LAST MEETING - JOHANNESBURG - 10TH APRIL 1986.
The Society's Annual General Meeting was held on 10th April. The outgoing Chairman Major Darrell Hall reviewed the lecture and tour activities of the Society for the year. Mr. Mike Marsh tabled the Secretary/Treasurer's report in which it was pleasing to learn of the sound financial position and increasing membership of the Society. One can only second the vote of thanks to Darrell for his enthusiasm and professionalism in making the past year a particularly successful one.
The committee elected for the new year is:
The Roderick G. Murchison Memorial Prize for the best article in the Military History Journal was awarded to Mr. S. B. Bourquin for h!s article on Colonel Durnford.
On the completion of the evening's official business the meeting was treated to the showing of the video film of "Trooping the Colour". This film superbly displayed the colour and pageantry of this unique occassion[sic] and the close up camera work and glimpses of the personal involvement of the participants provided, in my opinion, a better insight into this ceremony than actually being present in the crowd.
Future Meetings.
Johannesburg - May 15th - Mr. Peter Fox - "Air Crew Briefing."
- June 12th - Mr. Melvill Milner - "4th Field Battery R.A., in the Cauldron Battle of June 1942."
- July 10th - Mr. David Panagos - "Redoubts of the South African War of 1899/1902".
Other Matters.
(1.) Day Tour to Colenso Battlefield.
The Durban Branch of the Society is holding a one day tour of the Colenso Battlefield on Sunday 25th May. This tour will specifically study the role of Colonel Long and the loss of the guns of 14th and 66th Batteries R.F.A. in detail. Members from Johannesburg wishing to participate should make their own transport arrangements. The tour will meet at Clouston Koppie of Remembrance (approximately 4 km south of Colenso on the right hand side of the National Road heading towards Estcourt) at 9.00 a.m. for 9.15 a.m.
(2.) Early Warning - Proposed Tour to Ulundi/Vryheid Area.
It is the intention of the S.A. National Museum of Military History to hold a battlefield tour to this area during the long weekend of 9th to 12th October 1986.
(3.) Historical Short Story Competition.
Any budding authors in the Society might be interested to hear of the historical short story competition being run by Scripta Africana. First prize is R3,000. Full details are available from The Editor, Scripta Africana, P.O. Box nnnnn, Melville, 2109.
Tailpiece
"It is the cavalry's task to pursue a victory and forbid a beaten enemy the opportunity to rally. Without cavalry, battles remain unresolved."
(Napoleon, undated)
STEWART STILES
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