Battlefields Trust
Presidents Award
Frank Baldwin writes:
Clive Hallam Baker GBG Badge No 60 received the
Battlefields Trust's President's Award at the Battlefields Trust's AGM for his
contributions to campaigning for battlefield heritage, as evidenced by the
interpretation of the Flodden Battlefield.
Menin Gate Ceremony
Tony Coutts Britton writes:
Tuesday 8 April saw umpteen guides in the Salient and at the
Gate. I managed a brief "hello" to the President at RE Grave on the
Menin Road; he was guiding the KSLI Association. For a Tuesday, the Gate
attendance was pushing a high. The Town side of the Gate was full down to the
pavement around the Ramparts. I wonder how long it will be before big flat
screen TVs will be needed to cope with the attendance.
Anzac Day Commemorations
in the UK
Steve Chambers writes:
Members might like to note the Anzac Day commemorations in
the UK, please see http://www.gallipoli-association.org/content/events-2014
Paris WW1 Exhibition
Mike Sheil writes:
Members may be interested to read about my photo exhibition
now in Paris - see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2601293/2-Paris-exhibits-shed-light-First-World-War.html
Riding the Old Front Line
John Greenacre writes:
It is now less than four months until several Guild members
will be taking place in the 'Riding the Old Front Line' event. Between 2-10
August 2014 a small team of cyclists with a smaller support crew will be
cycling the entire length of the Western Front. The ride of 540 miles from
Nieupoort on the Belgian coast to Pfetterhouse on the Franco-Swiss border will
be made over 7 days with a rest day at Verdun in the middle.
Guild members John Greenacre, Ian Coyne, Richard Burgess,
Sean Cripps and Keith Dolan are among the cyclists, while the support crew
includes Sean Cripps, David Winn and Philip Pearce. Guild partner Anglia Tours
has supplied our rather swish cycling clothing.
The ride will be raising money for two small service
charities, The Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre for Ex-Servicemen and
Gardening Leave. You can find links to both these charities and their Just
Giving and My Donate pages on the Riding the Old Front Line website - http://oldfrontline.angliatours.co.uk/.
On the website you also find links to the event's Facebook page and Twitter
account. Throughout the ride in August both will be updated with pictures and
reports on the length of the Western Front, particularly the southern section
that less of us visit regularly.
Please support these intrepid Guild members and, more
importantly, the charities they are supporting.'
The Badged Guides Dinner
2014
Graeme Cooper writes:
This years Badged Guides Dinner will take place in central
London on Friday 8 Aug and will cost per person in the region £60 - £70 per
head.
Dress is Black Tie for Gentlemen and ladies
accordingly. Guiding Badges are to be worn. The Rendezvous will be
announced later.
For those Badged Guides who wish to attend will they please
e-mail Graeme Cooper cooper@waterlootours.co.uk
to register?
St Mere Eglise
Paddy Earp writes:
Members may wish to note that when you go to St Mere-Eglise,
there is a brand new traffic system, which brings vehicles, especially coaches,
to new parking facilities behind the Airborne Museum and just before you get to
the main square.
Italian Battlefields
Secretary writes:
I have received the following about a project to map Italian
battlefields:
My name is Sergio Schiavi and I’m working since several
years on a project focused on the Italian battlefields. With more than 150
studied places, now I would like to draw and print a detailed map of Italy with
all data collected.
In order to achieve this goal, the project has been
presented for a short time on the international crowdfunding platform:
I hope that the project is interesting for you.
The Anzac Trail
Mike Peters writes:
Members might like to note the details of an ANZAC trail on
the Western Front - see http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/
Travel Advice for the
Normandy 70th Commemoration
Mike Peters writes:
Members may like to note the Government website with advice
for those going to Normandy this June - https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/travel-advice-for-the-70th-anniversary-of-the-normandy-landings.
There is also a list of events taking place at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/10769972/D-Day-70th-anniversary-travel-guide-events-and-tours-in-Normandy.html
WFA London Branch
Neil Bright writes:
Members may care to note that I am now Chair of the above
and the committee are meeting to formulate the speakers' list for 2015/16
We are looking for a balance of academic, battlefield
accounts, things slightly left field, talks based on personal accounts etc. WWI
themed but can be Naval, Air, land or Home Front. Naturally it would be great
to have Guild members in our selection of speakers. We can't pay a fee but
cover expenses and wine and dine the speaker. We have had two Guild badged
members, Julian Whippy and Clive Harris this year who have been a great
success. We have a third, Vern Littley on 1 May on Nonne Boschen. Again eagerly
anticipated. Guild members are welcome to attend for a small donation.
Suggested £5 which includes free raffle ticket. Details of events can be found
here
We meet at the Union Jack Club at Waterloo on the first
Thursday of the month (except Jan and Aug) at 7pm
Books needed by our
friends in the Battlefields Trust
Chris Scott writes:
Anyone who has visited the Trust stand at events like the
English Heritage Festival of History will know they like to raise funds for the
preservation and interpretation of battlefields by selling books. If you have
some military books you no longer need the Trust would be delighted to have
them! Contact Chris Scott on christopher.scott80@ntlwold.com
and he will arrange collection. Thanks.
An open invitation for
Friday 27th June Battle of Norton St Philip 1685
Chris Scott writes:
At 2pm ‘The Troop’ re-enactment group and local residents
will mark the 329th anniversary of the battle with presentations and a tour by
author and battlefield guide Christopher Scott. A wreath-laying will take place
adjacent to ‘Bloody Lane’ on land owned by Trust member Neil Pollard. Proposed
developments in the village threaten to damage part of the site so we need as
many people as possible know about its historic importance.
Help Wanted
Tim Pritchard Barrett writes:
1. - I have an unusual request for some odd American clients
who wish to tour with us to Market Garden & The Bulge but want to go round
Normandy on a bus tour - from Paris.
I do not believe such things exist, at least in
English. If they make their way by train to Caen (and other than the
minibuses from the "Memorial") do guild members have any other
suggestions for minibus tours which will cover new ground over a 4-5 day
period. I am almost embarrassed to ask as I am expecting a stony silence
due to the non-existence of this form of touring option!
2. - Any advice on 'Waterloo 200' re-enactment weekends
please?
Reply please to Tim at admin@advancebattlefieldtours.co.uk
More Help Wanted
Bruce Cherry writes:
I wonder if anybody could help me or direct me again with a
challenge I have?!
We have a group of Vets coming in June to London and
Normandy for the anniversary. They will be in London for a few days and we
already have them going to Duxford and visiting the Cabinet War Rooms. We have
not been able to get them into Southwick House, Imperial War Museum or the
British D-Day Museum due to closures or full capacity with VIPs etc.
So I need to find one or two more WWII related visits in or
around London on either June 2 or 4th. We are willing to pay for a special
experience – might you have any brilliant ideas as to who we could approach?
Would love to arrange a private visit of somewhere or meet someone that could
make an impact. Several of the vets are children of WWII vets and three in
particular are the children of one of the first US soldiers to enter Paris on
Liberation Day.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Bruce Cherry - d.b.cherry@btinternet.com
Member Secretary
Jo Hook writes:
Member sec on tour until 6 May and will not be picking up
emails. Anything urgent should be directed to Tony Smith the secretary
BBC News
·
Sunflowers honour fallen Stockton soldiers - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-27088030
·
Girl, 7, digs up 'WW2 bomb' on Norfolk beach - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-27073402
·
Llanidloes World War One app launched - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-26872275
Finally I would like to wish all members a Happy Easter!
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
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