23 replies to this topic

[John(txic)]

You are cordially invited to the next meeting of the Wolverhampton Branch of the WFA.

Our Talk this month is by Bill MacCormick and is entitled "A lack of offensive spirit?  The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916".

Meetings are held in the Lecture Hall of St Peters Collegiate School, Compton Park, Wolverhampton WV3 9DU. If using a SatNav (or just a good, old-fashioned A - Z), make sure you approach from the A454 Compton Road West and NOT the A41 Tettenhall Road.

http://maps.google.c...ingdom&t=m&z=16

Bear right and follow Compton Park along; the school is about 800yds down the road, past the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Training Ground and on the opposite side of the road. If you reach the gate across the road you've overshot by 50 yds!

A contribution of £2 would be appreciated to cover the costs we incur in hiring the hall; you get a free tea or coffee and piece of home-made cake thrown in. Meetings begin at approx 14.00hrs for a 14.30hrs start.

All are welcome.

[RoyEvans]

THE one I wanted to hear but we'll be on the Somme (it's a hard life!)

Roy  

[brucehubbard]

Wolverhampton Wanderers train???

Bruce

[Kate Wills]

Roy,

In that case, treat yourself to a trip to Northampton in June.

[RoyEvans]

Bruce,
Of course they train - they're the strongest team in the Premier League.

Kate,
Several of the SSP's who will be with me next weekend are disappointed at missing the Wolves WFA talk so just maybe we'll get a car load together in June.

Roy

[Dawleyjockey]

I for one who is also travelling to the Somme next weekend with Roy am willing to go over to Nottingham to hear Bill's talk.

Having said that is everyone conspiring against me, June !, I am going to Mexico in June and you can guarentee that the dates clash.

I don't know Somme or Bill, Mexico or Bill, you would have thought that John (txic) would have rearranged the date being a fellow SSP and knowing all about the Somme trip from the word go. It makes you think he does'nt want us there or is the real reason he could'nt make the Somme trip now coming out ?

I am sure the talk will be excellent, Can you record/film it John ? we can have a private viewing, after all Lack of Offensive spirit is truly one of the great books written on the First War, My No 1 book.

Dave

PS Less about the Wolves Bruce, you will upset quite a few SSP's and are'nt we suffering enough without everyone else taking the urine.

[John(txic)]

I do not have that power, Dave... I only write the Newsletter!        

Have a word with Andy Johnson - he may be able to oblige.

[1st east yorks]

[quote name='Dawleyjockey' timestamp='1333813200' post='1736421']
I for one who is also travelling to the Somme next weekend with Roy am willing to go over to Nottingham to hear Bill's talk.

You'll miss his talk again,Dave,if you go to Nottingham in June,as Bill will be in Northampton.

Anthony.

[Dawleyjockey]

Anthony, See what a mess I am in missing Bill's talk, Nottingham err no Northampton

and John ask Andy ?   Andy's the one driving Roy & Myself to the Somme !!!

Dave

[1st east yorks]

Dawleyjockey, on 07 April 2012 - 05:17 PM, said:

Anthony, See what a mess I am in missing Bill's talk, Nottingham err no Northampton

and John ask Andy ?   Andy's the one driving Roy & Myself to the Somme !!!

Dave

Dave,
it happens to us all.
Anthony.

[Doug Lewis]

As I to will be with Roy,Dave and Andy, a trip to Northampton or Nottingham sounds good to me. I really wanted to hear this talk but I suppose a trip to the Somme will have to do.

Doug

[Cockney Sparrow]

Is there a list somewhere of dates/places forBill MacCormick's talks on Gommecourt (both 56th London and 46th Midland Division related)?  I would dearly like to catch these. Thanks.

[Kate Wills]

You could always try asking Bill himself.

Here is the intro for Bill's evening with Northamptonshire WFA:

14th June Alan MacDonald - The Attack at Gommecourt
Alan is the author of Pro Patria Mori: The 56th (1st London) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916
A meticulous researcher, his book must stand as the definitive account of this costly diversion. He explains “my mother’s uncle 4540 Rfm Charles Robert Tompson from Watford joined the 1/9th London Regt (Queen Victoria's Rifles) on the outbreak of war. At 7.30 a.m. on Saturday, 1st July 1916 he climbed out of the British trenches opposite Gommecourt and trudged forward; he was never seen again. He is one of the 'Missing of the Somme' whose name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial that sits glowering over the battlefield.”

That was the backdrop on BBC TV a couple of years ago for Alan’s memorable exchange with the descendant of the General in command that day, one Dan Snow.

:::::::::::::::::

The meeting starts at the Ex-Servicemen's Club, Sheep Street, Northampton (Dave - that's NORTHAMPTON, junction 16 of the M1 from your starting point. You'd be surprised at the number of folk who confuse the two). You are also welcome to join us in The Moon on the Sqaure where we feed and water (?) our speakers before each meeting.

[Dawleyjockey]

Thanks for that Kate, But as I already guessed would happen ... Fly to Mexico June 10th for 2 weeks R&R, Bill's talk to the Northampton WFA June 16th oh well, as Roy & Doug have already said I have the trip to the Somme next weekend to look forward to.
Dave

[Kate Wills]

erm Dave, that should be June 14th

[bmac]

Auchonvillers 9th June.  Northampton 14th June.  London 5th July.  Leicester and Rutland 20th August.  Gwent WFA 26th September.  Just like being back on a rock and roll tour.  I should get some t-shirts made up.

Sorry to be the cause of all this angst.  I wouldn't worry, the talk is rubbish.  

[Dawleyjockey]

Kate Wills, on 08 April 2012 - 08:12 PM, said:

erm Dave, that should be June 14th

Kate,
     I did say I was getting into a mess Nottingham err no Northampton and now June 16th err no June 14th

I do have an excuse..... it's my birthday today !! perhaps I have over done the Polish Vodka this Easter birthday holiday

Dave

[Doug Lewis]

Bill
If your book is anything to go by, I'm sure it won't be. Dave and Roy, it looks like we will have to arrange a South Staffs Pals trip to One of the other venues.

Regards Doug.

[RoyEvans]

Doug Lewis, on 09 April 2012 - 08:42 AM, said:

Bill
If your book is anything to go by, I'm sure it won't be. Dave and Roy, it looks like we will have to arrange a South Staffs Pals trip to One of the other venues.

Regards Doug.

Nothants looks good to me.

Roy (who realises that we've completely highjacked John's original post).

[Cockney Sparrow]

bmac, on 08 April 2012 - 09:10 PM, said:

Auchonvillers 9th June.  Northampton 14th June.  London 5th July.  Leicester and Rutland 20th August.  Gwent WFA 26th September.  Just like being back on a rock and roll tour.  I should get some t-shirts made up.

Sorry to be the cause of all this angst.  I wouldn't worry, the talk is rubbish.  

Thanks for the date info - specific locations and times would be good to know as well! Do the different locations have a different slant e.g. London would be on 56th Division aspects but Northampton might be 46th focused?

And I doubt very much if the talk will be rubbish.

Thanks again for the info.

[bmac]

London more 56th
Northampton, Leicester 46th
Gwent 46th with an emphasis on the Monmouthshire Pioneers.

I don't yet have the full details except for this Saturday and the 9th June.

[trenchtrotter]

bmac.

Superb and informative talk today. Thanks

TT

[John(txic)]

Roy, Doug, Dave - you missed a treat......    

[Doug Lewis]

John
You missed a great weekend on the Somme  

Doug