he Editors extend to Major Darrell D. Hall their hearty congratulations on his election to the Chair of the S.A. Military History Society following on the untimely death of Colonel Dick Peddle, whose obituary appears in this journal.

Educated at Michaelhouse, Natal and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Darrell Hall was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1948. Having qualified as a parachutist and a Commando he served in both the Parachute Brigade and the Royal Marine Commando Brigade. He took part in the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt and the Indonesian confrontation in Borneo. His service also took him to the Suez Canal zone, Cyprus, jordan and the Far East with a spell in Vietnam as Assistant Military Attaché.

He retired from the British Army with the rank of major in 1968, joining the family firm of Dickon Hall Products and is also connected with the well known farming firm of H.L. Hall and Sons.

Despite business commitments however, his interest in all matters military has not abated one whit, especially his interest in guns. He has served as an honorary curator of the Museum's Ordnance (Artillery) section for a number of years during which time he has contributed a fine series of articles to this journal dealing with guns in South Africa.

He joined the S.A. Military History Society in 1969 and has served on its Executive Committee since 1972, holding office as Vice-Chairman from April 1977 to the time of Colonel Peddle's death.

His association with the Military History Society has been most rewarding for those members who have been able to listen to his several talks, some of which were presented jointly with his close friend and colleague, Dick Peddle.

Notwithstanding business affairs, which call for numerous trips away from Johannesburg, his activities associated with the Museum, his private research and writing and the Military History Society, he still finds time to serve the Johannesburg Branch of the Gunners' Association in a most active and helpful manner as its Vice-Chairman.

The Military History Society is indeed fortunate to have as its new Chairman this knowledgeable and hardworking soldier-historian.

ACTIVITIES

The activities of the year were clouded by the sudden tragic death in July 1977, of the Society's Chairman, Col D.E. Peddle.

The normal monthly meetings were well attended, a visit to battlefields in the Eastern Transvaal in September was a great success, with excellent talks in field on the sites of the engagements at Bergendal and Helvetia combined with general information of historical interest.

AKTIWITEITE

Die aktiwiteite van die jaar is deur die onverwagse en tragiese afsterwe van die Vereniging se Voorsitter, kol D.E. Peddle, in Julie 1977, oorskadu.

Die gewone maandelikse vergaderings is goed bygewoon en 'n besoek aan die slagvelde in die Oos-Transvaal in September was besonder geslaagd. Uitstekende praatjies is ter plaatse gelewer oor die skermutselings by Bergdal en Helvetia asook inligting van plaaslike historiese belang is ingesluit.