Post by aghart on Nov 7, 2019 20:57:45 GMT
18 members present for the November 2019 branch meeting.
The short briefing by those who attended the RAC Church service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea was given. Members were reminded that for the first time, the branch will be represented at the main Remembrance Day service at Bournemouth, as well as the usual attendence in Poole. Members were invited to a wreath laying service at the replica RTR memorial at the Tank Museum on Monday November 11th. The service is being held by the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient. A Bournemouth & Poole branch wreath is also being laid.
It was confirmed that both the Chairman & Secretary will be attending the RTRA AGM in London on Saturday 16th November. Members were reminded of the RTR march to the Cenotaph on Sunday 17th November. A reminder of the Cambrai lunch at Bovington on Friday 22nd November was given. A further update on Arras 80 was given. The main point was that the hotel has been selected and booked. Members were reminded to bring food for the December social gathering. It was announced that unusally there would be a guest speaker in December.
Members were reminded to get their returns and payments in for the Ladies lunch in January. The Secretary announced that a Burns night "Black Tie" supper was being hosted by "Dreadnaught" at the WO's & Sgt's Mess, Aliwal Barracks on 24th January 2020. 10 places are available to the RTRA. Tony (Tiny) Hart & Dave Orman have put their names forward.
The guest speaker was then introduced. Chris Lock, a recently recruited new member is also a senior official in the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient. He is the individual who was the driving force behind the creation of the memorial. Chris used to live in Belgium near Ypres. His presentation began by explaining that in WWI the Tank Corps fought many actions in Belgium as well as France, the remains of over 300 Tank Corps soldiers are buried in the area of Ypres. He told us the story of Tank F41 "Fray Bentos" which stood and fought for 3 days and nights whilst the enemy swarmed all over it trying to destroy it. The Royal Artillery also had a go as well, they thought the Germans had captured her. One crew member was killed the rest wounded, but the tank fought on. They became the most decorated tank crew in the Regiment's history. 2 Military Crosses, 2 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 4 Military Medals. The medal tally indicates just what a performance was put in. This was in 1917, a pre Cambrai action. Chris gave details of another action in Belgium, this action was vital for the Tank Corps future. This is because up to this point, the results obtained by Tanks in combat were less than good. Not unexpected really, as heavy vehicles (even tracked vehicles) operating in a quagmire tended to get stuck. In this action two German strongpoints were overun and an advance of 4 miles obtained. Casualties were expected to be over 1000. In the event there were only 12 casualties and this success gained time for the Tank Corps, enabling the Battle of Cambrai to be planned. The rest is history.
Chris told us that a short time after the Memorial had been built, it was badly damaged when a car driven by an under aged driver ploughed into it. The local community paid for it to be rebuilt. A very interesting presentation. So much more that I have not even touched on. So if you want to know more, get on line and find out about it. Due to our close association with the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient, the Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch is to be made an Associate member. We will be getting a certificate to confirm it. A branch trip to Ypres is likely to be on the cards before too long.
The short briefing by those who attended the RAC Church service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea was given. Members were reminded that for the first time, the branch will be represented at the main Remembrance Day service at Bournemouth, as well as the usual attendence in Poole. Members were invited to a wreath laying service at the replica RTR memorial at the Tank Museum on Monday November 11th. The service is being held by the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient. A Bournemouth & Poole branch wreath is also being laid.
It was confirmed that both the Chairman & Secretary will be attending the RTRA AGM in London on Saturday 16th November. Members were reminded of the RTR march to the Cenotaph on Sunday 17th November. A reminder of the Cambrai lunch at Bovington on Friday 22nd November was given. A further update on Arras 80 was given. The main point was that the hotel has been selected and booked. Members were reminded to bring food for the December social gathering. It was announced that unusally there would be a guest speaker in December.
Members were reminded to get their returns and payments in for the Ladies lunch in January. The Secretary announced that a Burns night "Black Tie" supper was being hosted by "Dreadnaught" at the WO's & Sgt's Mess, Aliwal Barracks on 24th January 2020. 10 places are available to the RTRA. Tony (Tiny) Hart & Dave Orman have put their names forward.
The guest speaker was then introduced. Chris Lock, a recently recruited new member is also a senior official in the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient. He is the individual who was the driving force behind the creation of the memorial. Chris used to live in Belgium near Ypres. His presentation began by explaining that in WWI the Tank Corps fought many actions in Belgium as well as France, the remains of over 300 Tank Corps soldiers are buried in the area of Ypres. He told us the story of Tank F41 "Fray Bentos" which stood and fought for 3 days and nights whilst the enemy swarmed all over it trying to destroy it. The Royal Artillery also had a go as well, they thought the Germans had captured her. One crew member was killed the rest wounded, but the tank fought on. They became the most decorated tank crew in the Regiment's history. 2 Military Crosses, 2 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 4 Military Medals. The medal tally indicates just what a performance was put in. This was in 1917, a pre Cambrai action. Chris gave details of another action in Belgium, this action was vital for the Tank Corps future. This is because up to this point, the results obtained by Tanks in combat were less than good. Not unexpected really, as heavy vehicles (even tracked vehicles) operating in a quagmire tended to get stuck. In this action two German strongpoints were overun and an advance of 4 miles obtained. Casualties were expected to be over 1000. In the event there were only 12 casualties and this success gained time for the Tank Corps, enabling the Battle of Cambrai to be planned. The rest is history.
Chris told us that a short time after the Memorial had been built, it was badly damaged when a car driven by an under aged driver ploughed into it. The local community paid for it to be rebuilt. A very interesting presentation. So much more that I have not even touched on. So if you want to know more, get on line and find out about it. Due to our close association with the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient, the Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch is to be made an Associate member. We will be getting a certificate to confirm it. A branch trip to Ypres is likely to be on the cards before too long.