COTSWOLD BRANCH OF THE ORDERS AND MEDALS RESEARCH SOCIETY
 
Meetings are held at Swindon Village Hall, Church Road, Swindon Village, Cheltenham, GL51 9QS and commence at 7.00pm for 7.30pm every second Thursday in the month except August. Guests are welcome, please contact us for details. To join the Orders and Medals Research Society please visit - http://www.omrs.org.uk

NOTE: We are now looking for speakers for the next programme, September 2013 - July 2014.  

Update from OMRS HQ - IMPORTANT NOTICE - Change of date for the Society's Annual General Meeting.
Due to clash with the International Convention the date of this meeting has been moved to:
Saturday 19 October 2013 at the National Archive, Kew at 2.30pm

The Branch will be holding a Mini Convention at Swindon Village Hall on Sunday the 7th of July 2013. We have also confirmed that the Convention will be opened by Lieutenant-Commander Michael Hill, RN (Retired List), who will also give a talk entitled "A Hard Day's Work" - The Battle of Trafalgar.

Anyone wishing to attend click for application form - please print, complete and return with cheque.

Programme 2013

2013

January 10          Christopher Hill      Ashanti 1896

February 14         Zak Coombs         New Zealand Fire Brigade Medals

March 14             Members Own

April 11               AGM and Members Own

May 9                 David Seeney        "Number, Rank, Name, Unit"

June 13               Four 30 minute talks M. Kippin, A. Derrick, N. Smith, J. Scott

July 7 (Sunday)     Mini-Convention

July 11                “Peter Ashford Memorial Lecture”    Zak Coombs, Merchant Navy Medal. The part played by the P&O Hospital ship Uganda in the Conflict in South Atlantic (Falklands 1982)

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 13th June 2013
Apologies received from John Wright, Paul Roberts, Clive Hammond and Clive Harmson.
The minutes of the May meeting were proposed by David Seeney and seconded by John Scott. Andrew then talked about preparations for the Convention. Dave Seeney then talked about a modern group being offered in an auction, which upon inspection was a named copy group. Thus highlighting the risks of buying medals unseen.
Mick Kippin then kicked off our four short talks. He spoke about a Long Service medal to Sgt. Bullock of the Royal Marine Artillery. Sgt. Bullock was serving on HMS Sultan when she ran aground and then on Australia when she sprang a leak. He was recalled to service on the outbreak of war in 1914 but died shortly after.
Andrew Derrick talked about the Galloping Major, who was commissioned in the Coldstream Guards and was regularly transferred around the battalions. He saw active service in France 1940 and then in Italy. After leaving the army he became a gentleman farmer, breeding horses and hunting. The foxes had the last laugh, as he fell from his horse while out hunting and died a few days later.
John Scott spoke about Gazetted foreign awards to the RAF for serving during World War Two. He explained how awards were approved and showed examples of groups to airmen and women.
Finally, Nathan Smith spoke about two Fallen Heroes. Both were officers of RAOC who received the DSO during World War Two. The first was Major Neville Darewski, who was employed by SOE as an agent in Slovenia and then in Italy, working with the Partisans. He was accidentally killed in Italy.
The second officer was Colonel Gore, who after a successful career during the war, was sent to Palestine. Some time after returning to the UK he was arrested, along with another officer, and convicted of selling weapons and ammunition to the Jewish terrorists.
Richard thanks our four speakers, who gave four very different talks, covering the three services. There were 29 members in attendance and the meeting closed at 9.50 pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 9th May 2013
Apologies received from N. Smith, R. Emsley, J. Carver, G. Pitchfork, R. Hackett, L. Evans and P. Roberts
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the April meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin and seconded by Tim Errock.
The secretary confirmed the speaker for the Peter Ashford memorial Lecture is Zak Coombs MNM who will talk on The P&O vessel Uganda during the South Atlantic Conflict 1982.
There were two propositions from the branch which were voted on and unanimously agreed
1. That a cheque for £200 would be given to Mrs Angie Harmson (our mini convention caterer) prior to the event on the 7th of July
2. That Clive Harmson who has opened the club, sorted out the bookings, run the bar
for many years be officially given Life Membership of the branch.
Steve Lewis stood in for the treasurer and collected subs (which will run to December) as our financial year now runs from January.
Andrew Derrick talked about the next events which are
1.  16th June visit to the Gurkha Museum, Winchester - Now Cancelled
2.  7th July Mini Convention.
3.  22nd July visit to Toyne, Kenning & Spencer at Bedworth.
Our President Clive Hammond then introduced our speaker David Seeney who gave a most enlightening lecture on researching people using civil and military records. It was a fascinating and informative presentation as we all have come to expect from David. He then did a question and answer session and gave a flyer showing all avenues available to do research on the net. Our President thanked David and the branch showed their appreciation in the usual way. Zak Coombs conducted the raffle which raised £21 for club funds. We had 25 members present. The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.

Branch Visit to Deepcut Barracks Sunday 14th April 2013
Another excellent visit, taking in the RLC museum, RAOC medal collection in the Sergeant's Mess and superb medal collection in the Officer's Mess. A stunning medal collection, obviously put together with great thought and a appreciation of medals. Many rare and unusual combinations of medals, including the only known NGS Yangtze to the army. Each medal or group in the collection represented a particular medal or clasp and a great deal of thought has been put into the choices. Our thanks to Andrew and Mick as always, but also to Major N. Smith for giving up his Sunday to show us around and share his enthusiasm for the collection.              


Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 11th April 2013
Apologies received from N. Smith, R. Emsley, Z. Coombs, and J. Carver
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the March meeting which were proposed by Clive and seconded by Jim Morton.
The Branch received a message from OMRS HQ, which can be read by clicking here.
After discussion, it was agreed to change the branch administrative year end from April to January, which makes more sense. The next AGM will be in January 2014. Richard will adjust subscriptions to take account of this change.
Andrew Derrick then talked about the next events which are
1.  16th June visit to the Gurkha Museum, Winchester
2.  7th July Mini Convention.
Members were urged to hand in their forms for the convention. A vote of thanks was also given to Clive Harmson for his continued service to the branch.
Keith Burrell informed the branch about a speaker for the convention. Sandra Taylor will talk about war memorials in Worcestershire and will be formally invited to attend.
John Barker, our out-going President, then gave his farewell address; click here. 
The Secretary then gave his report and thanked John for the time he had in the chair, the membership showed their appreciation in the usual way.
Clive Hammond was proposed and unanimously elected the next President. Zak Coombs was elected Vice-President.
The Treasurer’s Report was then given and the branch is still financially more stable than most Euro-zone countries.
Then followed a member’s own. Another varied selection including a rare Imperial German officer’s tunic and cape which belonged to one of the officer’s later executed for the bomb plot to kill Hitler.
A WWI MC group to the Royal Flying Corps that also included a GSM Southern Desert Iraq, a rare DSO group to a mercantile marine officer, a silver shooting trophy and medals to a local engineer volunteer and fireman, medals to a Cheltenham Indian Army officer who is related to a local ghost story, a Grenadier Guards MM group to a chap who served with the Guards Machine Gun Regiment and a group to a relative of Sarah Ferguson; a Volunteer Long Service Medal and a WWI pair to an officer casualty; a Radfan and South Arabia to an RAF nursing sister’ an RAF apprentices Barrington-Kennet medal; an IGS54 and IGS95 pair to a Scots Fusilier; a QSA to a collar-maker (which isn’t as rare as you might think!); a Veterinary Corps officer with 2 foreign decorations who died in 1917.
Tim conducted the raffle which raised £13 for club funds.
We had 29 members present. The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 14th March 2013
Apologies received from J. Wright, N. Smith,  H. Meadows, P. Roberts and Zak Coombes. 
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The President read the minutes of the February meeting which were proposed by Mick Kippin and seconded by John Scott. Members were reminded that next month was the AGM and a new President was to be selected.
Andrew Derrick reminded members of the visits to Deepcut Barracks RLC Collection and to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Members were also asked to complete forms for the Mini Convention. Dave Seeney informed members that the Western Front Association are offering to look-up WWI pension cards. A members own followed:A Police Long Service Medal to a Gloucestershire Inspector who was involved in prosecuting Fred West in the 1970s. A medallion for a Wire Entanglement Compeition 1916. An Ashanti 1900 Medal and Central Africa Medal. Three groups for which a photo of the recipient was found on the internet. Three QSAs to Grenadier Guards casualties for which memorials in South Africa were found on the internet. Fire Brigade and Volunteer Long Service Medals to members of Cheltenham Fire Brigade. A named miniature DSO group to an officer in the Wiltshires who was killed in an airplane crash in Egypt. A BWM to an officer from Abergavenny was commissioned in the Royal Engineers. Medals to a sailor who served on HMS Marlborough when the Imperial Russian family was evacuated to Malta. An unusual RN MSM group to a member of the Shore Wireless Service who also received a Mercantile Marine War Medal and a group to a man who after serving in the Worcesters and Ox & Bucks in WWI became an RAFVR officer, receiving a Cadet Force Medal in 1950.
Richard Hughes did the raffle, which raised £20 for club funds and a £5 donation from the sale of books.
The meeting closed at 9.45 and there were 21 members in attendance. 

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 14th February 2013
Apologies received from N. Smith, C. Hammond, J. Carver, L. Evans, H. Meadows, R. Emsley and P. Roberts
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the January meeting which were proposed by Clive Harmson seconded by Jim Carver. John informed the branch that the Llyle brothers are going to attend our Mini Convention and they will be in the Uniform of Chelsea pensioners. Zak Coombs has donated his digital projector to the branch for which we are thankful.
Andrew Derrick then talked about the next visits which are:
1. 14th April Deepcut Barracks RLC Collection and Museum
2. 13th May Conducted tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
3. 7th July Mini Convention which needs members to put their name forward to help organise it.
John Barker, our President introduced our speaker Zak Coombs (who because of work commitments, being Senior Purser for P&O had never been able to give his talk on the New Zealand Fire Brigade). Zak commenced with a short history of NZ and the lead up to the formation of the Fire Service. He covered the major fires over a period of years, and their effects on the places and people. The type of equipment used and the medals awarded. He had a vast collection of Fire brigade memorabilia and a terrific collection of medals. His presentation was by way of Power Point by which he showed some fantastic photo’s etc. He finished with a question and answer session John thanked him and the branch showed their appreciation in the usual way. Because of time it was not possible to have members show medals from their own collections or to have the raffle.
We had 23 members and 2 guests Ian Thompson and David Drinkwater (a retired fireman). The meeting closed at 10.30 pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 10th January 2013
Apologies received from N. Smith, J. Scott, C. Hammond, A. Derrick, and J. Carver
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the December meeting which were proposed by Zak Coombs seconded by Mike Kippin
The secretary informed the branch that we have Lt Cdr Mike Hill Royal Navy Retired to open the Mini Convention being held on the 7th of July in Swindon Village Hall details will be published nearer the time on the branch web site.
Richard Emsley our Treasurer had brought his lap top which has the names of all branch members who owed their subs. He took some out standing subs later in the meeting.
Our President John Barker introduced our speaker Christopher Hill of DNW and London Fame (also a branch member of many years) who talked on the Ashanti medal of 1895-96. Chris took us through the history leading up to this campaign the political as well as military aspects. How the campaign was conducted the troops which took part, their units as well as casualties. He had on his lap top some terrific maps, photographs etc which brought the campaign to life. This was added to by some fine medals in singles and groups. It was as we have come to expect off Chris a fine well researched and presented Lecture. He did a question and answers session and was thanked by our President on behalf of the branch. Richard Emsley then talked on three groups from his collection which included the Ashanti Star.
Then followed an impromptu Members own. John Barker kicked off with a selection of NATO badges or to give them the correct name Fobs worn by members of the British Armed forces when attached to NATO Staff. Graham Pitchfork followed this with a BEM for Burma which turned out to be for an action in that theatre. Mike Atkinson touched on a modern group which he had recently bought OBE, NGS 2 clasps and after a taster of what he had discovered informed us that this was going to be the subject of a talk later in the year. David Seeney talked on a Sudan 1910 medal awarded to Sgt Taylor of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was not on the main roll for the medal but found on a supplementary one along with other members of the Regiment. Tim Errock did the raffle which raised £16 for club funds. 29 members and one guest (Mr P. Gillett) were present and the meeting closed at 10.30 pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 13th December 2012
Apologies received from N. Smith, J. Scott, M. Atkinson, C. Hammond, R. Hughes, H. Meadows,  M. Selby and A. Derrick
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the November meeting which were proposed by David Seeney and seconded by Clive Harmson.
The secretary went to the Gurkha Museum on Wednesday 5th December to take two Gurkha Welfare Boxes (which had over £240-00) to hand them over to LtCol M.C. Barrett. I asked Mike if we could get another visit (now the Museum is being revamped) He and Andrew Derrick will sort out a date for next year. Tim Errock talked the membership through the visit to The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum which was conducted by Bill Bratty (as a one off Sunday visit for the branch). All members who attended had a very enjoyable time looking at medals documents etc and a vote of thanks is to be passed on to Bill from the branch. David Seeney brought some Army, Navy and Air Force Lists belonging to the late Tony Sabell (a member of the branch) these were being sold for his family.
It was then Quiz Time and a new type of presentation of this event at the branch. John Scott who won last year was quiz master, but was not able to attend as his son was singing in the choir at Hereford Cathedral. He had put the questions on a Stick which David Seeney brought and played through the computer. 20 questions were shown on the screen with a 60 second time frame between each. If you missed the question you did not get another chance. Again you start and realise how little you know about this hobby of ours (well I did). We had a tie brake between Jim Mourton and Richard Emsley, Peter McKenna then asked the tie break question and Richard Emsley was the winner. He will set next years quiz. We then had a very pleasant informal evening with Christmas Fare brought and enjoyed by the members. Tim Errock did the raffle which raised £20 for club funds. 18 members were present Seasons Greeting were exchanged and the meeting closed at 10pm.

Branch Visit to the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum on Sunday 18th November 2012
Twelve members and guests gathered at the museum for a guided tour of the collection. The history of The Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars is represented by a selection of medals, uniforms, badges and pictures. Our guide, Bill Bratty, told some of the stories behind the displays, which included two Peninsula Gold Crosses, Colonel Carne's VC group and the medals to CSM Biddle, MC, DCM and bar, MM and bar. We were then served coffee and biscuits by Carol Bratty and shown a German WWI anti-tank rifle and a collection of letters written by the Nott brothers during WWI. Two of them were killed serving with the 1/6th Gloucesters. Lt-Col. Thomas Nott, DSO commanding the battalion and his brother Captain Louis Nott, MC were among six officers killed when a mine exploded in a recently captured German dugout. Another brother. Lt. Henry Nott had already been killed in the same battalion. Their medals are displayed together. A very enjoyable and interesting day.


Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 8th November 2012
Apologies received from J. Carver, H. Meadows, R. Hackett, P. McKenna, and N. Smith
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with the reading of the minutes of the October meeting which were proposed by David Seeney seconded John Scott.
The membership were introduced to our two guests of the evening David Chambers and Adrianne Bilborough. It has been mooted that the branch puts on a coach for the OMRS Exhibition day next year. That way any members who want to put on a display will be able to go by coach do a display and return home the same day. Members have a few months to think about it and let the committee know what they want to do.
Andrew Derrick gave details on a branch visit to the Soldiers of Gloucestershire museum on Sunday 18th November, places are still available
John Barker gave an account of the Weekend of Medals which is held annually and suggested that members should take advantage of a good weekend of all thing medals. The people to contact are Sue Hanford or Gareth Keller - Telephone numbers from David Seeney
Richard Emsley our treasurer reminded any member who need to pay their subs he would be willing to take them!!!
The president then introduced our speaker, Paul Roberts who gave an interesting and enlightening talk on the 48th South Midlands Division 1914-1918. He gave the composition of the counties involved, the units, Battles they took part in. Number of men and interestingly the small units which were part of it, RA, RE, ASC, Vetinary Corps, Cyclists, MGC he also read extracts from their War Diaries. He mentioned how the Division moved in September 1917 to the Austro-Italian Front and the actions they took part in up to the 11/11/18. This was accompanied by photographs and a great array of medals to the units which made up the Division. Paul did a question and answers session and was thanked by Dave Seeney. The membership showed their appreciation in the usual way. David Martin then talked about some extra research he had been able to add to a group in his collection. 
There were 26 members and 2 guests in attendance a Raffle were held and £21 was raised for club funds, the meeting closed at 10.00pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 11th October 2012
Apologies received from G. Pitchfork, J. Carver, J. Wright, A. Derrick.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with the reading of the minutes of the September meeting which were proposed by Richard Hughes seconded Dave Martin. Guests were introduced, including several SAS veterans. Brief comments were then made on the OMRS annual convention. Details were given on a branch visit to the Soldiers of Gloucestershire museum on Sunday 18th November.
The president then introduced our speaker, Mick Atkinson, to talk about his Door Knocker.
The brass eagle door-knocker now resides the door to Mick’s study, but originally came from the American submarine, USS Catfish. Launched in 1944 the Catfish patrolled off the south coast of Japan when the Nagasaki bomb was dropped in 1945.
Mick then went through the various commanders of the Catfish, taking the submarine through service in the Korean War and it undertook secret operations during the Vietnam War for the CIA and the US Navy seals. The story of the Catfish came to and end in 1971 when she was renamed the Santa Fe, a submarine of the Argentine Navy.
Mick then detailed the various Argentinian commanders of the submarine, many of whom were later implicated and convicted of torture and murder during the dark years of military rule in that country. The Santa Fe came close to action in 1978 when she observed the Chilean Fleet as the two countries came close to war.
April 1982 the Santa Fe landed Argentine special forces on the Falklands. She was then employed taking supplies to the Argentinian garrison on St. Georgia. At the same time, the SAS were observing the island while waiting to land. Anti-submarine helicopters were called-in and launched attacks on the submarine. Four hits were scored that, although the crippled the submarine, did not cause a lot of actual damage. The Santa Fe was tied-up and captured when the SAS re-took St. Georgia soon after.
Various items were then liberated from the Santa Fe, including the door knocker and boats plaque. In 1985 the Santa Fe was re-floated and towed out to sea and allowed to sink.
We were then treated to first-hand accounts of these events by our guests, including the man who liberated the door-knocker. They then recounted various stories about SAS missions on the Falklands which they took part in, including the raid on Pebble Island. It was a real privilege to listen to these men. The president then thanked Mick for his talk and thanked our guests who had contributed to another fascinating evening.
There were 24 members and 5 guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.00pm.

Branch visit to the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray, 17th September 2012
13 members set out from Cheltenham just after 8 am and arrived at the DAC just after 11. We were welcomed by Sergt. David MacLean (Station Welfare Officer), who explained the history and layout of the station and showed us the well-kept memorial to RAVC and dog-handlers, which ranged from a Vet. Officer who served at Waterloo to recent casualties in Afghanistan. We then had lunch in the canteen before visiting the new kennels, recently constructed to a very high specification. We were then treated to demonstrations of the dogs under training, escorted by Sergeant Ackers (RAF). This included a security dog intercepting a "criminal", a search dog being trained to locate minute traces in a field, another being trained to search in a set pattern and a dog being trained to search ahead of a patrol. The whole set up was very impressive and the commitment of the trainers and handlers to their dogs and their mission was obvious to all present.
A very enjoyable visit and an aspect of military service that deserves more recognition for the vital and dangerous wok that they undertake. We returned to Cheltenham around 6 pm, with our thanks to John Wright, who stepped in as Temporary, Local, Acting-Unpaid Driver.  

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall Thursday 13th September 2012
Apologies received from N. Smith, P. Roberts, J. Scott, M. Atkinson, D. Seeney, R. Hackett and Brian Ward
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the July meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin and seconded by John barker.
One new member was welcomed to the branch Mr Tim Dowle. The secretary then reported on the visit to the Ieper (Ypres) which was a great success thanks to the good offices of Bill and Carol Bratty. David Martin handed out copies of a video which was taken at the ceremony. Richard Hackett has given a memory stick with over 600 photos taken over the three day spent on our Belgium tour (these can be had from the Secretary) A full report on our visit is on the branch web site.
Andrew Derrick made a presentation to Mike Kippin of items commemorating his stay in the hospital in Ieper (Belgium). Again full story on the branch web site.
Zak Coombs informed the branch about the parade in London this weekend for Merchant Navy day, if anyone would like to attend.
Graham Pitchfork reminded us that it is the OMRS Convention in London this weekend and there still time to book.
David Gibbons introduced our speaker Mark Sutton who gave a lecture on his book titled Tell them of us - the story of WW1 Swindon Men.
He also told of the hurdles set by Swindon Council regarding the sale of his book and the unhelpfulness of the same body in looking after a civic cemetery. His research was very thorough and informative he brought photographs, medals and slides which brought the stories back to life. Mark then took a question and answers session and was thanked by our President John Barker.
Richard Emsley made it know that he was accepting outstanding subs, 24 members and guests were present, we did not have a raffle and the meeting closed at 10 pm.

Cotswold Branch Trip to Ypres (Ieper) 4th to 7th September 2012

9 members of the branch and 3 guests, accompanied by Bill and Carol Bratty (our tour organizers and guides) left Cheltenham in a mini-bus at 6 am on the morning of the 4th. Mick Kipping drove to the Euro tunnel terminus at Ashford where we boarded the train at 10 am. About 40 minutes later we emerged in France and Bill Bratty took the driving seat. On arriving in Belgium we visited the grave of Capt Noel Chavasse VC and bar, MC (RAMC) and then CSM Skinner VC, DCM (KOSB).  We then went on to the second largest British Cemetery, Lisjenhoek, after which we headed for Ypres and our hotel. At the hotel we deposited our kit and then went off to visit the town. It is a fantastic place with several churches, museums and lots of memorials. Later on, in small groups, we went off to find places to eat (this was made easy thanks to the organizers who had been here many times before). At 7.30 pm we made our way to the Menin Gate to watch the ceremony which has taken place every night since 1927 when the gate was built. It only ceased with the Nazi Occupation in WW2 but commenced on the day that Ypres was liberated in September 1944. There must have been a crowd of 200 to 300 hundred people watching. The Fire Brigade buglers came out at 8 pm sharp, the Last Post was played, a 2 minute silence then reveille, the exhortation read out, wreaths laid and the ceremony ended at 8.30pm. Several of us went to meet members of the Ypres branch of Royal British Legion in a bar near the Gate. It was here that Mike Kippin took ill and had to be taken to hospital, after being looked at by the Paramedics. Thank the lord that he had his E111 on him and it was up to date as it would have cost him a fortune. Mick was kept in for tests and did not get released until Thursday afternoon. Needless to say that put a bit of a damper on the rest of us worrying that he would be ok. But the help of the local RBL people and Carol Bratty (an ex-Military nurse) was tremendous.

Day 2 - Andrew Derrick checked up on Mike prior to us leaving on our second day. We visited Caterpillar Crater, Hill 60, Hill 62, Sanctuary Wood and Mount Sorrell. Bill explained what had taken place at each of these places. It was then on to Hooge Museum and cemetery (5,892 graves are here). After a tour of the museum (which is very good and is in two very historic buildings) we had lunch provided by museum staff. It was then back onto the bus and off to the Gloucester’s Memorial at Clapham Junction. We then went on to Tyne Cot Cemetery which is the biggest British Cemetery anywhere in the world having 11,871 burials, consisting of 8,901 UK, 1,353 Australian, 2 BWI, 966 Canadian, 6 Gurnsey, 14 Newfoundland, 519 New Zealand and 4 Germans: 70 percent are unidentified. On the walls are the names of another 35,000 men killed between 1917 and 1918 who have no known grave (tragic, it makes you think and puts things in to perspective). We then visited Poelkapelle cemetery to visit the grave of the youngest soldier Private John Condon aged 14 and next to him is another Private from his Regiment aged 47. Our last port of call was Essex Farm where Capt John McCrea wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. It was then off to the hotel to have a shower get changed and out for an evening meal. Again all of us attended the Menin Gate Ceremony which was just as poignant, then back to the hotel. Andrew phoned the hospital and was able to talk to Mick who let him know what had taken place. 

Day 3 - Fantastic weather, departed at 9.30 am after a Sitrep on Mike which was very good, we got in to the bus and off we went to the Irish Peace Tower at Messines. We then visited where the 1914 Christmas Truce took place. There is a plaque surrounded by footballs and flags to represent the football match which took place between the British and German troops. Bill then took us off the beaten track to visit three cemetery’s Prowse Point, Mud Corner and Ploegstraat Wood. It was a very pleasant walk to two of these on a road that was constructed in the War (Billy had photograph’s to show what it was like at that time). We then went on to see the plaque on a building that commemorates Captain Barnsfather who did the caricature of “Old Bill” the famous WW1 character. On then to Hyde Park Corner and the Berks memorial where there are 11,447 names of the missing on the rotunda. We had coffee at a near by café where, from the items on display is used by Coldstream Guards OCA when they visit. Back to Ypres to have lunch then get ready for the Menin Gate Ceremony in which The Cotswold Branch would play a major part.

All the party made their way to the gate by 7.15 pm (we had talked through what we would do in the afternoon). Mick Kippin was out of hospital and as one of the standard bearers for the Aden Vets Gloucestershire branch had brought their Standard to be on parade. It was the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Ypres by the Polish Division in WW2 so there were a lot of people there. When we formed up for the ceremony 6 standards were marched on (one being the Belgium National Flag) the other 5 Belgium OCAs. Mick stood in front of these with Richard Hackett on his right and David Martin on his left. Four Ypres Fire Brigade buglers played the Last Post; this was followed by a Lament on the Pipes by a Belgium Female piper, Billy did the exhortation, Andrew Derrick, John Wright, Clive Harmson and Martin Kyte were the wreath laying party. 2 wreaths were laid one from The Cotswold Branch of the OMRS, the other in Memory of John and Barbara Wrights Grand Fathers John’s killed with the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars and Barbara’s with the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Reveille and the ceremony ended. There were hundreds of people there and all of us who took part will never forget it.
We then went to a restaurant where a three course meal was waiting to be served. It was only through the good offices of Billy and Carol (Bill the Chairman of Hardwick RBL and Carol a RBL case worker) that we were able to do what we did. It was back to the hotel and pack our suits medals and kit for the journey home the following morning.

Day 4 - Departed the hotel at 9.30 on to the Eurotunnel and back home. It was a memorable trip, all due to Bill and Carol Bratty,
so if this has given others branches a flavour of what can be achieved, they can contact them for information. Their e-mail address is available from our branch and they are prepared to take small private parties.

Branch visit 29 July 2012 to the Shropshire Regimental Museum. Another excellent branch trip, which included a site-seeing tour of the backstreets of Shrewsbury.
A superb museum housing the collections of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Shropshire Royal Horse Artillery, Shropshire Yeomanry and the various local volunteer units. We were treated to a guided tour of the collections, complete with interesting stories about the individuals whose medals, uniforms and weapons make up the collection. The museum is well-worth a visit and is set in a castle with very well kept gardens.   

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 11th July 2012
Apologies received from J. Wright, N. Smith, P. Roberts, M. Atkinson, H. Meadows, J. Carver.

Mark Smith - "For Valour"
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with the Peter Ashford Memorial Lecture which this year was given by Mark Smith, curator of the Royal Artillery Museum. Mark began by explaining his own personal introduction to medal collecting, through the medals and stories from his family. His imagination fired, as a young boy his interest in medals was encouraged by his father. Above all others, it was the tales of the Victoria Cross that stood out and he has studied the medal, its history and the men who won it. Having access to several archives, including Hancock's own archive, he revealed information unknown to most of those present. Mark then went through the idea for the creation of the medal, inlcuding the very personal and thoughtful contributions by Queen Victoria, the design and manufacture of the medal, the first presentation parade and the creation of the bar to the V.C. Mark then revealed that, eventually he was able to purchase a V.C. at auction. He then handed around the V.C. to George Hinckley, RN awarded for action in China in 1862. This was in fact, Hinckley's only medal entitlement. Mark's presentation was informative, humourous and inspiring.
Mark then took several questions, before he was thanked by our President. The branch then presented Mark with a salver engraved to a senior NCO in the Royal Artillery.
The President then read the minutes of the last meeting, which were proposed by Richard Hughes and seconded by Tim Errock. A discussion followed about the proposal to hold another mini-convention next year. This was agreed and discussion followed as to the date. Several options were put forward and are being followed up by Andrew.
Andrew Derrick then mentioned the two proposed visits (details at top of page) and encouraged members to join in!
Richard Emsley then encouraged members who had not paid their subscription to join in also! New club programmes were distributed and can be obtained from Q&C or at the next meeting. Dave Seeney then informed the branch about two events taking place - The Friends of the Fusiliers (Royal Warwickshire) Museum Antelope Day Luncheon 4 August 2012 and the Hereford Light Infantry Museum Open Day, 8 September 2012. Details from Dave. Richard conducted the branch raffle, there were 25 members and guests present and the meeting closed at 10 pm.

                          
This has to be one of the best held by the branch in the many years we have been putting these on. We had 58 Cotswold branch and other OMRS branch members attending. We were supported by members from the Northern, Wiltshire, South Wales, London OMRS and the Birmingham medal society. We had 18 displays which were terrific, 15 by branch members and 3 by guests and the standard was very high indeed. Our branch has never gone for prizes, but had we done so, I for one would not have liked to be a judge. At 11 am our Branch President John Barker (retired Group Captain RAF) introduced Air Vice Marshal Rick Charles, RAF Legal Service, to open the convention. He gave a brief resume of his service in the RAF and then brought to our attention the problems which now face the military when they carry out Deployments; as in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. A question and answer session followed and he was thanked by all present in the usual way. Peter Helmore (OMRS Secretary) then gave the main lecture which was on four decisive battles of the 11th Foot (The Devonshire Regiment), followed by a Q&A session. Peter also brought 11 MGS medals to the regiment, which helped bring the story to life. We broke for lunch and our thanks go to our caterer Angela Harmson, who worked her magic again with a fantastic spread. We held a raffle in the lunch break (prizes included 3 copies of the new DNW catalogue (thanks to Chris Hill of DNW). It raised £43 for club funds. When we resumed LtCol John Starling (Defence Academy) talked on a group which he had recently acquired. He said that he bought it for the AGS Kenya and a 3 bar GSM to the Royal Pioneer Corps (he is the Regimental Archivist). When he brought it out of his pocket, the group started with a George Cross and several other medals. The story of this chap was outstanding and I hope he will write it up for an article in the Journal. Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork (President, OMRS)  was the next speaker on the RAF in Iraq from 1919 to the last Gulf war. As we have come to expect with Graham it was well presented with photographs of aircraft, places and people involved in the conflicts. Ian McInnis then told (isn’t this a surprise) of reuniting an MSM group, which was a truly remarkable story. Chris Hill was on a similar theme, this time the story of an African soldier whose medals he was eventually able to reunite. He also showed photographs of the battle field in Africa (where his man won his DCM) and the emotional story of this RSM's last days on earth. Also he was able (thanks to a friend of his) to show a photograph of the medals of the man who took over as RSM from his man, alongside the medals of his chap. Finally our Treasurer, Richard Emsley, talked on a group to a chap who had been commissioned in the ARMY and then went over to the RAF in WW2. Richard had found a wartime propaganda news reel of the period, which he had transferred to his computer. His chap was there in the film. That had to be the first time a recipient of a group has talked to an OMRS meeting years after he had passed away. We then broke up at 4.30 pm. I must thank Frank Angus, David and Tom Lyall who did a great job on the security desk. Andrew Derrick who did most of the organization, Clive Harmson who did the bar and all branch members who worked to make it such a memorable day. Ian Laidlaw for supporting the convention with a good display of medals for sale. I should also like to thank the visitors who have e-mailed and telephoned thanking us for putting on such a good convention. In answer to your question, will we be doing one next year or the year after; we will discuss it at the next branch meeting! John Wright (Secretary)

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 14th June 2012
Apologies received from N. Smith, C. Hammond, Z. Coombs, P. McKenna, P. Roberts, J. Scott, M. Atkinson, D. Seeney, J. Mourton, D&T Lyall, F. Angus, H. Meadows and R. Hackett.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the May meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin and seconded by Brian Ward. One new member was welcomed to the branch Mr Brian Hill and Michael Mockridge is a potential member who attended as a guest. The secretary then reported on the visit to the Birmingham Medal Society convention by 4 branch members which was enjoyed by all of them.
Andrew Derrick was able to report that we have 55 members and guests attending the mini convention from as far a field as Lancashire, Wiltshire, South Wales and London. There are also 18 exhibitors so it should be a good day. He then informed the branch that a visit to the KSLI Museum has been arranged for the 29th July. The Defence Animal Centre in September (date to be announced). Richard Emsley our treasurer let it be known that he is still taking in subscriptions and that the name tags for Saturday is well under way.
Our President introduced our speaker Rick Carver whose talk was on William Dunlop Smith a Veterinary officer with the British Army. What a story came to light, this chap was heavily involved in the Sudan Campaign including taking part in the Charge at the Battle of Omdurman. In the Boer war he was a Defender at the Siege of Mafeking as well as taking part in other actions in that campaign. Prior to WW1 he had many years in India and then in 1914 he went to France and Flanders. After 2 years in that theatre he went to Mesopotamia, eventually back to F&F until the end of the war. He finished his service in 1929 as the Director of Army Vet nary Service with a host of Honours and awards. It must be very unusual to have a chap who charged at Omdurman and a Defender of Mafeking. The medals were displayed in a frame which did them justice. A question and answer session then took place and John Barker thanked Rick on behalf of the branch who showed their appreciation in the usual way. David Martin brought a WW1 MM group to a Grenadier Guardsman who was a farmer's son, later a police officer who had a commendation for halting a run a way horse. John (secretary) showed a bronze Agricultural Society of England GV LS&GC awarded to Frederick Huxley for 62 years service (on the same farm) awarded in 1934.
20 members and guests were present, John Barker did the raffle which raised £14 for club funds. The meeting closed at 10pm.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 10th May 2012
Apologies received from L. Evans, T. Errock, N. Smith, C. Hammond, M. Pittaway, Z. Coombs, P. McKenna, P. Roberts, J. Carver, M. Kyte, J. Scott and M. Atkinson
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the March meeting which were proposed by Richard Hughes and seconded by John Barker.
Andrew Derrick informed the branch of a visit to the King‘s Shropshire Light Infantry Museum in July, details to follow. Updates were also given on the Ypres trip and the mini convention. He mentioned the Mini Convention on the 16th of June saying that visitor’s numbers are disappointing at the moment.
Our President then introduced our speaker Mike Kippin
Mick Kippin then gave his talk “Three Gloucestershire Cousins“. He told the story of Captain Holtam who served in both world war and beyond with the Merchant Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Then of his cousin, Sergeant Price, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was killed while fighting with the rear guard around Dunkirk in 1940. Finally, the story of Tim Finch, who won a Military Medal with the Gloucestershire Regiment in World War One. It was only while researching the medals, that Mick discovered that the three men were related. Medals with a Gloucestershire theme were then shown by Dave Martin, Graham Pitchfork, Steve Lewis and then Rick Carver spoke about two rare groups of medals to the Veterinary Corps and Richard Hugh’s a South Atlantic group to a chap who was RN transferred to the Int Corps.
Richard Emsley did the raffle which raised £20 for club funds. There were 22 members and guests and the meeting closed at 10.00 pm

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 12th April 2012
Apologies received from T. Errock, N. Smith, I. Miller, C. Hammond, M. Pittaway, Z. Coombs, M. Kippin, P. McKenna, B. Ward, P. Roberts and J. Carver
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the March meeting which were proposed by Dave Seeney seconded by John Scott. The AGM then got underway, first things first, the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Functions Officer were “put up for grabs” the President has 1 more year before he is standing down. There were no takers from the branch for the 3 posts on offer and all 3 members in post were returned unanimously.
Our President John Barker gave his summary for the past 12 months this was followed by the Secretary John Wright. Andrew Derrick Functions Officer and Richard Emsley Treasurer then followed with theirs. Copies of all of these are in the file for all branch members who were not there to read at their leisure.
Graham Pitchfork asks that appreciation for the work carried out by the branch officials should be minuted and the membership showed their appreciation in the usual way.
The Mini Convention being held here at Swindon Village hall on the 16th of June was discussed at length, timings number of exhibiters etc.
We then embarked on members own and again what a fantastic display of medals and stories were revealed. John Barker, Henry Meadows, Richard Hughes, Graham Pitchfork, James Morton, Ken Burrell, John Scott, David Martin and Mike Atkinson all gave a small talk on medals which they had brought covering all three services from Victoria to QEII. Richard Emsley did the raffle which raised £24 for club funds. There were 24 members and one guest the meeting closed at 10.00 pm

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 8th March 2012
Apologies received from T. Errock, N. Smith, I. Miller, C. Hammond, M. Pittaway and Z. Coombs. The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the February meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin seconded by Frank Angus. The secretary reported on the Funeral of Mrs Nicola Errock who sadly passed away on the 24th of February. The service was in Gloucester Cathedral on the 6th of March and was attended by the Secretary and  Peter McKenna. A one minute silence was observed by the branch in respect for Nicola and a £20 cheque was to be forwarded to the undertakers for Help the Heroes charity as requested by her husband Tim rather than a branch floral tribute. Our President then thanked the four members who gave small talks at our February meeting which was abandoned towards the end of the evening because of adverse weather conditions. Andrew Derrick let it be known that a visit to the KSLI Museum will now be taking place in July and if there is enough interest a Mini Bus will be put on to go to the Birmingham Society’s Mini Convention.
Lieutenant Montgomery - Mau Mau Killer (Mike Atkinson)
John Barker then introduced our speaker Mike Atkinson whose talk was on the action in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau uprising particularly the part played by Lt Robert Pipon Montgomery of D Company 5th King’s African Rifles. Like all of Mikes lectures this was well researched and delivered. There was not one person in the room who wasn’t riveted to their seat throught. Mike then went on to tell the story of Major Montgomery after independence in Kenya where he was retained by the Kenyan Government to continue in their Army. From there he went back to the British Army where he served with The Green Jackets in Borneo and Malaya Peninsula. He then went to the Trucial Oman Scouts for a tour before going on to the Malay Regiment. After a tour with them his next move was to the Mobile Police Unit in Botswana finally for his last tour of soldiering he returned to the Oman where he commanded the Baluchi Regiment of the Frontier Force. He was awarded 13 medals for his military service including four for gallantry from three different governments including Great Britain; he died in South Africa in his early 60’s a few years ago. Mike did a question and answer session and was thanked by our President John Barker the membership and guests showed their appreciation in the usual way. Four members John Barker, Graham Pitchfork, John Scott and Rick Carver talked on medals they had for the campaign. Richard Emsley did the raffle which raised £31 for club funds. There were 35 members and guests (including Gordon and Pat Maither from Hereford) the meeting closed at 10.40 pm

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 9th February 2012
Apologies received from J. Carver, T & N Errock, N. Smith, I. Miller, C. Hammond, D. Seeney, J. Scott, M. Atkinson, R. Hughes and B. Ward
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the January meeting which were proposed by Rick Carver seconded by Paul Roberts. The secretary reported on Mrs N Errock who sadly is still in hospital but receiving the best possible care. He passed round the membership a communiction received from Peter Singlehurst OMRS Liaison Officer for all to read and comment on. Also to welcome Mrs Jennifer Elkin as a guest. She contacted me when she read our program and noticed Graham Pitchfork was giving a short lecture on the 9th. Graham had written in one of his books about her father (a bomber pilot) who was shot down and escaped in WW2. She had travelled all the way from Dorset to attend the meeting and was delighted to meet Graham who told the branch the story of her fathers and his crew’s escape. John Barker then brought to our attention that the Birmingham Medal Society was holding their convention the week before ours (on the 9th of June) and said anyone who would like to go would be most welcome. He had their leaflet which will be with the secretary, like ours they have to be filled in advance for security and dining arrangements. Andrew Derrick brought up various items for the convention in June and suggested that if there were enough members wanting to go to the Birmingham society’s convention a Mini Bus could be put on. Graham Pitchfork (President OMRS) informed the branch of what was being done regarding this year’s convention, he asked for comments these came from members which he said he would take on board. Our President John Barker introduced our 4 speakers
Mike Kippin took the first slot with his lecture on a Visit to Duxford the Parachute Regiment Museum. Mikes father a Major in the Para’s was KIA in WW2 and Mike let the museum copy the military photographs which the family had prior to his death. He then with a power point presentation showed some images of fantastic medal groups held at the museum.
Graham Pitchfork was our next speaker and his lecture on the Air Efficiency award was as always spot on. He brought two groups showing the different heads etc.
Dave Martin who talked on three Grenadier Guards Groups Lt/Maj Wiggins, WO1 Whiton and Pte J.W. Smith DCM (all WW1).
David Gibbons then took the stage with four books on research of the Victoria Cross which were assembled by the late Canon Lumis who wrote the book Honour the Light Brigade as well as several others. It was a shame because of the weather (snow outside) and some of the short talks over running David had to curtail his lecture. He has been asked to do a full one at a later date.
John Barker thanked the speakers on behalf of the branch; because of weather and time he will do a fuller thank you at the next meeting. A number of members and guests who live quite a way from Cheltenham then left.
Richard Emsley did the raffle (in double quick time) which raised £18 for club funds. There were 25 members and guests present and the meeting closed at 10.20 pm

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 12th January 2012
Apologies received from J. Carver, T & N Errock, N. Smith, R. Hackett and A. Derrick
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the December meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin seconded by John Barker. The secretary reported on Mrs N Errock who sadly is still in hospital and he was asked to phone Tim (her husband) to see how she is. John Barker then mentioned a Newspaper article which stated that Worcestershire Medals had won the contract for manufacturing the Diamond Jubilee medal. It is good to see we still have companies which make things not just assemble them.
From Spitfire to Vampire (and beyond!) (John Wright)
Our president then introduced our speaker, the secretary John Wright whose talk was on a group of medals awarded to Sqn Ldr Roland Wharrier Richardson AFC, Air Efficiency Award. It was a first in two respects for John, one using power point and two talking about the R.A.F. (of which he is the first to admit) he knows very little.
John started by explaining how the medals came into his possession. Using Richardson’s four log-books as the basis for his talk, he covered his pilot training, service with 610 squadron flying Spitfires, and the rest of the war flying various types of Hurricane and Spitfire in North Africa and Italy. Among several incidents covered was the mission to drop a new leg for Douglas Bader, who had been shot down and captured. From his cockpit Richardson watched several landings in Sicily and Italy and the bombing of Monte Cassino. His post-war service saw him flying many more types, including Meteors, Canberras and Valiants. During the Suez Crisis he flew two bombing raids over Egypt. During a remarkable career, he flew around 47 different aircraft, from the DH82 bi-plane to the Lightning.
Despite John’s misgivings, he gave an interesting overview of Richardson’s career and varied service. Several noted-RAF collectors in the audience were able to add helpful information during and after the talk. John Barker then thanked John, both for his talk and for taking on the subject in the first place. The audience showed its appreciation in the usual manner.
John Barker then talked about a Spitfire pilot (Flt Wicks KIA) whose group is in his collection and the women who flew with the ATA in WW2.Graham Pitchfork talked on a Canadian Pilot (Sqn Ldr Peaters) RCAF who was KIA and the group was complete with the Canadian Memorial Cross etc. John Scott talked on two groups one to Sqn Ldr Letchford who was killed in an accident in 1967 in an aircraft of the type flown by Sqn Ldr Richardson and Sqn Ldr Swinton-Bland who also flew aircraft flown by Sqn Ldr Richardson. Paul Roberts then gave a talk on a group of medals to the 8th Worcestershire Regt which he had just taken delivery of. Bill Bratty from Hardwick RBL talked to the branch about the proposed visit to Ypres in September 2012. He has organised with the RBLYpres branch for the Cotswold Branch to lay a wreath and to take part in the evening ceremony at the Menin Gate.
There were 31 members and guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.30pm. The raffle was conducted by Richard Emsley which raised £27-00 for club funds

Two members raising money for charity :

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 8th December 2011
Apologies received from A. Derrick, R. Hughes, C. Hill, H. Meadows, C. Hammond, R. Emsley, M. Pittaway and P. Roberts.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The minutes of the November meeting were proposed by Ian Miller and seconded by Jim Mourton.
It was proposed by Zak Coombs that the branches congratulations to Graham Pitchfork, on being elected President of the OMRS, be minuted.   
Annual Branch Quiz
Ian Miller then presented the annual quiz, setting a new trend by using powerpoint. Twenty teasing questions, which stretched memories and bamboozled brains. The winner was John Scott. Ian handed the plate to John, along with the duty of preparing next year's quiz.  John Barker thanked Ian on behalf of the shell-shocked members.
Mike Kippin did the raffle, which raised £15 for branch funds. Christmas food and drink was then enjoyed by all. There were 15 members present. The meeting closed at 10pm. A merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our members (and anyone else who is reading!)

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 10th November 2011
Apologies received from Z. Coombs, G. Pitchfork, J. Wright, J. Mourton.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The President read the minutes of the October meeting which were proposed by Dave Seeney seconded by Richard Hughes.
John Barker then gave a brief account of the recent Weekend of Medals. Andrew Derrick gave an update on the proposed trip to Ypres next year and on the mini-convention next year.  
Member's Own
Eight members then spoke on medals from their collections. These included a DSC group to a naval aviator who was lost overboard from a carrier, a BEM to a British citizen that never Gazetted, a group to a Signals officer who served in Kenya and retired to Cheltenham, an RAF group with a very rare award of the Greek Distinguished Service Medal, an MM to 2/8th Worcesters with a citation, a Royal Signals soldier lost at sea when his troopship was sunk, a First War casualty to group to the Essex Regiment, an unusual combination of QSA, Defence Medal and Imperial Yeomanry LSGC Medal, an MBE group to a Coldstream officer, a modern Grenadiers group and an MM and pair to the Worcesters who was POW 1918.
The Raffle raised £19 for club funds and there were 23 members present. The meeting closed at 10pm.

Branch Trip to R.A.F. Cosford Museum, 23rd October 2011

Nine members visited RAF Cosford museum and had a very enjoyable escorted look around the aircraft collection. Among the many very interesting aircraft on desplay was a unique surviving Japanese reconnaissance plane, a German nightfighter, the Komet rocket-plane and an R.A.F. Lincoln bomber. Seeing the three V bombers in one hall was also a treat and who could resist the chance to walk under a Vulcan. A personal treat was to walk around TSR2. 

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 13th October 2011
Apologies received from J. Carver, J. Scott,  T & N Errock, N. Smith, Z. Coombs, P. Roberts, I. Miller, D&T Lyall, F. Angus and B. Ward.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the September meeting which were proposed by Peter McKenna seconded by Mike Kippin.
Bill Bratty from Hardwick RBL talked to the branch about a proposed visit to Ypres in September 2012. He was able to set out an itinerary with an estimated cost. The total number of places would be 13. Andrew Derrick our Functions Officer will liaise with Bill and come back to the branch by January.
Andrew Derrick let it be known that there are still places on the RAF Cosford visit which is now on Sunday 23rd of October 2011 .
Graham Pitchfork gave a brief report on the OMRS Convention which was a great success. He also mentioned that the Cotswold branch members had three medals awarded for their displays including best in show.
David Seeney brought a large box of books which were for sale at 50 pence each proceeds to go to branch funds. 
Ex-Officers Wanted - £7 a week. (Stephen Lewis)
Our President John Barker introduced our speaker Stephen Lewis whose talk corrected a lot of the misconception of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary 1920 to1922. He covered the reasons for its formation, the uniform and the badges. He then gave an overview of the main incidents, during the two years, including each Auxiliary killed on service. The Auxiliaries were the first elite anti-terrorist unit formed and a forerunner of modern special forces. By the end of their service the IRA had been brought close to defeat. The hatred still felt towards these men by Republicans is a testament to their effectiveness, and although the IRA committed far worse atrocities, the reputation of the Auxiliaries has not been defended. The problems with identifying these men was also covered in the talk.
A QSA/KSA pair of medals was then shown, purchased un-researched by a member. Research then showed that the officer won a DSO in WWI and after the war became an undercover intelligence officer in Dublin. He was killed during a raid on a house to arrest two IRA gunmen.
A telegram and letter were also shown, sent by an Irish pub in Birmingham to the Queen, offering their sympathies after the murder of Lord Mountbatten. A question and answer session then took place. John Barker thanked Steve on behalf of the branch which showed their appreciation in the usual way.
There were 25 members and guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.00pm. The raffle was conducted by Rick Carver which raised £14-00 plus £3.50 for the sale of the books a total of £17.50p for club funds.

Branch Trip to Bovington Tank Museum, 18th September 2011

Nine members went to Bovington and were given a tour of the history of the tank from the first designs upto Challenger II. We then went around the exhibition halls full of tanks and armoured vehicles from the around the world. These included a superb collection of British, German, Russian, American and even a Finnish tank. There is a very good medal collection that is so poorly desplayed that I doubt any visiting member of the public appreciates what they are looking at. We were also told that Challenger II (considered to be one of the best tanks in service) may be the last British-designed and built tank. Plans for Challenger III have been put on hold and we may buy German tanks when the time comes to replace Challenger II. Let us hope that this short-sighted thinking is reversed.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 8th September 2011
Apologies received from J. Carver, M. Atkinson, J. Scott, D. Seeney, T & N Errock, N. Smith, Z. Coombs, D. Martin, P. Roberts and I. Miller
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the July meeting which were proposed by Frank Angus seconded by Rick Carver. John Barker Handed around the membership a list of books being sold by the Birmingham Medal Society any interest contact the Birmingham secretary direct. Andrew Derrick informed the branch of the following proposed visits 18th of September Tank Corps Museum Bovington still places on the transport. RAF Cosford 16th of October 2011 still vacancies. Graham Pitchfork then let the members know the gist of the Committee meeting of OMRS London he said that if any member would like to exhibit there are vacancies.
Jubaland: The lost land of Somaliland and Kenya: Its medals. (Chris Hill)
Our President John Barker introduced our speaker, who is also a branch member Christopher Hill. Chris talked on the Jubaland how it was wiped off the map being absorbed by Somaliland and Kenya. He covered all the actions that had taken place between 1893 and 1917. How it came in to existence as being part of the Imperial British East Africa Company finally being taken over by the British Government. He used power point for his presentation along with some fantastic medals in groups and singles AGS, East and West Africa, East and Central Africa. Gallantry medal groups including the only IOM for the campaign.
Also shown were the medals to Vice-Consul Jenner, whose murder by Ogaden Somalis resulted in a very expensive punitive campaign.
There were 23 members and guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.30pm. The raffle was conducted by Richard Emsley which raised £26-00 for club funds.

Branch trip to the Royal Signals Museum, Blandford  10th July 2011

10 members left Swindon Village at 8.15am and arrived at Blandford Camp 11.15. After a brief inspection the Guard decided there was only one person they wanted to see, our driver Mick Kippin. Eventually he passed muster and we proceeded through the gate to the museum. After the journey our first thoughts turned to coffee. We went to the recently refurbished, in the 1940's style, cafe. After refreshments our guide took us on a tour of the museum. We were shown various exhibits, including: "Women at War", highlighting the role of women in the 2nd World War including the story of Odette and her mission in France. The story of dispatch riders, including a collection of motorcycles. General Montgomery's armoured command vehicle. An enigma code breaking machine. The story of the L.R.D.F. which was initially formed as an intelligence gathering unit. Finally details of the animals used by the Royal Signals including dogs, pigeons, donkeys, camels and horses.
We then retreated for lunch, after which we were set loose on their medal collection. It was as varied and impressive as you would expect from The Signals, covering many theatres of war. What we had not expected was the fully catalogued and easily accessible index system. It was a mouth watering experience to go through the list which gave full details of the recipients and their medals. After some 90 minutes in the medal room it was time to leave this small but friendly museum and depart home, arriving back at 6pm. Once again thanks to Mick Kippin, our driver (no scenic route this time).
Andrew Derrick

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 14th July 2011
Apologies received from J. Carver, S. Lewis, R. Hughes. M. Pittaway and M. Atkinson
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the June meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin seconded by John Barker.
Andrew Derrick gave details of Sunday's trip to the Royal Signals Museum on the 17th July. He then informed the branch of the following proposed visits 18th of September Tank Corps Museum Bovington and RAF Cosford 10th of October 2011. Richard Emsley our Treasurer said a few words “if any of you would like to pay your subscriptions he will willingly accept them” some members took him up on his offer!!! Graham Pitchfork broached the subject of the OMRS Convention in London this September suggesting members who put on displays for our last Mini Convention should think about exhibiting at OMRS. David Seeney mentioned that Hereford Museum were having a heritage open day which was open to the public.
The Labour Corps (Lt-Col. John Starling)
Nathan Smith introduced our speaker for the Peter Ashford Memorial Lecture Lt-Col John Starling. John talked on the Labour Corps made up of  Commonwealth as well as British Battalions, including Pioneers. His research was second to none he showed that 20% of Troops who served in WW1 at some time or another served in the Labour Corps. These were chaps who were wounded, sick or too old to serve in Line Regiments. The Commonwealth sent men from India, Malta, South Africa, Cyprus, Fiji various Caribbean countries etc, these came in vast numbers to keep the docks, railways and front line working. When a chap was transferred in to the labour Corps he was given a new number but invariably kept his own Cap Badge. The only medals named to the LC were Gallantry medals and MSM’s.  At the end of the conflict the Labour Corps were the ones who started the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1939 the LC became the Royal Pioneer Corps. John had some of the books which he had written on the Labour Corps in WW1 on sale. He talked of his data base of all units and men who served in the Corps and was able to help two guests whose relations had served in it in WW1. He brought a collection of Bronze BWM to LC members also Gallantry Medals in groups as well as photographs, papers etc. He then held a question and answer session and was thanked by our President John Barker.
There were 34 members and guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.30pm. The raffle was conducted by Rick Carver and raised £20-00 for club funds.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 9th June 2011
Apologies received from G. Pitchfork, T. & D. Lyall, F. Angus, P. Roberts, I. Miller, T. & N. Errock, J. Wright, D. Seeney, J. Scott.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The President read the minutes of the May meeting which were proposed by Richard Hughes and seconded by Henry Meadows. A letter to the branch from Graham Pitchfork was handed around urging members to consider exhibiting at the OMRS Convention.
Andrew Derrick gave details of the visit to the Royal Signals Museum 17th July. The evening was then handed over to four branch members for four short talks.
An Officer and a Gentleman? (Andrew Derrick)
Andrew told the story of a Royal Victorian Medal named to a Coldstream Guard. Frederick Baker was obviously in an intelligent man and enjoyed rapid promotion. He went to France in 1914 and was wounded. For his services he was commissioned in the Northamptons and saw  further service in West Africa. However, after being taken ill, he returned to the UK and began passing dud cheques in various locations. The authorities finally caught up with him and he was court martialled on 13 counts. Twelve for passing cheques and the 13th was for wearing rank badges of a Staff Major and the ribbons of the DSO, RVM and Coronation medal. None of which he wa entitled to!
After being dismissed from the army, he enlisted as a private and went back to France where he was wounded again. In the late 1920s he again came to the notice of the war office, claimnig to have been a Major in the Coldstreams and again defrauding people of money. Although not entitled to the medal, the RVM reveals the story of an officer and a rogue.
A Grenadier Guard or "Greny" (Dave Martin)
David told the story of a long-serving Grenadier Guardsman who saw service in North Africa and Italy in World War Two. After the war he served with the training battalion and on attachment to the Honourable Artillery Company, where his services were much appreciated. The group was accompanied by many excellent photographs, covering his whole service, and a complete set of service papers. 
Two George Medals (Jon Cann)
After a breif history of the George Medal, Jon told the story of how two men of the Gloucestershire Constabulary won the George Medal in 1961. After some trouble with a Polish ex-serviceman who had settled in the area after the war, two PCs (David Smeeton and Ron Spencer ) were sent on a routine visit to his home. They were greeted at the door by a revolver, and one of the PCs was shot in the chest. Pushing the gunman into the house the three men stumbled into the front room where two bodies already lay. After a struggle in which the gunman was disarmed, he ran from the house. The badly wounded police constable crawled outside for assistance from local people, while the other one gave chase. The assailant was known as a very violent and powerful man. After another struggle, he again started to run, but was tripped up by a local woman as he passed and with the help of standersby, he was finally arrested. The wounded constable eventually recovered enough to return to work, but suffered from the effects of his wounds for the rest of his life. Both were awarded the George Medal for the bravery in the face of an armed and very dangerous murderer. Jon's guest for the evening was David Smeaton, G.M.
Two Naval Incidents Early in the War (Richard Emsley)
Richard began by outlining the history of the mine and the torpedo in naval warfare and then led us into the outbreak of World War One. He then told the stories of the loss of HMS Amphion to German mines and of HMS Pathfinder to a German torpedo. After explaining the sequence of events he then looked at the human tragedies behind the facts. He showed medals to casualties from both ships and told their stories. The effectiveness of German mine and submarine warfare in the initial weeks of the war persuaded a reluctant British Admiralty that they must adopt similar tactics; even though they were considered underhand and sneaky!
The President then thanked the speakers for their interesting and very different talks.
Mick Atkinson conducted the raffle and the meeting closed at 10pm.

Branch trip to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton  15th May 2011

The eleven members of the club who visited the museum were treated to a fascinating day. The aircraft displays were superb and included several unique survivals. The medals on show were few in number but high in quality. More on these to follow. We were greeted by David Hill who then introuduced our two guides, Peter Buckroyd and Peter Gibson. We were escorted around the halls while they pointed out interesting pieces giving background information and answering questions. We were surprised to later hear that this was the first time they had taken groups around the museum. The mock-up of an aircraft carrier flight-deck and operations rooms was very effectively done. In the afternoon we heard a lecture by John Gilbert on the development, performance and premature retirement of the Harrier jump-jet. A unique, world-beating aircraft now no longer available to our armed forces. We can now also say, "when I was on Concorde...." as the museum has the second Concorde ever built, purely for research and testing purposes, and we all took the chance to walk through the aircraft. Sat next to this are two unique experimental aircraft built to test the wing design concepts for Concorde. Among the exhibits is the recently acquired bell from HMS Ark Royal. The bell has hung on several Ark Royals and will be handed over when/if a new Ark Royal is ever commissioned. It is possible that one of the new carriers being built will be named Ark Royal and this is one exhibit that the museum will be happy to hand over to a new custodian. It was also a joy to be in a museum that was happy to allow photography in the halls. While British naval aviation is currently at its lowest ebb, probably since its early years, it is good to know that the fine history of the Royal Naval Air Service/Fleet Air Arm is in safe hands and being well served.
Our thanks as always to Andrew Derrick for arranging the trip, our driver Mike Kippin ("no Mike, the Harrier isn't available as an automatic") and to the staff of the Fleet Air Arm Museum for a great visit.

Meeting of the Cotswold Branch of the Orders & Medals Research Society held at Swindon Village Hall on Thursday 12th May 2011
Apologies received from G. Pitchfork, J. Carver, F. Angus, P. Roberts.
The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with Cotswold Branch business. The Secretary read the minutes of the April meeting which were proposed by Mike Kippin seconded by Rick Carver. Andrew Derrick gave details of Sunday's trip and advised that a visit to the Royal Signals Museum has been arranged for 17th July. Details to follow. Richard Emsley presented the Treasurer's report and a statement of finances, which were in good order.
Operation Barras (Mike Atkinson)
Our President then introduced our speaker Mike Atkinson, talking on Operation Barras - the rescue of British Army hostages held in Sierra Leone. His description of the planning and execution of the operation was unique in its detail and accuracy, due to the sources that Mike is able to call upon. We were allowed an insight into the incredible stories of the men who made the operation such a success. So effective was the operation that recent events have demonstrated its lasting influence on the Special Forces of other nations. A superb talk illustrated with unique and historic photographs and presented in the manner that we have come to expect from Mike.
Mike then took some questions. We were lucky to have as a guest LtCol John Starling, who had served in Sierra Leone and was able to add some background stories that revealed some of the problems of serving in the country. Nathan Smith then talked about a group of medals to another British soldier who was held hostage in Sierre Leone, but quickly released after news of the above rescue struck fear into his captors.
Several members then showed medals and also talked about attending a memorial service for Russian war casualties in London. The raffle raised £32 for club funds. It was proposed that a donation of £25 be made to Paul Pitchfork, MC who is raising money for wounded Gurkha soldiers. This was unanimously accepted.
There were 33 members and guests in attendance and the meeting closed at 10.30pm.

Admiral Thomas Whinyates (5 clasps) and Major-General Frederick Whinyates, Royal Engineers who was awarded a Naval General Service Medal	General Sir Edward Whinyates Royal Horse Artillery commanded the Rocket Troop at Waterloo	Major-General Francis Whinyates Madras Horse Artillery	Lieut-Colonel Percy Lloyd Jones Royal Army Medical Corps He was killed in France 1916	Captain Singer 60th Foot