We are currently watching Trooping the Colour 2010 on the television but last week we were pleased to be there. Yes, I said last week, because Trooping the Colour takes place not once but three times each year. The televised parade is the Queen's Birthday Parade, on which the salute is taken by the Her Majesty The Queen. Last week was the Colonel's Review and, as the Colour being trooped this year is that of the Grenadier Guards the Duke of Edinburgh took the salute as Colonel of the Regiment.  The previous week was the the Major General's Review.

The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has not long since returned from their second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

There is no commentary to the parade, so if you want to be aware of the significance of the parade as it happens either do your homework or watch in on the television. If you want to experience a fantastic spectacle and watch military custom in action there is absolutely no substitute for being there.  Tickets for the Major General's Review are free and although payment is required for both the Colonel's Review and the Queen's Birthday Parade the price is very reasonable. Of course if you want to soak up the atmosphere and proudly watch the troops without sitting in the stands erected on Horse Guards there are always great vantage points to be found along The Mall, near the Victoria Memorial or, for a good view of the Life Guards and Blues and Royals in particular, behind the Guards Memorial.

After the parade, our hearts swelled with pride, we walked through St James' Park to Wellington Barracks, as did the Guards stretcher bearers and the route liners. Although we have done this before on Troop day it is still a little odd to have to move aside at the sound of marching soldiers approaching from behind!

Former Army officer David Carter will attempt to walk 68 miles in just 28 hours to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Mr Carter served for 22 years in the Army, spending seven in Northern Ireland and undertaking tours of Kosovo, Zaire, Cyprus, Berlin, Sierra Leone and Iraq. Now employed as a driver and maintenance officer for the Bishop of Exeter, he is also vice-chair and standard bearer of the Paignton Branch of the British Legion. On Friday, June 18 and the following day he will take part in a sponsored march around British Legion locations and war memorials, laying 17 wreaths.

You can read more of this article by visiting the website of the Express and Echo newspaper.

He may be cute but he carries a very serious message: Support Our Troops.

Please click on the picture for more information about how this little guy can become your hero.

It is such a beautiful day here at Military House and very noisy - with birdsong.  We are looking forward to a quick lunch break in the sunshine. Even the dandelions are looking good after the harse winter!

High quality cotton/polyester T-Shirts sporting our Support Our Troops badge and the legend Proud to be supporting British Troops will be available from the website very soon.  The T-shirts come in 5 adult sizes and are machine washable.  The design is as soft as the rest of the T-shirt. Just iron inside out!

We have just added a brand new product to the website.  Produced with the same care as our blazer badges, the workmanship in these fabulous military pennants is very iimpressive. So far we have one each for Royal Artillery, REME, Royal Air Force, Royal Corps of Signals, Light Infantry, Royal Engineers, Royal Marines, The Rifles and the Parachute Regiment ready for despatch. We can supply them in any quantity for any regiment for which we have a blazer badge, but lead times can be long.  All enquiries are welcome.

Each pennant is approx 130mm x 210mm (5 x 8 inches) to the point (not including fringe) and is embroidered in gold and silver wire on a black backing felt.  The hanging bar is metal making it a lovely sturdy product perfect for display.

The shield and key ring arrived safe and sound in this mornings post. Thank you, the shield  a lovely product. I wonder why I have waited so long to help keep memories alive.

Link to Royal Tank Regiment products.

Kekewich and the relief of Kimberley - 15th February 1900

The town of Kimberley was founded in 1871 after the discovery of diamonds nearby.  The diamond fields were taken over by Cecil Rhodes in 1888 for the De Beers company. Rhodes was a major player in the political landscape of South Africa and as the Boer War began he moved from Cape Town to Kimberley.

On 14th October 1899 the Boers invaded the northern Cape Colony and so began the siege of Kimberley. Colonel Robert Kekewich had been send with half of his battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment to defend the town, but found that he could do little without Rhodes' involvement since many of the garrison were De Beers employees and De Beers controlled the essential resources of the town.

On 6th November 1899 the Boers started their bombardment of Kimberley. On 21st November 1899 Lord Methuen began marching his troops from Orange River to relieve Kimberley but his progress was checked on 11th December 1899 at Magersfontein, destroying the prospect of early relief. Rhodes complained to General Buller. 

At the beginning of 1900 Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener arrived in South Africa with substantial reinforcements to take over command in chief from General Redvers Buller.

On 7th February 1900 the Boers opened fire on Kimberley causing panic in the population and provoking a lengthy crisis between Rhodes and Kekewich.

Kimberley was finally relieved on 15th February 1900 by General French's cavalry division which galloped spectacularly across the Veldt.  The horses were overloaded and unused to the conditions and many perished as a result, leaving the Division seriously weakened.  On French's arrival Rhodes demanded that Kekewich be sacked as the garrison commander.  French sacked Kekewich before leaving with his division.

The lifting of the siege of Kimberley had little impact on the progress of the war, other than to significantly reduce the number of mounted troops available to Lord Roberts. 

Rhodes died in March 1902 at the age of 48.  Kekewich was promoted to Major General in August 1902 after his success at the Battle of Rooiwal.  On the outbreak of the First World War he was appointed to the 13th (Western) Division. On 5th November 1914 he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Robert Kekewich was the second son of Trehawke Kekewich of Peamore, near Exeter, which is about 16 miles from Military House. An unassuming and often overgrown cross on the embankment by the side of the main road commemorates members of the Kekewich family.

Have you heard about the Forces Festival which is taking place at Bulford, Wiltshire on 31st May 2010?  It will be a fantastic outdoor festival featuring fun fair rides, giant inflatables, aerial displays by the BBMF and RAF Hawks, military skills displays and much much more. The Forces Festival finishes with a huge concert all to raise funds for military charity Project 65.

Click here to find out more about The Forces Festival.

Click here to find out more about Project 65.

FORCES CHARITIES GOLF DAY

13TH MAY 2010

PADBROOK PARK GOLF CLUB, CULLOMPTON, DEVON. EX15 1RU

RAISING FUNDS FOR

SOLDERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION (SSAFA) FORCES HELP

AND

THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITABLE TRUST

The Venue

Padbrook Park Golf Course is an 18 hole, par 72 course of 6,500 yards set in 170 acres of beautiful Devon countryside.  It has a fine mix of birdie and bogey holes and features extensive water and woodland hazards.  The view from the 6^th is stunning but every hole is a challenge!

The Event

0900 – 1030: Registration, coffee and bacon bap, allocation of tee times. Visit the Pro shop or plan your game.

From 1030: 18 holes of golf in teams of three (with the highest two scores counting) including competitions for nearest the pin and longest drive. Putting competition with Stuart Disney PGA Advanced Professional. Have your swing recorded on the first tee for playback and analysis later. Refreshment buggy available on course.

From 1730: Enjoy a relaxing two course dinner, plus coffee, bid in the charity auction, analyse your swing with the course professional, chat and chill. Prize giving.

The Charities

Last year alone the professional staff and trained volunteers of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help provided a reliable, caring and trusted service to more than 50,000 people, helping to make a real difference to many lives.

The Royal Marines Charitable Trust is the principal fund utilised to undertake benevolence work, construct and maintain war memorials, support reunions of veterans and provide support to Royal Marines deployed overseas on operations as well as their families at home.

The Sponsor

This event is being sponsored by Debra Raymond Military Figures & Gifts, providers of short run giftware to the military, businesses and clubs, based at Military House, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NX. Website: www.militaryfigures.co.uk

The Organiser

Bridget Hill, c/o Military House, Honiton Road, Cullompton, Devon. EX15 1NX

All bookings will be confirmed by e-mail. I look forward to seeing you on the day!

Enquiries: Tel. 01884 34835 or email Midge@militaryfigures.co.uk

Booking Form Golf Day.doc (26.50 kb)

Golf Day flyer BH.doc (114.00 kb)