Mealie Bag n' Baynit ! Saturday 23rd March 2013 Special Rorkes Drift Day at RLC Museum !

Gentlemen - I have a nice poster for this event. Unfortunately the ability to strip and reassemble a Martini blindfolded does little to equip one to 'host an image' on Forums. If you'd like it emailed (even I can manage that) pls drop me a quick email to craigredcoat@aol.com and I'll happily send it !

No advance tickets required. Entry is free - as always modest donations to Museum funds would be most welcome.

Here are the event details:

Mealie Bag and Bay’nit.
Zulu War Day at Royal Logistics Corps Museum.

Saturday 23rd March 2013 10am. One day only.

A day dedicated to the study of the Battle of Rorkes Drift and featuring the launch of the new William Britain Zulu War Hospital Building Model.

Where is it.
The RLC Museum, Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Surrey, GU16 6RW.
Telephone: 01252 833371.
The Museum is open for visitors and comprises exhibits from the Royal Corps of Transport, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Pioneer corps, Army Catering Corps, and Royal Engineers Postal and Courier Services.

Featuring.

Talks.
Andy Robertshaw – Dalton – Hero of the Defence.

Ian Knight, Craig Appleton and Ian Church – Men of Rorkes Drift. Including Martini Henry Rifle Demonstration.

Paul Weaver – “Send three and Fourpence” – a talk and display of Victorian Military Signalling.

Attending.

Ian Knight. Will have a signed copies from a selection of his books available. Please email Craig on craigredcoat@aol.com for specific title requests.

William Britain Collector’s Club. With a range of available Club stock. Join or renew your membership.
Please email Malcolm Watson for specific collector’s stock requirements: malcolm.watson@bachmann-europe.co.uk

Redcoat Models. With William Britain’s range of Anglo Zulu war and Colonial figures.
Please email Craig Appleton for specific figures to be available on craigredcoat@aol.com. Especially if they are other than Zulu or Colonial ranges.

John Begg. Historic model soldiers of all types.
Please email John on john.begg2@ntlworld.com with specific wants for the day.

Ray Kirkpatrick Military Art. Military fine art – original paintings – single figures, battle scenes or portraits from photographs. Commissions at an affordable price. Contact Ray on 01372 727513.


Zulu War Living History.

Craig. Thank you very much for posting the information. Looks like its going to be a great event. Hope to see some members there..

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Pete. Any Chance of a lift...

Looks like a great day out, would especially like to hear the talk about our neighbour, or at least the barracks named after him, the one and only James Langley Dalton, although if you see the local history wood carving in our library you would be amazed to see that he is remembered as Henry!

Quote :

Pete. Any Chance of a lift...

Roof Rack and a bit of rope,comes to mind.

That's where he put me before

Believe it or not the wife, is saying she would like to go..

LH. Is that the poster "craigredcoat" was talking about? start of the topic.

Possibly

Hi All.
Yes it is , Craig kindly sent me it via email .
Cheers 90th.

Don't forget this weekend

To far for me, but hope it all goes well, looking forward to photos and videos.

Sorry chaps was unable to attend... Hoping one of the members did, who can update on how the event went!

Yes - I was at the event which I thought was very well attended considering the snow that arrived overnight. It must have put some people off travelling but, as I say, a good attendance all things considered.

The structure of the Event was pretty much as described in the opening post to this thread. Interesting talks on signalling and Dalton's role in the defence of Rorke's Drift both underlined the crucial, but perhaps not always widely appreciated, importance of effective signalling and logistics in military operations.

Sandwiched between these two talks we were treated to another on events leading up to the attack on Rorke's Drift and the respective weaponry of both Zulus and British at the time. This included a brief sojourn outside in the snow to witness some Die Hard redcoats of the 24th firing their Martini- Henry's; not so much Rorke's Drift as Snow's Drift! Back inside the museum, with standing room only for some, Ian Knight rounded off the talk with an overview of the fight in the hospital at RD.

In addition to the talks there were trade stands as described above and, of course, the Royal Logistic Corps museum itself in which to browse (including a nice diorama of RD). Even though an AZW event I somehow contrived to come away with a signed copy of Ian Knight's brand new Osprey publication on the New Zealand Wars; a subject I confess I presently know absolutely nothing about.

All in all a good day which ran to schedule despite the weather. The nice thing about events such as these is that you do occasionally get to put a 'face to the name' of fellow AZW enthusiasts (e.g. Forum members). I was able to do so on this occasion and, as a consequence, was priviliged to be able to see (and hold) an AZW campaign medal from a private collection that belonged to a well known participant at iSandlwana; it was worth my making the 200 mile round trip just for that! You know who you are - a big 'thank you' to you once again.

Finally, a word of thanks must go to to all those involved in the Event; the organisers, the RLC, the speakers, the trade stands, the Die Hards and not forgetting the attendees - well done to all. Special mention must go to the Deepcut Cafe who served up the biggest helpings of sausage, egg and chips I have ever seen

Umbiki. Thanks for the overview. Really glad it went well. Don't suppose you took any photo's

Umbiki thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts , seems it was an excellent day to be had by all .
I'd really enjoy a few of these days I can tell you ! . Bit to far from from here in Aussie .
Excellent work that man !
Cheers 90th.

Dave wrote:

Umbiki. Thanks for the overview. Really glad it went well. Don't suppose you took any photo's

I did take (literally) a couple of photographs which I'll attempt to post somewhere but, interestingly enough, I noticed the event was being filmed and photographed but to what end I am not sure. It's watch this space I guess but if I hear or see anything I'll let the Forum know ...

... and as if by magic ... a couple of links to some podcasts and pics;



http://surreyheath-residents.co.uk/2013/03/23/zulu-war-day-at-rlc-museum-photo-blog/%0D

http://surreyheath-residents.co.uk/2013/03/25/men-or-rorkes-drift-lecture-podcasts-rlc-museum/

On behalf of all participants : A HUGE THANK YOU very much to all Forum members who braved Saturday's Whiteout and managed to come along to the event through extremely challenging conditions. I was fortunate enoiugh to awake in the Museum but my heart sank when I saw the weather outside. It was great that so many managed to attend. Snow was about the last thing I considered when picking a date in late March - We must live and learn and choose a warmer day next time.

Particular thanks to Umbiki for your 'jupiter's travels' on the day and your positive write up on the event and posting the pic and pod links (even tho it exposes the awful halting start to my talk !) Lol !

My comment about Martinis in the snow was off the cuff in the extreme but thinking on it now probably not heard firing in the snow since Tirah in 97 when they would have been used by Indian units having been replaced in British forces by then.

Thanks again everyone.

Craig.

For those who couldn't attend.

Click on link below. Scroll down to event. Click on play to here the various talks given at this event!!!

http://surreyheath-residents.co.uk/