Garden 70th Anniversary

Wybo Boersma writes:

For the programme of the commemoration 70 year Market Garden in September see:

·         www.airborne-herdenkingen.nl
·         www.airbornefeelings.nl
·         http://omg2014 
·         Google use : Herdenkingen Market Garden

Most websites have an English translation.

On Saturday 20 September there will the traditional parachute drop on the Ginkelse Heide at Ede, Drop Zone Y in 1944. There is also a big Airborne Market close to the Airborne Monument. Several Dutch members of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides will also have a stand in this Market to promote the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and battlefield tours. If you are in the area we would be very pleased to see you there!

Mary Middlebrook

Secretary writes:

Members will be saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Middlebrook, Martin Middlebrooks’s wife, after a long illness. On behalf of the Guild the Council offers Martin our most sincere condolences.  

Guild Council Meeting

Secretary writes:

The next Guild Council meeting will be held in London on the 7th October. If any member has issues which they wish the Council to discuss and consider at this meeting, please could they send details to me at secretary@gbg-international.com

Guild Christmas Lunch

Andy Thompson writes:

The Guild Christmas lunch will be held on  Friday December 5th  at the UJC at a cost of £35 per head. Please get the date in your diary now!

Preparing for D Day Event

Secretary writes:

Prior to the September Normandy Recce Paul Oldfield has kindly agreed to hold a half day event on the 11th September to look at some of the southern England sites used in the preparations for D Day. This event will be open to any member that would like to attend, regardless of whether they are going on the Recce. The schedule will be as follows:

·         New Forest Stoney Cross – Air preparations.
·         Solent – MULBERRY, PLUTO and hards.
·         Marchwood – assembly, sausage camps, loading, convoy control, minesweeping.
·         Southwick House - C2, final decisions, final countdown.
·         Portsdown Hill – practice landings, COPP, X-craft etc.

If time permits we may also visit Hayling Island.

The event will start at 12.00 midday at Stoney Cross. Stoney cross is just North of the A 31 in the New Forest. There will be a small administrative charge of £5 per head payable on the day.

If you are interested in joining us please drop me an e-mail - secretary@gbg-international.com.

There are still places available on the Normandy Recce which runs from the 12th - 16th September. If anyone would like further details please drop me a line.  

Job Advert for the Cultural Experience

Alan Rooney writes:

I am looking for an administrator to join our staff at our Salisbury office. The job description is as follows:

Tours Administrator - required for this cultural and historical travel company. Specialising in Battlefield Tours, this successful travel company have been operating for the past 20 years and offer a wide array of military history tours across the globe. The Tours Administrator is the 'engine' of the business, working alongside the sales team to plan and manage the successful delivery of the touring programme.

Tours Administrator - Key Responsibilities:

- Create tour itineraries and assist in tour proposals.
- Liaise with suppliers to negotiate prices and purchase relevant elements of the product. Also to ensure all aspects of the tour are booked and checked in preparation for tour departure.
- Manage the pre-tour requirements of guides and tour managers.
- Issue joining instructions & all other relevant touring literature and documentation.
- Maintain contact with clients to assist with enquiries and amendments and ensure they are in receipt of all required information.
- Keep account of expenditure and produce reports for finance.
- Issue, monitor and act upon customer surveys.
- Travel as Tour Manager as required to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the tour (they may be guiding opportunities for the right candidate).

Tours Administrator - Skills & Experience Required:

- A natural and skilled organiser with the ability to co-ordinate people and events.
- Excellent Worldwide geographic knowledge with an interest in military history being desirable.
- Highly numerate.
- Excellent communication skills with an ability to liaise with clients delivering exceptional service.
- Ability to negotiate with external suppliers.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products.
- A passion for travel with an experience of working in the travel industry being an advantage.
- Spanish or French language skills would be an advantage.

Tours Administrator - Additional Information:

- Office located in central Salisbury location.
- Working hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- 20 days paid holiday.

If you are interested in applying for this interesting and unique position please contact Alan at arooney@theculturalexperience.com

Fields of Battle - Lands of Peace

Mike Sheil writes:


BBC News

·         World War One: The Wales rugby caps who lost their lives - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28743941
·         Rare Staffordshire records reveal WW1 hearings - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-28758191
·         World War One: Soldiers' near riot at Colwyn Bay theatre - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-28780285


Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Guild Update 8th August 2014



Mytchett Validation 30th August

Alison Hine writes:

The Validation day on August 30th urgently needs more validators and audience members or there is a chance we will have to cancel it. If you would like to attend in either capacity please contact Alison as a matter of urgency at alisonhine@btinternet.com.

This event is important for those who have put their names down for validation and we really do not want to have to call it off!

Fromelles Visitor Centre

Mike Peters writes:

I was out on an Anzac Tour last week, very pleased to find that the Visitor Centre is now open for business.  There are a few minor teething issues but overall the centre succeeds in telling the story of the 1916 battle and the subsequent recovery of bodies in an even-handed and engaging way. The delivery methods used are the now customary mix of classic artefact displays, digital screens and an individual audio guide. Guides taking groups should be aware that you cannot arrive and enter on an ad-hoc basis - pre booking for groups is mandatory. One of the problems encountered was visibility of the audio guide track numbers for each exhibit,  they are very small and some areas of the museum have low lighting - staff assured me that larger numbers were being brought in soon. Those who visit Fromelles regularly will be pleased to hear that the British involvement in the 1916 battle has not been airbrushed out, and there are references to the campaigns of both 1914 and 1915. On a practical note,the centre has a small shop, vending machines and toilets for visitors, I would suggest that itineraries should allow a minimum of an hour for a visit - Australian groups will want longer.

Despatches - Summer Edition

Mike Peters writes:

The summer edition of Despatches has now been signed off and has gone to print, members should receive their copies in the next few weeks. A public thank you to Tony Smith for his hard work collating and editing this our second issue. We are already pulling together the Winter edition and we would welcome pictures and articles from members - both should have a guiding theme - we have no shortage of historical information, the magazine is about battlefield guiding, and we are always looking for more battlefields related material.

New Badged Guide Cards

Secretary writes:

These have now been produced and will be handed out to those members at the dinner tonight. The others have been posted out.

Badged Guides Dinner taking place today

Secretary writes:

The Badged Guides dinner takes place in London tonight.

Membership Email List on Website

Secretary writes:

The membership e-mail address list is now on the website in the members only section. The full name, address and telephone list is not being published for Data Protection reasons. If a member wants to telephone another member it is suggested that they drop that member an e-mail asking for their contact details.

Guild Arnhem Weekend October 2014

Wybo Boersma writes:

Unfortunately, for the GBG weekend Arnhem from 9  to 12 October 2014, are only 7 members attending: five British, one Belgian and one American Guild member. That is not enough for this weekend. The weekend Arnhem in 2014 will not continue.
Probably there are too many activities in 2014 in France, Belgium and Netherlands: 70 year anniversary of D-Day, Waterloo, beginning 1st World War in France and Belgium, 70 year  Market Garden and in September a recce tour Normandy.

We now plan to hold the GBG Arnhem weekend in 2015  from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October. Don’t miss it! Put this now firmly on your agenda.

Wybo Boersma.

Guild Members trip to Belgium

Secretary writes:

Around a dozen Guild members were the guests of the Belgium Tourist Board last weekend. We were treated like royalty on the tour which included visits to Liege, Mons, ‘Plugstreet’ and the Ardennes. Thanks are due to Philippe Maree and his team for the organisation of the event. Some of the photos from the event can be seen on the Guild Facebook page

Guild AGM Bromsgrove 21st - 23rd November

Secretary writes:

As members will be aware the Guild AGM is taking place at Bromsgrove between the 21st and the 23rd November. The agenda is being put together now and will shortly be available. In the meantime the application form will be put on the website by next week so that members can start booking their places.

New MA Course

Secretary writes:

Our President, Professor Gary Sheffield, is launching a new part-time MA in the History of Britain and the First World War at the University of Wolverhampton this October and several Guild members have already signed up. The main commitment is to be in the University on 9 Saturdays in year 1, and 7 in year two. If you lack  formal qualifications in history that is  is not necessarily a show stopper - for a chat contact Gary at g.sheffield@wlv.ac.uk, and please copy in Dr Spencer Jones (Spencer.Jones@wlv.ac.uk). Course details can be found at http://courses.wlv.ac.uk/course.asp?code=HS006P31UVD

Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Ride 2015

Paul Oldfield writes:

The Guild team to support next year’s Big Battlefield Bike Ride will be John Cotterill, Andy Johnson, Terry Webb and Paul Oldfield. Thank you to the non-Badged ones who volunteered, but all places have now been filled. The ride starts in Paris and the overall theme will be the Normandy campaign 1944. It finishes at Windsor.

Work of the CWGC

Glenn Hearnden writes:

I am often asked numerous questions about the work of the CWGC around the world.  Our recent tour to Wallonia saw many examples. The below news feature for ITV Tyne Tees  is a wonderful short film about our work and staff around the world and I am sure it will be of real interest to members.


Inventory of Soldiers Kit from 1066 - 2014

Vern Littley writes:


The Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Monthly Meeting Friday 5th September

Secretary writes:

We have received the following which may be of interest to members locally:

The Main Hall, Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Old Felixstowe Road (behind Tesco), Martlesham Heath IP12 4PB at 19.30

"Time will not dim the glory of their deeds".

By Arthur Brookes, Cambridge American Cemetary, Madingley

An illustrated talk, telling the story of this moving Cemetary to American War dead, the story of the Americans in Britain, and a selection of individual stories of those remembered.

Admission £2 members, £3 non-members
Website: www.mhas.org.uk
For more information call: H.King 01473 274300

BBC News

·         In pictures: World War One battlefields 100 years on - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28461026
·         WW1 war horse from Leicestershire remembered - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-28657815
·         World War One: The unprotected Protector - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-28543231
·         Bomber Command memorial: Spire approved by council - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-28667013
·         In pictures: World War One anniversary - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28636232
·         WW1: Surviving 'hell on earth' at Mametz Wood - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28664386
·         The Solomon Islanders who saved JFK - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28644830
·         Birmingham 'aliens' sent to WW1 internment camps - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28438591
·         World War One: Death of a Boy's Own hero - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26117120
·         How schools inspired World War One recruitment - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28403293

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary