Category: News

Winchester’s Military Museums An event organised by The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum “The Battle of Cambrai 1917” An evening talk by Lt Col Geoffrey Vesey-Holt 6.15pm Thursday 9 November in The Kincaid Gallery The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum In less that two years between January 1916 and November 1917 British tanks went from the first tank “Mother”, through their first modest support to the infantry at the Battle of Flers in September 1916, the disaster of Bullecourt in April 1917 and the mud of Flanders in the summer and autumn 1917 to, arguably, the first modern battle of history, the Battle of Cambrai. Third Army, employing a combination of tanks, artillery, and infantry including six battalions of the KRRC and Rifle Brigade, with aircraft in support smashed their way through the formidable defences of the Hindenburg Line on the morning of 20 November 1917. Geoffrey Vesey-Holt was a regular officer in the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) and a graduate of Durham University in Modern History and of the French Staff College. He served in 1 RTR and then specialised in the Weapons Acquisition Stream and, not surprisingly, the acquisition of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs).  He is currently working on the RTR’s commemorations of the 100th anniversary of World War 1 (the first tanks were used in 1916 and first tank to tank action was in 1918).  He is writing a two volume history of the Tank Corps covering 1918, running pro bono battlefield tours and giving lectures. Tickets for the talk, including a glass (or two) of wine plus canapes after the talk, cost £15.00 per person (£12.50 for Friends of the Museum).  Tickets must be booked in advance through the Museum Curator, Mrs Christine Pullen, at: The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Winchester, Hants.  SO23 8TS Tel: 01962 828549   e-mail: curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk or online – http://shop.rgjmuseum.co.uk/evening-talk-thurs-9-nov-2017-930-p.asp

Good morning,

I would really appreciate if you could circulate the following email to your members, about our upcoming New Forest History and Archaeology Conference? Thank you and I hope to see you there.

www.newforestknowledgeconference.eventbrite.co.uk

Unearth the New Forest’s past at a special two-day event

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and archaeology of the New Forest in the company of experts and enthusiasts.

From Roman pottery finds near Fordingbridge to architecture created by the author of Sherlock Holmes, and the Forest during the World Wars, the 2017 New Forest Knowledge Conference celebrates the archaeological and historical research being carried out in and around the National Park.

The two-day conference will take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October at Lyndhurst Community Centre from 9.30am until 5pm.

Join researchers and students from Oxford, Reading, Southampton and Winchester Universities, as well as representatives from Beaulieu History Society, the New Forest Centre, the New Forest National Park Authority and Southampton Archaeology Unit, as we discuss the Forest’s rich archaeological past and its future.

The conference will explore what research is taking place across the Forest and by whom, and will report the results of recent work to reveal more about the Forest’s history. It will also present new techniques and approaches being used by researchers, including Airborne Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) and how you can get involved.

Local community groups, enthusiasts and academics will be presenting a fascinating mix of papers across the two days, with informative displays and stands from local community groups and students, including the New Forest History and Archaeology Group.

The Saturday conference will be the official launch of New Forest Knowledge, an online gateway created by the Heritage Lottery Fund Our Past, Our Future landscape partnership scheme. The gateway will allow individuals and groups of all abilities and interests to contribute their own research, articles and photographs to the existing catalogue of information about the New Forest’s past, drawn from museums, libraries and archives.

New Forest National Park Authority Community Archaeologist James Brown said: ‘You don’t need to be an expert in archaeology or the National Park to attend either day of the conference and it’s a great opportunity to support local groups and the work they do. After the presentations there will be time to enjoy informal chats with other individuals and representatives from local community groups and organisations.’

New Forest Centre Ecademy Project Officer Dr Kath Walker said: ‘Our aim is to bring people together and encourage them to share their research on an equal platform.’

For the full programme visit www.newforestknowledgeconference.eventbrite.co.uk

Day tickets to the conference cost £20, with a two-day ticket discounted at £30. Tickets are available online until midnight on Sunday 22 October

The New Forest Knowledge conference is part of the Our Past, Our Future landscape partnership scheme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Lunch and refreshments are provided and there will be tea and coffee breaks throughout both days.

For any enquiries, please email archaeology@newforesnpa.gov.uk or call James Brown on 01590 646695.

James Brown

Community Archaeologist