Victoria Cross Society - Events of Interest

Almost 150 years after Corporal Robert Grant VC was put with nine others in a common grave in Highgate Cemetery, North London, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will unveil a stone to commemorate Grant's life. Cpl.Grant of the 5th Regiment (Northumberland Fusiliers), then 20, was awarded the VC after risking his life to carry a wounded comrade to safety during the Indian Mutiny. After 10 years in the Army, he joined the Metropolitan Police Y Division covering Kentish Town and became PC 306. He died aged 30, penniless and without a family. Officers at Kentish Town have campaigned for two years to have his grave formally commemorated.

A special memorial to Hugh McIver VC will be dedicated on 23rd August at Vraucourt Copse Cemetery, near Courcelle-le Compte, France.

An evocative exhibition featuring three revered Victoria Crosses and the stories of the courageous men who received them will open at Queensland Museum South Bank on 23 April 2008.
The Courage of Ordinary Men: Three Stories of the Victoria Cross will commemorate this year’s 90^th anniversary of the end of World War 1.
The free exhibition will bring to life the wartime experience and personal histories of VC recipients Private Patrick Joseph Bugden VC, Private Robert Matthew Beatham VC and Major Blair Anderson Wark VC, DSO.
Through medals, original letters and photos, contemporary descriptions, poetry and an evocative sound and light presentation, visitors can experience a soldier’s life in the trenches of the Western Front.
CEO of the Queensland Museum Dr Ian Galloway said the exhibition was a rare opportunity to observe, up close, the supreme award for courage in combat.

“This moving exhibition will honour the sacrifice of ordinary men who achieved extraordinary feats,” Dr Galloway said.“Opening on the eve of Anzac Day, it is a poignant reminder of the heroic sacrifices of our Armed Services men and women, both past and present.”
Queen Victoria established the Victoria Cross award in 1856 to recognise “conspicuous bravery” in war. The medal has been awarded 1356 times, 96 to Australians.Two of the Victoria Crosses on display are on loan from the United Service Club Queensland and author Mr Neil Jenman. The other was donated to the Queensland Museum by the family of Private Paddy Bugden and is part of the Museum collection.
Queensland Museum South Bank is located on the corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank. The Museum is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.

The Courage of Ordinary Men: Three Stories of the Victoria Cross

When: From 23 April 2008

Where: Queensland Museum South Bank

Cnr Melbourne and Grey Streets, South Brisbane

Cost: ENTRY FREE

There will an unveiling of a plaque at the War Memorial, New Malden, Surrey on Thursday, 24th April. This is to Lieutenant H.O.B.Firman VC, RN who was killed during an attempt to reprovision the force beseiged at Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia on 25th April 1916. There are two local VC holders whose name appears on the War Memorial (Sq.Ldr.Ian Bazalgette and P/O Cyril Barton. Only recently has it been discovered Lt.Firman's connection with the town.

The Defence of Rorke's Drift - a talk by Rob Caskie of Fugitive's Drift Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal on 29th November 7.00pm for 7-30pm at The Speech Room, Harrow School. Followed by drinks & canapés in the School War Memorial Room. A rare opportunity to visit an historic school and view their unique collection commemorating 19 VCs awarded to Old Harrovians. Tickets £35 in aid of the charity WOODEN SPOON supporting disadvantaged children
Please contact: Gordon Brown - woodenspoonmiddx@aol.com or telephone: 020 8429 2481

David Callaghan's exhibition FOR VALOUR, previously staged at London's Olympia in 2005 and again at the Guard's Chapel, is currently appearing at the NEC, Birmingham. It is on display at the NEC during the run of the Antiques for Everyone Show from 26th-29th July. David's exhibition recounts the early history of the VC and includes a unique scale diorama of the Defence of Rorke's Drift, where 11 VCs were won. Brian Best, the Society's editor, will also be in attendance and looks forward to meeting members of the VCS. This may be the last opportunity for the public to see this informative and highly visual exhibition.
The organisers have kindly offered free entry tickets to members of the Victoria Cross Society, which can be obtained by applying to 0121 767 2947 or email: antiques@clarionevents.com or register on website: www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk.
Quote 'VC07' and tickets will be sent to you.

The Noel Chavasse VC Memorial Association, a registered charity, has been set up to raise funds for the erection of a bronze group featuring Chavasse and the fifteen other VCs associated with Liverpool. A local sculptor, Tom Murphy, has been commissioned and to date some £33,000 has been raised by appeals to the public, regiments, regimental associations etc. The total required is £106,000.
Members can help by buying two books - one about Chavasse and the other fifteen Liverpool-born VCs and the other about eighteen further VCs who lived in the city. The cost is £7.00 each plus £1.50 p&p. Also, on Saturday 11th August, there is to be held a dinner to celebrate the life of Noel Chavasse in the 90th year since he was awarded his second VC and his death. The Surgeon General has promised to attend as well as other dignitaries. Individual places are £40 or £350 for a table of ten.
For details, please contact Bill Sergeant at billanat8@hotmail.co.uk

The British Library, London is holding an exhibition of photographs, including those taken by Harriet Tytler, who narrowly escaped with her life during the massacre at Delhi on 11th May 1857. She survived many adventures and returned in 1858 to take photographs of many of the prominent sites of the Indian Mutiny. The exhibition is on between 19th July to 7th October.

The Ulster History Circle will be unveiling a Blue Plaque to Charles Davis Lucas VC at his birthplace, Druminargal House, 29 Poyntzpass Road, Scarva at 11-30am on Tuesday, 26 June. The event is being held in conjunction with Poyntzpass Local History Society and is sponsored by Armagh City & District Council.

We have been informed by Gordon Powrie of Co-op Funeralcare that there will be a service and unveiling of a memorial stone at Paisley Abbey on Tuesday 26th June at 10am. Afterwards, there will be an unveiling at Hawkhead Cemetery of a memorial stone in honour of the following five VC holders who were born in Paisley.
Sergeant James McKechnie, Private Samuel Evans, Captain Arthur Henderson, Private Hugh McIver & Sergeant John Hannah.
The Co-op are providing the stone free of charge and Renfrewshire Council are donating the ground. Anyone interested in attending are very welcome and refreshments will be available at the Royal British Legion, Paisley. 0141 889 6321

Messines (Belgium) this year commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Messines (7 june 2007). On that day a plaque will be unveiled for the VC winner Samuel Frickleton and there will be an exhibition about the 4 VC winners from New Zealand. For more information click here: http://www.flanders1917.info/

10th June
Service of Commemoration to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Investiture of the Victoria Cross to be held at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday 10 June at 3-30pm. The service is to honour 52 VC & GC recipients from Staffordshire, South Cheshire, Warwickshire & the West Midlands. For more details, contact Peter Elkin on peterelkin@hotmail.com

25th February, Funchal, Madeira,
Cecil Buckley VC Memorial unveiling,
paid for by donations from members of the VC Society.

Dulwich College in South East London are staging a VC exhibition in the Wodehouse Library between 9 am and 5pm until Friday 9 February. It features the seven Old Alleyians who received the Victoria Cross. For more details, phone 020 8299 9201.

On 23rd February, the Duke of Edinburgh patron will attend a VC commemoration service at Portsmouth Cathedral and afterwards will unveil a memorial at the Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club.

The Queen will attend the opening of the new Household Cavalry Museum at Horseguards on 12th June 2007.There will be a parade of 220 horses and men and a display of 50 historic and contemporary armoured vehicles.
Also there will be re-enactments including the Waterloo Cavalry Charge. For enquiries about tickets, contact 0870 4000 848 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Hounslow’s heroes honoured for Victoria Cross success
A permanent tribute to seven brave men who received the Victoria Cross for their courage and valour in war will be unveiled at Hounslow Civic Centre.

The Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Felicity Barwood, unveils a plaque on Friday 8th December to honour the men, who all had a connection with the borough, and received the country’s most prestigious medal.
Cllr Barwood, said: “This plaque permanently remembers the courageousness and gallantry of these heroes. Their acts in war contributed to peace and we all owe a debt to them. On behalf of the borough, I was delighted to unveil this memorial"
The ceremony, attended by members of the Royal British Legion, councillors and Hounslow Council chief officers, marks the 150^thAnnivesary of the Victoria Cross. It was instituted by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856 for award to both officers and non-commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and the Army who, in the presence of the enemy 'shall have performed some signal act of valour'. Simple in design, the cross was made from the bronze cannon captured during the Crimean War (1854 - 1856). Subsequently it has been awarded to members of the other armed forces.
The Victoria Cross is still Britain's premier award for gallantry in face of the enemy and is worn before all other orders, decorations and medals.

A full list of recipients of the Victoria Cross with an association to the London borough of Hounslow, are;

Captain William Allen, lived at Pownall Gardens in Hounslow, was the first President of the Hounslow British Legion. He died in 1933.
Commander Gordon Campbell, lived with his son at Worton Road, Isleworth, who was the Vicar of St Mary the Virgin. He died in 1953.
Lieutenant French, stayed at Manor House in Chiswick (Dr Tukes Infirmary). He died in 1872
Corporal John Grimshaw, lived in Isleworth. He died in 1980
Lieutenant Frederick Hedges, went to school in Isleworth and lived in Hounslow. He died in 1954.
Private Frederick Hitch, lived in Chiswick. He died in 1913.
Sergeant Robert Spall. Born in Brentford. He died in 1890.

This Thursday ( 9th) Alfred Knight Way will be officially opened by his grand-children this Thursday in Birmingham. The road can be found on the new Park Central Development in Birmingham. The event is to be filmed and will be available on DVD from the same person who filmed the Alfred Wilcox memorial event at Aston Parish Church earlier this year. Any enquiries for more information on the event will be gladly answered by Chris Sutton on cs@optima.org.uk
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The National Army Museum is hosting a rare event this evening when Johnson Beharry VC is the Celebrity Speaker. This follows the publication last week of his autobiography "Barefoot Soldier", a most excellent read!
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Study morning, Saturday 7th October 10.30 - 13.30. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross, this study morning explores heroism and naval heroes awarded Britain's highest gallantry award. It examines the international conflicts in which they were involved, from the Crimean War - for which the National Maritime Museum holds the first VC ever awarded - through the Indian Mutiny to the two World Wars. There will be a special introduction to the Victoria Cross display at the Museum. Five of the eleven Crosses held by the Museum will on display for the first time and include Charles Lucas, William Peel, John Harrison, Ronald Stuart and William Savage.
Speakers:
David Callaghan FGA - Director of Hancocks 1964-97 - sole supplies of the VC.
Brian Best BA, FRGS - Founder of the Victoria Cross Society.
Steve Snelling - Newspaper Magazine Editor and Author of three books on the history of the VC, including one on the Naval VCs of World War 1.

The British National Stamp Exhibition, The Business Design Centre, Islington Green, London N1 0QH. Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th September.
Includes Special First Day Issue Cancellation on 21st September - commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross

Don't miss ZULUS & SISTER JANET Exhibition and Event - 19 & 20th August, Firepower Museum, Woolwich Arsenal.
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Production is due to start on a new 3 hour series to be shown on Channel Five in November. It is entitled "V.C" and will be narrated by The Prince of Wales. There will be for the first time access to Lord Ashcroft's peerless collection of Victoria Crosses, which covers all three services from the Crimea to the Falklands.
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Guy Gibson VC was commemorated with an English Heritage Blue Plaque on 26th June. The address is 32 Aberdeen Place, London NW8

There is to be a Victoria Cross Exhibition on display at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London from 26 June - 18 July.

David Callaghan will be delivering his excellent lecture -" For Valour - Tracing 150 Years of the Victoria Cross" on Wednesday, 26th April at 7-15pm at the Lecture Room of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Tickets are available (tel: 020-7942 2211.
Those who missed David's lecture at Olympia last year will not want to miss this lecture by one of the leading authorities on the VC.

To mark the 150th Anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross, the Library and Museum of Freemasonry at Great Queen Street, London WC2 has mounted a new exhibition about some of the 135 holders of the Victoria Cross who were freemasons. The Exhibition is open until Friday 26th May 2006 (Monday to Fridays only) from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free

There will be an exhibition of Photography and Photomontage by Tony Linforth-Hall at the Gallery 33, 33 Swan Street, London SE1 from 5th to 28th February. The subject is Gallipoli and the exhibition shows the peninsular as it appears today. For further details, contact 020 7407 8668 or e-mail marvasol@btconnect.com

The recently restored gravestone of Thomas Byrne, the famous Omdurman VC is to be rededicated on Saturday 19th November at 2pm at Canterbury Cemetery

For all those in the South-East, the excellent annual Military Book Fair is to be held at the Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells on Sunday 20th November.

THE WINTER FINE ARTS AND ANTIQUES FAIR. 7-13 NOVEMBER AT OLYMPIA, LONDON
As a forerunner to the 150th anniversary of the inception of the Victoria Cross, For Valour will tell the story of the award from the beginnings in 1856 to the reasoning behind it, its manufacture and some of the stories behind individual awards. Highlights include the three VC and Bar awards, the unique award to the American Unknown Soldier and illustrations of some of the events that led to the VC being awarded. Other aspects will show the way in which some of the medal winners have been commemorated and versions of the VC that pay tribute to the medal itself.
The curator of the exhibition is Mr David Callaghan FGA, former Director of Hancocks of London, sole suppliers of the medal since its inception. He will be delivering an illustrated talk on Tuesday 8 November at 6pm, drawing on knowledge gained throughout his career with Hancocks and from his personal involvement with all aspects of this unique award. This is an event not to be missed!
A special offer to Members of the Victoria Cross Society; 2 lecture tickets for the price of 1 (quote your name & VC Society). Tickets cost £10. To book, call +44 (0)870 126 1726

For Valour: The Story of the Victoria Cross
An illustrated talk in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust by David Callaghan FGA, curator of For Valour, followed by a private dinner on Wednesday 9 November at The Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia

With the 150^th anniversary of the inception of the Victoria Cross approaching, For Valour will tell the story of the award from its beginnings in 1856, its manufacture and the courageous human stories that lay behind it.

This is a rare opportunity to see some exceptional exhibits, some of which have never been on view to the public. Highlights will include reproductions of the three VC and Bar awards, the unique award to the American Unknown Soldier, a unique scale model of the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, copies of correspondence from Queen Victoria as well as the military jacket and hat she wore for the first VC investiture.

David Callaghan FGA will draw on his personal involvement with all aspects of the Victoria Cross from his time as a senior director of Hancocks of London, sole suppliers of the medal since its inception.

Tickets are priced at £75 to include pre-talk drinks and the talk, dinner and wine plus free entry at any time on the 9 November to the Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia, which runs from 7-13 November. Timings are as follows:

For further information or to apply for tickets, please contact Sarah Phippin on email sarah@teenagecancertrust.org

There is to be a re-dedication ceremony in relation to the Rorke's Drift VC, Henry Hook on 3 September, his grave at Churcham, near Gloucester. For further details, contact www.1879group.com

1915: Innocence slaughtered?

An international conference organised and hosted by the In Flanders Fields Museum Ypres 17, 18 and 19 November 2005

Chair : Prof.dr. Koen Koch (Universiteit Leiden, the Netherlands)

Conference Language: English

Location: City Theatre, Vandenpeereboomplein (unless indicated otherwise)

Thursday 17 November 2005

9.00 Reception, registration and refreshments (coffee/tea)
09.45 introduction - Prof.Dr. Koen Koch (Universiteit Leiden - the Netherlands)
10.15 Dr. Olivier Lepick (Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, Paris, France): 22 April 1915, the first chemical attack or the introduction of a weapon of mass destruction
11.15 Prof. Dr. Margit Szöllöszi-Janze (Universität zu Köln, Germany): The scientist as expert: Fritz Haber and German chemical warfare during the First World War.
11.45 Dominiek Dendooven (In Flanders Fields Museum): Overview: 22 April 1915 - Eyewitness accounts of the first gas attack
12.30 lunch (Cloth Hall)
2 p.m. Julian Putkowski (London, United Kingdom): Toxic Shock: British reactions to the use of poison gas in 1915
2.45 Dr Luc van de Weyer (Belgian Army Museum, Brussels): The reaction of the Belgian Army to the introduction of chemical warfare
3.30 coffee break
3.45 Dr. Nathan M. Greenfield (Ontario, Canada): The Canadian Army and the 2nd Battle of Ypres
4.30 dr. David Omissi (Hull University, United Kingdom): The Indian Army Corps and the 2nd Battle of Ypres
5.30 Visit: In Flanders Fields Museum
8.0 p.m. Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate
8.15 Conference dinner

Friday 18 November

9.30am Dr. Nick Lloyd (Centre for First World War Studies - Birmingham, United Kingdom): The first British gas attack, Loos, 25 September 1915
10.15 Dr. Peter van den Dungen (Bradford University, United Kingdom): Civil resistance to chemical warfare during the First World War
11.00 coffee break
11.15 Wolfgang Wietzker (Universität Düsseldorf, Germany): Chemical Weapons and German Newspapers
12.00 Lunch (in Cloth Hall)
1.30 p.m. Bert Heyvaert (In Flanders Fields Museum): Minor actions in the Ypres Salient in 1915
2.15 Dr. Gery Oram (Open University, United Kingdom): British Morale in 1915
3.00 Coffee break
3.15 Dr. Leo van Bergen (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands): ‘Gas is a humane weapon’. The medical (and humanitarian-judicial) discussion on poison-gas during and after the war
4.00 Prof. Dr. Annette Becker (Université Paris-X, Nanterre, and Centre de recherche de l'Historial de la Grande Guerre, Péronne, France): La mémoire du gaz dans l’après guerre
4.45 Discussion
5.30 Drinks

Saturday 19 November 2005

9.30 Lt. Glenn Nollet (Belgian Army Ammunition Disposal Unit DOVO): Chemical ammunition disposal in Flanders
10.15 Peter Kaiser (OPCW - The Hague, the Netherlands): The work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
11.00 coffee break
11.15 Dr. Jean-Pascal Zanders (Bio Weapons Prevention Project - Geneva, Switzerland): Ypres, 22 April 2015: Can It Be Avoided?
12.00 Dr. Shariar Khateri (Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support - Teheran, Iran): Mustard Gas Exposure and Long-Term Health Effects. Lessons Learned From Iraq-Iran War, the most recent large scale use of chemical weapons
12.45 Lunch
2.00 p.m. Excursion: tour of sites, monuments and cemeteries associated with the gas attack of 22 April 1915, visit to the Belgian Army Ammunition Disposal Unit and facility for dismantling chemical weapons.
5 p.m. drinks

The full programme and registration form will be available from the In Flanders Fields Museum from September 2005. Please note: the number of places for the Excursion on 19 November is strictly limited - priority will be given to those registering to attend all three days of the conference.

Price to attend one day : € 15
Price to attend the three days: € 40
Conference dinner (Thursday night 17 November): € 25

For any additional information on the conference or for receiving an inscription form:
Dominiek Dendooven, In Flanders Fields Museum, Janseniusstraat 9, B-8900 Ieper, Belgium, tel ++ 32 57 239 450, fax ++ 32 57 239 459, stedelijke.musea@ieper.be

For reservation of hotels and tourist information:
Ieper Tourism Office, Grote Markt 34, B-8900 Ieper, tel. ++ 32 57 239 220, fax ++ 32 57 239 275, toerisme@ieper.be

www.inflandersfields.be

The next forthcoming Society event is in association with The South Wales Borderers and Monmouthshire Regimental Museum. This will be held at Brecon over the weekend of 28th-29th May 2005 and all members are cordially invited.
The theme of the weekend is to be "Supreme Courage" and is being promoted as part of Museums and Galleries Month in the UK. The main theme will be the Zulu War of 1879 and the guest speakers will include author and broadcaster, Ian Knight, Rob Caskie (David Rattray's deputy at Fugitive's Drift Lodge), the Regimental Museum curator, Major Martin Everett and David Glynn-Fox.
New lectures by Ian Knight (Latest theories on Rorke's Drift) and Rob Caskie (Isandlwana). Tickets can be reserved/purchased by calling Celia Green at Brecon Museum - tel. 01874 613310. Please specify saturday or Sunday. First come first served - only 140 seats per lecture. A full exhibition 'day ticket', inclusive of lectures, costs £15. Excluding lectures - £3 special exhibition charge.
Exciting displays bring together rare medal groups of many famous participants in the campaign, many of which will be specially on loan for the event.
The VC Society will have a table and would very pleased to meet those members who can attend.
Spinks Medal expert and Society Member, John Hayward, will be on hand to give medal valuations and discuss any matter you may wish to raise.
The Museum itself has a wonderful medal display including many Victoria Crosses.
There will be a guided tour each day of Zulu War memorials in Brecon Cathedral led by Major Martin Everett.
For local accommodation - phone Brecon Tourist Information Centre on 01874 622485

Member Michael Lyons of the British Legion informs us that there will be the annual presentation at the Elmwood Junior School, Elmwood Road, West Croydon at 2 pm. Two pupils are selected to receive their award which is known as the George Knowland Award named after the former pupil of the school, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (see March 2004 Journal and Sample Journal Articles). Any members who can attend would be most welcome.

Military, Aviation & Naval Bookfair, Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.
The VC Society will be having a table at this event, which attracts many excellent military booksellers, who always have items of VC interest. We hope to meet up with some of our members from the area.

16th August. Please note that, not only will there be original VCs on display, but also the two cannon from which the bronze was used to fashion the Crosses. It will be the first time that the cannon will have been on public display and they will remain in the Firepower Museum after this weekend. Do try and visit this excellent venue, which reeks of history. The medal collection in the Firepower Museum is worth the visit alone

2nd August. We have just learned that the Victoria Crosses that will be on display are those of Lt.Gonville Bromhead of Rorke's Drift fame, Private William Griffiths for Little Andaman Island and who died at Isandlewana and Asst.Commissary James Dalton, who is regarded at the real architect of the successful defence of Rorke's Drift. This is the first time that his VC will be seen in public (a replica is displayed at the museum)

Make a note in your diary for an outstanding event. 21st & 22nd August at the Royal Artillery Museum FIREPOWER, Woolwich.
As a member of the Society, you are cordially invited, free of charge, to visit the Anglo Zulu War Exhibition, REDCOATS AND ZULUS, at the above venue on the site of the historical Woolwich Arsenal. Amongst the attractions will be Zulu War Dancers, Lectures, the 1879 Re-enactors, exhibition of artefacts and paintings, Zulu War VC medal display book signings and trade stands.
Invitations are being sent out to all UK members. If there are any Overseas members who would like an invitation, then please contact the Society.

For Valour: The Story of the Victoria Cross An illustrated talk in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust by David Callaghan FGA, curator of For Valour, followed by a private dinner on Wednesday 9 November at The Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia

For Valour: The Story of the Victoria Cross
An illustrated talk in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust by David Callaghan FGA, curator of For Valour, followed by a private dinner on Wednesday 9 November at The Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia