JULY 1987 NEWSLETTER

LAST MEETING - JOHANNESBURG BRANCH - JUNE 11TH 1987.

Following his return to South Africa after attending the Commando Gunner's Reunion in the U.K., Major Darrell Hall opened the evening's proceedings with a short presentation on the Cabinet War Rooms. This interesting complex was recently opened to the public in London.

Mr John Keene presented the main lecture titled "Military Rifle Shooting in South Africa from 1860". Organised competitive rifle shooting began in Britain in 1860 with the foundation of the National Rifle Association. This organisation was formed with the aim of encouraging the volunteer rifle corps. Initially, meetings were held on Wimbledon Common, but, in 1888 the Wimbledon grounds were sold and the N.R.A. meetings were moved to Bisley - a name now synonimous with shooting competitions worldwide. It was interesting to hear of Queen Victoria's official opening of one of the N.R.A. competitions. She fired the first shot of the competition, scoring a bull's-eye. Our admiration for this feat was however somewhat dampened when John disclosed that the rifle had been preset.

Rifle associations were also formed in the British Colonies in Southern Africa. Muzzle loading percussion rifles were used in the period up to 1870. The ubiquitous Martini Henry was then introduced and remained in use until 1897, when it was repIaced by the Lee Metford. Following the Anglo-Boer War the Transvaal became the centre of military rifle shooting in South Africa. Many prominent mining and business names were prominent in their support (including financial) of this sport. Tha magnificence of the many splendid shields, bowls and trophies that were owned by the various associations attests to this fact. The lecture was interspersed with numerous slides of the many interesting personalities who participated in this sport.

Mr. Bertie Simpkins expressed the audiences appreciation in warm terms. One can only but agree with John when he laments the lack of interest in this once highly popular sport and pastime.

Future Meetings

Johannesburg - July 9th - Major Darrell D. Hall - "The Battle of the Coral Sea".

- August 13th - Mr. Charles Cohen - "Singapore, 1942: Symbol and Reality".

The venue for the Johannesburg meetings is the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium at the National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Cape Town

- Contact Major Antony Gordon (021-614500).

Durban

- July 16th Major Darrell Hall - "Pegasus Bridge" (The airborne attack preceding D-Day).

Day Tour Sunday 5th July 1987.

A visit wilI be paid to the Diamond Hill Battlefield (lecture by Professor Barnard) and the Samuel Marks Museum. Full details [we]re attached.

Lecture by Professor R. V. Jones - 28th July 1987.

This lecture by the author of "The Secret War" will describe his involvement in the Second World War. Please advise Mike Marsh (TEL:) if you wish to attend.

Annual Braai.

This event will take place on Friday 16th October 1987. Please diarise this date.

Battlefield Tour - Elands River and Moedwil.

It is intended to hold a weekend tour to the above area on the 19/20th September 1987.

Other Matters.

Society Ties.

These attractive ties are now available at R12 each if collected (R12.50 if posted). They can be ordered from the Secretary at the above address.

Surgeon General's Commendation Award and Other Awards.

Colonel Duxbury advised the last meeting of Dr. Felix Machanik's recent receipt of the above award. The Committee of the Society would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Machanik on this award. Talking of awards, I understand the betting has now opened on the Chairman's prospects for a silver medal in the 1988 Comrades. Congratulations Ian on your 3rd bronze!

STEWART STILES

8th July, 1987 (Advance warning)

RUSTENBURG TRIP - 19TH/20TH SEPTEMBER, 1987.

The Military History Society is arranging a "do-it-yourself" trip to the Rustenburg area, i.e., with members providing their own transport and booking their own hotel accommodation, over the week-end of 19th/20th September, 1987.

Although the detailed programme has not yet been finalized, the intention is for those wishing to participate to book in to the Belvedere Hotel outside Rustenburg (about 115km from Johannesburg and about 91km from Pretoria) by about 10h00 on Saturday, 19th September, prior to proceeding on a tour to places of historical interest in the Rustenburg town area. These will probably include the Conradie Stone House destroyed in the British scorched earth campaign early in 1901, the slate sundial made by Capt. H. Richardson of the Royal Engineers in the South African War, a possible light Civic Lunch, Rustenburg Museum, statue of Paul Kruger, historic N.G. Kerk - used as a hospital by the British during the War, the old jail used as a fort by both the Boers and the British, and the Rustenburg cemetery.

After an early breakfast on Sunday, 20th September, members will proceed for about 53km to the site of the Elands River Siege of August, 1900, outside Swartruggens for a talk on the siege and a visit to the military section of the adjacent cemetery. Thereafter, members will return on the Rustenburg road for about 34km to the site of Moedwil clash of 30th September, 1901, for a talk and visit to the adjacent cemetery. A picnic lunch will be taken here; then members will depart for home. Total mileage for the day will be about 120km.

The Society has booked the whole of the Belvedere Hotel consisting of 22 suites, each comprising bedroom, lounge and bathroom, thus providing accommodation for about 44 persons. However, some doubling up may be necessary by the accommodation of additional couples in the lounges of the suites and sharing the bathroom. Accordingly, if members make up parties to suit themselves this will facilitate the booking arrangements, whilst men going on the tour by themselves can be accommodated on the basis of four per suite. The inclusive charge for the Hotel will be R56 (including G.S.T.) per person for the week-end, and this will include dinner, bed and· breakfast, as well as a lunch pack for the Sunday with members providing their own flasks for tea or coffee.

Reservations will be treated on a "first come, first served" basis, and those wishing to participate must make their own bookings direct with the Hotel, with applications being accompanied by the full amount of R56 per person as the deposit for the accommodation. When making application members should state that they will be participating in the Military History Society tour for the week-end. The address of the Hotel is:-
Belvedere Hotel, P.O. Box nnnn, Rustenburg. 0300 Tel. (01421)

Fuller details of the programme will be published in the next Newsletter, but members wishing to go on the tour should make their reservations as soon as possible. It would also be appreciated if those who have made their bookings would advise Mr. M.J.C. Marsh, Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, (Tel. nnn or P.O. Box nnn, Johannesburg, 2000) in order that they may be provided, at a later stage, with maps and other details.