THE NEXT TWO MEETINGS TAKE PLACE AS DETAILED BELOW, IN THE ATHENAEUM, 154 CAMPGROUND ROAD, NEWLANDS, COMMENCING AT 8 P.M.
AN ILLUSTRATED TALK BY THE CHAIRMAN, MAJOR ANTONY GORDON (RTD)
Whilst transporting troop re-inforcements to the Eastern Frontier during the "Eigth Kaffir War", HMT Birkenhead was wrecked after striking a submerged reef off danger point on 26th February 1852 not long after leaving Simon's Town, an event renowned for the highly disciplined manner in which the troops are said to have stood fast on deck and waited to enable the women and children to take to the boats. Nine officers and three hundred and forty nine other ranks, together with eighty nine of the vessel's crew, lost their lives but every woman and child reached safety.
Major Gordon has an historical link with the event for he served with the Royal Highland Fusiliers which, formerly known as the "74th", was one of the regiments on board. He represented the old "74th" at a memorial ceremony held at the Danger Point Lighthouse on 26th February 1990.
Though neutral during both World War One and Two, Switzerland, which was founded in 1291 and celebrates its 700th anniversary on 1st August 1991, was however active in various wars during its earlier history.
NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
ADVANCE DETAILS: 13TH SEPTEMBER: 16mm documentary film show on Lawrence of Arabia (subject to confirmation);
17TH OCTOBER: a talk by Helmoed Romer Heitman on the 1987/1988 portion of the Angolan War and South Africa's involvement.
MILITARIA 1991: The annual public exhibition organised by the Western Cape Branch of the S.A. Military Collectors' Society will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday 6th July at the Cape Light Infantry Headquarters, Lansdowne Road, Claremont, opposite the Claremont Police Station, next to "Olympic Cycles", not far from Brookside, the Villagers Football grounds. On display will be such items as bayonets, badges, buttons, flashes, medals, helmets, uniforms, etc. Enquiries: telephone Mike Tang after hours at nnn-mmm.
ISSUED BY: PAUL LANGE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Telephone: nnn-nnnn after hours.
CHAIRMAN: MAJOR ANTONY GORDON (Telephone mmm-mmm)