New Guild Vice President
Mike Peters writes:
Fellow members Council is pleased to announce the
appointment of a new Guild Vice President (Military).
Air Vice Marshal Steven Abbott CBE MPhil BA FCMI RAF (Retd)
has accepted the honorary role and will act as the Guild’s ambassador with a
particular interest in the military sphere of Battlefield Study, Staff Rides
and general touring. He is the current Course Director at the Royal
College of Defence Studies in London, he is passionate about military history
and is a great believer in the value of battlefield tours as an educational
tool for the military. We hope to see our new Vice President at the christmas
Lunch and at the AGM weekend in January. His military CV is attached to this
bulletin for interest. Council continues to consider additional candidates from
other areas for Vice President.
Australian Somme
Ceremonies 2016
Mike Peters writes:
We have received the following note regarding the Australian
commemorations on the Somme in 2016:
The Australian Government will be holding three important
commemorative services in 2016 to commemorate the sacrifice of Australian
soldiers on the Western Front during the First World War. These ceremonies will
take place on 25 April on Anzac Day, on 19 July 2016 in Fromelles (59)
and 23 July in Pozieres (80).
It is expected that these commemorative services will be
attended by a high number of visitors and access to the sites will be
restricted. An online ticketing system will be put in place for the July
services.
In order to provide you with information on the planning for
these ceremonies, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is holding two briefing
sessions; in Amiens and in Lille on 19 October and 20 October at 5.30pm.
Briefing sessions will be conducted in French and we would
be delighted to welcome you or one of your local representatives to these
sessions. We can also provide a briefing in English with all the relevant
information or speak to you separately.
Please find attached the invitation to the briefing.
RSVPs are expected by 15 October COB to estelle.jury@dfat.gov.au
Dyle Weekend 16th - 18th
September 2016
Chris Finn writes:
The Guild Overseas Weekend for 2016 will take place between
16 and 18 September and look at the experiences of the BEF and the Air
Component over the period 10 to 28 May 1940. It will be led by John
Cotterill and myself and give those who attend it the opportunity to examine
the vital, yet rarely toured, first half of the Battle of France and its impact
on the subsequent evacuation from Dunkirk. So far Alison Hine,
Jean-Michel Verannenman, Francois & Margaret Wicart, John Greene,
Derek Armitage and Tony Scott have expressed an interest in attending. Further
details are attached to this Update.
Richard Holmes Memorial
Lecture
Frank Baldwin writes:
Professor Anne Curry
"Agincourt 1415”
A lecture and sandwich lunch 12.30-2.00pm 14th October 2015
Hosted by The Fusiliers Museum London in the Officer's Mess
of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HM Tower of London
Professor Anne Curry will talk about the Battle of Agincourt
which took place 21 October 1415. This is the 2015 Richard Holmes Lecture which
members of the British Commission for Military History and Guild of Battlefield
Guides are welcome to attend on an equal basis with Battlefields Trust members.
Our hosts will be the Fusiliers Museum and the event
includes a sandwich lunch a glass of wine and the opportunity to network in the
exclusive surroundings of the Fusiliers mess in HM Tower of London. If you
would like to attend this lunchtime talk, please make a donation of £25 for
each attendee (£20 for members of the Battlefields Trust) and email your name,
contact number and any special requirements (dietary/mobility) to helen@battlefieldstrust.org On
receipt, email confirmation will be sent together with directions to the venue.
If you have any questions, please ring 0207 387 6620. We look forward to
welcoming you.
In order for you to be receive a pass allowing you access to
the RRF Building inside the Tower of London and be included in the catering you
must book at least 48 hours before the event.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally
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Agincourt 600
Paula Kitching writes:
The anniversary of Agincourt is nearly upon us. As part of
the commemorations there will be a service at Westminster Abbey on the 29th
October. Tickets are limited but a few are still available at http://www.agincourt600.com/form349/
Guild Christmas Lunch
Friday December 4th Union Jack Club
Andy Thompson writes:
Second call for the annual Christmas lunch at the UJC. 12:00
for 12:30
£35 to include a four course meal AND port!
To secure your place please contact Andy Thompson info@eyewitnesstours.com
WW1 Changing Faces of
Heroism
Secretary writes:
The University of Leeds has partnered with the BBC to
deliver a free online course, 'WW1: changing faces of heroism'. The course
begins Monday 9 March and is for anyone with an interest in WW1 history and how
it has shaped culture and society.
About the course
Using content from BBC presenter and academic Professor Mary
Beard and archive material, this short 3 week course looks at how the war moved
us away from traditional views of heroism and created new kinds of heroes and
heroines and the legacy this has left us with today.
Sign up now
Our free course met or exceeded expectations for 95% of
learners. To discover a new perspective on WW1 heroism, visit the FutureLearn
website and sign up to the course.
There are 20 places still available.
Mini Bus Hire
Nicky Bird writes:
I am taking some elderly chaps (like myself) from Leander
Club in Henley to Ypres/Somme and need a 9-seater mini-van (a 12-seater needs a
special licence) – a stretched job to carry luggage and people comfortably.
Like the Ford Tourneo L2. My usual van hire people have nothing and others
won’t permit a van to be driven abroad. Does anyone know of a reliable company
in the home counties, preferably near Henley, that might help? Or does anyone
have one to rent for four days?
Contact Nicky on nick@nickybirddesign.com
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
International Guild
of Battlefield Guides
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