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.

Wenches in the Trenches

Colour Serjeant Church entertains the ladies



John Greenacre with his ladies at the start of the event



John taking his guiding responsibilities seriously at Pozieres!!

On 21 October 2011 sixty ladies from Fallingbostel, Hohne and all over the UK met in a field in Mailly Maillet for an Army Benevolent Fund fund raising event labelled as ‘Wenches in Trenches’. The ladies were preparing to walk across the Somme guiding by four intrepid members of the Guild; Peter Hewlett-Smith (the group leader), Ed Church, Jo Hook and John Greenacre. In the evening the guides gave background talks to help prepare the ladies and Colour Serjeant Church made an appearance to tell about the life of the Tommy. The night was spent (mostly wakeful) in unheated army tents as the temperature plunged well below zero.

The following morning the ladies were bussed to Hebuterne where Ed explained the preparations for the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The walk began from Touvent Farm and took the ladies to Sheffield Memorial Park and then over Redan Ridge to the Sunken Road. The ladies were entertained by the guides while walking and during stops in the freezing conditions. Lunch at the Sunken Road was enlivened by the appearance by an Ulster pipe band provided by Rod Bedford!

After lunch the walk continued to Newfoundland Park via Auchonvillers and then finished at the Ancre Cemetery. The evening was spent in a large tent being entertained by a drag act who, if nothing else, should be commended for performing in minimum clothing in freezing conditions. Ed and Peter were singled out as the ‘Saga’ contingent. The night felt a little warmer, probably due to the red wine consumed.

The following day’s walk began at Dartmoor Cemetery and continued through Becourt to the Lochnagar Crater. On through La Boiselle the ladies walked cross country to Pozieres where a lunch break was taken at Gibraltar. As the weather improved a pleasant afternoon was passed walking past Mouquet Farm and up to the Thiepval Memorial where a service of remembrance was conducted by Peter and the group was joined by triple amputee Corporal Andy Reid.

This was a worthwhile and great fun event supported by the Guild. The ladies thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed the efforts of the guides and it is planned to be a repeat event, so watch this space!

The Funeral of Frank van den Bergh

The funeral of Guild member Frank van den Bergh took place on Saturday 15th October and was attended by Wybo Boersma and representatives of the Guild in Holland. Above are pictures of the floral tributes which are now in the National Liberation Museum 1944-45 in Groesbeek.

Frank van den Bergh

As members will know Guild member Frank van den Bergh passed away suddenly on the 8th October 2011. His friend and colleage Wybo Boersma has written the following tribute to Frank:

Frank van den Bergh 1957 - 2011.

Frank was born in Haarlem in 1957. After high school he studied at the University of Nijmegen history focusing on military history. This was a course that fitted his personality and interests like a glove! He graduated Cum Laude.

In 1991 he joined the ‘National Liberation Museum 1944-1945’ in Groesbeek - a job that was just made for Frank. He looked after the museums archives and library, and was also a focal point for all the questions and enquries people put to the museum. His broad interest in military history was reflected in the numerous articles he wrote on various topics such as battles, military clothing and armaments.

His knowledge was not confined to the Second World War. All matters military throughout the ages were of interest to him. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable. War games also became a passion for him. His interest, in particular, with the American and British Airborne Forces was reflected in his involvement in the ‘Air Despatchers’, obtaining a parachute wing, and his membership of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum Hartenstein.

In 2009, Frank joined the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. He attended several of the Guild meetings where he had an opinion on almost every subject and was free with his often outspoken opinions! The highlight of his time with the Guild was the Battlefield tour to South Africa in 2010. Frank was working hard to get his Guild badge. However owing to his illness earlier this year he was unfortunately not able to complete this work.

Frank died suddenly on Saturday, October 8^th 2011 and the world is a lesser place without him.