The South African
An interesting extension of the Museum’s evening activity has been a fortnightly series of talks and films aimed at extending the knowledge of the public concerning the Museum and the subjects with which it deals. The programme so far has been:
| 30.01.80 | Opening talk | Col G.R. Duxbury | Film: | War to end all Wars | 13.2.80 | History of Aviation | Capt A. Blake | Guns of the Zulu War | Maj D.D. Hall | 27.02.80 | Films | Mr D.W. Aitken | 12.03.80 | Armoured cars and tanks | Mr A. Swanson | Victoria Cross recipients | Mr I. Uys | 26.03.80 | WWII British aircraft in the Museum | Maj D.P. Tidy | Development of small arms | Mr J. Keene | 09.04.80 | Films | Mr A. Swanson | 23.04.80 | Early aircraft and engines | Capt A. Blake | Uniforms | Mr J.J. Bruwer | 07.05.80 | Muzzle Loaders | Dr F. Machanik | Guns of WWII | Maj D.D. Hall | 21.5.80 | Films | Mr D.W. Aitken | 04.06.80 | World War II Art | Col G.R. Duxbury | Mr L.T. Burrage | Mr P. Bawcombe | 18.6.80 | Indonesian Swords | Mr M. Emms | Special Medals | Mr D.R Forsyth |
The programme will be continued during the second half of 1980 and if these evening sessions continue to be as well supported as during the first half of the year it is hoped to continue with the project in 1981.
Readers are invited to attend. Admission is free but it is advisable to telephone 41-5513 for reservations.
War art, examples of which the Museum possesses in abundance, has received a new impetus from the travelling exhibition, organized by the Museum with the kind and highly valued co-operation of the Departtnent of Defence. During the period January-June 1980 two exhibitions in the series were held. The first was at the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley from 4th to 24th February 1980. The exhibition was opened officially by Major-General Neil Webster, SSA, SSAS, SM, JCD. Mr L.T. 'Ben’ Burrage and Mr Philip Bawcombe, two of the WW II artists whose works were amongst those on display, were present and this gave the occasion an added special interest.
The following evening, after an introductory talk by Col G.R. Duxbury on the subject of WW II art and artists generally, Mr Bawcombe and Mr Burrage talked about some of their experiences and about some of the paintings on display.
The public was given an opportunity to ask questions, and the artists spent a lively hour enlightening the audience about many aspects of their experiences, and outlined the problems of painting in the field. Those who attended the talk were very appreciative and the people of Kimberley were most kind and hospitable to their visitors.
The second exhibition was staged at the National Museum, Bloemfontein, from 19th to 31st March where it was openedl officially by Mr Manie Eloff at a gathering attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bloemfontein and approximately 100 guests. Colonel Duxbury, who attended the opening, reported that he had not previously listened to such an inspiring address, given with the understanding and knowledge of one who was there and for whom every picture seemed to have a special message or bring back a memory.
The exhibition will travel to Port Elizabeth and then Potchefstroorn later in the year.
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