Saturday 30 April 2022

Army V Navy 2022


Army V Navy 2022 - Royal Navy flag - British Army flag

Army V Navy 2022 produced the closest match for a number of years, with the Amry victorious in a match that saw the lead change six times. 

The Royal Navy domiated the first 20 minutes going ahead by 10 points through a penalty and converted try. The Army fought back with two tries scored by the forwards driving over the Navy line. Both tries were unconverted to leave the score at half time 10-10.

The Army took the lead for the first time in the match with a penalty to make the score 13-10. The Navy struckback with a converted try to lead the Army 13-17. The next score was a converted Army try to put the soldiers ahead, followed by another penalty, the Army now leading 23-17  The Navy pulled back 3 points with a penalty, 23-20, and once again went in front of the Army, 23-27, through a converted try. With 10 minutes to go, the Army broke from their own half to run in a try which was converted to go one point ahead of the Navy, 28-27.

With 3 minutes to go and the match still in the balance the Army were awarded a pentalty  which they kicked to touch near the corner of the Navy try line. Winning the line out, the Army forwards drove for the line repeated times, the Navy defence holding as the clock reached 80 minutes. Army ahead 28-27 .

The Army pressure in the end breached the Navy line, with the clock showing 00:00 the Army scored a try, which was converted.


The final score Army 35 (5 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) Navy 27 (3 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties).

British Army 35  Royal Navy 27
 
MATCH REPORT



Army V Navy 2022 - IJ DM

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White Swan Richmond


Friday 29 April 2022

National Army Museum

 

National Army Museum IJ

Challenger Tank

Ferret

Lynx

Modern Dress Uniforms

1460s-  English Civil War Pikeman

1740-1780 - Redcoat

1780-1815 - Drummer

1815 - Waterloo

1815 - Battle of Waterloo

1854 - Crimea

1880s - Redcoat

20th Century Weaponary

1914-18 - WW1
Middlesex Regiment

1939-45 WW2
Sherwood Ranger


1939-45 Bren Gun Carrier

1970s - Northern Ireland Humber 'Pig'

1980s - Cold War

2003 - Iraq

2020s - Soldier

Grenadier Guardsman


Friday 1 April 2022

Birmingham - Old Contemptible's Pub

 The Old Contemptible' s pub in Birmingham is named after the men of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)  who served in Flanders within range of the enemy mobile artillery between 5 August and 22 November 1914.

Old Contemptibles Pub
Birmingham

The name 'Old Contemptibles' arose from an Order of the Day issued by the Kaiser, which mentioned 'Sir John French's contemptible little army'. 

The men involved fought in the battle of Mons, the retreat to the River Marne, where the German advance was halted. The subsequent advance and stalemate that developed on the River Aisne. A a Race to the Sea developed as opposing sides tried to outflank each other, finally ending in the First Battle of Ypres. 

Those who served on the Western Front in 1914 were awarded the Mons Star. A clasp dated 5th August (date of mobilisation) to the 22nd November (end of the First Battle of Ypres) was awarded to those that were actually engaged in the fighting.

1914 Star with Clasp


Old Contemptibles Pub
Birmingham

Old Contemptibles Pub
Birmingham

Old Contemptibles Pub
Birmingham

Old Contemptibles Pub
Birmingham

The pub was originally called The Albion. After the First World War it was run by Frederick Stokes, an 'Old Contemptible' who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The pub was renamed 'Old Contemptibles in 1953 in recognition of the veterans of the original BEF who gathered in the pub after the conflict.

Frederick Stokes
Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Derby Station Midland Railway Boer War Memorial

 On platform 1 of Derby Station is a memorial to the staff of the Midland Railway who lost their lives during the Boer War 1899-1902. Those staff were either Army Reservists recalled to the colours, or Milita, Yeomanry,Volunteers who volunteered to serve in South Africa. 

Derby Station Midland Railway Boer War Memorial

The memorial was designed by the Midland Railway's company architect Charles Trubshaw and was originally displayed in the booking hall at the main entrance. It was relocated to platform 1 when the station was rebuilt in 1984. 

Derby Station Midland Railway Station


Derby Railway Station 2017

Derby Station 2022

The memorial plaque bears the Midland Railway Crest, an inscription reads;

IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY’S STAFF, WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA 1899 – 1902.

The plaque lists the names of those lost, their place of employment on the railway, and the unit they served with. Three Royal Artillery reservists are recorded on the memorial;

Corporal Peeling, Steeton, 65th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Bombardier Tomilns, Gloucester, 28th  Battery Royal Field Artillery

Driver Ball,Walsall, 78th  Battery Royal Field Artillery