The speaker for the February lecture was Dr. Janice Farquharson who spoke on the subject, "When the Barrage Lifts: The Diarists, Poets and Writers of the Western Front."

Dr. Farquharson succeeded in providing a very moving account of the impact of the horrors and carnage of the First World War on the writings of many of the soldiers who were present. The vast quantity of poetic work produced included not only the fine works of the famous war poets such as Siegfried Sassoon, Julian Grenfell and Edmund Blunden, but, also, the valuable offerings of many forgotten and unsung soldier/poets. However, not all the work was of good quality, some very poor quality work was also produced

Dr Farquharson's lecture was interspersed with a fine selection of sIides; and moving and vivid extracts from the writings of the various soldier / poets. It was interesting to hear about two aspects of the war that were dominant in the writings of the poets; - the stoical acceptance of the daily horrors and the Army's constant awareness of past campaigns in Flanders.

Dr. Stanley Monick, on behalf of the Society, thanked the Speaker for her extremely interesting lecture.

The Society was pleased to welcome Irmgard Weisse our member from West Germany,and Mrs van der Westhuizen, Colonel Thackeray's daughter, to this meeting.

Future Meetings

- Johannesburg - March 10th - Professor W. D. Maxwell-Mahon - "The Spanish CiviI War".

- April 14th Annual General Meeting and Film.

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

Durban - March 17th Major Darrell Hall - "The Battle of the Coral Sea"

Tour to Kimberley Battlefields 25 March to 27 March

Full details of this tour have been previously advised. If you require further details please contact George Duxbury or Tony Speir.

Fort Wynyard - Museum of Coast and Anti-Aircraft Artillery

Cdr. Bisset has recently advised us of the opening of the above museum, which is situated in Fort Wynyard Street (off Portswood Road) Green Point. The museum covers the history of coast and anti-aircraft artillery in South Africa with special emphasis on Fort Wynyard which was known as Wynyard Battery for much of its operational life. The Museum has assembled the most important collection of coast and anti-aircraft guns in the country and a number of them are still in their original emplacements. Visitors will also be able to explore the labyrinth of tunnels and two underground magazines.

Ladysmith Historical Society Outings

Details of the following outings are available from Mrs M. Heron and Mr. Gilbert Torlage:

Saturday 16th April Visit and explore the Anglo-Boer War fortifications in and around Ladysmith.
Sunday 22nd May Visit the site of Chief Sihayo's kraal.

Contributions to the Military History Journal

The Editors of the Military History Journal have requested that we draw your attention to the need for more good quality contributions from members of the Society on the results of their research or other military history matters. As you know the Journal is published by the South African National Museum of Military History in association with the South African Military History Society. It has appeared without a break on the basis of two issues per year since the first issue in December 1967, i.e., a period of 20 years.

Assistance Required - S.A. Units 1914/1918.

Mr. Shamus Wade of 37 Davis Rd, Acton, London W3 7SE, England is currently writing an account of all the different units of the Defence Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire, outside the United Kingdom, up to 1945. He would be grateful if any members could assist him with information on any of the following units:
S.A. Sharpshooters, Stokes Mortar Battery, S.A. Pioneers, S.A. Railway Services, Miscellaneous Trades Coy., S.A. Special Service Corps, S.A. Water Supply Corps, S.A. Road Corps, S.A. Military Police, S.A. Military Constabulary, General and Base Depots, Hdqrs., Record Office and Camp staffs, C.A.H. Transport Corps, Military Labour Corps.

Ultimatum Tree - Natal Floods

Ken Gillings of the Society's Durban Branch advises that the above Zulu War landmark only just survived the ravages of the Tugela during last years Natal floods. We can only hope that our battlefield heritage has survived the latest devastating floods in the Free State and Cape.

STEWART STILES

Circular No I 14.1.88

TOUR OF BATTLEFIELDS AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST IN KIMBERLEY AREA
FRIDAY 25 MARCH TO SUNDAY 27 MARCH 1988

1. Intention: To tour the battlefields of Belmont, Graspan/Enslin, Modder River, Magersfontein and Paardeberg with special excursions to other places of interest which will include the new McGregor Museum and the Big Hole Museum. Full details of the itinerary will be sent to those who signify their intention to accompany the tour.

2. Mode of Travel:
2.1 48 seater luxury, air-conditioned bus
2.2 Kombis for additional members should more than 48 applications be received but a second bus should such additional applications exceed thirty-two.

3. Accommodation, meals etc:
3. 1 Kimberley Sun Hotel (three star)
3.1.1 Rates per person room only (sharing) p d incl GST R42-00
3.1.2 Rates per person room only (NOT sharing) p d incl GST R 75-60
3.1.3 The following meals will be supplied by the Organizers:
Friday 25th: lunch en route
Saturday 26th (a) lunch at Crown & Royal Hotel, Modder River (b) Braai
Sunday 27th: Packed picnic lunch

4.Timings: Bus and Kombis
4.1 Friday, 25 March: Leave Museum of Military History main car park at 08h00
4.2 Sunday, 27 March: Arrive back at Museum at 18h00

5. Costs:
5.1 Bus: Including meals specified in para 3.1.3 per person = R 140-00
5.2 Hotel: as reflected in paras 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 according to your requirements. Please specify on attached reservation form

6. Payment: Deposit required as follows per person
Bus fare = R 140-00 + one night's accommodation payable with
reservation form. Cheques to be made payable to
'MILITARY HISTORY TOUR' and must please be crossed.
Please do not send bank notes.

7. General:
7.1 Wives / husbands and friends of members are especially welcome.
7.2 You and your guests need not be members of the Military History Society
7.3 Friday 25 March is NOT a public holiday
7.4 Do not hesitate to request further details if above insufficient to enable you to make a reservation
7.5 PLEASE RETURN RESERVATION FORM BEFORE 15 FEBRUARY 1988

8. Communications in connection with this tour
8.1 Written: The Tour Director PO Box 87225 HOUGHTON 2041
8.2 Telephonic: George Duxbury or Tony Speir

GEORGE R DUXBURY / TONY SPEIR
TOUR DIRECTOR / DEPUTY TOUR DIRECTOR