Wartime in the Vale
Brian Rive sent these pictures of Wartime in the Vale, June 25-26
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Impressive convoy includes Ike!
Over the weekend of June 25-26, Tim Hawkes attended the MVT Armed Forces convoy event held in Basingstoke Milestones living History museum. The event included a convoy of around 60 vehicles running from Portsmouth to Basingstoke. The event was run by MVT vice president Michael Burne and attended by vice-president Rex Ward, president Richard Beddall and South Hampshire area secretary Paul Edwards. It was a great event with many bikes being used to keep the convoy together. It was an impressive sight when they all arrived.
Pictures show a Mk 12 Centurion on display at the living history museum; General Eisenhower himself; bikes which helped keep the convoy together ; RAF Scammell which got lost at one point in the convoy, but found it again!; desert staff car owned by Richard Beddall which was used by George Formby on his tour to entertain the troops in the desert; MVT vice-president Michael Burne lays a wreath at the remembrance ceremony on behalf of the club.
Tim adds that he has picked up the MVT library which now lives on our patch in Kettering.
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VIPs at Armed Forces Day
Geoff Baulk, Roy Shakeshaft and Neill Elliott made it to Wellingborough Armed Forces Day on June 25, 2022. Stephen Myles tried to get his Land Rover Pulse Ambulance up and running but the parts failed to arrive in time. He still came along to support the other owners.
The day started with opening speeches and the raising of. the legion flag. It was an extra special day because 2022 marks the Centenary of the Wellingborough RBL branch. In attendance were two Chelsea pensioners who travelled up from London to help celebrate the day and both were local Wellingborough lads. They were also joined by the town mayor and deputy Lord Lieutenant.
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Jeep duo at Ashby Magna
Ashby Magna Steam Rally on June 18-19 attracted the early Willys MB of Steve Smith and Alan Farren's Willys M38A1. Steve said it was a great show with a good MV presence, including W@W favourites Hinckley Home Guard and the Charnwood MVT Area. Next year's date is June 17-18.
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Second Rotary Club classic show
MVs are once again invited to a classic car show and road run at Chapel Brampton, near Northampton, on Saturday, September 10. Two members attended the first show earlier in the year and can recommend the event. Details are on the poster below.
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Allies at town Vintage show
Will Needham and Neill Elliott attended the Newport Pagnell Vintage Event and Jubilee celebrations. Will had his Canadian C15 truck alongside Neill's Willys MB, its first showing since restoration. The day started off as rather rainy but by lunchtime the sun came out along with the crowds. Much interested was shown in the vehicles and all the owners were very happy to tell the public a bit of history about them. Throughout the day there was a stage with live performers and plenty of 40s’ music.
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Drive-it Day at the Depot
Several members celebrated the FBHVC’s Drive-it Day on April 24 with a visit to the Industry and Supply company at the historic Weedon Depot, which dates back to the Napoleonic Wars. They included Tim Cross, Peter Clarke, Howard Aran, Mike York and MVT verification officer Richard Adams.
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RBL breakfast club launch
Five members drove over to Kettering on April 23 to support the new RBL Kettering Veterans’ Breakfast Club. It was a great opportunity to sit and chat with local veterans and enjoy a good breakfast. Area members attending were Neill Elliott, Richard Hall, Brian Rive, Ian Clayton and Pete Smalley with three jeeps, Dodge WC51 and Ford flatbed.
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Museum's 21st birthday party
We helped Sywell Aviation Museum (SAM) celebrate its 21st birthday in style on Easter Saturday with a magnificent turn-out of MVs, blessed with warm sunshine and a huge crowd.
Our area’s members have supported the award-winning museum from its inception and have watched in awe as it expanded bit by bit and more artifacts, including two complete aeroplanes, were acquired.
Our efforts were recognised with an award as SAM kicked off its 21st year with 24 Jeeps, 20 other MVs and assorted civvy vehicles crowding the car park.
Vintage songbird May Blossom, sang from the back of Steve Myles’s Land Rover Pulse Ambulance, as Linda and John Denny served refreshments.
Drone picture above by Damien Burke.
Pictures below by Tim Cross
Pictures below by Kevin Lamberth
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Dynamic Duo at Brampton Classic 100
Just two MVs (three if you count the Parabike!) attended a sunny Brampton Classic 100 car show. Peter Clarke's' Austin 8 Tourer won the Best Military Vehicle award and Tim Hawkes' GMC was second.
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Thurleigh Museum opens for 2022 season
There was a small but select gathering at our first MV event of the show season on Sunday, April 3, 2022, when we supported our friends at the annual opening of the 306th Bomb Group Museum at Thurleigh, Beds. Area secretary Neill Elliott brought his Dodge WC and Brian Rive his Ford V8 pickup. Others arrived in civvy vehicles. There should have been at least two more at the event but they were laid low with Covid. Also at the museum were vehicles from the Morris Minor Club, UK, one of whom drove down from Manchester and one from the Peak District!
Richard Hall adds: The museum is at United States Army Air Force Station 111 and the home of the 306 Bombardment Group (H). The museum opened on 27th July, 2002, by Dr Jonathan Palmer, owner of Bedford Autodrome, who donated the building. The founders, Ralph and Daphne Franklin, ran the museum for 17 years until their death in 2019. The museum is now run by a team of dedicated volunteers.
The building is an original wartime munitions store located at Galsey Wood which was the munitions and bomb storage area. The museum contains a large collection of artefacts recreating the activities and atmosphere of the airfield and surrounding villages during the American presence.
Construction of the airfield commenced in July 1940, one of many for use by RAF Bomber Command. It was opened in early 1942 but was soon reallocated to the Americans following their entry into the hostilities.
The 306 Bomb Group arrived in September 1942 and remained until December 1945. Their mission was to carry out day light bombing of occupied Europe and 341 missions were carried out.
Museum opening times: Sundays 1000-1630 April-October including Bank Holidays. Admission free; donations welcome. Access from the A6 between Rushden and Bedford at Sharnbrook roundabout (follow signs to Bedford Technology Park and Bedford Autodrome). Postcode MK44 1QT. Website: www.306bg.co.uk
Pictures by Neill Elliott
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Roger's Road Run, 2022
Roger’s Road Run returned on January 23, 2022, after a one-year Covid break and once again an eclectic mix of MVs tackled the lanes of South Northamptonshire. This year, rendezvousing at The Red Lion Truckstop near M1 Junction 16 were an Austin K6, three Jeeps, six assorted Land Rovers, Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Deuce-and-a-half, Fordson WOT2 and a Dodge Ram crewbus.
Road run supremo Roger Higgerson led the way in his LR Lightweight with fellow organiser Sean Crompton bringing up the rear.
We were delighted to welcome MVs from the neighbouring North Oxon and the Cotswolds area and many thanks go to Roger and Sean for organising a pleasant day out.
Picture above by Vaughn Glynn.
Here's a short video:
Pictures from Peter Clarke
Pictures from Vaughn Glynn
Pictures from Kevin Lamberth
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New Year's Day 2022 Vintage Stony
Some of the MVs from the South East Midlands Area at the annual Vintage Stony car meet at Stony Stratford on New Year's Day, 2022. Well done to George and Felicity Jackson, who won the Spirit of the Show award with their Daimler Ferret.
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2021 Poppy service, road run and a big bang
We once again attended a Remembrance Service at the Weldon memorial, near Corby, followed by a road run and a late lunch at John and Judith Underwood's home at East Carlton. Six Jeeps, two Champs, Ferret, Pulse ambulance, UAZ, Chevrolet pick-up, Standard staff car and a brace of motorcycles gathered at the memorial where John Underwood layed a wreath on behalf of the South East Midlands Area, MVT.
We then headed to the former B-17 base at Deenethorpe where Neil Whatling fired his 1943 25-pounder field gun. A bonus was a display from a Russian YAK 50 aircraft, Ears still ringing, it was off for a run around North Northamptonshire taking in the Grafton Underwood USAAF memorial and two goes through the
ford at Geddington.
Many thanks go to John and Judith and Tim Webster for making the arrangements.
* The Weldon branch of the RBL would like to thank the members of the SEM MVT for their help and participation in the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Service A total of over £600 was raised at Weldon Garage and Deenethorpe airfield. Also thanks to MVT photographer Kevin Lamberth for recording the event.
Convoy picture by Ashley Lowe, via Heather Bailey
Pictures below by Kevin Lamberth
Pictures below from Tim Cross
