Friday, 24 October 2014

Guild Update 4th October 2014



100 Years of Gratitude

John Greene writes:

Members may be interested in the following article about the US involvment in WW1 which appeared in the NY Times:


And also an article about Alvin York which mentions the Guild article on the same subject:


Brandhoek Access

Richard Peters writes:

I was in Ypres at the weekend; Road works now block the access to the Brandhoek CWGC cemeteries for coaches, though there is (tight) access for cars.

A Hundred Years on - the Great War and other Events on Cannock Chase

Bruce Littley writes:

Members may be interested to hear of the launch of Chris Johns new book which discussed Cannock Chase in the Great War. An information flyer is attached to this Update.


Royal British Legion Ypres Branch Benefit Concert

Roger Steward writes:

Fellow Guild Members

I am delighted to invite yourselves and your clients to the Royal British Legion Ypres Branch benefit concert on Monday 27th October at the Stadsschouwburg Ypres starting at 3.00pm.
The concert features the Band of the Kings Division , the British Army's premier marching brass band and also the "Westenders" , straight from the West End of London to perform songs from the West End shows.
Attending the concert will be Ambassadors from the Commonwealth Countries , local Mayors , politicians and dignitaries. This promises to be a premier event.

The tickets are available on a donation basis , with a suggested donation being €25 per ticket.

All the proceeds will go towards the Branch and the Poppy Appeal which certainly is a worthwhile cause.

We would be honoured if yourself and any of your clients would like to attend. For your ticket requirements please contact myself on rogerrbl@icloud.com or on info@cavells.be

Fields of Battle Lands of Peace

Mike Shiel writes:



Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Guild Update 19th September 2014



Despatches

Secretary writes:

The latest edition of Despatches should have reached you by now. If you have not received it please could you let me know and let me have your full address so we can ensure that our database is up to date.

Legal Casualties in Ypres

Anthony Rich writes:

Attached below is a link to an article that recently appeared in The Law Society Gazette, the magazine of the professional body for the solicitors’ profession. It deals with 2 of the first legal casualties of 1914, and their backgrounds. It may be of interest to IGBG members guiding parties in Ypres especially if the parties or individuals have an interest or background in the legal and allied professions or in social as well as military history. Interestingly the deceased had been a reserve forces officer, not a regular, contrary to the myth that 1914 was the exclusive preserve of the regulars and former regulars recalled from the reserve.

The Gazette is taking the WW1 centenary seriously and they have a number of other articles of interest on line , such as the recollections of a legally qualified officer called onto serve as a member of a court martial in a capital case (a sleeping sentry) which members may find of interest. (The officer concerned refused to convict when informed that the death penalty would be mandatory, and as a “line” officer had his own, interesting but doubtless effective, way of dealing with the offence locally, informally and mercifully).


Waterloo 200

Glen Nolan writes:

Looking at going to the 200th Waterloo, is anybody in the Guild doing a package over the event, any information would be great. PLease contact Glenn at nolanglenn@yahoo.com.au

Winter Lecture Series

John Greenacre writes:

University Campus Suffolk in Ipswich is running a free, winter public lecture series on the First World looking at diverse topics, such as landscape, soldiers' diet and shell shock. One of the speakers is Guild member Mike St Maur Sheil. Full details of each lecture are on the attached flyer. If anyone requires more information they should contact John Greenacre at john_greenacre@hotmail.com

BEF - the Dyle to the Canal Line

Chris Finn writes

In addition to John Cotterill and myself, Duncan Barnes, Neil Bright, Terry Webb and Paul Oldfield have expressed interest in attending the "BEF - the Dyle to the Canal Line" weekend 20 to 22 Mar 15.  The outline is for us to meet in Brussels on the Friday night and stay there both nights.  On the Saturday we will go to Eben Emael to look at the strategic and operational settings, and the German assault on the fortress.  Depending on time we will then go to the "Maastricht Bridges" before lunch.  We will  then go to Gastuche, on the River Dyle.  Here we will look at the problems facing the BEF, the initial actions against the German Army and the defence of the bridge at Gastuche (Lt Dick Annand VC).  On the way back to Brussels we will stop at Heverlee War Cemetery, just south of Louvain.  The cemetery contains burials from the Dyle Line fighting, including  Capt the Lord Cambridge (Coldstream Guards) and Fg Off Garland VC, Sgt Gray VC and SAC Reynolds of 12 Sqn.  It also contains the six ATS graves from the accident of 13 Jan 45.  On Sunday we will go to Esquelmes, on the River Escault to look at the retreat to the Escault Line, whether that should have been the BEF's initial defensive line and the fight for Poplar Ridge.  We will then go to the Ypres-Comines canal area where we will look at the 5 Div battle of 26-28 May 40 which enabled much of the BEF to cross the Lys and retreat towards Dunkirk.  Can anyone else interested in participating in this weekend please email me and/or have a chat at the AGM.



Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Guild Update 11th September 2014



New Members

Jo Hook writes:

We welcome the following new members into the Guild:

·         Nigel Atter from Leicester joins. His interests are 8th Lincolns at Loos, Kitchener, 1st Leicesters at Ypres
·         Jim Maynard from Hatfield Herts joins. His interests are The Western Front

Areas of Responsibility

Jo Hook writes:

Please could all members note that the secretary (Tony Smith) deals with any merchandise apart from badges and car stickers. The membership secretary Jo Hook deals with all membership enquiries, badge and car
sticker requests.   The Validation Secretary (Alison Hine) deals with all correspondence regarding validation.

Please also note that the membership secretary's email address is mbr.sec@gbg-international.com and that the member secretary role is no longer run by Mike Scott.  With effect from November 2013 Jo Hook is now the membership secretary.  Emails regarding Guild matters sent to any other address other than the membership address or via social media may not get actioned. 

The membership secretary is out of office from 14 September to 1 October inclusive. She will not be picking up emails and will deal with all enquiries on her return

Members Name Badges

Jo Hook writes:

Name badges have now been ordered for all new members.  Please can you check the list and if your name is not on it get in touch with the membership secretary at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com.

As there are no further Guild events this year please can you let me know if you are happy to receive your name badge at the AGM. Alternatively if you won't be attending the AGM please let me know and I will send them out to you.

Kenya Taita Taveta WW1 Commemorations

James Willson writes:

Members may be interested in my comments on the recent most successful Kenya Taita Taveta WW1 Commemorations attached to this Update.
The ‘Forgotten’ war in now being remembered!

Despatches

Secretary writes:

The latest edition of Despatches should have reached you by now. If you have not received it please could you let me know and let me have your full address so we can ensure that our database is up to date.

Battlefields Trust Event 29th September 2014

Secretary writes:

Members may be interested in attending the following event:

Lambert Simnel & Stoke Field 1487
Dr Chris Scott

A lecture and sandwich lunch
12.30-2.00pm Monday 29 September 2014
Hosted by The Fusiliers Museum London in the Officer's Mess of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HM Tower of London

There is a popular misconception that all Henry Tydr’s troubles came to an end on Bosworth Field in 1485 when the truth is that his reign was dogged by plots, discontent and uprisings. Two of these centred around Yorkist pretenders to his throne and whilst many people know a little about the second of these men, Perkin Warbeck, perhaps because of television dramatisations, very few have heard of the first, Lambert Simnel, whose rebellion two years after Bosworth threatened to plunge England once more into civil war and resulted in a bloody battle near Newark.

Dr. Christopher Scott, a member of the Battlefields Trust and a founder of the Guild of Battlefield Guides recently took a group of fellow historians and guides on a tour of the site of that battle and for it prepared a short lecture to set the engagement in context. It is an exciting story of opportunism, clandestine intrigue, high finance, and international wheeling and dealing which came to a bloody and dramatic climax and comes complete with tales of murderous atrocities and a walled-up skeleton.

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) by clicking on 'Booking' to the right. Then please 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 receive a pass allowing you access to the venue in the  Royal Regiment of Fusiliers building inside the Tower of London and to be included in the catering, you must book at least 48 hours before the event.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity

Christmas London Lunch Friday December 5th Union Jack Club 12:00 for 13:00.

Andy Thompson writes:

First call for reservations for the Guild’s annual Christmas Lunch. Cost £35 (held at 2013 prices) to include 4 courses, wine and port. The lunch will be held at the Union Jack Club which is adjacent to Waterloo Station and thus easy to get to by public transport.

Email  Andy Thompson info@eyewitnesstours.com to secure a place and please note that there are only 60 places available. Members are welcome to bring friends and it is hoped there will be representatives from partner companies present offering those who attend not only an excellent social occasion but an ideal opportunity to network with like-minded people.

70th Anniversary of Market Garden

Secretary writes:

You can download the PDF of the 70 Years Operation Market Garden Programme here:

Napoleonic Events Listing

Suzanne Brunt writes:

Members may be interested to note the schedule of upcoming Napoleonic events:

APSLEY HOUSE, 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT
Tuesday 21th October 2014   17.00 - 21.00
An Evening with Bernard Cornwell, who will speak on his new book
''Waterloo : The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles''
followed by Questions and book signings.
After your welcoming glass of wine, there is time to visit the House before
Lord Douro introduces Bernard in the Waterloo Gallery.
Tickets must be booked in advance on 0870 333 1183 in office hours.
English Heritage members £95    Adults £100  with complimentary copy of the book.

WALMER CASTLE, Kingsdown Road, Deal CT17 7LJ
Curator Kate Olpin has kindly offered a group visit to Walmer Castle during October 2014,
with a house tour, a garden tour and refreshments.
This offer depends on the number of responses, an alternative evening visit is possible.
Please contact derek.p.murphy@bt.com  to register your interest and arrange a date.
Current prices are  Adults £7.90/£7.10  Children £4.70  English Heritage members free.

SHORNCLIFFE TRUST, Sandgate, Folkestone Kent   are recreating The Shorncliffe Lectures
on 15th November 2014 at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Folkestone, Kent.
contact the secretary@shorncliffe-trust.org.uk  to book and confirm times.

FOREM, The Friends of the Royal Engineers Museum,  invite you to join their meeting
on Wednesday 4th November 2014 17.30-20.30 at Brompton Barracks, Chatham Kent.
Martin Stoneham will speak on Sir Richard Fletcher RE.
There are a number of free places available, smart casual dress, and then an invitation to join members
after the talk for a 4-course dinner  in The Officers mess at a cost of £10 each.
There you will be able to view the only portrait of Richard Fletcher and other military paintings.
Contact suzanne.brunt@talktalk.net for more details on booking a place, and menu details.

STRATFIELD SAYE HOUSE VISIT FOR MEMBERS OF THE WATERLOO ASSOCIATION.
23RD APRIL 2015.    This visit for members is in the early stages of planning.
Please register your names with suzanne.brunt@talktalk.net and full details will follow.
Join the Waterloo Association on www.waterloocommittee.org.uk

THE FRIENDS OF THE BRITISH CEMETERY, ELVAS, PORTUGAL.
15TH AND 16TH OCTOBER 2014,  A Symposium held over two days,
based in Sudbury Suffolk, and Castle Hedingham.
With a full programme of talks and included meals.
Contact Major Nick Hallidie, 10 Ballingdon Street, Sudbury, CO10 2BT
01787 880445   nah812@gmail.com

FIREPOWER, ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICH.
31st OCTOBER and 1st NOVEMBER 2014
Ghost Tours with bangers and mash and hot drinks.
18.00 - 19.00 - 20.00 and 21.00    book on 0208 855 7755

FONTAINBLEU, PARIS   15th and 16th NOVEMBER 2014.
Auction of the contents of the Monaco Museum, of Napoleonic Items,
nearly 1000 items.   French Auction House OSENAT.

Updates for September

Secretary writes:

In common with many members I will be abroad during the majority of the rest of September. Accordingly the Update may be sent out 'haphazardly'. Hopefully you can bear with me until 'normal service is resumed'!   


Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary