MAY 1990
The April meeting was the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Society and the first half of the evening was devoted to this purpose.
After the reading of the minutes, the Chairman's report and the Hon Secretary/ Treasurer's report, General Pretorius took the chair to request norninations for Chairman, and Professor Ian Copley was nominated and elected unopposed. The existing Execut.ive Committee was re-elected with the addition of Mr Ian Uys and consists of the following members:
Mr Gavin Moore was re-elected unanimously as Hon. Auditor. and the Roderick G. Murchison Memorial Prize was awarded to Mr S A Watt, whose two-part article entitled "Harrismith: A Military Town during the Anglo Boer War, and after" appeared in the June and December 1989 issues of the Journal.
On conclusion of the Society's business, the new Chairman introduced the first of the three guest speakers, Mr P McDonnagh.
Mr McDonnagh gave an entertaining account of his war experiences from 1939 when he was commissioned into the 7th Queens Own Royal Hussars, through involvements in the Middle East to his final posting to the Italian base of the Polish Armoured Division.
Mr F Demartinis, the second speaker recounted his fascinating experiences as a crew member of a South African mine sweeper, engaged principally in the Mediterranean.
The final speaker, Dr F Machanik, illustrated his talk with slides taken with a camera which he had official permission to utilise ostensibly for "clinical" purposes. After serving as a Medical Officer in South Africa for sometime, he volunteered to go abroad and spent his war variously en route to India and in Italy and Egypt.
Each of the talks provided an interesting, individual insight into the Second World War.
The Society tour to Mafikeng which took place on 28th and 29th April was a great success, in spite of unseasonal rain which threatened to disrupt proceedings.
Future meetings: May 10th, Mr M C W Morris - "The Charge of the Light Brigade".
May (Second newsletter for the month)
In the absence of our chairman, Professor Ian Copley, Mr Ian Uys took the chair. He first congratulated Prof. Copley and Mrs Jenny O'Connor on behalf of members on their marriage. Capt. Tony Speir then reported on the Mafeking tour and said that it was successful despite thousands of African taxis which threatened to split our convoy!
Mr Uys then spoke about a TV series, "Battlefields of South Africa", filmed by our member, Mr David Millin. He had been assisted by six of our other members, each a specialist in his/her field. The series will probably be screened on SATV in September 1990.
Dr George Christides then spoke on 'Aircraft Accidents of World War II', the largest among them being of over 100 Lockheed Lightenings (sic) lost during a sandstorm in Egypt.
Mr Monty Morris then presented his lecture on 'The Charge of the Light Brigade', which was illustrated by slides. After introducing the major British Commanders in the Crimea, he explained the role of the heavy cavalry brigade and the controversial order which gave rise to the charge of the 'gallant 600'. Sir George Cathcart from the Cape commanded the 4th Div of Cavalry at Balaklava and was to be killed at Inkerman.
It was interesting to learn that Mr Morris was descended from Captain Morris, who took part in and survived the charge. Mr Uys mentioned that another survivor, Sgt. Joseph Malone, is buried in the Pinetown cemetery. Mr George Tremoulet then thanked Mr Morris on behalf of the members.
The next Meeting
June 14th - Prof. J. Malloch-Brown - "Events at Brandfort, Karee and Glen during the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902"
July 12th - Maj.Gen. Philip Pretorius - "The Reluctant Rebel, 1900 "
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