Frank van den Bergh - the final parachute jump

All pictures copyright of Robert Brink

Tonie & Valmai Holt write

We thought Guild Members would appreciate these pictures of the final parachute jump of our dear friend and GBG Member, the late Frank van den Bergh.  They were sent to us by Frans Ammerlaan, an extremely knowledgeable Arnhem local and enthusiast we have known for many years and who is tireless in his desire to keep the Market-Garden flame of memory alight. He was very much instrumental in this glorious venture.

Frank's ashes, contained most appropriately in the carton of an expensive bottle of malt whisky, were parachuted onto Ginkel Heath by No 47 Air Despatch Sqn, Brise Norton, on Sat 22 Sept. They were then scattered by his sisters in front of the Air Despatchers' Memorial near the Oosterbeek CWGC Cemetery which Frank had been instrumental in getting erected.  Frank, whose vocabulary and drinking habits had been educated by Paras (whom he absolutely adored) over the years, would have LOVED this final send off.

Guild Validation Day Mytchett 1st September 2012

Mike Peters writes:

I have just returned from the very successful Guild validation session at the Army Medical Services Museum. What an enjoyable and educational day all round, well done to Alison Hine and the VT for organising the day and keeping us all on the straight and narrow.

The standard of assignments was very good and I was pleased to see so many passes attained by our intrepid candidates. Congratulations are due to Craig Hallam-Baker for his Assignment 1 presentation on Flodden 1513, hopefully Clive has made back to the borders by now? Well done to Bob Shaw for his gripping presentation on the battle for Mount Longdon 1982, and to Ron Lyons who advanced the Australian banner in the Guild with his Assignment 1 on Bullecourt 1917. So we now have three new candidates on the validation trail - don't hang about chaps, go for your badges!

Assignment 5 - Problems on Tour, produced another clutch of strong passes from John Hamill, Ray Wilkinson, Adam Williams, and Tony Smith. The latter two also produced two very good Normandy based Assignment 6 sessions to secure a double whammy each...can they get their remaining assignments done by the AGM? It was pleasing to see a healthy number of new members in attendance, all watching and learning from their peers.

Overall it was a thoroughly good day rounded off with a pub lunch in a beer garden (picture on twitter @GuildofBG) - what's not to like? 

Hopefully we will see some of today's candidates collecting the coveted red badge in November at Bromsgrove.

Members gathered at a local pub after the event.

The true essence of the Guild at Dieppe; 106 passengers, 6 veterans and 6 Badged Guides working together, oh and Royalty to be guided!

Culminating at Dieppe and marking the 70th anniversary of that battle, Guild members Clive Harris and Julian Whippy with their Company Battle Honours Ltd, were proud to lead a tour party of 106 Canadians across North West Europe as the group retraced the steps of their Regiment (The Essex Scottish) and the Battle Honours it won during the later stages of World War Two. Perhaps a first for the Guild was the fact that 7 guides were used on the one tour and 6 were Badged guides! 

After 10 days battlefield touring including Groningen, Xanten, Hochwald, The Scheldt, Nijmegen, Normandy and a day at Ypres the party was joined by the Colonel in Chief His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent who arrived on HMS Charger.  

Clive enjoyed the honour of guiding the Prince around Dieppe and Canadian Guild member Kirk Drew (Captain in the Essex Scottish) conducted a stand on Red Beach for the Prince, not knowing that he was later to be informed that he too had passed his final Guild validation and was to now be a “badged member” –No pressure then!

Clive guiding at Dieppe

Beneath a blazing sun, superbly orchestrated ceremonies marked the end of the tour at Dieppe on August 19th. As a Spitfire flew overhead Prince Michael spoke proudly of his Regiment, its losses and achievements and the locals hugged and kissed the veterans. It was remembrance in pure form.

Guild Badged Guides on tour were Clive Harris, Mike Sheil, Terry Webb, Dudley Giles, Kirk Drew and Julian Whippy. GBG member Rory Stephens shone throughout as a new guide and is undertaking his part one soon. Clive and Julian pointed out that it was the Guild that brought all these Guides together and without it the trip would not have been the resounding success that it was.

For those interested some further pictures are available at

https://twitter.com/bhltours

Dr Chris Scott receiving his PhD

Chris Scott recently received his PhD from Cranfield University. Here he is at the Graduation Ceremony

Marking the Centenary of the First World War - An Update from Dr Andrew Murrison MP

14 June 2012

Dear Centenary Colleague,

It’s a while since many of us met in Portcullis House to discuss how we might mark the centenary of the First World War and I thought you might appreciate an update.

The Prime Minister wanted to have personal oversight of what he rightly identified as an extraordinarily important set of anniversaries for this country. To facilitate this he appointed a Special Representative and, accordingly, I have been reporting to David Cameron. 

The UK has taken a leading role with international and Commonwealth partners. A secretariat has been established within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and a core working group has been meeting regularly involving relevant government departments, arms length bodies and lottery funders under my chairmanship. The Prime Minister has been briefed and is absolutely committed to ensuring that government does all in its power to mark the centenary in a proper and enduring manner.

The Imperial War Museums has taken an early lead and, since it was established in 1917, it is right that it, and particularly its Regeneration project, should be at the epicentre of the centenary. The Heritage Lottery Fund has undertaken to act as lead lottery funder for the centenary, establishing a dialogue with the other lottery funding bodies that have an interest in 2014-2018. 

The high level of public interest shown in the centenary of the sinking of Titanic in 1912 is instructive. Scale it up many times and we begin to get a feel for how big the series of anniversaries from 2014 will be. Indeed, the emergence already of a large number of excellent grassroots projects has been striking. These are forming a tapestry of intensely local initiatives based around the personal, human side of the conflict. The IWMs’ Centenary Partnership with its inclusive logo (see below) is an excellent way of drawing these together in an appropriately light-touch way. 

I’ve been round a large number of London’s Embassies and High Commissions in the course of my work and it has been interesting to see how the other belligerents of WWI are approaching the centenary. Each country has its own agenda, desired outcomes and solution for delivering them. I am clear from our preparatory work that the UK’s contribution should focus on remembrance, youth and education.  

There have been a few dissenting voices. Some say that we should only mark the end of conflict, not the beginning or points along the way. One or two commentators have even said that WWI was too long ago, that it is irrelevant to modern life and that we should move on. I think very few of us would agree and the public certainly does not, as recent IWM commissioned polling data has shown.

It would be appropriate to mark the point of entry of the UK into the conflict which means during the first week of August 2014. Naturally, the big event for the UK will be Armistice Day 2018 which, by happy chance, falls on a Sunday. 1 July 2016 leaps out as the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Our partners assume, with good reason, that this will be a prime focus for the UK. So, the three nationally driven anniversaries are shaping up to be 4 August 2014, 1 July 2016 and 11 November 2018.

Naturally, many of the sites of interest are in Belgium and Northern France and there will be much commemoration on the continent. However, it is sometimes forgotten that we have large and historically significant Commonwealth War Grave Commission sites here – Brookwood and Lynness spring immediately to mind - together with other locations of relevance to WWI, notable Folkestone which was the main port of embarkation for men and material. It is important that these are given the full prominence they deserve in our national commemoration. 

Each of us will be able to suggest a number of additional events that are worthy of commemoration. Some will require national governance and others will benefit from more local arrangements. Within our timeframe lie important non-WWI anniversaries that we will want to observe. Some of these relate to ancient conflicts, others will involve living veterans and their families, notably the 75^th anniversary of Britain’s entry into WWII and the 70^th anniversaries of D Day, VE Day and VJ Day.

The UK differs from our continental partners in having a unique relationship with the Commonwealth which is, naturally, informing our perspective on the centenary. The UK’s relationship with the Republic of Ireland has taken a dramatic turn for the better following the Queen’s hugely successful visit to Dublin and the centenary offers an opportunity to develop this further.

Part of the challenge of the centenary is to anticipate the expectations of partner nations and to plan accordingly.  With this in mind, work is underway in collaboration with the UK’s representatives abroad, particularly in Paris and Brussels. 

There is a strong appetite for a centenary focussed heavily on youth. After all, those on the frontline in WWI were young and it is appropriate that they are in the van of our commemoration. 

Consequently, we are looking at an enduring educational vehicle that will be named for the centenary.

I anticipate a formal announcement by government of its proposals later this year, allowing a two year run-up to the start of the centenary. In the meantime, I hope that you will continue to provide input as plans are brought to maturity over the summer. Tim Scott is the project’s desk officer and his contacts are; 0207 2116148; TIM.SCOTT@Culture.gsi.gov.uk. Alternatively, please contact me on 01225 358584 or by email; andrew.murrison.mp@parliament.uk

Best wishes,

Andrew Murrison

Gallipoli Memorial at the National Arboreatum

The picture shows the Gallipoli Memorial at the National Arboretum.

Rorkes Drift VC Recipient to get New Memorial

A Cwmbran man who earned the Victoria Cross for his part in the 1879 defence of Rorke's Drift is to be honoured with a new memorial in his home town.

Abergavenny-born John Fielding joined the 24th Regiment of Foot at the age of 20 in 1877.

Two years later he was one of around 140 British troops who fought hand to hand with 4,000 Zulus.

A trust set up in his name will restore a memorial at his resting-place in St Michael's Church, Llantarnam.

The £3,750 funding has come from the Cwmbran Regeneration Partnership, headed by John Cunningham, Torfaen council's executive member for neighbourhood services.

He said: "The Partnership has been successful in helping to lever in several thousand pounds of external funding to support regeneration in Cwmbran.

"By working in partnership we are able to achieve greater results and deliver better projects on the ground for local communities."

Mr Fielding's VC is in the name of John Williams, as he gave an alias when signing-up.

The reason is unclear, although it is thought he may have been running away from home, or at least from the area.

The VC citation describes how Private Williams defended two patients in a hospital ward for over an hour, before running out of ammunition.

With the Zulus breaking down the door to get in, he knocked a hole through the wall into an adjacent ward, where he met up with a Private Hook.

Between them, Privates Williams and Hook held at bay the Zulu advance for a further hour, while smashing holes through another three walls to evacuate eight patients to the protection of the garrison's inner defensive ring.

Speaking on the 130th anniversary of the battle, John Fielding's great-grandson, Robert Cousins told BBC Wales: "The VC itself of course is in the South Wales Borderers' museum in Brecon, but we still have a few mementos.

"There's a small notebook which was given to all soldiers at the time, to record events, and a letter of thanks from the Governor of Natal, who believed that the province could well have been overrun if it hadn't been for the defence of Rorke's Drift.

"It's a fantastic story to grow up with. I'm immensely proud to have such a tale to tell my children and grandchildren."

Incredibly John Fielding, aged 57, volunteered for service again at the outbreak of the WW1, though on this occasion he remained stationed at Brecon.

The eldest of his three children was not so fortunate, dying in action during the retreat from Mons in 1914

John Fielding himself however lived to 75, before dying of heart failure in 1932.

He was the last of the Rorke's Drift VC recipients and his funeral attracted mourners to Llantarnam from all over the world.

Neil Prior

On the BBC Website 21^st March 2012

Litter in Ypres

A note has been received from the Ypres Tourist office which Guild members should be aware of:

"We wish to inform you that the local police has started a campaign against illegal waste disposal in Ypres. We think it is important to inform you, to ensure bus drivers tell their customers about this campaign. Under no circumstance is it authorised to dispose of waste on public roads or anywhere else than in public dustbins. The illegal waste disposal will be monitored with unmanned cameras. It seems obvious this is not authorised but it has been demonstrated in the past that not everyone strictly complies with this rule. We would appreciate it if you could pass on this message to your drivers. Many thanks in advance for working towards a clean Ypres with us."

With kind regards,

Peter Slosse,

Director Tourist Office

Somme Events 1st and 2nd July 2012

30^th June Armed Forces day "Somme Dinner."

This year 30^th June being Armed Forces day and the eve of the Anniversary of the battle of the Somme the Royal British Legion Somme branch are hosting the 8th annual Somme Dinner at the Mercure Hotel Arras France.

The dinner is semi-formal with a short speech and the customary toasts.

We assemble at 19.30 for 20.00hrs we hope to have the dinner concluded at 22.00ish, we have a sing-a-long during dinner and dancing after with Peter Day, carriages at 23.59hrs, when those who wish may retire to the bar.

Tickets are € 50 and include pre-Dinner drinks, 4 course dinner with Wine and dancing to Peter Day.

Dress Gentleman Black tie, Mess kit, Lounge suit or Blazer, Ladies Evening or Cocktail. Medals may be worn.

Pay on line at http://www.rblsomme.org/rblsomme.org/Online_Payment_Page.html

1^st July Somme Commemoration

10.45hrs. The Somme service of Commemoration, Thiepval Memorial Somme France.

The Royal British Legion arrange the service with the assistance of our British Ambassador to France, SIR PETER RICKETTS GCMG and his staff together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

All RBL and service associations’ standard bearers please muster at the Thiepval memorial at 1000hrs.

There will be a Military band, Regiment yet to be confirmed.

For further details please contact:

Rod Bedford
Chairman (Somme Branch BR3530)
The Royal British Legion
2, Rue des Cordeliers
80560 Mailly Maillet
Somme France

Chairman@rblsomme.org
Tel 0033 322 76 29 60
Mobile 0033 674090882

New French Traffic Laws

Sat Navs which show speed camera locations

As from 5 January 2012, it will be an offence if your Sat Nav has specific speed camera locations listed as "points of interest". Under the new rules it is permissible to have "Danger Areas" containing Speed Cameras marked - but these are up to 4km long on Auto-routes and 1.2 km long on other roads, a speed camera may be somewhere within this area. Some manufacturers are converting their exact locations to "Danger Areas" others are deleting all reference to cameras.

See your satnav manufacturers web site for more details:

Tom Tom

http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5560/?locale=en_GB

Navman

http://service.navman.com/m0100/F0110_DownLoad_Faq.aspx?bullid=101187&faqid=AllFaq

Garmin

http://www.garmin.com/uk/extras-camera-alerts/#france

New Garmin Satnavs have speed camera “Danger Zones” marked, existing models must have speed camera locations turned off.

Breathalysers

From 31 March 2012, vehicles will be required to carry a single use breathalyser in France. They must be the "NC" Standard and British sourced units are unlikely to meet this standard. However the secretary has spoken to Alcosense (0800 195 0088) who are now producing single use equipment which meets the standards. They claim to be the only manufacturer of compliant units in the UK.

Mobile Phones

From Jan. 3rd 2012, drivers caught using a mobile phone while on the road in France are liable to an on-the-spot fine of 130 Euros – and 3 penalty points if you have a French driving licence.