PAST EVENTS

Our get-together in May took the form of a visit to the Natal Field Artillery HQ at Lord's Grounds, the military complex in Old Fort Road, which has at its focal point Durban's historic drill hall. Fellow-member and the N.F.A.s RSM Ken Gilling officiated not only as acting chairman but also as a competent commentator and, after the bar in the Warrant Officers' and Senior Sergeants' Mess had opened at the end of the formal proceedings, as a delightful host. The attendance by our members was supplemented by three overseas visitors, Maj Mike McCabe R.E. and Messrs Ted Brown and Ian Castle, who were passing through Durban on the conclusion of a tour of the Zulu War battlefields - all of them keen students of South African military history. An inspection of the drill hall was enlivened by Ken's comments on its historical background and on the significance of the heraldic shields in its interior. (As a matter of interest it was our own chairman, Cmdt SB Bourquin, who designed the shield for 84 Motorised Brigade. It depicts a battle axe and the motto UBUKHALI BESIZENZE translated means SHARP ACTIONS.) Then followed a visit to the NFA Gun Park and a description of the guns, thereafter a visit to the officers' mess where the regimental silver was on show and where the walls were adorned with artillery orientated militaria and portraits of all the former commanding officers, many of whom had also played a rôle in Durban's colourful history. Finally, the gathering ended up in the W.O.'s and Sergeant's Mess with its superb collection of unit and regimental crests and badges (including a Russian one 'found' in Angola) mounted on polished wooden shields. Follow member Maj Denis Sheil-Small M.C., expressed a sincere word of thanks to the Officer Commanding 84 Brigade, the OC, Natal Field Artillery and to Ken for their courtesy in having made this most interesting visit possible.

The Ladysmith Historical Society to which our Branch is affiliated, had organised a day's outing to the site at Sihayo's kraal where the first action of the Zulu War had taken place on 12 January 1879. As a representative of our Branch, this outing was attended on Sunday, 22 May, by our chairman, SB, who reports that this was a highly successful and informative occasion. One of our new members, Desmond Pollock, was the guide and commentator.

FUTURE EVENTS

The weekend outing to DUNDEE and the TALANA BATTLEFIELD will take place, as already announced, on 11/12 JUNE. The general details are as follows:

SATURDAY 11th June: R/V at 12h30 at the Talana Museum which is to the left, 2km out of Dundee on the road to Vryheid. Picnic lunch, followed by a visit to the various museum sections (viz. Old House, Zulu War, Anglo-Boer War, Glass Museum, Chamber of Mines Museum, Corobrick Museum), a brief talk by the Curatrix (Miss Pam McFadden) and a video show of either "Zulu", "Zulu Dawn" or "Black as hell and thick as grass" (the defence of Rorke's Drift). A "bring and and braai" will begin at 18h00 in the museum grounds. Participants will be required to bring all their own eats and drinks, drinking and eating utensils. The Museum will provide fires, tables and chairs. Our chairman will provide charcoal and sufficient wire braai-forks.

SUNDAY 12th June: 09h00 Depart from Royal Hotel to visit MOTH Shellhole Museum.
10h00 Depart from Shellhole to follow the route of the British troops during the battle of Talana, climb Talana hill to two British fortifications, down the reverse side of the hill, along Boer cannon road to Boer HQ, hospital and mortuary buildings (now all National Monuments). 12h30 Picnic lunch in the farm gardens at "Thornley" (Boer HQ). The farm gardens at "Thornley" are superb. After lunch depart for home.

(Members will be required to provide their own picnic lunches, all food and drink. The walking distances are not great, and except for the short climb to the top of Talana, reasonably level. Good walkine shoes and hats are strongly recommended.)

N.B.To ensure proper planning and administration participants are requested to notify either Mrs Tania van der Watt (Tel. 742970) or 'SB' Bourquin (Tel. 864078) as soon as possible and to indicate the expected number of persons in their party. ~

It is still not too late to make reservations at the Royal Hotel, Dundee, (Tel 0341 - 22,,,,) and let them know that you are with the S. A. Military History Society as they have offered our members SPECIAL weekend concessions as follows :
Double Bed and Breakfast (with bath) R39,00
Single Bed and Breakfast (with bath) R29,00

FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE MOST WELCOME TO COME ALONG.

Programme of Monthly Meetings:

JUNE 9TH          LT COL ERIC EVANS, former OC of the Rhodesian Artillery will deliver an illustrated slide talk on "THE HISTORY OF THE RHODESIAN ARTILLERY" (including the raids into Moçambique).

July 21st         Please note that this is the third Thursday. Major Darrell Hall - A series of 4 slide shows dealing with visits to Duxford RAF Station, HMS Belfast and the 25th Anniversary of the Commando Gunners. The 4th item comprises the story of WWI in songs and pictures.

August 11th          Fellow-member Dr. Gerry Brereton-Stiles will give an illustrated slide talk on Battles of the Middle Ages in Britain.

September 8th          Fellow-member Ken Gillings; Illustrated talk on "The Battle of Mome Gorge (Bambata Rebellion 1906)

October 13th          Fellow-member Ian Sutherland - "The Escape of HMS Amythest" (Yangtse River, China).

The venue for all meetings is the Lecture Room, lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building, (NPA Community Services Building), on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, commencing at 19h30. Glasses, ice and water jugs will be supplied, but please bring your own canned or bottled refreshments.

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