PAST EVENTS

A video documentary on the Falklands War, supplied through the courtesy of 'Midge' Carter, proved a great attraction at our monthly meeting in August, which was attended by some 70 persons. This BBC TV film containing many action shots and on-the-spot reports gave a true insight not only into the development and progress of the Falklands action, but also into the hardship and horrors of war as such. As the events of that action are still fresh in the minds of most interested persons, who followed detailed reports in the press and on TV, no attempt will be made to give a resume of the documentary video film in this place. Notwithstanding a half-hour delay in starting, due to technical reasons, this showing was greatly appreciated by all members and guests present, and a special word of thanks is reserved for Midge for having made the film available.

All members and friends of our Society are invited by Holiday Inns to join a weekend excursion which will visit the capitals of the three Zulu Kings: Dinggane, Mpande, and Cetswayo. All these sites have seen much development this year, which is being celebrated in kwaZulu as the year of Cetshwayo.

The programme envisages the following:-
30 Sept., Friday evening: Buffet dinner in the restaurant. "Zulu" will be screened on 2nd TV channel to bedrooms.

1 Oct. Saturday: 07h30 breakfast. 09h00 walk to Nodwengu, the grave of King Mpande and the new site museum (which is housed in the largest beehive hut ever built; 8m high! ) 10h30 leave by car (with picnic lunches) for Isandlwana; the Iron Age site of Nqabeni; Fort Melville and, if time permits, other forts following the route of the second British invasion of the Zulu kingdom in 1879. In the evening there will be an illustrated lecture, followed by a braai and Zulu singing in the boma area.

2 Oct. Sunday: 07h30 onwards breakfast. 09h00 leave by car for Ulundi battlefield and the recently opened Ondini Royal Residence of King Cetswayo, with its new museum. From there leave for Ngungundlovu (Dingaanskraal) to view excavations and re-construction. Picnic lunch. Leave for home.

The tour will be conducted by Dr Tim Maggs, archaeologist, Natal Museum and member, kwaZulu Monuments Council; John Laband, senior lecturer in History, University of Natal; Rob Rawlinson, archaeologist in charge of the work at Ondini and Nodwengu.

Accommodation and meals will be provided by the Ulundi Holiday Inn, "the smallest Holiday Inn in the World", at R66.50 person fully inclusive: dinner Friday through to Sunday lunch (picnic).

For reservations, phone Linda Knox or Linda Webber at 031 - nmnmnmn. Your bookings will be confirmed on receipt of R20 deposit per person.
Add: Hol. Inns, Metal Industries House, Ordnance Rd, Durban 1702.

FALLEN ON THE SOMME

Fellow-member Professor F. McA. Clifford-Vaughan has very kindly written "to draw the attention of members of the society to a privately printed memoir of the Great War. It is a beautifully produced diary of a young officer H. Linzell, M.C. of the Border Regt. who was killed at Friecourt in 1916.

It is a most poignant account of day to day life in the trenches, not a literary masterpiece but a genuine account of a young man's attempt to be a professional officer and do his duty."

The book has also some photographs and introductory comments as well as some of the letters to his parents after his death from his soldiers.

Copies can be obtaibed from
Professor J. Argyle Department of African Studies University of Natal
King George V Ave DURBAN 4001 and costs R4, 00."

STAMPS

1st Day Covers of Historical Military Uniforms of Ciskei will be available at all philatelic counters of Post Offices on Wednesday 28th September 1983 at a cost of R1,30 each. The artist, fellow member Andy May, will attend the October get-together (13 October) and will be happy to sign covers for members and friends.

NEXT MEETING

SEPTEMER 15 (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE THIRD THURSDAY IN SEPTEMBER AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME.

MAJOR DARRELL HALL, our National Chairman, will present MILITARY MAGAZINE. This is a series of various military topics - about 5 or 6 of approx. 10 minutes duration each, including "Prominent People", "Ruhr Dam", "HitIer's Headquarters", "Off to War: Merchant Ships in the Falklands War" and a SING ALONG "100 Years of Barrack Room Ballads"

The venue for the meeting will be the Canteen, 'SB' Bourquin Building, the Port Natal Administration Board's head office, on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville. Glasses and ice will be supplied so please bring your own canned or bottled refreshments. Interested persons are welcome to come along.

WELCOME
A hearty welcome is extended to new member Colonel Freddie Hodgson.

(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv