NEWARK 'RANSOME AND MARLES' AIR RAID REMEMBERED - RE-ENACTORS WANTED!

On Sunday 6th March 2016, Newark Air Museum remembers the german air attack on the Ransome and Marles bearing factory.  Re-enactors are wanted including factory workers, ARP, Rescue, Police and Ambulance, Fire service, WVS, also Home Guard and British Army.

The venue is Newark Air Museum, NG24 2NY and for further information contact 01636 707170 or you can visit the website at www.nfs-afs-org.uk/2015/11/27/75th-anniversary-memorial-events-2016-newark.
#Newarkairmuseum  #Newark  #re-enactors
Pictured are WWII re-enactors at Severn Valley Railway event.

THE CHINDITS IN BURMA AND THE FRIENDSHIP THAT HELPED ALF AND NORMAN SURVIVE.

To try to combat Japanese controlled Burma during WWII, a special operational force was created, known as the "Chindits."  Prior to their mission in 1943 they were trained in jungle warfare to withstand the difficult terrain and physically demanding conditions they were to encounter.

Troops and supplies were to be dropped by airplane. Norman Fowler and Alf Nicholls were with the fifth column, rifle platoon 7, led by Lt. Phillip Stibbe. Column 5 successfully completed their task on the 6th March which was to destroy a railway bridge at Bonchaung.  The fighting continued and eventually the fifth column was weakened, by the fierce battles they endured, and also having received just 20 days of rations in the 80 days they spent behind enemy lines. Alf and Norman were captured by the Japanese on the 11 May 1943 and sent to a prisoner of war camp. The friendship that developed between Norman and Alf was to be a source of strength and survival during their gruelling years in Rangoon Jail.  Their friendship continued after the war.
Kathleen, Alf's wife and his son Kevin are planning to write about Alf's experiences in Burma during WWII.

www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/4905/chindits-of-Burma
www.chinditslongcloth1943.com.

Thanks to Margaret Woods for her help with this story.
The picture is from a re-enactment at Tutbury Castle 2015.
#ChinditsBurma ,  #WWII, #Chindits,  #WhitchurchHeritage, #OldRectory, #listeningstation

THIS WEEKS WWII NEWS

Re-enactors wanted for The Ironbridge Gorge WWII Weekend 2016!

Unesco World Heritage site, The Ironbridge Gorge, a scenic Shropshire venue over the River Severn, is the location for a #WWII weekend in 2016.

Vintage vehicle owners, wartime #re-enactors, 1940s entertainers, and traders are requested to contact the event organiser at 07470 831484.
The event is to take place on May 28th and 29th, and the location is The #Ironbridge Gorge, Dale End Park, Ironbridge TF8 7EG.

#Landmine Discovered near the Isle of Wight
A 1,500lb landmine had been safely detonated by a bomb disposal team this week.  The WWII landmine was recovered by a dredger and taken to a site near Bembridge where it was disposed of by a controlled explosion.

College at University of Kent named after WWII #Codebreaker
A college at the University of Kent has been named after Alan Turing - famous  for his work as a Bletchley Park code-breaker.

#IronbridgeWWII  #IsleofWight #AlanTuring  #WWIIcodebreaker
Source- www.40s-events.co.uk/calendar, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire,
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews, www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/university-college-named-after-codebreaker, www.thepeopleshistory.com.

WHITCHURCH COFFE MORNING, MEMORIES OF WWII AND ATTACK AT DAWN!

The Royal Navy holds a special place in people's memories. Extreme weather conditions and mighty sea battles spring to mind and the events of #WWII still bring people together, to share memories and discover what their young parents and relatives endured.
A coffee morning held at the Civic Centre, Whitchurch on the 20th November 2015, and organised by Whitchurch Heritage Centre, included wartime re-enactors, music from the 1940's and a book signing by author Ron Cope. The book, Attack At Dawn is an in-depth look at the First Battle of Narvik, Norway, during WWII. Ron Cope's father Cyril was a torpedoman and served with HMS Hardy. This is a well researched, detailed and moving account of the naval battles, and of the British sailor's and their families. The Captain of HMS Hardy, Bernard Warburton-Lees V.C. who lost his life during the battle, was from the Whitchurch area.

Pictured with Ron Cope (centre), is Christopher Clark son of  Lieutenant Clark who was a gunnery officer on HMS Hardy. Also pictured is Olwyn George whose uncle, Frederick Arthur Mason served with Cyril on HMS Hardy.

Attack At Dawn  is available on Amazon, from retail book stores, or you can contact Ron Cope by email roncope@btinternet.com.

Source
Attack At Dawn by Ron Cope
Whitchurch Heritage Museum

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#Narvik   #WhitchurchHeritageCentre   #HMSHardy   #BattleofNarvik   #RoyalNavy

DESBOROUGH IN THE 1940s September 2015

Despite some unsettled weather prior to this event, Desborough in the 1940s enjoyed a sunny September day! The festivities started at 12.00pm with the sound of an air raid siren and then we were all able to imagine we had re-visited wartime Britain.

Vintage vehicles lined the street, there were costumed re-enactors including WWII

soldiers with a jeep and lots of stalls and vintage shopping for the enthusiasts!

 The Heritage Centre provided displays and showed Pathe News from the 1940s and there was music and entertainment for everyone to enjoy! Another friendly and enjoyable event from Desborough.

#Desborough1940s  #WWIIdesborough  #1940sRe-enactors

REMEMBERANCE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH 2015

"For our tomorrows their today they gave

and simply asked that in our hearts they'd live.

 

 

We heed their call and pledge ourselves again, 

At dusk and dawn - we will remember them!"

 

A hymn - words by Charles Henrywood

 



#RE-ENACTORS AND VEHICLES WANTED FOR WWII NOSTALGIA DAY NOVEMBER 2015!

Military and vintage vehicles are required for Nostalgia Day at #SawbridgeworthMemorial Hall, Hertfordshire, postcode CM21 9AX.

This event is taking place on November 7th 2015 to commemorate the end of WWII. Costumed re-enactors are also wanted.  For more details contact david.mead7@btinternet.com or you can ring 01279 724503.