Post by aghart on May 6, 2015 20:38:36 GMT
19 members were present for the May 2015 branch meeting. In addition we welcomed 15 RTR Phase II recruits from Bovington who came down to meet the old gits. The Loyal Toast and the Toast to the Regiment were given. A minutes silence was held for those who have passed to the Green Fields, including Nobby Clarke. Minutes of the April meeting were passed, and notification of the Burton (Christchurch, Dorset) Armed Forces and Veterans Day was given. This event has been running for 5 years or so and will be held this year on Sunday 14th June. It was also confirmed that the branch Summer BBQ will be held on saturday 8th August.
Details of the Veterans concessions at Tankfest 2015 were given to the members. Cambrai 2017 was discussed and due to the limited numbers likely to go it was agreed to investigate places on other branch's coaches.
The members were informed that due to his move to Plymouth, Nigel Lewis has left the branch and our loss is the Plymouth branch's gain.
With nothing more to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting and introduced the guest speaker.
We were fortunate to welcome (for a second time) Lt Col Gareth Davies known to many ex 1 RTR folk from Hildesheim onwards who is due to leave the army later this year.
Gareth gave a fantastic presentation on a relatively unknown bit of RTR history, The Palestine Tank Detatchment 1917. Whilst all eyes were on the Western Front in World War I it is often forgotten that a war against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was also being fought. British plans were for a defensive force to guard and hold the Suez Canal against a Turkish attack. The defence held and the Turks were pushed back into the area known today as Gaza. Successful defence usually leads to offensive action to build on the results achieved, and in Palestine this was the course of action taken. There were 3 battles of Gaza, the first battle did not include tanks but the 2nd battle did and this is what Gareth talked about. The 8, Mk1 tanks were from E Company, Heavy Branch, Machine Gun Corps, and were sent to the Middle East in December 1916. The battle started in April 1917 with the tanks spread out supporting three DIVISIONS of infantry. Two or three tanks per Division meant that they had their work cut out for them, they did achieve results but also suffered casualties and were of course a "magnet" for Turkish fire. Three Mk IV tanks were sent as replacements for tanks damaged and put out of action.The war diary for this detachment ended In the Spring of 1918 and it is known that the Tanks were not brought back to the UK and were likely scrapped.
Gareth skipped over a lot of the battle and concentrated on specific points, the powerpoint presentation was punchy, witty, informative and given in Gareth's own personal style. It was eye opening, educational, enjoyable and amusing. The quite large audience really appreciated it.
As many know, Association branch's struggle to attract new members, more so since people can communicate with former military colleagues on various social media sites such as Facebook, and the need for a physical meeting point is reduced. This is true, but for all it's merits, the internet cannot completely replace the unique environment that is a Military Association "get together" The atmosphere last night was fantastic, there was a real buzz, hopefully we can get the Phase II recruits down on a more frequent basis which in turn can add to the "appeal" of the branch. More "bums on seats" is what it's all about, can we maintain this? I don't know, but I do know that night's like last night make it all worthwhile.
Details of the Veterans concessions at Tankfest 2015 were given to the members. Cambrai 2017 was discussed and due to the limited numbers likely to go it was agreed to investigate places on other branch's coaches.
The members were informed that due to his move to Plymouth, Nigel Lewis has left the branch and our loss is the Plymouth branch's gain.
With nothing more to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting and introduced the guest speaker.
We were fortunate to welcome (for a second time) Lt Col Gareth Davies known to many ex 1 RTR folk from Hildesheim onwards who is due to leave the army later this year.
Gareth gave a fantastic presentation on a relatively unknown bit of RTR history, The Palestine Tank Detatchment 1917. Whilst all eyes were on the Western Front in World War I it is often forgotten that a war against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was also being fought. British plans were for a defensive force to guard and hold the Suez Canal against a Turkish attack. The defence held and the Turks were pushed back into the area known today as Gaza. Successful defence usually leads to offensive action to build on the results achieved, and in Palestine this was the course of action taken. There were 3 battles of Gaza, the first battle did not include tanks but the 2nd battle did and this is what Gareth talked about. The 8, Mk1 tanks were from E Company, Heavy Branch, Machine Gun Corps, and were sent to the Middle East in December 1916. The battle started in April 1917 with the tanks spread out supporting three DIVISIONS of infantry. Two or three tanks per Division meant that they had their work cut out for them, they did achieve results but also suffered casualties and were of course a "magnet" for Turkish fire. Three Mk IV tanks were sent as replacements for tanks damaged and put out of action.The war diary for this detachment ended In the Spring of 1918 and it is known that the Tanks were not brought back to the UK and were likely scrapped.
Gareth skipped over a lot of the battle and concentrated on specific points, the powerpoint presentation was punchy, witty, informative and given in Gareth's own personal style. It was eye opening, educational, enjoyable and amusing. The quite large audience really appreciated it.
As many know, Association branch's struggle to attract new members, more so since people can communicate with former military colleagues on various social media sites such as Facebook, and the need for a physical meeting point is reduced. This is true, but for all it's merits, the internet cannot completely replace the unique environment that is a Military Association "get together" The atmosphere last night was fantastic, there was a real buzz, hopefully we can get the Phase II recruits down on a more frequent basis which in turn can add to the "appeal" of the branch. More "bums on seats" is what it's all about, can we maintain this? I don't know, but I do know that night's like last night make it all worthwhile.