Branch Meeting.
39 people sat down and 15 logged in via zoom for the November 2024 branch meeting.
The recap of activity included the wreath laying at Bournemouth crematorium commemorating the 80th anniversary of the death of Sgt Kenneth Virgo MM of 9 RTR. The wreath at the Sgt Essex memorial bench at Moreton was replaced. Dave Larcombe had completed more standard bearer training for the local cadet forces. The main activity has been the RBL poppy stand at the Dolphin Centre in Poole.
Forthcoming activity is Remembrance Sunday with the reception afterwards at the Centenary Club, and RTR march to the Cenotaph on the 17th November. Members were reminded about the Curry Lunch at Bovington on 29th November.
Gareth Davies then described the tour of Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey that he has offered us on Friday 13th December 2024. We are getting names of those interested to see if there is enough interest to justify a minibus.
Members were informed that entertainment has been booked for the December social and were reminded to bring food for the buffet and prizes for the raffle. Christmas jumpers are the order of the day!
It was announced that the Ladies lunch has reached capacity and that for the first time a waiting list is in operation.
Members were informed about the “War in Ukraine” talk being held at the Union Jack Club in London on Thursday 20th February 2025. Several branch members have already booked accommodation and their seat places. These “jollies” to the UJC are becoming a regular and popular outing for branch members.
The meeting then closed, and the guest speaker introduced.
Once again, we were thrilled to introduce David Willey, the Curator of the Tank Museum as our guest speaker. This will not David’s last visit as a guest speaker, but it was his last as the Curator as he retires in December.
David gave a Cambrai based presentation, but Cambrai with a difference. He concentrated on the role of the Royal Artillery and the German reaction and counterattack. He was going to include the exploits of the Royal Flying Corps, but we simply ran out of time.
David explained that we are so used to looking at the Tanks of Cambrai that we forget that it was the first proper combined arms battle. He highlighted how the Royal Artillery used new methods of calculating the range to targets which meant that ranging shots (which warn the enemy an attack is coming) were not necessary. He explained how they used new listening devices which helped to pinpoint the location of enemy artillery which allowed for faster counter battery fire. He went into detail about how they got their guns into position and how they prepared for the battle.
He also explained how the Germans had some good luck on their side, in that Cambrai was a communications centre and easy to reinforce. He told us how a brand new and fresh infantry division had arrived at Cambrai just before the attack and was put to good use in resisting the British attack. An artillery unit, specially trained in anti-tank tactics also just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
So much more was shown and explained. Once again David Willey delivered the goods. It was superb and clearly enjoyed by those present who gave him a great round of applause at the end.
Fear Naught
