PAST EVENTS

A variety programme constituted the fare at our September get-together. Presented by no lesser person than the Society's national chairman, Major Darrell Hall, this consisted of a series of slide talks on a variety of subjects: "Personalities" presented brief illustrated sketches of the military role played by some well known persons e.g. Clark Gable and Audie Hurphy. "The Same but Different" was a comparison between the average British and German soldier of WWI, their appearance in and out of uniform, their style of life and subsistence in the trenches, their leisure time activities etc. On account of the sameness in many ways the differences were all the more intriguing. In humoristic vein appeared "The Letter" - the illustrated replies by a military history tour organiser to a letter from a prospective participant who enquires about all sorts of aspects concerning a tour: are the tour buses comfortable and reliable, are the tour commentaries well prepared and informative, do the tours involve strenuous cross-country walks etc. Most of the answers, were quite hilarious, especially as the relevant slides depicted a number of well-known members of the Society in a series of "candid" shots.

"Off to War" dealt with the role of merchant ships during the Falklands War and proved buth instructive and interesting. The programme was rounded off by "Barrack-room Ballads" a review of soldier songs popular during the American Civil War and British campaigns in India, Africa and during WWs I and II. Not only were words and their music reproduced but slides showing the type of soldier of the respective periods and the circumstances under which these songs originated and were sung made this a most enjoyable presentation. Darrell was warmly applauded for his skill and efforts.

FUTURE EVENTS

A past event and a repeat performance. A small number of members attended the archaeological historical outing organised by the Ulundi Holiday Inn during the weekend 1st/2nd October. This tour was generally so well supported by members of various other organisations that it was booked out weIl in advance and many would-be participants had to be refused because there was no more accommodation available. Some 50 persons in all did attend and from accounts received the tour was highly successful.

In view of the demand and the number of applications which had to be turned down, Ulundi Holiday Inn has planned a similar outing for the week-end 29/30th October. Interested persons should direct their enquiries to Miss Linda Knox or Miss Linda Webber of Holiday Inns at telephone (031)374348. (Address: 1702 Metal Industries House, Ordnance Road, Durban.

MONTHLY GET-TOGETHERS

OCTOBER 20
(PLEASE 'NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE THIRD THURSDAY IN OCTOBER.)

MR. JERRY PUREN will talk to us on the SEYCHELLES COUP ATTENPT.

November 10

Fellow-member Midge Carter will present an illustrated slide talk on "The Guerilla War 1900-1902: Some Unusual Actions".

December

There will be no meeting in December.

The venue for all meetings will be the Lecture Room, '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 warm welcome is extended to new member Mr. Peter Naude and to Mr.D.B. van Ginkel who was recently transferred from Johannesburg.

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