Carillon Chimes Newsletter



Carillon Chimes : Christmas Truce Centenary

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

December 2014 Issue No. 50

 

Library Exhibition

Throughout December we will have a display of WW1 objects in the cases at Loughborough Library as part of a WW1 Home and Abroad exhibition. The Christmas Truce the main theme of our display but have also a display of WW1 Christmas cards and the story of the Princess Mary Christmas boxes. We do hope that you will visit the exhibition and that you will print off the children's colouring competition, see below.



Loughborough Man Honoured

Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, Brussels

 Tomb of the
 Unknown Soldier,
Brussels

Officials from a number of European countries gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Brussels to read out a sample of names of those who died on Belgium soil between the start of the war, 4 August 1914 and 31 December.

Amongst the names read out was that of a Loughborough man, Cpl William Arthur Routledge. Killed in action 22 October 1914

William was in the 1st Bn of the Leicestershire Regiment, he had enlisted in about 1903 and subsequently become a reservist. He was recalled to the colours at Glen Parva Barracks, Leicester on 4 August 1914 and was in France by 10 September.

By the 17th October they were at Cassel and marched to take up defensive positions at Croix Blanche, from there, two days later, they marched to Rue de Bois, Armentières, and Bois Grenier, the day on which the First Battle of Ypres began.

On 22nd October, while they were defending the chemical factory at Rue de Bois they were heavily shelled by shrapnel and Howitzers and Corporal Routledge lost his life. He was one of fourteen killed; twenty-five others were wounded.

William Arthur Routledge was mourned by his parents, William and Grace Routledge, his brothers Reginald, John and Walter, and his sisters Mabel, Alice and Ethel, all of Ratcliffe Rd, Loughborough.



Small Medallion

In the November issue I appealed for information about a medallion in our collection and as always our readers came through and we now have the answer. Medallion

Alison Claque of the Museum Resources Centre wrote, "The First World War Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918. The Allies' formal peace treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Versailles, was not officially signed until 28 June 1919. There were nationwide Peace Day celebrations on Saturday 19 July. Many towns and cities issued medals to commemorate the 1919 peace celebrations"

Pete Hancock added to the story, ours was in fact awarded to Adelaide Harpham a pupil of Church Street School. The problem is that I do not believe there is a 'Church Street in Loughborough'. So! Where was 'Church Street School'?

We have numerous small badges many have no 'Object Label' explaining what they are; here is another one I spotted, this time however, I have discovered it's origin. It is the Silver Royal Naval Patrol Service sleeve badge. The small loops are to enable to be sown to the sleeve.Medallion

This most important distinction given to the Patrol Service was an exclusive silver badge. Officers and men were awarded this badge after a total of six months service at sea.

They were employed in minesweeping and anti-submarine duties and the ships were mostly converted trawlers and many of the crew ex trawlermen. Churchill himself ordered the issue of this badge when he discovered the service had no badge. The shark with a spike through it represents a U-Boat.



Useful Link

iWonder Logo Here is a great site with many items about WW1 but many of them coming from a different angle than normal with answers to the many questions sparked by BBC programmes. Click on: BBC iWonder


 

Legion d'Honneur for Normandy Landings Legion d'Honneur

The Government of France has announce that it wishes to award the Legion d'Honneur to all surviving veterans, not only of the landings but also the wider Battle for Normandy, the Invasion of Provence, The Liberation of Paris and the Liberation of France.

Do you know of any veterans? Not only troops that landed but also Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who operated in support of the landings are invited to submit their details. (I can let you have a copy of the application form)

 

We have a Legion d'Honneur in our collection, awarded to 101 years old ex Pte Robert Strong when the French Government did the same thing for WW1 veterans.


More Medal Announcements

Following an independent review the following changes have been implement:

Berlin Airlift. The General Service Medal 1918-62 with clasp 'BERLIN AIRLIFT' will be awarded for at least one day's service to all aircrew, RAF and civilians who took part in the Berlin Airlift operation from 25 June 1948 to 6 October 1949 inclusive.

Cyprus 1955-59. Those who participated in the suppression of acts of terrorism in Cyprus between 1 April 1955 and 24 December 1959 will qualify for the General Service Medal 1918-62 with clasp 'CYPRUS' if they served for 90 days or more. (Original qualifying period was 120 days)

Cyprus 1963-64. Those servicemen who served in Cyprus during the period 21 December 1963 to 26 March 1964 will be awarded the General Service Medal (1962) with clasp "CYPRUS 1963-64".

South Atlantic. The qualifying period for the award of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette will be extended from 12 July to 21 October 1982, when the airfield at Mount Pleasant was completed.

For more details click on: Changes to Ministry of Defence Medals and Clasps ..



War Poetry

Poppy I attended an auction and show at Rawlins Academy, Quorn and during the course of the evening a number of poems dealing with WW1 and written by students, were read out. I was so impressed that since; I have contacted the college and asked if the students would agree to allow us to display the poems in the museum next year.

I envisage that the poems (if the students agree) would be placed individually around the museum so that visitors come across them as they wander around the displays. I know nothing of poetry but if you are interested I am looking for someone to mount the poems on foam board and place them in the appropriate locations throughout the museum. Contact me.



Painter Painting

The major project during this close season is the refurbishment and re-arranging of the Yeomanry Room. However there is some painting to do before we can get to work on the displays.

Would you like to help? We need to get it done in one session. Start time 1 pm Wednesday 3 December. We will provide paper overalls, paint and brushes and will be finished by 3 pm.



Carillon on YouTube

The Carillon from above Someone else with a drone! Another short video clip of the carillon filmed from a drone. Click on: Loughborough War Memorial and Carillon Queens Park, Loughborough.

 

And here is another of Caroline playing the clavier: Loughborough Carillon - 2007








Carillon Lit Up for Remembrance

To mark this year's act of remembrance a number of buildings were illuminated in red.

Carillon lit up in red

After a number of technical difficulties the council staff persevered and the result was stunning and I would like to thank Peter Minshall and Dennis Powdrill for the photographs they forwarded to me.

Peter also sent in the photos taken on Remembrance Sunday. I have put them on a separate page, if you want a copy of a particular one I am sure Peter will oblige with a HD copy.


What's New?

We have been gifted two Series 'D' mark 5 field telephones/Morse keys and two signalling lamps circa 1943 by Mr Stretton of Sheepy Magna.

The telephone known as the 'Don five' Don being 'D' in the phonetic alphabet at the time started life as the 'Fullerphone' in WW1 named after the inventor Capt Fuller, it could be used to send Morse code and be used as a telephone, conversations could not be listened into except on another 'Fullerphone'. Hopefully we can get them working and the donor has agreed that they can be used as 'handling objects'.

They even have a poem written about them:

Series 'D' mark 5 field telephone/Morse keys


What is my greatest joy in life,
More precious even than my wife,
So comforting 'midst all this strife?
My Fullerphone.

How well I love your merry tricks;
Even when your buzzer sticks;
Delighting me with faint key clicks;
Oh Fullerphone.

                 J Mellor Royal Signals



 

Christmas Cards

Christmas cardsWe had not intended to sell Christmas cards this year but following a number of requests for cards we have had a change of heart and the cards will be on sale.

Just two places are stocking them, Charnwood Museum and John Storer House. We only have a few so if you want a special card visit either outlet early.



Colouring Competition

Print this page off, a better quality paper is recommended 100grm. Copies are available at the display in the library.

Picture for painting competition

Picture for painting competition


Two small prizes for the under eights, two small prizes for the under twelves. Write your name, age and telephone number on the back of your completed picture and hand it in to Charnwood Museum. More copies are available from the Loughborough Library.

Judging will take place first week in February and the winners informed by 8 February 2015. We look forward to seeing your entry.

 

Remembrance Day Picture Gallery

Picture no. 11.

 

 

Picture no. 22.

 

Picture no. 33.

 

 

Picture no. 44.

 

Picture no. 55.

 

 

Picture no. 66.

 

Picture no. 77.

 

 

Picture no. 88.

 

Picture no. 99.

 

 


Stop Press! Preview of the display in the Loughborough Library, Pictures by Peter Minshall.


Library display
Library display

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The Carillon Chimes


The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

 

 November 2014                                   Issue No. 49

 

Remembrance Sunday

 

It appears that year on year the number of people attending the service grows, the people of Loughborough should be proud that so many take part in this act of remembrance.  

 

 

There are some changes to this year's parade, it will form up in the Market Place, not Southfields, at 10.30 am Sunday 9 November and there will be no access for the public to Queens Park through the New Street entrance after 10.30 am. Use Granby Street.

 

Volunteers are required to hand out service sheets to the public at the entrances to the park, anyone can help! If you want to help out then meet up at the carillon at 9.45 am. See you there? The carillon will remain open for visitors for one hour after the service. There will be no charge to climb to the balcony during this opening.

 

Carillon on YouTube  

Two amateur historians with a flying video drone are making a series of films about Loughborough's streets and landmarks. Southfields councillor Ted Parton and Paul Mercer

Cllr Parton said: "Local residents have often asked me whether I knew the origins of a street name and so I thought it would be a fascinating exercise to look into where the names came from and, so far, it has unearthed a fascinating insight into the history of the town."

The first video features the Carillion bell tower, opening with dramatic footage of the First World War before switching to aerial shots of the bell tower.


 

 

 

 

 

Radio Leicester visit Carillon 

 

 

There is a programme each Sunday morning on Radio Leicester called 'Clueless', listeners solve a number of clues to send the presenter, Julie Mayer, to various locations throughout Leicestershire. 

Here they are at the carillon, Julie Mayer interviewing Keith Hassall before climbing the stairs to the Clavier Room. Playing the bells. On the day, was Dr Lynne Morgan, the second carillonneur. Look carefully at the photo and spot the deliberate mistake.

 

 

 

 

 Lighting up the Carillon 

 

To demonstrate support for this year's Poppy Appeal a number of buildings are to be lit up with red light, the Carillon, the Town Hall and Loughborough Grammar School will be amongst those buildings. 

This part of an intuitive by Leicestershire Commemorate World War One and supported by the Royal British Legion. See the link : Light Up Your Building in Red

 

The buildings will be lit up from 27 October until the 11 November. Once the carillon is lit up a decision will be made as to whether the park should stay open late one night to allow photographs to be taken. I will let you know if a decision is made.

 

 

Culture Corner

We get lots of people bring things in for identification and lots more asking for information about relatives who served in previous conflicts. This poem by Maureen Jones reminds us that even the simplest query or the most common or garden object is of real importance to the person asking our advice and we should remember that with are dealings with the public.

 

 

 

                                                Grandpa's Medals (Pip Squeak and Wilfred)

We took Great Grandpa's medals to a travelling antiques show, 
Just to have them valued, for we'd never let them go. 
We told the man "They're from the nineteen fourteen-eighteen war", 
We could tell by his expression that he'd seen them all before, 
And, though polite and helpful, he looked unmoved somehow, 
"They made them by the thousand and they're still quite common now, 
They're maybe worth a tenner, their value isn't high",
So I resisted the temptation to poke him in the eye,
Put the medals in my bag and turned to leave the hall. 
"They made them by the thousand," I suppose that says it all.

                                                                                                                             Maureen Jones

 

 

Pip, Squeak & Wilfred were the affectionate name given to the 3 WW1 campaign medals, the 1914-15 Star awarded to those men who served on the front before 31 December 1915

(there is a 1914 Star awarded to the members of the BEF who served on the Western Front before 2 November 1914, same ribbon) The British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

When they were awarded at the end of the war it coincided with a popular comic strip in the Daily Mirror, Pip (a dog) Squeak (a penguin) and Wilfred (a rabbit) and for some reason, lost in time, the name was adopted when referring to the three medals, without the 1914 Star the War and Victory medals were referred to as 'Mutt and Jeff'.

 

 

 

 Facebook

One item on our Facebook page had 2,925 views this month from 9 different countries, it is a great tool for passing on information about events, just share! Visit us at:  Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum | Facebook

 

Whats New?

 

 

Sometime ago I asked if anyone had a gas rattle from WW2 era, we particular wanted one that had, at the end of the war been painted in football colours and used a by football fans at matches.

 

We wanted to be able to tell both stories, how something that had a most serious purpose was, when peace came used for something far more frivolous[MG1] [MG2] [MG3] .

 

 

We have since had two donated, the latest one by Mr Michael Harding of Ulverscroft

 Road. They are in the Airborne Room where they can be handled by visitors, anything that makes a noise is particularly popular and gas rattles certainly make a noise.  

 

Now we are looking for something else, we have in the central cabinet on the ground floor an upper body mannequin with a WW1 officer's tunic. In the cabinet is his 'mess kit' and we would like to put a number of other items, the everyday objects he would have had with him in his trench dugout, cigarette packet or pipe, penknife, writing materials, pocket watch etc.  

 

 

Have you any ideas? Have you any suitable items? Have you any idea where we can source them from? Contact me at carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Useful Links

 

 

I recently gave a talk about the Zeppelin raid on Loughborough in 1916 and looking for information about that fateful night I came across this programme on the BBC, you may have heard it first time round but in case you missed it. Click on: Loughborough, Leicestershire: Zeppelin Bombardment - Bbc

 

 

 What is This?

 

Sitting in a display case without a word of explanation as to its origin or reason for issue is this medallion. Issued in 1919 to commemorate the end of WW1 and to celebrate the peace.

 

 

It is about the size of an old penny and the suspension bar as 'LOUGHBOROUGH' on it. There are pictures of this medallion on the internet although I have failed to find any explanation as to why it was issued or who to. 

 

 

None of the ones pictured on the internet have the Loughborough suspension bar.

Help Needed? Here's the Answer 

In the last issued I asked about a piece of stone taken from the ruined church at Nijmegan and brought back to Quorn by members of the 82nd Airborne who had been stationed there.  I thought it had been placed at the site of their camp on Wood Lane but Matt Broughton and Sam Evans corrected me, it is just through the archway at the entrance to the park. 

The stone can just be seen at the end of the path and the plaque with the explanation is pictured below.

 

 

 Christmas Cards 

This year we will not be doing the Christmas Fair and the Charity Stall on Loughborough Market is booked up solid. This means that we will have no opportunity to sell them.

 

Charnwood Museum have sold them on our behalf in the past and may do so again. If you would like any or know of anywhere they could be sold then please let me know or perhaps take some yourself to sell to family and friends. 

 

 The Serious Stuff   

 

Last year we advertised for someone to take responsibility of our retail sales and it has been a real success story, we have doubled our takings, have a grip on the stock control and a far better range of items for sale and we have a plan to create a little more space to display some items more effectively. 

I am now hoping that the same approach can work again, we need a volunteer curator! Could you do it? 

All the objects we have are catalogued on a computer programme and other volunteers are at present cataloguing all the documents we hold but we do need a curator, responsible for the catalogue and dealing with new acquisitions, no prior knowledge is required; just enthusiasm, an attention to detail and some very basic computer skills, full training will be given. However an interest or curiosity in military memorabilia or military history would be an advantage.

The catalogue is on a laptop so that any entries or alterations can be done at home at any time. Interested or know someone who might be interested and suitable? Please contact me at carillonmuseum@gmail.com for more information.

Love Loughborough Tales
 

 

 

On Saturday 25 October the carillon was lit up with a spectacular light show projected onto two sides of the tower. It marked the launch of Children's Literary Festival that will run through 2015 and also mark the 100th anniversary of Ladybird Books.

 

If you did not get to see it (and there have been complaints that it was not advertised enough) then here is a video: 

Love Loughborough Tales - Go Leicestershire

I did go and attempted, but failed, to take a photo fortunately Mr Peter Minshall was also present and he sent me the one used here.

 

The Free Adverts

Official opening of pedestrian area 10 am 3 November. Stalls etc.

Men of Nanpantan 1914-18. Friday 7 November Church of St Mary, Nanpantan a talk by Phil Thorne. 7.30 pm ring 01509 261773 for more details. Free admission

Remembrance Sunday 9 November. Parade at the Market Place 10.30 am, please note that the New Street entrance will be closed at 10.30 am.

Loughborough Fair 12 to 15 November. There is no road left to close!

Stop Press

I have just heard the sad news that Mr Sam Evans has passed away. Sam was one of the original volunteers when the museum started and was a leading light for many years.

You will see above that he still took an interest and contacted me just last week about the piece of stone from the church at Nijmagen now located in Quorn. He will be sadly missed.

 

 

 

The Petal and the Wire

 

Monday 17th November 7pm

at

Loughborough Library

Age: 12+ £3 pp

Running time 90 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

The Petal and the Wire is a story of humour, bravery, pride and despair, set between the wartime streets of Leicester and the front line in France. 

The play uses the first hand testimonies of real Leicestershire people collected by the East Midlands Oral History Archive to tell the experiences of family man William Ashby, following his enlistment into the Leicestershire Regiment, his army training and ultimately his combat. 

It also tackles Leicester's reputation as a place of slow recruitment due to strong church and pacifist traditions; successful war-related industry (ensuring plentiful work) and the town's independence of spirit.

Directed by Kate Chapman who directs radio drama for BBC Radio 4 and has worked with the Curve, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Derby Theatre amongst others

 

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The Carillon Chimes

 

 

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

 

 October 2014                                                                                        Issue No. 48

 

Meeting and Social - All Welcome! 

 

We traditionally hold our last meeting of the season (14 Oct) in a venue other than the solemn halls of the council offices and this year we will be going back to the Brush Club following last year's successful after meeting soiree. 


The normal committee meeting will begin at 7pm as usual and hopefully we can be finished by 7.30 pm and then it is hoped that you can join us for wine and cheese and chatter.

 

In case you are not normally a 'clubber' the location of the Brush Club is 18 Fennel Street. LE11 1UQ Tel: 01509 216907.  Please join us: 7.30 pm Tuesday 14 October

 

 Visit to Resource Centre

 

 

A number of volunteers were given the opportunity to visit the Leicestershire Museum Service Resource Centre, absolutely fascinating place. Not only was it a very interesting visit but also a source of inspiration.

 

We have never been very good at cataloguing and storing documents and photos so that they are easily accessible but during the visit saw how they dealt with the large amount of paperwork that was associated with the archaeological objects.  Simple flat numbered  boxes that can be used to safely store papers, books, photos, maps and small objects, buttons, badges etc. the added advantage is that they can be stored within the museum making them accessible to visitors and researchers. (At the moment many are in the New Street store) This is a job for someone over the close season. You perhaps?

 

 

I want to thank Alison Claque, who works at the centre, for arranging the visit and for being an excellent guide and host.

 

Able Seaman Harry Emerson   

 

Harry Bernard Emerson died on 4 September 1914; the first of Loughborough's casualties. He was an Able Seaman on board HMS Amphion when it was sunk just 36 hours into the war with the loss of 150 crew and 18 German prisoners they were carrying. Harry survived but complained that the fumes that he had inhaled during the attack made him ill and he died a few weeks later in hospital at Gosport Hospital.

 

To mark the 100th anniversary of his death a short service, led by Rev Rosemary Whitley  and attended by the Loughborough Sea Cadets and members of Harry's descendants,  Mrs Trish Edwardes of Loughborough and Mrs Maria Scott of Dorset. We were represented by Mrs Madeline Gibbard and Mr Peter Minshall; who took the photograph above.

 

Lighting up the Carillon 

 

To demonstrate support for this year's Poppy Appeal a number of buildings are to be lit up with red light, the Carillon, the Town Hall and Loughborough Grammar School will be amongst those buildings. 

This part of an intuitive by Leicestershire Commemorate World War One and supported by the Royal British Legion. See the link : Light Up Your Building in Red 

 

I have suggested to the council that we have a late night opening so that people can enter the park after the normal closing time (dusk) and photograph the tower. 

Last year we wanted to allow people to climb to the balcony one night when it was dark, possibly on Bonfire Night so that they could get views across Loughborough and the fireworks but organizing a member of the park staff to lock up late proved too difficult.

Culture Corner

 

We have had  in the last two issues a piece of poetry and here is a another short contribution, many years ago when I was in the army I remember this poem was pasted into the corner of information board in the Battalion CP (Control Post)

 

 

The General

'GOOD-MORNING; good-morning!' the General said

 

When we met him last week on our way to the line.

 

Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead,

 

And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.

 

'He's a cheery old card,' grunted Harry to Jack

 

As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.

.    .    .    .

 

But he did for them both by his plan of attack.

 

What's new

We have been extremely fortunate to have been gifted the Princess Mary Gift Box of Bert Main, who rode the Leicestershire Yeomanry's most famous war horse throughout WW1 (read the full story at: Songster ) Bert Survived the war and served afterwards for many years in the Yeomanry and then in WW2 served in the Home Guard.

 

But what took me by surprise that there were two WW2 Medals, awarded to Bert's son, Eric, who was killed in WW2 when his Wellington bomber was lost  in the mediterranean whilst flying supplies between Gibraltar and Malta. 

  

 

The story of Songster and Bert Main's connection is well known but no one had ever mentioned that he had lost a son in WW2. A poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by families in the two World Wars. Our thanks go to Mr Barry Main for his most generous gift, we will be proud to display the items and tell the story. 

Included in the items gifted was a, 'On War Service' badge, these were issued, to be worn on the lapel, of those men who were on vital war work so that they would not be accused of 'shirking' their duty as many young men who were of military age but not in uniform were.

 

Companies engaged in war work often produced their own badge to protect their workers from abuse but in 1915 the government produced a Silver War Badge (often called the Silver Wound Badge) for servicemen who had been discharged; to wear to show that they had done their bit and at the same time banned locally produced badges and issued their own.

 

They are individually numbered, unfortunately employers kept the records to whom the badges were issued and these were destroyed after the war so we have no way of knowing who this particular badge belonged to. The War Office retained their records and to this day the recipient of a Silver War Badges can be identified.

 

The central cabinet on the ground floor, the first cabinet that visitors see when they come through the door, has been greatly improved by being lined by three large photographs to act as a background to the display, a WW1 officer surrounded by his accoutrements.

 

The photographs are of the highest quality, my photograph does not do them justice, a quick snap through glass, our thanks to Matt who sourced to pictures.  

I have ordered some circa WW1 food can labels which will eventually form part of the display.  

 

 

Useful Links 

The Charnwood Great War Centenary Project's very own website is now fully functional, even with a few bells and whistles.  Eventually they intend to create a far more interactive one in conjunction with Charnwood Arts. Visit: http://charnwoodgreatwar.billbrookman.co.uk 

There is a photo of me on the site and I am described as 'irrepressible' I had to look it up in the dictionary. I think it is a polite way of saying I talk too much.

The 'My Learning' website has been mentioned before, it is for teachers and learners inspired by museums, libraries and archive collections. The Songster story was added some time ago and although museums are only allowed one entry, Charnwood Museum graciously gave us their space so we have used it to tell the Zeppelin Raid story. Click on: My Learning use the 'Keyword' search box at the top, search either 'Songster' or 'Zeppelin' to access the article. Whilst you are on there could I ask you to click on the featured related links to the Leicestershire Yeomanry site (Photos of Songster) and our site (Loughborough Roll of Honour) this helps our website ratings and keeps us in the top ten on Google.

 

505 Re-enactors

 

Received an email from Mr Mike Johnson in America no less. He has connections with Quorn, his father, was a member of 505 PIR, 82nd Airborne and was stationed there in WW2. Mike recently made contact with Mr Sam Harris who is a member of a 505 re-enactors group, in the photograph, I believe he is the one on the right. The other photo shows original members of 505.

 

 

 

Visit the Facebook page at: re-enactors on Facebook or the website at: Re-enactors Website 

Help Needed? 

Something you can help me with! There is a piece of stone (I believe), recovered from the wrecked church at Nijmegen, that was brought back by members of the 505th and placed in Quorn, I thought it was up Wood Lane but cannot find it. Can someone send me a photograph and location? 

 

Christmas Cards  

 

 

It is a little odd to be talking about Christmas Cards in October but this year we will not be doing the Christmas Fair and the Charity Stall on Loughborough Market is booked up solid. This

means that we will have no opportunity to sell them.

 

Charnwood Museum have sold them on our behalf in the past and may do so again. If you would like any or know of anywhere they could be sold then please let me know

 

 

 

Lunchtime Talks

 

Monday October 13th - Sunday 19th

12.30 - 1.15 Each Day

 

 

Loughborough Baptist Church 11 Baxter Gate

 

Monday 13th               The Poetry of Woodbine Willie who served as a Padre in the First World War. Rev.David Butcher

Tuesday 14th                       The Story of the Unknown Warrior. John Sutton,  Leicestershire and Rutland Western Front Association

 

Wednesday 15th               We Will Not Fight: WW1 Conscientious Objectors. John Sutton. Leicestershire and Rutland Western Front Association

Thursday 16th                     Bill Brookman as "Old Billy" presents Songs from the  Trenches

Charnwood Great War Centenary Project

Friday 17th                           The Art Scene in the First World War. Ray Sutton. Popular local speaker

Saturday 18th                      1914-2014. A Time of Remembrance: Sequence of Landscapes, Art, Poetry and Music. Roger Willson.

 Roger has been leading pilgrimages to First World War Battlefields for 30 years.

                                                (Boys Brigade Band from Trinity Methodist Church will play from 10.00 a.m.)

In association with an Exhibition of the First World War. This includes the amazing find of over 200 letters sent from the different War Fronts from former Sunday School boys who had received Christmas parcels from the Church 1916 - 1918.

Exhibition opens each day 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.  (Saturday opening at 10.00 a.m.)

Enquiries to the Church Office: Tel:01509 215642. E Mail: office@lbcweb.org.uk

 

                                   No Booking Needed                                    No Charge

 

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The Carillon Chimes

 

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

 

 September 2014                                                                              Issue No. 47

 

We Remember 

 

Two events that took place to mark the 100th anniversary were; the service held by the Royal British Legion on Monday 4 August, BBC Radio Leicester did a three hour live broadcast from the carillon which was a great success. On Saturday 9 August a family event was held in the park, blessed with the best of weather it was an excellent day.

 

 

 photos by our own Mr Peter Minshall 

 

We put out 565 named crosses in front of the carillon one for each of the Loughborough men who fell in the Great War. 478 are commemorated on the Carillon Tower. (Heading photo)   BBC Radio Leicester

 

On the internet looking for nothing in particular I came across this link to a 10 min programme on BBC Radio which you might find interesting.

 

"The Carillon in Loughborough is a unique monument to the 480 men from the town who died in WW1. It is the only purpose built".. Hear moreBBC - World War One At Home, Loughborough Carillon ...

 

 

 Sock Monkey in Park 

 

A group of young people turned up at the park and proceeded to make this outline of a monkey measuring 15 metres in length even borrowing some material from us to complete it. 

It was of course an activity to raise money for charity, the world's greatest scavenger hunt, I did ask what it was all about but failed to grasp what I was told, they do however have a website if you wish to pursue it. www.gishwhes.com

 

The photograph was taken from the carillon balcony. Do like these spontaneous nonsensical activities. For those old enough to remember in the swinging sixties they were called 'happenings'.

 

 

 

 

 

Display at Loughborough Library

There is time to catch our WW1 Display at Loughborough Library it runs till 30 September. 

 We have two cabinets, one featuring the Zeppelin raid on Loughborough on 31 Jan 1916 and the other we have titled, 'Beauty and the Beast' one half of cabinet shows some noble and beautiful objects and the other those objects that are ugly and beastly.

 

  

 

Above the display of WW1 objects is a board inviting people to add items of their own, photos, poems, pictures or anything that has a connection with the Great War.

 

Able Seaman Harry Emerson 

 

 Harry Bernard Emerson died on 4 September 1914; the first of Loughborough's casualties. He was an Able Seaman on board HMS Amphion when it was sunk just 36 hours into the war with the loss of 150 crew and 18 German prisoners they were carrying. Harry survived but complained that the fumes that he had inhaled during the attack made him ill and he died a few weeks later in hospital at Gosport Hospital. 

 

His funeral was held in Loughborough and he is buried in Loughborough Cemetery. On 4 September 2014, the anniversary of his death, the Loughborough Sea Cadets, TS Venomous, will be holding a short service at his graveside beginning at 7pm. All are welcome, further details can be obtained by contacting Mr Mel Gould at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com or ringing 01509 230603

 

Useful Links

 

This first 'useful link' came about because one of our volunteers was sourcing some photographs of a First World War trench. We intend to have a photographic background behind the display in the ground floor central cabinet. It is the website of the historian Andy Robertson and a re-created trench system. Click on: http://andyrobertshaw.com/the_trench.html

 

The diaries of the war poet Siegfried Sassoon are now online.

 

Sassoon describes life in the trenches, including being shot at the battle of Arras, and gives an eyewitness account of the Battle of the Somme. The diaries contain poems, drawings and sketches; some pages are edged with grease or mud. They are so evocative and moving they plunge you directly into the middle of the action. Read them at: Cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk

 

What's new 

 

We have been given some Boys .55 anti-tank rounds. They are inert and have been examined by the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). All the munitions we hold are required to be inspected and a FFE (Free From Explosives) certificate issued so you can sleep safe in your beds and we can display them. 

As with the weapons we have on display, they are de-activated and a certificate issued by the Proof House Birmingham to allow us to hold and display them. 

Something about Boys ammunition that I have never figured out is why they have the raised  rim just above the extractor rim, see the second picture.

 

 

 I know of no other ammunition that has a similar rim. The only thing I can think of is that it prevents the ammunition being loaded into any other weapon but I am sure that out there someone has the answer? Do you know? Email me at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

  

 

Another new acquisition is this German 'Caltrop' from WW1 a very simple but nasty object used to disable horses. A four pointed star, bent in such a way that one spike is always pointing upwards no matter how it lands. 

They have a long history, mentioned as early as 331 BC and the name is derived from the Latin calcitrapa (foot-trap) scattered on the battlefield to damage the feet of charging horses, elephants camels or men. 

The one we have is a battlefield relic picked up in France, which explains why it looks a little rusty. It will be displayed first at the display in the library and then in the Yeomanry Room.

 

 

 

 

 Thank you for your Help

 In last month's Chimes I asked if anyone could identify a plaque that had been donated to us and the translation of the inscription on the back, what I thought was Dutch but was in fact Flemish. First back with the correct translation was Robin Clarke of the School of Museum Studies at Leicester University We also had an email from a Mrs Joan Abrahams of Cape Town South Africa, speaking Afrikaner she was able to read the inscription.However first prize must go to Valerie Jaques of the Western Front Association who sent me the newspaper clipping of the event, A visit by disabled ex-servicemen to Belgium. 

 

 

 Another Thank you

 

Our thanks go to Mr John Gibbard who responded to last month's appeal for someone to paint the carillon door, He has done a great job we now need to re-site the notice board.

Culture Corner                                                 

 

 Last month we included a piece of poetry, Thomas Hardy's, The Man he killed and this month we have had a piece sent in by Captain Bob Allen, Chairman of the Royal Tigers, the Royal Leicestershire Regimental Association. An anonymous poem appealing for support of the animal charity, the Blue Cross.

 

 

 

I'm only a cavalry charger, I'm dying as fast as can,

(For my body is riddled with bullets-They've spotted both me and my man)

And though I've no words to express it, I'm trying this message to tell

To kind folks who work for the Red Cross - Oh please help the blue one as well!

 

I'm only a cavalry charger and my eyes are becoming quite dim.

(I really don't mind that though I'm 'done for', so long as I'm going to HIM

But first I would plead for my comrades, who're dying and suffering too-

Oh please help the poor wounded horses! I'm sure that you would - if you knew.

 The Free Advert 

 

 

 

 

The First to Fall

As part of the ceremony on the 9 August the name of those Loughborough men who fell in 1914 were read out, a very moving tribute. Our thanks go to Kevin Mitchell and our researchers for the information about the men.

You will notice that they are a little older than you would have first thought, by 1917 the majority would have been under 20. They men who fell in 1914 were mostly pre-war regular soldiers, either still serving or called up from the Reserves. The vast 'Kitchener's Army' did not arrive at the front until 1915.

 

 

 

Able Seaman Harry Emerson, son of Eliza Emerson of 45 Storer Road, Loughborough. Died 4th September 1914, aged 20.

Private Isaac Lester of Loughborough, son of Lois Lester and the late George Lester. Killed in action 8th September 1914 aged 30, leaving a wife Elizabeth and a small son.  

 

 

Sergeant William Ainsworth, son of Arthur and Elizabeth Ainsworth of 37 Judges Street, Loughborough. Killed in action 13th September 1914, aged 23.

Private Ernest William Bonser, son of William Bonser, of 11 Forest Road, Hugglescote, Leicestershire. Killed in action 14th September 1914, aged 20.

Private Richard Green, of Paget Street, Loughborough, died of wounds 14th September 1914, leaving a wife Florence and small son. His brother William also fell in 1917.

Private Ernest Johnson, killed in action 14th September 1914 aged 26, leaving a pregnant wife Winifred.  Born in Loughborough but latterly living in Kilburn, Derbyshire.

Private Robert Mayson, son of Harry and Elizabeth Mayson of 16 The Avenue, Gladstone Street, Loughborough. Killed in action 16th September 1914, aged 20.

Private Leonard Henson, of 56 Lower Cambridge Street, Loughborough, died on 25th September 1914, aged 25. Son of Ann Henson and the late Frank Henson.

Drummer Rowland Baker died on the 28th September 1914. Originally of Newark-Upon-Trent, he was living in Loughborough. He was 22 years old.

Colour Sergeant Colin Orton, son of Alfred and Edith Orton of 11 Pinfold Gate, Loughborough. Killed in action 13th October 1914, aged 31.

Boy, First Class Philip Faulks, son of John and Ellen Faulks of 4 Cobden Street, Loughborough. Killed in action 15th October 1914, aged 17, when HMS Hawk was sunk.

Corporal William Routledge, son of William and Grace Routledge of Ratcliffe Road, Loughborough. Killed in action 22nd October 1914, aged 28.

Captain Lawrence Peel, aged 30, a pre-war regular soldier, killed in action 23rd October 1914 whilst leading his Company on a night attack. Husband of the Hon. Ethel Peel, later the Hon. Ethel Martin of The Brand, Loughborough.

Private Joseph Brown, son of George Brown of 34 Warner Place, Loughborough. Killed in action 28th October 1914, aged 34.

Private Alfred Taylor, of 55 Leopold Street, Loughborough, killed in action 30th October 1914, aged 30. He left a wife Amelia. His brother Albert was also killed in 1918.

Private Herbert Topham, of Cradock Street, Loughborough, killed in action 30th October 1914, aged 28, He left behind a wife Ann.

Able Seaman Ernest Jarram, of 9 Rutland Street, Loughborough. Killed in action, 1st November 1914, aged 29, leaving a wife, Rosetta.

Quarter-Master Sergeant Peter Chambers, of Moor Lane, Loughborough. Died of wounds 2nd November 1914, aged 35. He left a wife Alice and two children. His two brothers Thomas and John also fell, Thomas in 1915 and John in 1916.

Private Arthur Walker, an unmarried reservist. He had been living with his sister, Mrs. Lindsay, of Queens Road, Loughborough. He was killed in action on 7th November 1914, aged 42.

Private Arthur Sharpe, died 8th November 1914, aged 25. Son of Frederick and Sarah Sharpe of Dead Lane, Loughborough.

Private Ernest Cato Kealey, son of Henry Kealey of 14 Cartwright Street, Loughborough and his late wife Caroline. Killed in action 21st November 1914, aged 25.   

Able Seaman Owen Phillips, killed in action 26th November 1914, aged 30. Lived with his wife, Alice, in Wards End, Loughborough before moving to Portsmouth.

Private Frank Parrott, son of John and Drusilla Parrott of 62 Derby Road, Loughborough. Died of wounds on 30 November 1914, aged 26.

Private Arthur Newbon formerly of Pinfold Street, Loughborough, latterly of Coventry.  Died of wounds on the 14th December 1914, aged 32. He left a wife Kate and a step-daughter. His step-brother Alfred Parr also fell in 1918.

 

            They Rest in Eternal Peace
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The Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

 

 August 2014                                                                                          Issue No. 46  

 

We Remember 9 August 3pm till 6pm

 

A MAJOR family event is being held in Loughborough to mark the centenary of World War I and to remember the 478 local heroes who died for their country. Charnwood Borough Council has organised the "We Remember" event in Queen's Park between 3pm-6pm on August 9, 2014, to commemorate the start of the Great War which raged from 1914-1918.

 

The park will be packed full of interactive exhibitions, actors in uniform telling real-life stories of fallen soldiers, family activities, a vintage tea party, live music and performances. 

 

 Field of Remembrace 

 

 

On the weekend 2/3 August we will be putting in place a Field of Remembrance in front of the Carillon. 478 crosses one for each of the men commemorated on the tower. Each cross will have the man' name, regiment or ship, date of death and his age. Our thanks go to Mr Kevin Mitchell who as produced the crosses, painting them white and printing out the individual soldiers details.

 

In the Carillon we have the Michael Doyle volumes, Their Name Liveth for Evermore (see BBC - Leicester - The Great War in Leicestershire ) within these volumes are the details of every man from Leicestershire who died in the Great War. 

It is hoped that people will spot their family name and then look up the details in the books. One problem we have is that very few people would be able to tell you their great grandmother's maiden name, the maternal side of families is often forgotten. It is estimated that 26 million Britons have relations that fought in WW1 but over 7 million are unaware of the family connection. 

We will need some help putting out the crosses, we will be starting about 10.30 am on Saturday 2 August and will continue till finished, please if you have 30 mins to spare, come along!

 

Loughborough in Bloom  

 

As part of the Loughborough in Bloom it appears that some organisations took up the theme of the WW1 anniversary. 

I spotted these two examples, the first at the flats on Warwick Way, the Three Close Tenants Association, to whom gardening seems to be a way of life, they produced this very imaginative rifle and helmet grave marker and had also laid sandbags to represent a trench.

 

 

 The other display was outside of John Storer House, a cross and poppies in the centre surrounded by various other items of remembrance. I was so impressed with the plastic helmet I bought one for people to wear when posing for photographs with the Bren Gun in the Airborne Room.

 Poetry Anyone? 

 

Last year a day long poetry workshop was held at the carillon and I am pleased to let you know that the anthology inspired by the carillon and the surroundings of Queens Park is now online.

 
To view,
http://issuu.com/expresseumpoetics/docs/as_the_notes_fade

 

Seeing this made me think that we should have a little more culture so I went to the only poetry I understand, that of Thomas Hardy, below are the first two verses of his poem, The Man He Killed  if you are interested you can find the  rest of the poem somewhere on the internet along with everything else.  

 

 

 Have you a war poem that you would like to share? Email me: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

The Man He Killed


Had he and I but met
    By some old ancient inn,
We should have set us down to wet
    Right many a nipperkin!

    But ranged as infantry,
    And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,
    And killed him in his place.

 

                               Thomas Hardy

 

 

 Whats New? 

 

Nearly finished! The ground floor cabinet, instead of being a centre piece as, over a period of time, become a little shabby; however that is changing. 

The first side (closest to the reception) which was very poor as now been changed to explain the building of the carillon. With photographs and some small story boards the story, from the birth of the idea to the opening ceremony is told. 

Also included in the display there are some medallions, produced by the 'Latimer's' (the chemist?) that celebrate the opening and 'Carillon' souvenirs as well as a collection of model vehicles depicting those companies who  were involved in the construction, including Taylor's, Tucker's, Wm Moss, Clemerson's and of course Everard's.

 

 

Matt, one of the volunteers has plans for the other side of the cabinet Including a 'Home Front WW2' in the rear cabinet and improvements to the  front in which we have displayed a WW1 officers uniform and some of the equipment he  might have with him at the front. Looking for someone to paint the background to give the  impression of a WW1 dug out. Do you have such talents? 

 

Another cabinet that needed changing was the German WW2 cabinet in the Airborne room. We had concerns which were confirmed by a number of people that it looked too much like a shrine to the Nazi party rather than a display of German military objects.

 

 

Simply removing the flag has made an immediate impact and we do have some other German WW2 objects that are not on display but placed in that cabinet will broaden the appeal.

 

These changes and improvements to the museum's displays are carried out on Wednesday mornings 10.15 till 12.15 pm if you are interested in getting involved. Whether it be a single project or an ongoing interest, whether it be just a single session, once a month or every week we would welcome your help.

 

Mrs J Hockley of Loughborough donated this small collection of naval objects she knows little about the original owner so a 'local' connection is hard to make.

 

We would have hesitated in accepting them normally but the Navy are more than a little underrepresented in our collection, perhaps understandably given our distance from the sea, that we were pleased to have them, they will be on display in the Navy cabinet on the ground floor from Saturday 2 August. 

 

A collection of small objects including a spoon and bronze plaque that we need help in identifying (see below) donated by Mrs Taylor of Shepshed. There is a Royal Artillery cap badge and a 'Airgraph' 

The 'Airgraph' is an interesting WW2 item. During the war, the GPO introduced the Airgraph Service for messages between servicemen and civilians. The message was written onto a special form that was then given an identification number and photographed onto microfilm.

 

The microfilm was flown to its destination, developed into a full size print, and posted to the recipient. Sending 1600 airgraphs on microfilm weighed just 5oz compared to 50lbs for the same number of letters. Copies of the microfilm were kept so that if the aircraft were shot down the messages could be resent. 

The airgraph service from Britain to the Middle East began in 1941 and gradually extended to other war zones. The service ended on 31 July 1945. During these four years 135,224,250 airgraphs were sent.

 

Useful Link

 

 

This months 'useful link' is the British Library. Supported by over 500 historical sources from across Europe, this resource examines key themes in the history of World War One. Explore a wealth of original source material, over 50 newly-commissioned articles written by  historians, teachers' notes and more to discover how war affected people on different sides of the conflict. 

 

Just click on:  WWI War Photography

We Need Your Help

 

 

Amongst the objects above are two that have left us a little puzzled, the tea spoon is silver and the handle is in the shape of a rifle there is a shield at the top embossed with: 

38th HB

RC

 

The obvious answer is 38th Heavy Battery Rifle Club but it somehow does not seem quite right, why the 'th' you would expect they would have been called simply '38 Heavy Battery'? And  why no RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) it is odd that  they use the battery but not the regiment, and why not 'shooting' club as opposed to 'Rifle' club.

Can you help? Perhaps the most obvious answer is correct and we are making it more complicated than it is.

 

The second object is a little easier, if you speak Dutch! A bronze plaque about 70mm across. On the front, HH.MM.Albert en Elisabeth, presumably our own Albert and Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) on the reverse it is embossed with: 

 

 

HULDEBLIJK

VAN

HET KOMITEIT

TOT ONTVANGST DER

BRITSCHE

OORLOGSINVALIEDEN

1 SEPT1928

 

'Google Translate' makes little sense of it apart from it appears to refer to British invalids. What occasion does this plaque commemorate and what does it say on the back? Over to you.

 

Loughborough Blog

 

Here is a carillon connection between America and Loughborough, read Lynne's blog. Click on http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-new-jersey-connection-firstly.html

 

Now visit the website at:  morristowngreen.com

 

Would You like to Help?

 

We have, for some time planned to remove the notice board from the doors to the carillon. One of the problems is that when we do it will leave a patch on the door. What we need is someone to paint the doors once the notice board is removed. 

 

We will supply the paint, brushes, steps and free tea. This is an opportunity to get involved in a one off project, no long term commitment and the opportunity to point out to people, "I painted those doors". Interested? Email me at:

                     carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

Women in WW1

 

Mr Mike Johnson, one of our readers in America, well our only reader in America, sent me a link to a photograph of women at work in WW1 which was a coincidence because the free advert is for a presentation about the role of women in war work.

 

The link he sent me no longer works but it was from the 'Image Leicestershire' website, if you want to visit it click on: Image Leicestershire: Home

 

The Free Advert 

The free advert this month deals with

Women in the Great War.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 6th August 2014

12.30pm to 1.30pm

A talk at Loughborough Library

By Nick Marshall.

Cost: £3.00

Booking is essential, please contact Loughborough Library           0116 305 2420.

 

 

 

 

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The Carillon Chimes 

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum 

July 2014                               Issue No. 45  

 

 Visit by members of the 505th 

 

A number of regular soldiers from 505th Para Infantry, the unit who were stationed in Quorn during WW2, visited us following their attendance at the D-Day commemorations in France. 

They laid a wreath at the memorial in Quorn following lunch with the Lord Lieutenant before coming to the carillon. We have a small display of American memorabilia in honour of the men of the 505th something that always impresses visiting Americans.

 

 

Pictured are: Rear L to R: Rob Burrow, Capt Lohn Gillette, Keith Hassell, Sam Evans, Capt Aaron SellerFront row: David Wills, Sfc Samual Fuentes, Sgt Yunior Santana, Sgt Carlos Barberena, Sgy William Slaughter, S/Sgt Kendall Coffey, Brian Williams S/Sgt Ralp Morales 

 

Keith Hassall, one of our volunteers' looks on has Capt John Gillett figures out how to take the magazine off the Bren Gun.

 

In July 1943 the 505th took part in the parachute drop during the invasion of Sicily and in September of the same year were dropped on mainland Italy at the Salerno beachhead.

 

Early in 1944 they moved to England before spearheading the D-Day landings, 505th were one of the first units to land in France. On 17 September 1944, as part of 'Operation Market Garden', the 505th made its fourth jump at Groesbeck, Holland; the largest airborne assault in history. They fought through Europe until the war ended including at the 'Battle of the Bulge'.

 

In Quorn there is a stone, taken from the ruined church at Nijmegen and now in Quorn as a memorial and a thank you to the people of the village for the kindness shown to members of the regiment whilst they were stationed there.

 

 Scout Investiture 

 

A rather unusual event took place at the carillon when five Explorer Scouts were invested at the carillon. In this the year of the 100th anniversary of the Great War, Thorpe Acre Scouts decided that holding the investiture ceremony at the town's War Memorial was different and appropriate.

 

Explorers are the fourth section of the Scouting movement, there has always been the opportunity for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the scout section. Venture scouts were formed in 1967 and Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds in the late 1990s

 

 

 

 

The five young people are part of a new section based at Thorpe Acre Scout HQ

 

University of Leicester Site

 

 

 

 Here is a very useful site if you intend to do any research, the School of History resources page with lots of links to websites dealing with the Great War: Click on: WW1 Resources - University of Leicester

 

 WW1 Bible Returned 

 

Following an appeal by the Loughborough Echo we were able to return a bible, issued in in WW1 to Pte Robert Bramley, Leicestershire Regiment, to Mr Barry Hilsdon of Normanton. 

Carillon researcher, Marigold Cleeve, who did the work to on the family of Robert Bramley, named Barry as one of his surviving family but did not know his whereabouts so the Echo were asked to help and just hours after the newspaper appeared in the shop Barry had a phone call to tell him of the story. 

Barry's mother, Eunice (Nancy) Bramley lived till she was 95 and Barry said that he wished she was still alive to see the bible but that its return to the family meant so much to him.  

  

The photo shows Mel Gould & Marigold Cleeve of the Carillon Museum and (on the right) Barry Hilsdon. 

Musical Event 

No details available yet but keep the afternoon of Saturday 9 September free. There will be a short ceremony at the carillon to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War followed by a concert that will centre on the carillon. Keep your eye on our Facebook page: Click on: 

Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum | Facebook

 

 

 Whats New? 

 

A Webley revolver; It must be two years ago that one of our volunteers pointed out the we were missing two iconic weapons from our collection, a Bren gun and a Webley revolver. 

A Bren gun was quite easy to obtain and we acquired one last year, the Webley proved a little more of a challenge and then out of the blue came the news that the Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) Museum were disposing of a number of weapons, amongst them a Webley revolver. 

 

 

We made a successful bid for it and it was collected from Winchester by two of our volunteer and although they were made to jump through a few hoops by the police they were apparently made very welcome by the staff at RGJ and were very impressed by their museum. Their website is at: The Royal Green Jackets Museum 

The Webley Revolver was the standard issue service pistol for the armed forces of the United Kingdom, the British Empire, and the Commonwealth from 1887 until 1963. Firing the large .455 Webley cartridge, Webley service revolvers are among the most powerful top-break revolvers ever produced. 

 

Car Grill Badges: In the last issue of the Carillon Chimes I reported that we had a number of regimental car grill badges tucked away in a display cabinet in the Yeomanry Room and I thought they deserved a more prominent spot. 

I want to thank all those who responded with offers to do the job and they have now been mounted on a wooden board and will be affixed to the wall in the Yeomanry room where they can be appreciated. 

Car grill badges originated in about 1906 when the AA produced them for their members, presumably so that they could identify them at the roadside. They were quickly adopted by all kinds of organisations including the Armed Forces. By coincidence one of them is the Royal Green Jackets the same regiment that gave us the Webley. 

Volunteering 

The fact that people from outside the organisation offered to mount the badges is very encouraging and is something we could make use of in the future. The Museum Guides are the backbone of our organisation and we do need more to ensure we have the museum rooms covered at all times so if you know anyone who can spare a few hours one afternoon a week then, please, point them in our direction.

 However not everyone wants to engage with the public or sit in the museum but that does not preclude them getting involved, there is always something that needs doing from hovering the carpets to working on the displays to producing Object Labels to cataloguing. In other words something for everyone. 

Interested in getting involved, long term or just a one off project? 

Email: carillonmuseum@gmail com  

Finally: The newsletter is a little shorter than usual but I have just run out of time this month. Back to normal next month.

 

 

GREAT WAR 1914-1918      REMEMBERED 2014

Thringstone House Community Centre

 

Friday 4 July        6pm-late 

6.30pm Illustrated talk by Jeremy Prescott

 

Saturday 5 July 10am-5pm. 

Poppy making with the WI

Evening film & music till 10pm

 

Sunday 6 July     2pm-5pm.

 

Extensive Displays

 

·        Friends of Thringstone

·        Whitwick Historical Group   

·        The Tigers (Leicestershire) Regiment             

·        Local soldiers details and trench art

·       Collage work by Thringstone Primary School

 

ALL WELCOME - FREE ADMISSION

Come and see how the village has changed in 100 years

Licensed Bar/ Refreshments

There is also a service of remembrance on Sunday 6 July at St Andrew's from 10am. 

 

 

 

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The Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum 

June 2014                                                Issue No. 44

 

 

Picnic in the Park 2014

Saturday 14 June

To mark the 100th Anniversary of the onset of the Great War, this year's 'Picnic In The Park' on Saturday June 14th will be acknowledging the significance of the landmark building that stands at the centre of Loughborough's Queen's Park, the Carillon Tower & War Memorial. 

 

 

With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and working 

with partners, Bill Brookman Productions, Charnwood Arts will be bringing you a host of WW1 themed performances throughout the afternoon on their 'Over by Christmas' Stage. From period music to peace speeches, meet 'Old Billy', folk musicians 'Tommy Atkin's Army' and many more.

 

 

The Carillon Museum and other organisations will have displays in the park and there will be opportunities for people to share their own stories and family histories. Participation in Action will be on hand to recruit volunteers who might want to help with the project. The focal point for "Over by Christmas" will be the area around the Carillon.

 

The Carillon Tower and Museum will be open throughout the event and we expect to be extremely busy. If you can spare half hour to act as a museum guide or to help maximise our retail sales during the afternoon then please let me know so that I can work out a rota.

 

 

Don't Forget Saturday 14 June: From 12.00 till 5.00 pm

 

Rutland Remembers

Rutland Remembers the county's 600 fallen in the First World War with the launch of a new website and they are keen for members of the public to add information about the fallen.

 

 

A spokesman said, "This site is dedicated to the men - and three women - from England's smallest County who served and died in the First World War. With the help of our users, our aim is to learn more about their lives and to visit their graves and memorials wherever they may be"  

Read more.. Rutland Remembers: Remembering the First World War ...

 

The WW1 Roadshows 

We teamed up with Charnwood Museum and the Library Service and set up shop in a number of local libraries, Loughborough, Birstal, Shepshed and Syston. People were invited to bring along any objects, photographs and documents they may have had from WW1, both military and civilian.

 

The items brought in were, discussed, photographed and recorded and the owners invited to display the items in one of 

two exhibitions in August, either at Charnwood Museum or at our exhibition in Loughborough Library. 

We had a great time and heard a lot of very interesting stories, we also took along a few objects from our own collection to provide some talking points. 

This is something we will we will have to give some thought as to when we do it again. The photos show volunteers Marigold, Adam & Mel with some of the members of public who brought along items.

 

 Green Tiger Magazine

 

We made it onto the pages of the Green Tiger, the newsletter of the Royal Leicestershire Regimental Association, not once but twice!

 

They used the story about the WW1  bible being returned to a church in Suffolk, the church will be using the bible in a display they have planned before they pass it on to a member of the soldier's surviving family. The bibles were originally found in a storeroom being used by the association, each has the man's number rank and name in the front, they were passed to us and we are researching each in turn with the intention of returning them to the men's families.

 

 

Watch out for the Loughborough Echo, they are to appeal for information about one of the bibles, the recipient was a Loughborough man, we just need one of his family to come forward. The newsletter has also published an advert for volunteers at our museum. The Green Tiger goes out free of charge to all the members of the Royal Leicesters' Association and there is normally a copy in the museum if you want to pop in and read it.

 

Stolen Medals - A New Website 

A gentleman who I only know as Kevin has set up a new website listing lost and stolen medals, he explains: 

 

 

"Over the years some museums have been targeted by thieves with medals being the most common item stolen, in some cases the medals are recovered but in other cases they are forgotten like Bruce Castle Museum that had 300 medals to the Middlesex Regiment stolen in 1977. 

"Over the past five years I have put together a website for medal enthusiasts as well as helping families, Police, Museums and collectors. 

"I consider the most important part of the site is the listing of lost & stolen medals this could be Military medals, Olympic medals, Police medals, Nursing medals, Fire Service medals just to name a few. The Lost or Stolen web page has nearly 700 medals listed as lost or stolen, please have a look http://goo.gl/KWeUMF you will see a number of museums listed on the site with medals stolen". (You may have to cut & paste the link into your search box)

 

 

The Book Launch 

To coincide with the feature in the Loughborough Echo (thank you Echo) we had a stall on Loughborough Market to launch the new booklet. 

Not only did we sell 34 copies of the book but engaged with dozens of people about the museum and I am sure raised awareness of who we are and what we do. 

 

The publication of this book is a triumph for the museum born from a casual remark at one of the meetings and brought to fruition by two of our volunteers, Marigold Cleeve and Peter Minshall, they are seen in the article that appeared in the Loughborough Echo along with another of our volunteers, Janet Grant.

 

 Not bought a copy yet? They are available at the carillon, open every afternoon except Monday 1 pm till 4.30 pm.

 

Musical Event 

An afternoon of musical entertainment is planned to take place at the Carillon Tower on the afternoon of 9 August 2014. It will involve the playing of the bells, Hathern Band, a Pipe Band and local Choirs. It is part of the commemoration of the start of WW1 (4 August) and we are supporting the event. 

 

A big thank you to Loughborough University Open Fund who have granted us £750.00 to cover some of the costs.

 

 

The picture shows Mr Richard Taylor who is the Chief Operating Officer at Loughborough University presenting the cheque to Mr Peter Minshall, one of our volunteers and the man who helped to bring the possibility of such an event to Charnwood Borough Council.

 

Leics & Rutland Heritage Forum Exhibition 

Each year the small independent museums belonging to the Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Forum are invited to showcase their museum's collection at Snibston Discovery Museum. Space is limited (about shoe box size) and our display this year focuses on a single Loughborough soldier who fell in the Great War, Pte Thomas Marshall. 

Thomas served with the 6th Bn Leicestershire Regiment, he was the son of Albert & Sarah Ann and lived with them at 4 Albert Place. He Died on 8th October 1915 aged just 20. He is buried in the Churchyard Extension in the village of Berles au Bois and commemorated on the Loughborough Carillon, and in the Emmanuel Church Loughborough. 

The Leicesters' War Diary records, '6.15pm Battalion relieved in the trenches by 8th Bn Leicestershire Regt and returned to billets at Berles au Bois for the night 8/9th Oct. casualties 8th Oct. 1 man killed, Lt M C Hill wounded in knee by rifle bullet late in the evening.' 

The Loughborough Echo, reported: 'News has been received from the front of the death whilst in action of Private Tom Marshall, 6th Leicesters' and Private J Ireland, 2nd Leicesters', both Loughborough lads and associated with the Church Lads Brigade'. 

We have no photograph of Thomas, do you know of any surviving family members?

 

 

 The Small display at Snibston telling Thomas's story and showing his medals, ID discs, cap badge, photos of his grave, the cemetery at Berles au Bois and framed photos of the village circa 1915. 

 

Open Day at RAVC Centre 

A rare chance to take a look behind the scenes at the base which trains military working dogs for frontline duty in Afghanistan will take place next month.

 

 

The Defence Animal Centre, in Melton, is throwing open its doors for the public to see what goes on "behind the wire".

Every dog and horse which sees operational service anywhere in the world is trained at the centre.

 

The open day, on Saturday, June 7, will involve canine and equine training demonstrations and people can learn about the work of the vets of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC). Visitors are welcome to take picnics although food and drink will be available to buy. 

Car parks in Welby Lane and Asfordby Road will be signposted; both car parking and entrance is free.

Please note: No dogs other than assistance dogs will be allowed on site. Gates open at 10am and close at 4.30pm. 

 

 

At Charnwood Museum 

Till the end of the month at Charnwood Museum: An exhibition about the work of the Dreamers project for young asylum seekers and refugees. The Dreamers group was established by youth workers in Loughborough as a means of meeting the needs of unaccompanied young asylum seekers, who were arriving in increasing numbers in the locality. 

 

 

What's New  

 

Handling Pack; responding to a number of requests to borrow items we have produced a 'Handling Pack' for organisations to borrow and already it has been used on a number of occasions and the booking sheet is filling up as schools and other organisations have booked it for lessons and displays.

The pack contains a number of WW1 items and some briefing notes with details of each of the items and we are hoping to include more items in the near future.

If you want to borrow the pack for a presentation or display it is being stored at Charnwood Museum for easy access and you will need to book it.

 

 

 New Uniform; for many years the mannequin on the ground floor was dressed in an officers service dress uniform as worn today. It was looking a little tired and needed cleaning so we appealed for a set of modern day Combat 95 Desert Pattern jacket and trousers.

No sooner than had we dressed the mannequin in the new uniform than the British Army decided to change into MTP (Multi Terrain Pattern).

 

Designed to blend in with a range of environments, woodland, jungle, grassland and arid stone. We have now been given a set of MTP, However we put it down in the office and are having difficulty finding it? Once we do we will bring the mannequin up to date. (Sue of Brighton, please note the bit about not being able to find it is a joke) 

 

 

 

 New Artwork   

 

You are all invited to the unveiling of a new piece of art work in the Queens Park (close to the Charnwood Museum) at 1 pm Monday 2 June. 

 

This year's artwork has been designed by Amelia Seren Roberts of Loughborough University and coincides with the Centenary of the start of the First World War. The intelligent and sensitive design reflects the three key psychological stages of grief i.e. denial, anger and eventual acceptance. These stunning artworks also cleverly reflect and echo the special nature of their site in Queen's Park.

 

 

Carillon Bird Table  

 

Talking about art work I spotted this unusual bird table outside the flats on Freehold Street, I do not suppose it was unveiled with any ceremony but it is still a great effort and very ingenious.

 

The real thing is also a bird table for the pigeons that occupy the balcony and cupola at the top. What we need is a Pied Piper of pigeons to lure them away, perhaps to Freehold Street?

If you know of any other models or pictures of the carillon or indeed anything else we could include in the July Edition of the Carillon Chimes then please email me at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

 

 

 A Small Project For You? 

 

We have a small collection of Regimental Car Badges, tucked away in a display cabinet in the Yeomanry Room. It struck me that they are quite attractive and deserve a more prominent position in the museum so that they can be appreciated more. 

However rather than do it ourselves I thought it might be an idea if we invited someone other than one of our volunteers to do the job. 

A simple project; a length of wood, painted and the badges fixed to it, a single vertical display fixed to the wall. This is an opportunity for you to get involved and to contribute something that will be on display for years to come. First person to contact me gets the job; carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

WW1 Commemoration

Kendrew Barracks 15 June 2014 - 10am to 6pm

Join us at Kendrew Barracks for a day of artistic performances and events to commemorate the centenary of the beginning of Word War 1. This family-friendly event is totally FREE for everyone to enter and is a great way to spend this year's Father's Day.

 

 

Gravity and Levity are a spectacular aerial dance company who will be performing their new show, Rites of War. It is a sixty minute, narrative led, aerial dance theatre performance combining a commissioned score with film, animation and current news commentary. The story reflects two soldiers, one from WW1 and one from Afghanistan.

 

ON the main stage throughout the day there will be performances from Rutland Sinfonia, Rutland Concert Band, Marching Cadet Band, Drill Display and Massed Choral Finale with students from primary schools across Rutland.

Throughout the day across all of the tents there will be loads to see with appearances from many local groups

including theatre, art, music, the WI, the British Legion, choirs and much more! Full details are now available at www.mobilisation.org.uk

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

May 2014                                                      Issue No. 43

 

 

 

Diary Dates

12, 15, 16 & 23 MayWW1 Roadshows see details below.

 18 May Frezenberg Day.Each year the members of the Leicestershire Yeomanry Associationmeet up to commemorate the Battle of Frezenberg that took place 13 May 1915. There is a church service at Newtown Linford at 11am, (parking is available close to the church). 

After the service there is a short ceremony at the Leicestershire Yeomanry Memorial at Bradgate Park and then lunch at Welbeck Defence College at Woodhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend the church and the ceremony at   Bradgate Park. If you wish to go to lunch please contact me.

  

The WW1 Roadshows

 We have teamed up with Charnwood Museum and the Library Service and will be setting up shop in a number of local libraries and inviting people to bring along any objects, photographs and  documents they may have from WW1, both military and civilian. 

The items will be assessed for their significance, documented and photographed and the owners will be invited to display the items in one of two exhibitions in August. Either at Charnwood Museum or at our exhibition in Loughborough Library.

 Dates and locations and timings are:

 

12 May at Loughborough Library 2 pm till 4 pm

15 May at Birstal Library 2 pm till 4 pm

16 May at Shepshed Library 10.30 am till 12.30 pm

23 May at Syston Library 10.30 am till 12.30 pm

  

Even if you have nothing; do pop in if only to say hello. We will have some objects from the museum on display.

 

Short Stories - Writers Still Wanted!

 

We need a number of pieces writing about Loughborough men who died during WW1 to feed to the Loughborough Echo on the 100thanniversary of their deaths over the next four years. It is not as difficult as it sounds, just trawl through the casualty list on the website:Loughborough-RollofHonour.com - WW1 Roll of Honour and chose a subject, a few lines about the man and the circumstances of his death. 

We already have a number of people come forward to help in this project if you wish further details email me at:carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

  

What's New

A bumper month for the 'what's new' feature; the first being a booklet. 

The booklet about the carillon was last published many years ago and made no mention of the our museum but thanks to two of our volunteers, the support of Charnwood Borough Council and a Shire Grant from Leicestershire County Council it has been brought up to date, A4 size and full colour. Our thanks to Peter Minshall and Marigold Cleeve for their efforts, Marigold did the re-write and Peter took and selected the many photographs that appear in the new edition.  

They have truly done a magnificent job, a booklet that we can be proud of and that shows off the carillon and the museum at its best. The photographs show Peter and Marigold working on the booklet and some of the pages to show you the quality of the publication.

 

 

Copies of the booklet are available from the Carillon Museum and Charnwood Borough Museum. A copy will be given free of charge to local schools for inclusion in their library.

A Gas Rattle  

A WW2 Gas Rattle, we have been looking for one of these for some time, Mr Paul Sawbridge saw our appeal in theLoughborough Community Eye magazine and donated this one. It had belonged to Mr Jack Laxton and used at Leicester City matches. 

We were particularly interested in obtaining one that had been painted in football colours so as to be able to tell the two stories connected to these rattles. First their use as a warning device during WW2 and then when peace came, put to a far more pleasant use as a football rattle.

                    

 

 
 

A Model Zeppelin

 

This model has been a long time coming; from a request in this publication for someone to make a model for us, me losing the contact details of the person who offered, an email from Skytrex of Loughborough to say they had one, the sale falling through when they sold the military models to Red Eagle Miniatures in Coalville then failing to find anyone in the modelling world willing to put  the kit together.

Finally, there amongst our volunteers, was an accomplished model maker, Mr Steve Coltman, who has finally produced this magnificent model. 

Now that it is position we will need to reposition some items and put on display a couple of other objects and labels to tell the story of that fateful night of 31 January 1916.

 We also have a display board dedicated to the Zeppelin Raid that we will bring into use in the future. One of the things we would like to achieve to commemorate the Great War is to campaign for a proper memorial to the victims of the Zeppelin Raid.

 

 

 
  

The Airborne Room

 

Lots of changes to the Airborne Room and an enormous improvement with many of the cabinets being re-furbished, the 82ndAirborne cabinet has been raised up to the same level as the other cabinets and the display much improved. The photo shows the cupboard doors unpainted but they are to be covered with some poster size photos. Mr Mike Johnson, who lives in America and whose father served in the 82ndat Quorn, was given the task of choosing which pictures we would use. The first one has been printed and the second one in the process of being produced Credit must go to those volunteers who worked on the displays over the close season, in particular Pete Hancock who led the project, Tony Scutt who did the carpentry work and Paul Gould who did the LED lighting. Also in the photograph is the Bren Gun with a (plastic) helmet a great favourite with the children for posing for a photograph
 

 

 

War Memorials Project


Leicester City, County & Rutland "At Risk" War Memorials. The "At Risk" project is working to ensure the protection of "orphaned" war memorials, which are declining in their role as a focal point for their community and in some cases have been ejected from their original locations/ This project demonstrates the support for the local service people and - particularly poignantly at this time - fulfils the community's promise to our dead.

 

To see the ongoing work you can attend the workshop and store on the dates listed.

 

Open Days (Chancel, (rear of) All Saint's Church, Highcross Street, Leicester LE1 4PH)

 

Saturday, 15th March - 10am - 4pm

Saturday, 17th May - ditto

Saturday, 12th July - ditto

Thursday, 11th September - ditto

Friday, 12th September - ditto

Saturday, 13th September - ditto

Saturday, 15th November - ditto

 

For further information see http://leicester-rutlandatriskwarmemorials.btck.co.uk/

 

The picture shows the restored Triptych, Elim Church, Loughborough Chris Stephens, Denis Kenyon and Elim Church's Rev Paul Stevens with the triptych at the former St. Peter's Church, Loughborough

Liz Blood, Leicestershire County Council's War Memorials Project Officer, will be giving a talk on Wednesday 7th May upstairs in the Great Chamber at Donington le Heath Manor House (pictured), beginning at 7.30pm to tie-in with the 'Commemorating the Fallen' exhibition on site. The illustrated talk will focus on the war memorials of Northwest Leicestershire, in particular WW1 memorials. It will be a pictorial tour of war memorials in the area from a historical, stylistic and commemorative perspective.

 The talk costs £3 and includes refreshments which are being provided by The Friends of Donington le Heath Manor HouseFor more information call 01530 831259

 

Heritage Network  

 

The Loughborough History and Heritage and Heritage Network Project is funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund and led by the Department of Politics

History and International Relations at Loughborough University in collaboration with Charnwood Museum.

 

 

The aims are:

·        to foster discussion about history and heritage of Charnwood and Loughborough by bringing interested individuals and groups together.

·        to provide a platform for communicating and sharing historical and heritage information

to enhance collaboration between Loughborough University and local community organisations

 

If you would like to hear more about the project or are interested in being involved, please contact: Alison Mott at:a.s.mott@lboro.ac.ukor Robert Knight at:r.g.knight@lboro.ac.uk

 

Contributions 

If you have anything that you would like to see in the June newsletter then please email me at:carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

April 2014                                                       Issue No. 42

 

 

 

Diary Dates 

2 April Guided Walk of Queens Park 1400 New St entrance 

4 & 5 April Recruiting sessions - see below 

8 April AGM and election of Executive Committee. 7.30 pm Southfields 

10 April Parade in Melton - see below 

10 April: Heritage Awards at Snibston. 

18 April: Museum opens for season. 

25 April: Anzac Day - see below                                                       

 

 

WW1 Bibles - The Continuing Story

 

We have a number of WW1 Soldiers Bibles, each with the man's number rank and name, they all served with the Leicestershire Regiment that we are returning to the soldier's families.

 

Marigold Cleeve, a volunteer researcher, did manage to trace the surviving members of some of them and we had the great satisfaction of being able to return the bibles to the man's family. But we have been busy with other things and further research was put on the back boiler, then out of the blue we have been reminded of them. 

First, I was leaving the carillon after showing someone around when I bumped into a couple by the door. They asked me who had been involved in the return of the bibles and it turned out they were the relatives of Gilbert Erwood, killed in October 1914 whose bible we had returned to them. The gentleman related how emotional it was when he unwrapped and handled his grandfather's bible. 

Hot on the heels of that came an email from a gentleman who was researching the men commemorated on the small memorial at St Andrews Church, Great Finborough, Suffolk. He had typed in the name of one of the men on the memorial, George Buxton, and found a reference on a Great War Forum site put on there by another of our  volunteers, Adam Llewellyn.                               

 

 

The Memorial at Great Finborough 

Pte George Buxton's bible has been passed on to him to be display in the local  church as part of the WW1 commemorations, from there it will be returned to George's family who have been located in Ipswich. 

 

Anzac Day Service  

 

My thanks go to Chris Stephens for notification of the Anzac Day service at Welford Road Cemetery. 

The service, on 25April, will commence at 11am and there will be a brief commemoration followed by a laying of wreaths. 

Anyone wishing to lay a wreath is welcome to bring one. There will be free refreshments following and an opportunity to talk to Australian and New Zealand relatives who attend each year. 

 

 Parade In Melton 

 

They say every dog has his day, and next month military working dogs that have served on the front-line in Afghanistan will have theirs. 

The Royal Army Veterinary Corps, based at the defence Animal Centre in Melton, will parade thorough the town with the four-legged heroes to exercise its "right of passage". 

Around a dozen of the military working horses from the base, which are used on ceremonial duties in the capital, will also take part in the parade through the town on 10 April and they will be followed by two dozen of the weapons and explosives search dogs and guard dogs used for security to such great effect in Afghanistan.

 

 


The Band of the Parachute Regiment - which was stationed at the base prior to the Arnhem operation in 1944 - will lead the parade through the town.

 The 30-minute parade will leave the cattle market car park at 2pm, head down Scalford Road into Nottingham Street and the Market Place, where the salute will be taken. It will then go along Leicester Street, Wilton Road and Nottingham Road, re-entering the cattle market car park after the fire station. Rolling road closures will be in effect. Read more: Dogs on parade

 

 Charnwood Museum & Ladybird Books 

 

Charnwood Museum have been named among the 10 regional attractions to benefit throughout this year from the council's strategic support programme's £1,455,114 backing. 

Charnwood Borough Council's allocation, £119,600, will be used to create "Ladybird Ladybird" at the Charnwood Museum. The project celebrates Loughborough's role as home of the world-famous Ladybird books.

 

 

Through imaginative activities and displays, some of which will be co-produced with members of the community, the project will make the most of the museum's extensive Ladybird collection. It will help develop new audiences with better engagement with families and children

The material produced will contribute to a centenary exhibition of Ladybird books next year.             

 

 Humour in Uniform

It is 50 years since the Royal Leicestershire Regiment became part of the Royal Anglian Regiment, part of a grand plan to have fewer but larger regiments but just six years later the Leicestershire Battalion was axed and the men posted to other battalions and regiments.  A friend of mine was posted to a battalion in Northern Ireland, during those dark days in the early seventies.

On his very first street patrol he noticed that he was the subject of a lot of attention from the locals, normally sullen or belligerent they appeared to be pointing at him and whispering amongst themselves. He could not understand why he was being singled out. 

Only his return to the disused factory that served as their barracks did he find out, as he removed his jacket he discovered that his new mates had pinned a sign on his back, 'I AM A CATHOLIC' the platoon were in stitches. He got is own back when a few days later as the bricks and bottles began to rain down, the Platoon Sergeant, a Norfolk man, dropped the visor on his helmet and written on the inside in permanent pen was, LEICESTER 2 NORWICH 1

 

 Short Stories - Writers Wanted! 

We need a number of pieces writing about Loughborough men who died during WW1 to feed to the Loughborough Echo on the 100th anniversary of their deaths over the next four years. It is not as difficult as it sounds, just trawl through casualty list on the website: Loughborough-RollofHonour.com - WW1 Roll of Honour and chose a subject, a few lines about the man and the circumstances of his death. 

We already have a number of people come forward to help in this project if you wish further details email me at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

What's New

 

WW2 British Army Helmet gifted to us by Mr Nick Bowley of Loughborough, it was his fathers who wore it when he was serving as an Air Raid Warden during the war.

 

First patented in 1915 by John L. Brodie and issued in 1916 by the end on WW1 7.5 million 'Brodie' helmets had been produced. It underwent a few minor modifications but remained is service with the British Army until 1944.

 

Display at Beaumanor Heritage Fair

 

We attended the Heritage Fair at Beaumanor Hall with our stand telling the story of the Zeppelin Raid on Loughborough on the night of 31 January 1916. 

There was a lot of interest shown in the display and it created a lot of enquires, It was very surprising how many people were unaware of the story.

 

Over 50 stalls were at the fair and the theme was Leicestershire at War, from Roman times until today. The variety of stalls and displays made it a very interesting day.

 

Love Loughborough

This website has been put together to showcase the best of what Loughborough Town Centre has to offer to people of all ages, from the young, to the young at heart! You will find information on shopping, eating, drinking and nightlife, as well as health and beauty, local accommodation and other services. 

Operated by the Business Improvement District (BID) Love Loughborough is managed and funded by the town centre business community. Click on: Love Loughborough 

 

Snibston Plans Spark Fury 

County Hall says plans to downsize one of its most popular tourist attractions could save nearly £10 million over the next 25 years. Leicestershire County Council wants to save money by reforming the way Snibston Discovery Park, in Coalville, is run. 

The council wants to close and demolish the venue's large central building called The Gallery, and sell the land off for redevelopment. The cash raised will help set up the mining museum, which would be open by the end of next year. Click on: Read the Full Story

 

 

Lord Kitchener

Following on from the question of Lord Kitcheners association with Cossington, Marigold Cleeve has sent us the whole story. 

Lord Kitchener's father, Lt. Colonel Henry Horatio Kitchener, was baptised at St. Luke's, Finsbury, London, on 17 December 1805, the son of William and Emma Kitchener (née Cripps?). He had been born on 19 October that year in Bunhill Row, Finsbury. He was married twice: firstly to Ann Frances Chevallier (1826-1864) in 1845 in Suffolk, and secondly to Mary Emma Green (1804-1913). The exact date and place of his second marriage is unknown. 

 In 1881 Lord Kitchener's father was living at Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, with his elder daughter (from his first marriage) Frances Emily Parker (née Kitchener) and his son-in-law, Harry Rainy Parker, a magistrate and farmer. 

 

By 1891 Lord Kitchener's father had become blind and was living at Cossington with the only child of his second marriage, an unmarried daughter called Henrietta Letita Emma Kawara Kitchener (1868-1926) born 1867/1868 in New Zealand, and three servants. He died on 14 August 1894 at the Manor House, Cossington. His will is listed as follows: 

'Kitchener, Henry Horatio, of the Manor House, 
Cossington, Leicestershire and of the Oriental Club, Hanover Square, Middlesex, late Lieutenant-

Colonel in Her Majesty's 9th Regiment of Foot, died 14 August 1894 at the Manor House. Probate London 30 August to Sir Horatio Herbert Kitchener Brigadier-General in Her Majesty's Army K.C.M.G., C.B.' He left all his property in England, France and New Zealand in trust for his children. 

It seems likely that the Kitchener connection with Cossington comes about because of Frances Emily Kitchener's marriage to Harry Rainy Parker (1837-1912).

 

Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Forum 

Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Forum is a membership umbrella organisation that supports independent museums and heritage groups in Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland. It aims to support its members through networking opportunities, information exchanges, advocacy, joint marketing and promoting working with partners to the benefit of its members. 

It holds 4 general meetings a year open to all members and is run by an executive committee made up of representatives from member organisations and the Museum Development Officer for Leicestershire. 

Executive Committee

The Full Executive Committee of the Forum meets 4 times a year at a variety of times of day and locations to suit current members of the committee. Other meetings of sub-committees or full meetings arranged as required but most business between formal meetings is carried out by email/phone calls etc

 

Executive Committee:

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary plus up to 11 other members

plus the Museum Development Officer for Leicestershire

 

Executive Committee member contributions: All in conjunction with Leicestershire Museum Development Officer as a very active partner.

Forum Newsletter

Open Forum Meetings - venue, speakers etc

Training & Skills Development

Exhibitions & Events - Heritage Awards, Annual Snibston Exhibition.

Marketing - advertising, website, Facebook, Twitter etc.

Fundraising

Member Liaison

People with particular expertise in any of the above or those wishing to contribute to the general running and improvement of the Forum and its ability to support its members would be most welcome to join the committee. contact@lrhf.org.uk or telephoning 0116 305 4140. 

The website: Leicestershire Museums Forum | Leicester | Leicestershire | 

Or contact us at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

 

Stop press Breaking News! 

Carillon to be re-located

 

It has been announce that the Carillon Tower is to be relocated to the Market Place 

A spokesman for the Charnwood Borough Council made the following statement, 

"The council have concluded, having regard of the totality of the factors and the need too move and take the opportunity to create value, that there was currently a gap on the spectrum of adequacy sufficient to conclude that the provision, at this appropriate time, in order that the cycle to crystallize gains from higher-value uses, rents and other profitable growth opportunities, such as student flats, with which to service the target audience."

 

But what will replace the tower in Queens Park?

 

A quick straw poll conducted by this newsletter found that most people wanted it to be replaced by a bus station. Local know it all and expert on every thing, Mr Richard Guise, started to say "Religion should play no part in …" but I cut him short and walked away. The council's favoured option is more traffic lights.  Work will start next April 1st. 

 

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

March 2014                                                       Issue No. 41

 

 

 

 Diary Dates                                                       

11 March Meeting of the Executive Committee.7.30 pm Southfields

Till 23 March Drawn to Danger, War Art at Charnwood Museum. Free!

23 March Beaumanor Hall heritage Show. See below

8 April 7.30 pm AGM at Southfields. All are encouraged to attend.

10 April Heritage Awards at Snibston; we have been allocated five tickets for the event if anyone wants to go.

18 April Museum opens for season.

A Memorial for Wymeswold (from the Loughborough Echo)

A national  charity is looking to erect a memorial at Wymeswold Airfield to remember those who served there during World War Two and beyond. 

The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust has set its sights on Wymeswold in its bid to raise public awareness of aviation and airfield history. 

The charity says a large number of the country's airfields "are being left to ruin or are under threat of demolition" and aims to reverse this trend by erecting memorials at every known disused airfield location in Britain and it has sent an enquiry letter to Charnwood Borough Council to see if it requires planning permission for a 4ft by 2ft memorial, weighing approximately 1.4 tonnes and made of "top quality Indian granite".

 

 

 

 

 

Wymeswold RAF Station officially opened on May 16, 1942, and was used in various guises until the 1970s. Units stationed there included the operational training unit (28OTU), which was part of 93 Group, RAF, the 44 Group Transport Command, the No. 1382 (Transport Support) Conversation Unit, the No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the No. 56 (Phoenix) Squadron. 

The site is now occupied by businesses as well as the UK's largest solar farm.

Facebook 

Our Facebook page has finally taken off and one posting in February had over 900 views with visits from USA, Brazil, Portugal and Nigeria. 

Here is the link to our page: Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum | Facebook

Please visit it and 'Like' the page. 

 

 

Beaumanor History Fair 

This major fair takes place at Beaumanor Hall on Sunday 23 March 2014 from 10.00am - 4.00pm, entrance fee £5, children free, all day catering and free supervised parking. And there will be the usual link-up with Quorn Steam Railway Station, itself themed as WW2 complete with NAAFI tearoom, and veteran buses will transport visitors between the two venues. For discounted train fares and timetable see www.gcrailway.co.uk 

Displays, stalls and mini-talks will follow the theme of 'Wartime Leicestershire' from the Roman Invasion to the present day. Featured will be Roman interactive  displays, Richard III, The Wars of the Roses, the Civil War, the Napoleonic Wars, and of course both World Wars. Visit the website: www.lahs.org.uk  for more details. We will be there, our stall dealing with the Zeppelin raid on Loughborough in 1916. 

Baptist Church Parcels 

The discovery of two folders in a cupboard at the Baptist Church containing 427 papers and cards revealed a previously untold story from WW1. 

In 1916 Members of the Baptist Church in Loughborough decided to send parcels to the 65 former members of the church's Sunday School.

Parents of the Sunday School children contributed to the parcels whilst members of the congregation paid the postage. Sending them to countries including Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy, Salonika, Egypt, Mesopotamia and India. 

Included in the parcels were letters with news of the church and Loughborough; in turn the servicemen wrote back letters of gratitude. 

 

 

 in turn the servicemen wrote back letters of gratitude. 

There will be a display of all the material at the Baptist Church in October.  I will let you know the details when we have them. We have offered to help with the loan of some WW1 objects. 

Rawlins Students

 

A group of 6th form history students from Rawlins Community College joined us last year and were engaged  on a number of projects. 

It must have worked because again we have been contacted by some students of the present 6th form to see if there is anyway they can become involved.

They have visited the museum and a number of possible projects discussed for them to consider.

We are keen to work with young people and get them involved in the museum. We have another group of youngsters, members of a local youth club working on an exciting project, full details in next months Carillon Chimes.

 

  If you are a youth leader and would like your group to get involved in some way then contact us at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Rawlins students, fascinated by a stereoscope. 19th century technology.

 Humour in Uniform

A young officer is working late at MOD one evening. As he comes out of his office about 8 P.M. he sees the General standing by the classified document shredder in the hallway, a piece of paper in his hand. 

Keen to impress he approaches the General, "Do you know how to work this thing?" the General asks. "My secretary's gone home and I don't know how to run it." 

"Yes, sir," says the young officer, who turns on the machine, takes the paper from the General, and feeds it in. 

"Now," says the General, "I just need seven copies"

Short Stories - Writers Wanted!

 

We need a number of pieces writing about Loughborough men who died during WW1 to feed to the Loughborough Echo on the 100th anniversary of their deaths over the next four years. It is not as difficult as it sounds, just trawl through casualty list on the website: Loughborough-RollofHonour.com - WW1 Roll of Honour and chose a subject, a few lines about the man and the circumstances of his death. 

Below is an example of the sort of thing we want in the What's New section. We can help you out with any research required. Fancy a little writing or do you know of a writing group that might be interested? 

What's New

 

Kindly donated by Mr J Roe of Market Rasen  this framed photo of Lt John Wesley Lewin, the son of John & Ada Lewin of Netherfield, Nottingham and husband of Ada Gertrude Lewin of Black Hill Drive, Nottingham.

 

John was killed on 24 September 1918 aged 27 whilst attached to the 5th Bn Leicestershire Regiment. He is shown in the photo wearing the cap badge of the General Service Corps, a holding regiment for men with specialist skills and was serving with the labour Corps.

On 24 Sept the 5th Leicesters were involved in the successful attack on the village of PONTRUET. In the book about the 5th Leicesters' it records:  

 

'

Meanwhile, the rest of the Battalion had been far less fortunate, and, with no road to guide them, had been baffled by the fog. 2nd Lieut. Lewin and Serjt. Harrison with a small party of "B" Company crossed the valley and, turning right, followed No.1 Platoon into the Southern half of the village. They were too small a body to clear the blockhouse corner, and first Serjt. Harrison, then 2nd Lieut. Lewin were killed as they gallantly tried to get forward. Two others of their men were hit, and the rest were scattered. (Read the 5th Leicesters' book on our website)

Display at Loughborough Library

Mr Billy Wells, author of Billy's Book of Loughborough Boozers has a display on at the Loughborough Library. Well worth a visit, Bill is in attendance most days for a chat. Have you any memories of the old watering holes of Loughborough or the surrounding villages?

 For the full story and much more go to: Lynne About Loughborough

 Terri Dewhurst

I was contacted this week by Terri Dewhurst, she was a young lady who helped us through the process of cataloguing our collection putting it onto the computer. 

Whilst working at the museum she spotted the Leicestershire Yeomanry, banner) pictured on the left, that was in pretty poor condition. 

As a labour of love she repaired, restored and framed it. She now does this sort of thing professionally. Visit her website at: 

Woodhurst Conservation - Home - Leah Warriner-Wood

Click on 'Portfolio' - 'Past Projects' and not only do we get a mention but also a number of photographs

 

It is either a drum banner or a Sqn Standard see: LY Regiment & Squadron Standards

 The British Library and University of Oxford 

 

Two, must visit websites, if you have an interest in WW1. The sites, which include fascinating photographs, newspapers, maps, advertisements and diaries, as well as academic articles. The British Library website, (you might need to register to access some parts), can be viewed by clicking on: new website 

The photograph on the left is taken from the site and shows a British soldier washing in a shell hole. 

The Oxford University site can be accessed by clicking on:

World War I Centenary - University of Oxford This is an educational site with lots of interesting articles and resources

 

 Lord Kitchener

In the last issue of the Carillon Chimes I asked for confirmation that the family of Lord Kitchener had lived in Cossington and I have been totally under whelmed with the response from our readers. 

 

 However my thanks go to Liz Blood; for sending in the photograph of Kitchener's farther's grave in Cossington church yard, proof  that the family did have a connection with the village. Where did they live and why Cossington? Surely someone out there has the answer?

 

 The other picture is of the rather grand Kitchener Memorial on Marwick Head in Orkney, a lonely crenallated tower built by public subscription to honour the memory of Lord Kitchener who was lost in June 1916, when the cruiser H.M.S. Hampshire sank nearby. Of the 667 officers and men on board, only 12 survived.

                                          Contact us at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

February 2014                                                       Issue No. 40

 

 

Comings and Goings

Cassandra Costelow is the new manager at Charnwood Museum and started on the 6th January. Previously she was Visitor Services Officer at Snibston Discovery Museum in Coalville; where she had been for the last six years.

 

 

She told us she is very excited to have joined now; when so much will be happening this year and beyond and can't wait to get stuck in! If you go into the museum please introduce yourself and say hello. 

We too have gained a couple of new Volunteers, Mr Dick Norton and Matt Broughton. Dick is going to take responsibility for our retail sales, we have been pretty poor in the past in promoting and developing sales, having met with Dick on a couple of occasions andI am very confident about future improvements. 

Matt is a young man and he is going to look at the publication,Matchbox Guide.This booklet was produced as an handbook for the Museum Guides giving details of some of the objects in our collection so that they could engage with the visitors with confidence boosted by knowledge. 

Matt is in employment so this project is ideal in that he can do it at home in his own time. He has promised us a brighter and better presented booklet, split into three sections, one for each room. He also intends to turn up on Wednesday's to help those volunteers working on the displays. 

On a sad note however we are losing Alice Catlow who will not be re-joining us at the start of the season. Alice has been one of those unsung stalwarts manning the museum on a Sunday afternoon. Alice works full time at Rawlins and also does casual work at Charnwood Museum. She told me, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering in the Carillon. I have learnt a lot and met some wonderful people with stories to share. I can thoroughly recommend it". 

She will be sadly missed but we wish all the very best in the future.

Great British Railway Journeys 

The presenter of the TV programme, 'Great British Railway Journeys', Michael Portillo, arrived in Loughborough in the programme shown on 16 January and after visiting Taylor's Bell Foundry joined Caroline at the keyboard of the clavier, a delightful programme and although the carillon does not feature until the final few minutes (24.50) it is well worth watching all the way through. 

Caroline came across really well and it was obvious that Mr Portillo was thoroughly enjoying himself. The link to the I Player is: Great British Railway Journeysit will be available until 8 Feb.

 

 

On the day of the filming I stood on the ground floor with the visitors book for him to sign. Unfortunately he swept straight by me; perhaps he had a train to catch.

Beaumanor History Fair

Organised by Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Societya major History Fair will take place once more at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, on Sunday 23 March 2014 from 10.00am till 4.00pm, entrance fee £5, children free, all day catering and free supervised parking. 

There will be the usual link-up with Quorn Steam Railway Station, itself themed as WW2 complete with NAAFI tearoom, and veteran buses will transport visitors between the two venues. For discounted train fares and timetable seewww.gcrailway.co.uk or visit the website:www.lahs.org.uk for more details. There will more in next month's newsletter

 

 
Dame Nellie Melba
 
In a previous edition of the Carillon Chimes following an appearance of Dame Nellie Melba on Downton Abbey I mentioned that she had attended the opening ceremony of the carillon in 1923. I was then slightly surprised to have an email from Australia, (our readership is worldwide) from Mr Scott Benton who looks after the Estate of Melba at Coombe Cottage, Coldstream. About an hours drive east of Melbourne. They are just about to open a Visitors Centre including a gallery about the life of Nellie. There are seven acres of formal gardens created by her; one hundred years ago.

 

 

The Estate of Melba at Coombe
 
They ask if any of our readers are visiting Australia they might visit the centre. You can find them on Facebook at:Coombe - The Melba Estate. Scott! If you are reading this might I suggest you put some photos on 'Google Earth'
 
Loughborough Blog 
 
Lynne Dyer contacted Carillon Chimes, she is a Leicestershire Tour Guide and blogs weekly about Loughborough. I must admit to knowing nothing about blogs but having visited her site I can see that it is a useful tool for keeping up to date.

 There is a column called 'Labels' on the right hand side of the page where you can find a keyword to take you to previous blogs about a subject that interests you. Some very good photos of Remembrance Sunday 2013.

 The link to Lynne' blog is: http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/

Improved presentation (to come)

I did promise you that the presentation of this newsletter would improve with the purchase of the programme 'Publisher 2013' the problem was it is far to complicated to teach yourself.

Fortunately someone has come forward to give me some lessons so you should see an improvement in the layout and presentation in next month's edition.

Humour in Uniform

 

What's New

 Donated by Mr Denis Nelson of Loughborough, this wall plaque was rescued from a skip some time ago and he has asked us to give it a proper home. It says' 'E' Coy No 21 (Beaumanor) Pl 10thHome Guard Bn The Leicestershire Regt. (17thFoot) on the back is written, 'Presented by Major B E Arnold.'

 There is book about the Home Guard during WW2 by Austin Ruddy: To the Last Round: Leicestershire & Rutland Home Guard 1940 to 1945. it is available from Amazon.

 The Home Guard has suffered with an image problem but reading the book you realise the sacrifices the men of the Home Guard made and in some cases that sacrifice was their life.

 

 

Oral History Project

Charnwood Roots Project are looking for subjects to take part in the oral history part of this project. It has two sections, 'Our Working Lives' and 'Charnwood's War' these aim to collect brand new oral history recordings to be deposited in the East Midlands Oral History Archive. So for instance It could be someone's stories and experiences working in agriculture or hosiery or other industries that have first hand knowledge in their careers. The same is true for the war stories it can be various topics of how this period affected individuals, communities, working life, the roles local people had during this period in a military or non military capacity. If you are interested in taking part or know of someone who has a story to tell then contact James May at: james-may@hotmail.co.uk

  

Loughborough's Tank

In last month's newsletter there was a piece about a tank that was presented to Loughborough in appreciation of the town's money raising efforts during WW1. My mother remembers it behind the Drill Hall on Granby Street. In fact the caption on the photograph says, 'behind the Drill Hall' judging by the stack of gas bottles in the photograph I would guess that this photo was taken when they were cutting it up for scrap.  Thank you to Mr Kevin Mitchell for sending in the photographs, I have some special memories of the Drill Hall but in an act of council vandalism it was knocked down to make way for a multi million pound shopping centre, which was never built!

However on the wall that separates the car park from Queens Park, where the Drill Hall stood, you can still see the Olive Drab paint. There is a saying in the army, "If it moves - salute it! If it don't - paint it!"

 Mr Rex Gregson takes up the story:


"There was some discussion as to whether the town was to receive a German machine gun, a German field gun or a British tank.Eventually a tank was settled on, and it arrived on Saturday, 20th March 1920, at the railway station.  Thence under its own power to Queen's Park, where the Mayor was hoping that a large crowd would be present to greet it. 

 "Sadly, only a small crowd was there for the ceremony, which featured a stirring speech from Tank Corps Lieutenant AL Roberts, MC, who commanded the delivery crew.  He was, in fact, a Loughborough boy, but nothing had been made of his local connection when the presentation details had been announced.  A pity, as that might have drawn a larger crowd."

Lord Kitchener

 Field Marshall Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, KG KP GCB OM GCSI GCMG GCIE ADC PC (24 June 1850 - 5 June 1916) was born in Ireland but a bloke at the bar insists that is family lived in Cossington and that after he was injured in Sudan spent his convalescence there and that a member of his family is buried in Cossington Cemetery.

Can any one support this story? Kitchener, star of the 'Country Needs You' iconic Great War poster must be the most recognisable figures of that era and it would be nice if Leicestershire could claim some part of him.

Our correspondent in the Orkneys, Liz Low, confirms he was drowned along with 643 crew members of HMS Hampshire in 1916 when the ship struck a mine off the islands. There is a memorial to him on the cliffs above the site. His nickname by WW1 was 'Captain Chaos' out of touch and unpopular with both politicians and his fellow officers. Not everyone mourned his passing.

 

War Diaries now Online 

War Diaries, including those of the Leicestershire Regiment are to be put online and a start has been made. (They are up to 1.5 million pages) The site starts with a video tutorial. Here is the full story in the Leicester Mercury: -> Read more at Leicester Mercury

 

 

Facebook

 Our Facebook page has finally taken off and one posting in January had over 400 views with visits from USA, Brazil, Portugal and Nigeria.

Here is the link to our page: Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum | Facebook

Please visit it and 'Like' the page.

 Contact us at carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 The Free Advert

 

The Leicestershire Yeomanry and The Battle of Frezenberg May 1915

 

7.30pm 17 February 2014

 Platform Café, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR

 

                               A talk by Colonel Robert Boyle

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

January 2014                                                       Issue No. 39

 

 

 

                           2014; 100th Anniversary of the start of the Great War

 

2014 is an important year for this country and our organisation. 100 years since the start of WW1 and lots of ideas as to the most suitable way to commemorate the event. 

Commemoration inevitably feeds myths about what really happened. The idea of noble sacrifice made by the young men of this country. The mothers of those young men are not here today to ask their opinion as to whether the sacrifice was noble or whether their anguish lasted a lifetime. 

There are people who talk of the lives lost as being 'wasted' but this, I believe, belittles the efforts and sacrifice these men made and we did after all, win the war; but at a terrible cost, nearly 1.000.000 killed nearly 1,665,000 wounded and many damaged psychologically by their experiences.  

I know a lady, whose grandfather, on his return from the front spent 60 years in Carlton Hayes, the mental hospital, staring at the wall and hardly ever uttering a word. A noble sacrifice? 

However we have a sacred duty to keep their memory alive and to that end we have a number of projects planned over the next couple of years to commemorate the various anniversaries. Publish a booklet about the carillon and museum, a display in the library in August and then again in December, a Field of Remembrance in Queen's Park and a big project to get a proper memorial for the victims of the Zeppelin raid.  

We also have had a number of requests with possible help and loans of WW1 objects from other organisations who have their own plans.

John Biddles and his son; both were killed. Did Mrs Biddles really believe they had made a noble sacrifice?

 

Vase at the Carillon 

A stone vase has been placed alongside the steps at the carillon. People do occasionally leave flowers in memory of those commemorated on the memorial and sometimes on other occasions. A great many flowers were placed at the carillon following the murder of Dmr Lee Rigby. 

In the past there was nowhere to put them, left on the ground they quickly dried out and blew across the slabs. 

Not only will this vase provide a place to put the flowers but perhaps just as important it will serve to re-enforce the message that the tower is, first and foremost, a War Memorial.

 

Memorial to Military Dogs  

A bronze sculpture, which celebrates the courage and dedication of military working dogs and their handlers, trained in Melton, has been unveiled in the town.

The statue of a German Shepherd, made by renowned sculptor Lloyd le Blanc, who owns a foundry near Melton, has taken centre stage in the heritage and community garden at Melton Council's Parkside offices, in Burton Street.

It is one of three which Melton Council wants to see installed outside its offices to recognise the military dogs which have been trained at Melton's Defence Animal Centre (DAC) since 1946; the other two, will be a Labrador and a Springer Spaniel.

 

 

Gas Rattle Wanted! 

Any object that people can handle within the museum is popular and if it makes a noise it is doubly popular with children. For some children the highlight of the school visit is hearing the Air Raid Siren sound off. We have discussed having more objects that people can handle and to that end we are looking for a Gas Rattle. These were issued to Air Raid Wardens in WW2 to warn the population of an impending gas attack. 

After the war many found a second life as football rattles carried by supporters and it is one of these that we would prefer, as there are two stories with which to engage our visitors with. The grim possibility of a gas attack that people had to live with and then the frivolous conversion to an object to be used at a sporting event.

 

If you have one at the back of your shed or know where there is one then please contact us at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

New Green Plaque Scheme

Everyone will be aware of the Blue Plaque scheme, a national scheme to mark places of note, more usually the place where someone famous once lived.


LCC are introducing a Green Plaque scheme to mark places in the county that are of interest. Nominations are now invited from the general public and can cover such themes as: war heroes, local heroes and famous people, philanthropists and entrepreneurs, places with cultural and heritage connections as well as buildings of historic or architectural importance.

 

See www.leics.gov.uk/greenplaques for more information and to complete an on-line nomination form.Or you can contact Alison at Charnwood Museum or pass your suggestions through me. The closing date for the first round of nominations is Friday 24 January 2014. 

As a start can anyone tell me where Mr Eric Jordon who was the Borough Carillonneur for 50 years lived and when did he die?

Publisher 2013

In the November Edition of the newsletter I mentioned that we must get 'Publisher' the programme to produce professional looking newsletters and poster. We have obtained the programme through a site that gives away both hardware and software to registered charities. (If anyone needs details contact me) Two of us now need some training on how to use the programme. Can anyone help?

Humour in Uniform 

A fleeing Taliban fighter, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghan desert when he saw something far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he hurried toward the spot only to find a British soldier selling Regimental ties. 

The Taliban asked, "Do you have water?" 

The soldier replied, "There is no water, the well is dry. Would you like to buy a tie instead? They are only £5."  

 The Taliban shouted, "You idiot infidel! I do not need an over-priced tie. I need water! I should kill you, But I must find water first!"  

"OK," said the soldier, "It does not matter that you do not want to buy a tie and that you hate me. I will show you that I am bigger than that, and that I am a much better human being than you. If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles, you will find our Sergeant's Mess. It has all the ice cold water you need. Inshallah." 

Cursing him, the Taliban staggered away over the hill.

Several hours later he staggered back, collapsed with dehydration & rasped; "They won't let me in without a bloody tie!" 

 

2014 Calendar 

Queen's Park and the Carillon has formed the inspiration for this year's calendar printed by a Loughborough publisher. Panda Eyes Publishers Ltd and Dovecote Ltd, which choose a different theme for the popular calendars each year, decided the 2014 should prove a fitting tribute in preparation for the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, which will be marked next year. As well as featuring photographs taken by local photographer Paul Blackwell, the calendar features paintings by Diana Brass, chair of the Friends of Queen's Park, and old photographs loaned to the publishers by local resident Alan Street.

 

 

It is available in A3 for £9.99 from Waterstones and in A4 for £7.99 from Tylers, and Charnwood Museum with £1+ from each sale going to the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum.

Ian Porter, of Panda Eyes, said: "We have focused on Queen's Park really because of the 100-year anniversary coming up and because Queen's Park means a lot to local people."

 

  

What's New 

The medals of Sgt Thomas George Slaymaker, including the Military Medal he won whilst serving with the 1/5th Bn Leicestershire Regiment in 1916 have been gifted to us by his family.

  

Thomas was a very experience soldier having served 12 years with the Royal Fusiliers before WW1. He was living in Loughborough and serving with the 1/5th Leicesters' when the war broke out. The photo of him shows him wearing his MM, 14/15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal and TA Efficiency Medal.

  

Loughborough's Tank? 

I never knew Loughborough had a tank on display in Queens Park after WW1 until I received an email from Mr Rex Gregson, a member of the 'Friends of Lincoln Tank.' He is producing a DVD about the presentation of WW1 Tanks to towns that been particularly successful in raising money to finance the war. They have no information about the Loughborough tank. 

My mother remembers it at the back of the Drill Hall in Granby Street but someone else I spoke to thought that it was for a time in the Market Place. It was apparently scrapped in WW2, presumably to raise money to finance the war along with all the railings that were scrapped. 

Does anyone have any information? Documents, photographs or recollections of the tank; anything that will shed light on where the tank was situated and what actually happed to it.  

As it happens we have a 'Lincoln Tank' on display at the museum. A small model tank with the inscription,  "To Tinker from Sexton, Lincoln 29.1.1920.

Perhaps the Friends Of Lincoln Tank can throw some light on it's origins, who was Tinker & Sexton and what was so special about 29 Jan 1920?

 

 

You can visit the 'Friends' website at: Friends of the Lincoln Tank: Home and pass on any information to them direct or pass it through us at: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Facebook

We have a Face book page and although it is visited by a number of people, I do not know how? If I search for 'Loughborough Carillon' on Facebook I do not get our page but two other pages that also call themselves 'Loughborough Carillon' Will someone please explain what is going wrong? 

Here is the link to our page: Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum | Facebook

(I hope) Please visit it and 'Like' the page.

We Intend to make more of the page in future, being a 'business' page we can look at who visits the page and their country of origin and already we have had American and Africans look at the page.

 

The Website 

Kevin Mitchell runs the website and is always keen to add to the information on the site, please visit it occasionally and see if there is anything you can add about the service personnel who are listed.    

www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com

 

Final Word 

I am still looking for 'Jiffy' bags, particularly A4 size. In reasonable condition for re-use. Will collect. Email me :carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Stop Press 

To mark the anniversary of the start of WW1 the mint is to issue a new £2.00 coin. A spokesman for the mint told the Carillon Chimes,

 

"There is a programme of coins to mark the centenary of the beginning of the First World War," he said. 

"They will track its way over the next five years, but there will be a £2 coin to mark the outbreak of the war next year and it's got a very familiar design: Lord Kitchener pointing out from the face of the coin as he did from the contemporary posters asking people at the time to sign up for the army."

 

 

The Free Advert

 

The Rothley Historical Society

  

TWO STORIES FROM WORLD WAR II 


Frank Whitby:

The Last Flight of Lancaster W4944.The story of Frank's Uncle, Sgt Leslie

Joseph Beech, Air Gunner/Wireless Operator, shot down over Germany on 14 May 1943, and the care given to his burial by local German people.

 

Terry Sheppard: The Battle of the Beams

From an impromptu Outstation in a Charnwood field, and 43 others across the country, the top-secret unit RAF 80 Wing (Signals) fought a furious electronic war with German Luftwaffe target-finding radio beams.

 

7.30pm Wednesday 19thFebruary 2014 

Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane

                                        Admission - Visitors £3, Members £2

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

December 2013                                      Issue No. 38

 

 

Remembrance Sunday

 

 

The Civic Party led by the Charnwood's Mace Bearer approach the carillon.Photo by peter Minshall

It seems that each Remembrance Sunday Service and parade is better attended than the previous one. It is estimated that some 5000 people attended this year's service. We will soon need a bigger park. It is amazing just how many young people are in a uniformed organization.

The Reverend Rachael Ross made a very moving contribution to the service when she read from a letter sent by Pte William Godber (his mother laid one of the foundation stones of the Carillon Tower) to his sweetheart, Maude. William was killed in France on 16 April 1971, aged just 21.

For the first time, we opened the tower and museum to the public after the service and it proved a great success and we will, providing we have the volunteers, open again next year. 

Royal Leicestershire Memorial Appeal  

In last months edition there was a piece about the launch of an appeal for a memorial to the Royal Leicestershire Regiment to be sited at the National Arboretum at Alrewas. 

 In just one month over £17,000 as been collected towards the £40.000 needed. You can now donate online. Just click on:The Royal Leicestershire Regiment - 'The Tigers ... - JustGiving

 

 Alkemade the Man Who Survived 

The amazing story of Flt Sgt Nickolas Alkemade, the man who jumped from a burning aircraft from 18,000 feet and survived was fairly well known but the Loughborough Echo have revealed a further chapter to the story when they published his diary. 

Nickolas Alkamade not only recorded the details of his time as a POW but illustrated the diary with some great sketches. This is a must. Read more..

Great Escape camp diary comes to light

 

 

Loughborough Community Eye

 

Community Eye is a free monthly magazine in both paper and digital form. If you live in Loughborough you may well have had one though your door by now. Other places in Leicestershire have had there own local copies for sometime. 

It is an excellent magazine and in this first Loughborough edition they have printed theCarillon Chimesin its entirety. If you have not had a paper copy Click on:E AGAZINE

However, their version of the Carillon Chimes is better than my original version, which has prompted me into action. I must learn how to use the programme 'Publisher' I may need a lesson so if anyone out there is familiar with the programme and is prepared to give me a few tips I would be grateful. There is a cup of tea in it for you.

War Memorials Online 

The website, War Memorials Online provides an opportunity for the public to upload images of war memorials. With the publics help a complete picture of the whereabouts; type and condition of all war memorials in the UK can be recorded. 

It is a very simple site to use, type in 'Loughborough' and the only memorial recorded within the tower is the list of names of the victims of the Zeppelin raid when I believe we have at least 3 more memorials that started life elsewhere. 

To access the site.Click on:War Memorials Online lets us add all the memorials in Loughborough including Charles Fredrick Ball (Who's he? I hear you ask

Mystery Guest 

The carillon was used as the location for the 'Mystery Guest' slot for the popular television programme, 'Question of Sport.'  

The BBC crew filmed on the balcony, in the Yeomanry Room and spent some time with Caroline in the clavier Room, I think we will probably see the mystery guest give us a tune on the bells. 

The gentleman from the BBC said he will let us know when the programme is to be shown. If they do I will let you know. The mystery guest? Sorry we had to sign the Official Secrets Act.

 Humour in Uniform

Two reluctant potential National Service recruits were awaiting their medical examination. The first one went into the doctor's office and came out grinning, "rejected, Medically Exempt" he chuckled and dropped his pants to reveal he was wearing a hernia truss. "Here gimme that" the second man said, grabbing the truss and quickly putting it on before he to went into see the doctor.

At the end of the examination the doctor asked the man how long he had been wearing the truss, "two years" said the man. "M E" said the doctor, as he completed the paperwork. "Medically Exempt" cried the man. "No, Middle East, if you've been wearing that truss upside down for two years you can certainly ride a camel."

Whats New? 

A Leicestershire Regiment WW2 'Economy' plastic cap badge was amongst a number of items and documents donated.  

Traditionally military cap badges were made of brass an economy badge had been issued in WW1 and in WW2 because brass was needed elsewhere these plastic ones were introduced. More than 24,000 Leicestershire Regiment badges were manufactured, What they did with them all is a mystery. 

They were unpopular and the services went back to brass after  the war  However in the late 50s and early 60s a 'Staybright' badge was introduced. Made of anodised aluminium, they were cheap to produce and did not need polishing which suited the ethos of the day, we were moving from a National Service army to an all regular force and moving away from the perceived pointless 'Bull' that characterised the National Service army.

 

Two beautiful framed embroideries have been donated by Mrs Cahill of Leicester.The first is the Regimental crest of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and the second poppies with the text:  

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them  These are both very fine examples and we are so pleased to have acquired them.

 

Advertising Does Work!  

In last months edition I appealed for a volunteer to look after our shop sales and stock control. We have been extremely poor in exploiting this valuable source of revenue for the museum. 

A gentleman who read the version of the Carillon chimes in the Loughborough Community Eye responded and we will be meeting up soon with the prospect of him taking on the task.

Stop Press 

Just got back and this photograph was waiting for me from Peter Minshell. It shows our stall at the Christmas Market held in Loughborough Market Place before the Christmas lights are switched on. 

Our main effort was to sell our Christmas cards but I can report that we do have a few left. There are 3 different snow scene views of the carillon. If you want any for yourself or to re-sell or you know of anywhere they could be sold then please contact me. 3 cards for a £1.00

 

Final Word

 

A little early but I do hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year and I am still looking for 'Jiffy' bags, particularly A4 size. In reasonable condition for re-use. Will collect. Email me: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

I always welcome contributions. (In fact I am desperate) If you have anything you would like to have included then send it to: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Don't forget! Visit us at:

 www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

November 2013                                      Issue No. 37

 

 

   

Diary Dates 

10th November. Remembrance Sunday Service, Queens Park 10.30 am. After the service the Carillon Tower will remain open to visitors. 

11th November. Armistice Day, a short service and two minutes silence at the Carillon at 11 am 

 

Lt Col A P Ridley Thompson TD DL. Our Former President 

Colonel Aubrey Ridley-Thompson died peacefully at home on the 9th October aged 91. 

In WW2 he fought with the 4thHussars in Italy and was commanding a Squadron in Austria before the Regiment returned to England in 1946. Working for Boots before the war he rejoined them on demobilisation but continued soldiering as a territorial with The City of London Yeomanry. 

When Boots moved him to Nottingham in 1955 Colonel Tony Murray-Smith offered him command of C Sqn the Leicestershire Yeomanry based in Loughborough with outstations in Melton and Burbage. Following their amalgamation Colonel Ridley-Thompson  commanded the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry from 1960 until his retirement in 1963; he remained an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter as Chairman of The Leicestershire Yeomanry Association.

He was also President of the Carillon War Memorial Trust, and a Deputy Lieutenant for Leicestershire.

Mr Peter Crooks 

Hardly had we digested the news of Col Ridley-Thompson's passing than we received the sad news that Mr Peter Crooks had passed away.Peter was our present President. He had been a stalwart of the museum for many years and when he retired as Chairman in 2011 we had no hesitation in asking him to accept the post. One of the highlights of Peter's chairmanship was the special exhibition, 'Growing up in World War Two' and the book that was produced to accompany the display. We still use the book today. 

His funeral will be at 2 pm on Friday 1 November at the Good Shepherd Church on Park Road, Loughborough and afterwards at the Ramada Hotel (Kings Head) on High Street, Loughborough

 

 Armistice Day/Remembrance Sunday. Why have two?

 

After the Great War the sacrifice made by the fallen was remembered on November 11th,'Armistice Day', each year. 

At the outbreak of WW2 there was concern that because the 11thNovember could fall on a weekday it would interrupt production of war supplies. It was therefore agreed, that for the duration of the war, the act of remembrance would be held on the second Sunday in November, 'Remembrance Sunday'. 

At the end of the war the subject of remembrance of the fallen was re-visited but by coincidence the 11th fell on a Sunday that  year so it was decided the official day of remembrance would be held each year on the second Sunday in November, 'Remembrance Sunday'. The two minutes silence was first proposed in 1919, five minutes was originally suggested, the King had a battalion of guardsmen parade, ordered them to remain silent and two minutes was decided as the most appropriate time.

Stereoscopic Pictures

We have on the ground floor of the museum a stereoscope with about 100 photos. It is very popular and people are amazed at the quality of the photos (they are from WW1) however you have to look though the viewer to see them. The problem appears to have been solved by this Spanish company who have 500 stereoscopic photos of WW1 and have put a sample on the internet. This is 3D on your laptop. Must visit, click on: https://vimeo.com/75787815

 

Six Months Without Sundays - Must Watch!

 Having witnessed events in Helmand Province while embedded with the Scots Guards, writer and journalist Max Benitz presents two sides of the controversial conflict in Afghanistan: the successful counter-insurgency efforts led by British and Afghan troops; and the challenges of winning over a war-weary local population. Click on:Six Months Without Sundays: The Scots Guards in Afghanistan

 

Elizabeth Egundebi

Some of you will remember Elizabeth Egundebi, a young lady who worked with us as a volunteer last year, helping to catalogue the collection and travelling each week from Leicester to do so. I am delighted to be able to tell you that she as been accepted at Nottingham Trent University doing Museum Studies. We all wish her all the very best for the future.  The picture shows Elizabeth and Helen Musson, another volunteer who left us for Leicester University to do a Masters in Museum Studies.

 

 

 

Helen & Elizabeth

We have been able to help Helen in providing some information for a paper she was writing about a VC winner of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and hopefully we will be able to be of help to Elizabeth in the future.

 

 Royal Leicestershire Memorial Appeal 

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, 'The Tigers' wishes to raise £40.000 for a memorial to the regiment in the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. This memorial, together with the Regimental Chapel in Leicester Cathedral, the Regimental museum in Leicester and Royal Tigers Wood at Bagwoth, will form the last visible testimonies to this famous Regiment to serve as reminders to future generations of the glorious part it played in the life of the history of the City, county and nation. 

The County's regiment was first raised in 1688 and served continuously until amalgamation into the present Royal Anglian Regiment in 1964. 

Over almost 300 years the Regiment served with great distinction world-wide, gaining an impressive list of Battle Honours. In the Great War the Regiment fielded 19 battalions and lost 8,600 killed.

 

See further details and a donation form below.

 

Downton Abbey 

Fans of Downton Abbey will have seen the episode on 13 October where Dame Nellie Melba appeared (played by Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa) Dame Nellie also attended the unveiling of the carillon in 1923. It is sometimes claimed that she sang at the ceremony but that is not true, however it is reported that she was so moved by the occasion, that she cried. The reason for her attendance was because she wanted a carillon to be built in Australia as part of the National Memorial for those who fell in the Great War. A National Memorial was built but without a carillon. Dame Nellie had raised large sums of money for war charities during WW1 and for that she was created, Dame Commander of the Order of  the British Empire (DBE) and is featured on the present Australian 100 dollar note. 

Useless fact! Such was her popularity she has had four food items named in her honour, Peach Melba, Melba Sauce, Melba Toast and Melba Garniture (chicken, truffles & mushrooms)

 

Still Tweeting 

A photo in the 'Looking Back' section of the Loughborough Echo showing Cobden Street School Football Team of 1931-32 shows a familiar figure. Standing on the right is Mr William Grudgings; the gentleman whose diary, from WW1 we 'Tweet' every day at: @Williams_war

 

 

Also in the photograph, on the left is Mr Walter Dunning, who was to be killed, whilst serving with the RAF in WW2. He is commemorated on the Carillon War Memorial.

 

Whats New 

Mr Bernard Smith has gifted the museum a number of documents that belonged to his father, George Smith, George was serving with The Durham Light Infantry when he was taken prisoner in 1918.  

Amongst he document is this poem written by George as a POW. The film industry has fed us a diet of falsehoods about the lives of POWs. In the Hollywood version prisoners wandering about, smoking pipes and discussing escape plans, in the background others are playing football or doing a bit of gardening. The truth is that most prisoners were used as slave labour, in factories and down mines. This poem reflects that truth.

 

I am a poor gefagener, I wish that I were dead

I'm fed up with drinking rotten soup and eating mouldy bread

I sleep up in a corner my bed is on the floor

My neck is nearly broken my back is awful sore.

At six o'clock each morning I wake up with a fright

There's a sentry standing over me shouting Rouse! Lerick! Arbeit!

I don't know what it's all about I must have done some crime

When I hear My big white chief shout out "Rouse you English swine"

Each evening when I come from work I sit beside the fire

And there I settle down to read 'The Continental Liar'

? you should hear the tales they tell they are the reel route

They have drove us from the Dardenelles and England is Capute.

 

I have typed it out as it is written, 'gefagener' is prisoner, 'Arbeit' is work but I haven't a clue what 'Lerick' is but it may be spelt wrongly as is 'Capute' which I believe should be 'Kaputt' meaning broken.  

I do not understand his choice of reading material; The Continental Liar is a book about the American President, James G Blaine, pretty heavy stuff for a private soldier, unless he is referring to German propaganda; as alluded to in the last two lines.

 

"Call That a Rifle" 

We are in possession of a WW1 German anti-tank rifle, which was missing the bolt. However Mr John Harvey of Hudson Street has come to the rescue. Using an original bolt, borrowed from the Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental Museum in Bury, he has produced, in his workshop, a replacement. 

When the British introduced tanks to the battlefield in 1916 the Germans had no bullet that would penetrate the armour. They quickly produced this Mauser T-Geweher that fired 13.3mm armour piercing round.  

Less than 16,000 were produced and because of the weight and size very few were brought back as souvenirs. It is a rare object.  

Where did the original bolt go? A possible explanation is that the German rifleman fearing they were about to be over run, removed the bolt and disposed of it, thus rendering the rifle useless if it fell into the enemy's hands. 

We are most grateful to Mr Harvey for his help in restoring the rifle to its original look.

Mr John Harvey

Link to the Fusiliers Museum: Fusilier Museum: Home

Hero Honoured 

A Loughborough soldier has been honoured for leading a team that seized more than £30 million of drugs and a tonne of explosives from Afghan insurgents. 

Major Adam Foden, a former pupil of Loughborough Grammar School, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order for being in charge of 30 anti-insurgency operations in Helmand province.  

He said, "We all felt enormous pride in these seizures. You could sense, talking to Afghans, the tangible effect of that work on their day-to-day lives."

 

 Medals Returned 

A Princess Mary Christmas box (they were sent to troops serving abroad at Christmas 1914) with a set of WW1 medals and other small items were passed to us having been found by a small boy in Leicester. 

Marigold Cleeve, a volunteer researcher, armed with only the number, rank, name and regiment of the recipient of the medals, as marked on them, very quickly drew up the family tree and came up with the telephone number of a grandson in Birmingham. Through him we spoke to the granddaughter in Leicester who had lost the box and medals some time ago. 

The lady in question asked for no publicity but it was very satisfying to be able to return the items to their rightful owner. All credit to Marigold.

Volunteer Wanted - Retails sales  

Like any other museum we sell some small souvenirs at our counter but have never really taken it very seriously or made much of an effort. However a visit by a 'Retail Expert' earlier in the year made us realise we were wasting an opportunity to raise money and (in museum speak) enhance the visitor experience.

What we need is someone to be responsible for the shop stock, stocktaking, re-ordering and improving on the displays. About one hour once a fortnight during the open season should be all it takes During the close season some occasional liasing with Charnwood Museum to replace any items of ours they have sold. Please contact me for more details.

 

Final Word 

I am always looking for 'Jiffy' bags, particularly A4 size. In reasonable condition for re-use. Will collect. Email me: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

I always welcome contributions. (In fact I am desperate) If you have anything you would like to have included then send it to: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

Don't forget! Visit us at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com

 

The Royal Leicestershire Regimental Association Appeal 

The memorial will take the form of a tiger mounted upon a large Irish Blue limestone plinth in an attractive surround. The approximate dimensions will be 5' 6" long,     3' wide and 5' 9" high.

A brief history of the Regiment will be shown on the rear panel and major Battle Honours will be listed on the two ends. 

It will be situated in the high profile National Memorial Arboretum alongside the memorials to many other regiments who fought alongside the Tigers.

 

Below, Cpl Phillip Smith winning the regiments first Victoria Cross at Sevastopol in 1855.

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

October 2013                                                       Issue No. 36

 

 

Diary Dates 

8 October; 10 till 11.30 am Loughborough Library; researching your family history. £3.00 

15 October; Executive Committee meeting 7.30 pm at the Brush Club. Fennel Street.

 

Football Programe    

During a sort through some books that we are considering for disposal we came across this interesting item. A programme for a charity football match, held on Christmas Eve 1928 between the Sherwood Foresters and the Rest of Karachi. (The rest of Karachi in this instance means the British Forces) It has photographs of the two teams and pen pictures of each of the players. 

Having no connection with Loughborough or the carillon we offered the programme to the Sherwood Foresters Museum in Nottingham and they were delighted to accept it.  

Karachi was, in 1928, part of British India and became the capital of Pakistan after partition in 1947. However to spread the development of the country the capital was first transferred to rawalpindi and then to the newly built islamabad.

 

My Learning

 

My Learning is a website for teachers and learners inspired by museum, library and archive collections. We have been very fortunate to have had the story of 'Songster' accepted on the site, it covers two pages and there are a number of links including one to Griff Morgan-Jones's Leicestershire Yeomanry website. 

A museum is only allowed one entry on the site but I have submitted the story of the Zeppelin raid on behalf of Charnwood Museum and hope that it gets accepted. Please visit the site at: 

http://www.mylearning.org/grave-marker-for-songster-the-oldest-war-horse/p-4550/

 

National Army Museum 

The National Army Museum has put a large number of short films on You Tube. This is a great resource. Click on..Follow us on YouTube

Field of Remembrance 

One of the things we are planning to commemorate the 100thanniversary of the start of the Great War is to have a Field of Remembrance in the park. 488 crosses, one for each of those whose name is on the carillon plus the 10 victims of the Zeppelin raid. 

We have the crosses, we have a volunteer to paint them white and Kevin Mitchell has a machine that prints out the details, it is a process that survives the weather, the cross in the picture has been outside for the last three weeks with no ill effects.

What we now need are volunteers to stick the labels onto the crosses, as they say many hands make light work. Let me know if you want to get involved.

 

Object of Desire - Imperial Service Medal 

King Edward VII, who wished to recognise more fully the services rendered to him by members of the civil service, established the medal under the statutes of the Imperial Service Order on 8 Aug 1902. It is presented to selected civil servants who have completed 25 years service upon their retirement.  

When originally created the Imperial Service Medal was a seven-pointed star, in the same pattern as the Imperial Service order, but made of bronze. An amendment of the statutes changed the appearance of the medal to its current form of as a circular silver medal bearing the effigy of the reigning sovereign on the obverse and on the reverse bearing the inscription "For Faithful Service" and an appropriate design. This appropriate design depicts a nude man in repose, described as taking "well earned rest"

 

 

Not that appropriate for the recepient of the one we have in our collection because it was awarded to a lady, Mary Dowsing. Who was Mary?

Pegasus Bridge (reprinted from Loughborough Town Talk) 

'Hallo Four Dog. Ham and Jam. Ham and bloody Jam. Where the hell are you? Over.'

 London author Michael Tappenden has launched his debut novel 'Pegasus to Paradise', a story centred around the first Allied assault of D-Day and their daring glider-borne attack on the Pegasus and Horsa bridges in the early hours of 6th June 1944.  

This part fictional story tells the tale of his father Ted Tappenden, who relayed the iconic Ham and Jam radio message that signalled the all important capture of Pegasus Bridge…[Read More]

 

War Memorials Newsletter 

Here is the link to the newsletter of the War Memorials Online, they need help with information and photographs, perhaps you can help? 


View   Download  

 What's New? 

Gas masksseem to dominate this month, the first, gifted by Mr J Hawes of Wyndham Road. It is a German WW2 mask and carrying case. All gas masks look unpleasant but this one looks particularly sinister. 

The second is a British civilian mask, again from WW2 this and another mask were gifted by Mr R Clay of Holywell Drive. Very simplistic, very cheap. All masks issued to civilians were 'on loan' but I can find no  record of them being collected back at the end of the war. 

The other gas mask illustrated is not new, but was stored away and as been brought out for display, is a 'Mickey Mouse' mask for children. To overcome the  children's reluctance to wear a mask this one is supposed to be fun. (it's not that funny)  

After the horrors of gas warfare in WW1 there was a fear that it would be used again and everyone in Britain was issued with a gas mask and it was compulsory to carry them it at all times. 

Although the use of chemical weapons had been banned since 1925 many countries had either not signed up or added a provision that they could use the weapons against anyone one who used chemicals against them or indeed anyone that had not signed up to the agreement.

 

 

 

The American 82nd Airborne were stationed in Leicestershire in WW2 with 505 Para Infantry just down the road at Quorn. 

We have a cabinet with a display of objects and photographs mostly of 505 it as however sat for a number of years without being improved on.

We had a discussion at the beginning of the season to make it a close season project but there is no holding back the Wednesday morning team and a start has already been made. 

The diorama depicting an action as the advanced across Europe has been moved to a newly built cabinet at a level where young children can enjoy it and the plan is to raise the main cabinet to the height of the rest of the display cabinets in the room and make a more effective display of the other items.

 Wednesday Mornings

Although we are now closed for the winter, a group of volunteers still meet up at 10 am Wednesday mornings to work on the displays. You are welcome to drop in to see what you can do to help. If the door is shut it probably means they are working on one of the upper floors and you will need to ring 01509 263370 and someone will come down and let you in.

Christmas Card 

We have for the last couple of years produced our own Christmas cards, which have proved very popular. Last year there were four different ones, all pictures of the carillon in the snow.

What I would like however is a card with a picture in another medium, watercolour, pen & ink, even crayon. A picture of the carillon in the snow, perhaps featuring children snowballing or sledging, a typical sentimental Christmas card. 

The artist will be credited with their name on the back  of the card. 

If you cannot paint or draw perhaps you could write a couple of lines to go inside the card, to inspire you here is a couple of lines from Longfellow:

 

'I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play

And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men' 

Beat that!

October Meeting 

As stated above the October meeting of the Executive Committee will be held at 7.30 pm in the concert room at the Brush club, Fennel Street. Anyone can attend the meeting and have their say but only the committee can vote.

After the meeting, at about 8.15 pm there will be drinks, cheese and biscuits and an opportunity to socialise. 

 You are all invited as we celebrate the end of another successful season.

 

Final Word

I am looking for a quantity of 'Jiffy' bags, particularly A4 size. In reasonable condition for re-use. Will collect. Email me: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

We always welcome contributions. (In fact I am desperate) If you have anything you would like to have included then send it to: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Don't forget! Visit us at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

September 2013                                                       Issue No. 35

 

 

 

Diary Dates 

10 September Meeting of the Executive Committee 7.30 pm at Southfields.

18 September Volunteer Fair at Rawlins

20 - 22 Sept Beer Festival at the Great Central Railway info at: www.gcrailway.co.uk

30 September Poetry Workshop see below. 

Mayor Visits The Museum 

When the Mayor, Cllr Councillor Sandie Forrest visited the Carillon Tower during the 90th Anniversary she stated that she would very much like to visit again when she would have more time to look around the museum. 

When the Mayor, Cllr Councillor Sandie Forrest visited the Carillon Tower during the 90th Anniversary she stated that she would very much like to visit again when she would have more time to look around the museum.

That opportunity came on 29 August when Mr Peter Minshall organised for her to visit again. The volunteers present talked her through the exhibits and the work that is going on in the museum. It was obvious that the Mayor and her Consort, Mr Roger Forest, thoroughly enjoyed the visit staying for 1 hour 40 minutes. She thanked all the volunteers for there efforts in maintaining and running the museum. The picture shows them in the Yeomanry Room with volunteer Jim Nasmyth. Jim is the one on the left!

 

Facebook 

We have had a Facebook page for sometime; but a mixture of not having the time and not having the expertise meant that we have never developed the page. 

However the rise in popularity in Facebook is something we cannot ignore and we will shortly be re-launching our page. Once we have the volunteers to manage it and an agreement on the content we will let you know what you can do to help. In the meantime our Twitter feed goes from strength to strength, the diary of William Grudgings. If you are not yet following it is: @Williams_war 

End of Season                                                

By the time you receive the next edition of this newsletter on 1stOctober the Carillon Tower & Museum will be closed for the winter. If you have not visited this year then you have four weeks to put that right and see the changes made. Please ask for and complete a 'Feedback Form' we value your comments. We do however welcome organised visits from groups at anytime. Do you know of a group that would consider visiting?

 Information Wanted 

The author, Simon Haines, is writing a book about the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment at Battle for Arnhem, in 1944. Their losses at Arnhem were very high; of the867 who took part in the operation only 139 returned to the British lines. 

Mr Haines would like to make contact with any veterans, or their relatives, who served at the battle. To help, call Simon on 07918 748655 or e-mail: warhound45@aol.com

 

Beam Bender?

Having worked in Coalville I must have passed the small brick building in the field between the road and Mount St. Bernard's Abbey hundreds of times. It has 'Military' written all over it so I had noticed it and wondered as to its original purpose. Then out of the blue came the answer, Mr Michael Frogartt contacted me on another matter but mentioned his involvement in the 'Beam Bender' at Charley.  

The roofless building housed a vehicle with a radio transmitter, the Germans, in WW2, directed radio beams that at a particular point crossed one another and allowed bombers flying in the dark to pinpoint their position, a little like driving down a long road in the dark, when you arrive at the junction you can say exactly where you are on the map. These radio transmitters, in simple terms, bent the beam and confused the bombers into dropping their bombs away from the intended target. 

The one at Charley was used to protect the Rolls Royce factory in Derby, where the Merlin engine was made and the Ordnance Depot at Ruddington.

 

 

 

The building at Charley, cleaned up by the local Heritage Group. Click on:

The Battle of the Knickerbine Beams - Charley Heritage Group

 

Quorn Soldiers WW1

 

We have been asked to help in an appeal by Quorn Online Museum for any information or photographs that may relating to the 79 men of the village who died in WW1. 

If you have anything please email: team2012@quornmuseum.comand in the meantime visit the online museum at:  

Quorn Village On-line Museum, Leicestershire, UK 

The photo below is, they believe, Charles Kirbell White of Rose Cottage, Quorn. Charles served with the 8thLeicesters' and was killed in 1918.Can you confirm that this is Charles? Stop Press: It has now been confirmed that this is Charles. But have you anything else?

 

  

Poetry Workshop 

Here is something completely different. A poetry workshop is to be held at the Carillon on Monday, 30 September 1.00 - 4.00pm Cost £5.00. Guided by poet Mark Goodwin, participants will spend the afternoon in the company of various sounds emitted by Loughborough's Queen's Park and the Carillon Tower. 

Part of the 'Locks, Bells & Peeling Wallpaper' series of poetry workshops, this workshop is open to all writers, from novice to experienced.To book a place please go to the WEM website at:

http://www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk/services/opportunities/1720/                

                                                                                                          

Humour in Uniform - What The Romans Did For Us. 

Whilst in Libya, on a training exercise from Malta, a trip was arranged, supposedly a little culture never did anyone any harm, to the Ancient Greek ruins at Cyrenaica. Founded in 632BC they fell under Roman control in 74BC. It has been described as the Athens of Africa. 

It is one of the most impressive collection of ruins in the world but of little interest to a bunch of squaddies. We wandered about for a couple of hours before drifting back to the trucks. In the car park a number of local traders had gathered selling bottles of coke, trinkets and cheap souvenirs. As a small token to prove we had visited; some of us bought a number of rather grubby looking Roman coins. It was later when people attempted to clean them up that we discovered the 'Roman coins' were, in fact, army brass buttons that had been hammered flat.

What's New?

 

A young lady, Lydia Porter, painted these polystyrene heads so that we can display some of the many helmets we have more effectively. Lined up on top of a cabinet in the Airborne Room they are very striking. 

Lydia painted the heads as part of a project with Rawlins Community College to get young people involved with the museum.

 

Another Rawlins student, Georgie Tayler sourced this 'Combat 95' desert pattern uniform. She visited various TA units in the area who donated the items of uniform. 

It has replaced the Officers Service Dress uniform that as been on the ground floor mannequin for at least 7 years and possible longer. My thanks to Mr Roger Latham who popped in to show me his fathers medal (see below; Local Man Honoured) and spent the next two hours wrestling with the mannequin who would have thought it was so difficult to dress a mannequin?

 

There is a second thread to Georgie's project and that is to produce a  DVD with pictures of modern day soldiers on operations and training. The Royal Yeomanry at Wigston and 3 Royal Anglian in Leicester have both provided photographs and a letter, asking for more, as been sent to 2 Royal Anglian at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland. The photographs will eventually be on a slideshow playing on a monitor in one of the rooms. Both these projects were supported by a 'Shire Grant' from LCC and a number of pupils from Rawlins are still working with us. We have been invited to the Volunteer Fair at Rawlins on the 18th to discuss with the students how they can make use of the museum to support their studies and possibly get involved in other ways.

 

Snibston  

We were asked to conduct a session for a group at Snibston Discovery Centre. To save me writing a piece I have re-printed what the people of Snibston said about the session.The Community gallery at Snibston Discovery Museum is showcasing the wide variety of different independent museums within Leicestershire and the unique and inspirational collections and exhibitions they have to offer our local communities. To energise the Museums forum exhibition and make it more interactive we invited the award winning Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Museum to run a workshop with a group of adults with learning difficulties who are themselves volunteers at Snibston. 

The group participated in a 'cooking in the field with a ration pack' session. They learnt what soldiers ate during wartime, how they prepared their food and even got a taste of actual army grub. The session was hugely successful, especially once the beef ravioli and hot chocolate started to get passed around. It was a great way to engage the group in wartime history and demonstrated to them that history can be fun! After participating in the workshop, many of the group have voiced their desire to visit more of the local independent museums. 

" Who would have thought they get milk with their coffee even in Afghanistan. It was really quick and easy to prepare with the right equipment and the man from the army really came well prepared"

 

 

Local man Honoured 

Mr Eric Latham of Barrow on Soar was presented with his 'Arctic Star' by the Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Sandie Forest, for his service on HMS Vindex whilst on what Winston Churchill described as, 'the worst journey in the world,' the Russian convoys in WW2. 

Eric was suitable modest saying that he had only done two, but the Mayor was having none of it and told him, "You were incredibly brave and you deserve our praise and thanks." 

 By the end of the war 120 ships and thousands of seaman had lost their lives on the Arctic Convoys, delivering supplies to Northern Russia. 

Like many men who saw action in WW2 Eric has said very little about his experiences but is now prepared to relate some of his stories. He tells of the time in terrible weather conditions when the ship was being tossed about by huge waves he had to crawl on hands and knees the length of the deck checking that the aircraft were firmly secure. On a lighter note during the storm the piano in the Officers Mess broke loose and careered around the room, backwards and forwards till every table and chair was smashed. The officers had to sit on the floor for the rest of the voyage,

 

 

 

We always welcome contributions. If you have anything you would like to have included then send it to: carillonmuseum@gmail.com Don't forget! Visit us at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com 

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Carillon Chimes

The News

letter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

August 2013                                                       Issue No. 34

 

 

Loughborough Soldier Dies 

Our condolences go out to the family of Jack Davies, a young soldier from Loughborough who died in July, four years after losing a leg and suffering spinal injuries in an explosion, whilst serving with the Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan. 

Jack was just 23 and a former pupil of Rawlins Community College.  

Tributes were led by Lt Col Toby Till, commanding officer for Jack's battalion, who said: "He displayed enormous courage and tenacity to overcome his injuries and to restart his life. 

"I will always remember Jack as a cheerful, enthusiastic and positive young man, always smiling and cracking a joke. He said a remembrance service would be held in Nanyuki, Kenya, where the battalion is currently stationed.

 

90th Anniversary of Carillon Tower 

On Friday 26 July two ceremonies took place in Queen's Park. The first was the unveiling of the Great Paul bell case and then a short ceremony at the carillon to mark the 90th anniversary of the completion of the tower. There is a separate attached supplement with the full story. 

Carillon Banners  

We have a number new banners advertising the carillon tower and museum as places to visit. They are part of a project, 'The Heritage Trail' to tempt some of the thousands of visitors to the Great Central Railway to explore and visit other heritage attractions in the town and surrounding villages. A new brochure has also been produced giving details of all the places of interest plus places to eat etc. The Arts Council are funding the project. 

Now we need to place the banners where they will be seen! Do you know of anywhere? Public buildings? Empty shop windows? Anywhere? Please get in touch.carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Taylors Website 

Here is the link to the Bell Foundry site: Foundry News | John Taylor & Co Great picture of a couple of cannons.

Display at Snibston                                             

Each Year the members of the Leicestershire & Rutland Museum Forum are given the opportunity to put on a small display at Snibston Discovery Museum. 

When I say small display, I mean very small. However it is a great opportunity to advertise our museum to the tens of thousands who pass through Snibston. 

Our theme this year is the Yeomanry Collection and it will be in place until 2 Sept.

The German Bomber 

In the July Edition I did a short piece about the German Dornier bomber that crash landed at Burton on the Wolds in WW2. A gentleman, obviously interested in the subject, asked for more information. I would like to thank all those who  responded, I did start to email my thanks to each individual but I got so many responses that some got missed. Rest assured everything you sent to me was forwarded to the gentleman.

 

Your Views Wanted 

It would be much appreciated if you could spare a few moments to help with an exciting local history project coming soon to Leicestershire.2014 is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. To commemorate this anniversary, Leicestershire County Council is launching a participative project called Century of Stories.

Forgotten, hidden or unheard stories are at its heart. The aim is to uncover Leicestershire people's reflections and memories of the impact of the First World War on its communities and families, as well as on individuals and society at large. To do this, we would like to engage with community members and assist them in developing the skills necessary to research their own connection to the First World War by offering training workshops and knowledge of heritage services available throughout the county and nationwide 

Could you spare time to answer justfive questionsabout your possible interest? Your views will help us to make the project more relevant and accessible to all sections of our community.

All you have to do is click on this link:http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CenturyOfStories

Rendell Street School 

Children from Rendell Street School(the school I went to) visited the carillon during a day around the town taking in various sites of interest, What did surprise us was that every single child wrote to thank us for the experience. I was so impressed by this that I visited the school and gave them each a carillon bookmark. The school as certainly changed since my days there. My most vivid memories of that school were first the outside toilets; they were straight out of some Victorian horror story but more happily the corner shop where you could buy root liquorice for a farthing. Both the toilets and farthings are long gone.

Humour in Uniform - And a little bit of Evelyn Waugh 

This months offering is from a letter Evelyn Waugh wrote to his wife in       (I think 1942) I remember reading it many years ago and laughing out loud as I read; and looking for nothing in particular came across it again and thought I would share it with you. No 3 Commando were training on the estates of Lord Glasgow. The picture is the memorial to the Commandos in the Scottish Highlands. Lord Glasgow did not contribute. Lord Glasgow.No.3 Commando was very anxious to be chums withLord Glasgowsooffered to blow up an old tree stump for him and he was very  grateful and said don't spoil the plantation of young trees near it because that is the apple of my eye and they said no of course not we can blow a tree down so it falls on a sixpence and Lord Glasgow said goodness you are clever and he asked them all to luncheon for the great explosion.


So Col. Durnford-Slater DSO said to his subaltern, have you put enough explosive in the tree? Yes sir, 75lbs. Is that enough? Yes sir I worked it out by mathematics it is exactly right. Well better put a bit more. Very good sir. And when Col. D Slater DSO had had his port he sent for the subaltern and said subaltern better put a bit more explosive in that tree. I don't want to disappoint Lord Glasgow. Very good sir. Then they all went out to see the explosion and Col. DS DSO said you will see that tree fall flat at just the angle where it will hurt no young trees and Lord Glasgow said goodness you are clever. So soon they lit the fuse and waited for the explosion and presently the tree, instead of falling quietly sideways, rose 50 feet into the air taking with it ½ acre of soil and the whole young plantation.And the subaltern said Sir, I made a mistake, it should have been 7½ not 75. 

Lord Glasgow was so upset he walked in dead silence back to his castle and when they came to the turn of the drive in sight of his castle what should they find but that every pane of glass in the building was broken. So Lord Glasgow gave a little cry and ran to hide his emotions in the lavatory and there when he pulled the plug the entire ceiling, loosened by the explosion, fell on his head.


This is quite true. Evelyn.

What's New?  

The family of Gnr Thomas Arthur Prouse visited the museum during July. Thomas served with 154 Regt (Leicestershire Yeomanry) RA during WW2.  

His family very kindly donated his medals to the museum. As you can see he was awarded the 39-45 Star, North Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal & War Meda.l

They will be displayed in the Yeomanry Room along with his photograph. His photograph and and a photograph of his medals will also be placed on the Leicestershire Yeomanry website. Visit: Leicestershire Yeomanry : World War 2 for 154s full story and photographs.

 

 Another donation, last month, came from by Mr Carl Dutton of Plymouth. A rather curious painting on silk. Last month we did a piece on 'Trench Art' this certainly isn't Trench Art that but rather 'Seaside Tat' but that said, I love it! I think the art world calls it 'Naïve'  Produced as a souvenir for soldiers of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment when they were serving in Hong Kong in 1963 it shows a bird (of unknown species) Carrying a rifle attached to which is the regiments flag and a tiger floating in space. In the background is the Far East Land Force flag. The regiment left Hong Kong for Borneo in late 63 to take part in what was known as the 'Confrontation' with Indonesia who objected to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. See Matthew Richardson's book,Fighting Tigers. We have a copy in the museum.

Baxter Gate Baptist Church

Mr Stan Cramer and others have been researching the sending of parcels to servicemen in WW1 by the congregation of the Baxter Gate Baptist Church and I am grateful to him for this article. He would like to hear from anyone who has any material on the recruiting process in Loughborough.  

From 1915 parcels were sent each Christmas by the Baptist Church in Baxter Gate to servicemen who had been pupils in the Sunday School. The items that were  required from Church members and the parents of the school children are listed here. Modifications to the list were made for later years indicating that the most appreciated gifts were food to supplement the basic rations that the troops were given. In their letters back the men thanked the Church for the items but above all they valued being remembered way back in their home church in Loughborough. There were 67 former Sunday School pupils to whom the Christmas parcels were sent. The majority were serving in the Leicestershire Regt but others were in neighbouring county regiments and also the Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps and a couple in the navy and fledgling air force. The collecting of the items and making up the parcels followed by posting (at different times for the Christmas Post) to various parts of the world was something involving the whole Church but it was organized by one Church member Arthur Quemby.

 

If you would like to know more about this collection and the names of those to whom the parcels were sent to. Contact the Church Office on Baxtergate, Tel:01509 215642, Email: office@lbcweb.org.uk

 

Recitals & Bandstand 

Caroline plays the carillon every Thursday 1pm till 2pm and Sunday 3.30pm till 4.30pm there are also concerts throughout the summer at the bandstand each Sunday 2pm till 3.30pm.

 

We always welcome contributions if you have anything you would like to have included then send it to:carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

Don't forget! Visit us at:  www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com 

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

July 2013                                                       Issue No. 33

 

 

 

We now have 200 subscribers! 

We have just added the 200thsubscriber to our mailing list. Do you know anyone who wants to be the 201st? Just email: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

Diary Dates 

3 July Leics & Rutland Forum Meeting at the Sir John Moore Foundation

9 July 7.30pm Meeting of the Executive Committee at Southfields

26 July Independent Museum's displays at Snibston (set up 25th)

26 July at 1830hrs ceremony at carillon to mark the 90thanniversary

 

Trip Advisor 

This was spotted this on Trip Advisor about the carillon: 

"Good for views of Loughborough and a fab history lesson. We spent a lot of time talking to one of the volunteers there, who knew so much about the history of WW2. Fascinating man" 

Congratulations to whoever the volunteer was! 

Carillon Booklet 

In this year, the 90th anniversary of the building of the carillon, we are going to re-produce the booklet that tells the story of the Loughborough's unique war memorial. 

It is being updated and a final chapter about the museum included. We are fortunate that we have two talented volunteers who have taken on the project. Marigold Cleeve is doing the re-write and Peter Minshall will be providing the photographs to illustrate the story and a special thank you to Ev Wiltshire who typed up the original so that we had a digital copy to work with. The project hopefully, will be supported by a grant from Leicestershire County Council. 

If you have anything that you think might be included in the new edition, photographs of the early days of the museum or of special events, memories or anecdotes then please let us know.

 

Memorials at Risk 

An organisation has been set up to protect those war memorials that are in danger of being lost or destroyed. Many schools, churches, factories, working men's clubs had memorials and as they have closed many of those memorials are lost, we have a number of examples in the carillon most notable are the large slate memorials to those employees of the Brush Engineering Works who fell in the Great War. They were destined for the skip. 

The project, run by Denis Kenyon and Chris Stevens and funded by the lottery is based at All Saints Church, Leicester where the memorials can be repaired and displayed until a permanent home is found for them. 

If you know of a memorial that is under threat then you can contact them on denis.Kenyon@hotmail.co.uk

Denis & Chris outside All Saints

 

German Bomber raised From the Sea 

A German Dornier bomber has been raised up from the depths of the English Channel. 

It will go first to RAF Museum at Cosford for restoration work before finding a permanent home at the RAF Museum in Hendon, North London.

Loughborough to, has a Dornier Story from WW2. On the night of 14 November 1940 a massive bombing raid was mounted on the City of Coventry. 450 German bombers took part in the raid and incredibly only one was shot down.

 

The Dornier 17Z with a crew of four was hit before it could bomb the city and badly damaged it turned for home. Eyewitness at the time claimed that the aircraft circled above Loughborough several times before heading for open countryside and crashing in a field near Burton on the Wolds. German standing orders at the time were that if crashing was inevitable the aircraft should be brought down in a spot where it would cause maximum damage. (It is possible they were heading for Wymswold Aerodrome) but they were credited for sparing Loughborough and avoiding further civilian casualties. 

All four crew members died in the crash and they were buried at Loughborough Cemetery with full military honours, their graves marked with military headstones. Below.One of the graves in Loughborough Cemetery.

 

Donations Stolen

Thieves targeted the carillon, removing the large brass shell case and stealing the loose change from it. The brass case was recovered from the bushes behind the carillon. 

Visitors are invited to put their 'shrapnel' in the shell case to help the museum and fortunately all the pound coins had been removed before the start of the season.

 

Object of Desire - Trench Art 

We have a number of items that fall in the loose category of 'Trench Art'  

Trench art is normally associated with WW1 but it pre-dates that by many years, French prisoners during the Napoleonic War produced some stunning items from bone.  

The main types, first those items made by soldiers with nothing better to do; we have examples of embroidered cushions made by soldiers in the Boer War. For the most part they are fairly simple items, like the spoon in the picture; a rough and simple handle soldered on to a farthing that has been hammered to form a bowl, 

Then comes those items made by POW's; they are normally of a better quality, the POW's had more time on their hands, could sell the items to buy extra food and comforts and could more easily organise people with different skills to produce the goods. It is impossible to say but the letter opener is the sort of souvenir that could be sold to British soldiers. It has the name 'Ypres' engraved on the blade.

The making of souvenir items in WW1 for re-sale became a giant cottage industry, the millions of embroidered cards are testimony to that; French ladies sat in their cellars adding embroidery to pre-printed cards. 

And finally there are the commercially made items, after the war there was an enormous quantity of war material left lying about and enterprising people quickly turned it into so called 'Trench art' to sell; first to the servicemen and then to the tourists that still visit in their hundreds of thousands. They are still making items to this day and passing it off as 'Trench Art' 

 

Some trench art objects from our collection
 
 

Humour in Uniform- Another 4,500 Redundancies Announced 

Just announced nearly 4,500 soldiers have been told they have been made redundant as part of the biggest wave of job cuts to hit the Army since the 1990s.
 
US Army - Unmanned Drone  
 
 
 
 
 UK Army - Unmanned Regiment 
                       

 

 

The Website 

Don't forget! Visit us at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com 

 

What's New? 

By coincidence on the month I chose to feature 'Trench Art' as the object of desire we have 3 new items of what might be classed as trench art, that is, items produced by service personnel in their spare time. 

The first is an interesting item, an embroidered belt made and apparently worn by Sgt Major Frederick Goodwin of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment we do not yet know yet but he was probably in the 5thBn who were taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore.

The basket of flowers was produced by Archibald Short, during WW1. Archie was the brother of Cyril Short a town councillor in the 1930s. It was gifted to the museum by his niece, June Tattershall of Loughborough.

The second is a little more strange, propaganda was a tool of the state and rarely seen in the work or songs of the soldier except in a humorous context but this is a little macabre. We know nothing about it but he person who brought it in is doing some research before we decide whether to accept it or not.

 

Recitals & Bandstand 

Caroline plays the carillon every Thursday 1pm till 2pm and Sunday 3.30pm till 4.30pm there are also concerts throughout the summer at the bandstand each Sunday 2pm till 3.30pm.

Plus there will be a week of recitals to commemorate the opening of the Carillon starting on the 22ndJuly and a special recital at 6.30pm 26thJuly where she will play the piece that Elgar wrote for the opening 

Performers in July are: 

7thJuly Charnwood Concert Band

21stJuly Melton Band 

28thJuly The New Orleans Hot Shots Jazz Band

 

We always welcome contributions if you have anything you would like to have included then send it to:carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

June 2013                                                       Issue No. 32

 

 

 

Diary Dates 

11 June 7.30pm Meeting of the Executive Committee at Southfields  

Volunteers Needed 

Although we have more volunteers than ever before in the time I have been associated with the museum we are still a little thin on the ground when it comes to those stalwarts who man the rooms. We are covered every day but have no slack to cover holidays and other absences. Just today I was on my own and we had over 130 visitors. Just a couple of people we could call on to cover would allow me to sleep at night. Do you know of anyone? Full induction and support will be provided.  

Yeomanry Name New Vehicle

'B' (Leicestershire & Derbyshire) Sqn The Royal Yeomanry have named one of its vehicles 'Songster' in memory of Loughborough's very own "War Horse"

Captain Nigel Benner, aged 57, who manages the day to day running of the squadron, said: "By naming the Land Rover after Songster we are celebrating the contribution made by the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry in conflicts past and present. "Men and women on the Squadron are, today, still a vital part of British operations in Afghanistan and previously Iraq, just as they were at Frezenberg nearly 100 years.

 

 

 

Songster, ridden by Bert Main of Loughborough went with the Leicestershire Yeomanry to France in 1914 both survived the war and are the subject to a small display in the museum. 

 

 

 

Read The full story of Songster: Leicestershire Yeomanry: Drum Horse

 

Flowers at Carillon 

Flowers have been placed at the carillon in the days that followed the death of Dmr Lee Rigby. 

More than 3480 British Service personnel have died on operations since WW2 But Dmr Rigby's death was so shocking and so public that it has provoked a response from the public that we rarely see.

 

What's New? - German Uniform 

We are engaged in a project with Rawlins Community College, encouraging young people to get involved with museums. One of the elements of the project was to obtain a German WW1 soldiers field uniform. 

It proved beyond our means to get an original but they obtained a very well made copy complete with belt and ammunition pouches. 

They will be putting it into the display case in the Airborne Room along with the other German objects from WW1. It will replace the British uniform that is a little out of place in that cabinet.  

I have often wondered where all those German Army objects came from? Some of them are a little too big to have been brought home by returning troops, (try getting a German MG08 machine gun in your back pack) however I now have the probable explanation. 

We have a German Mauser Anti-Tank Rifle but it has no bolt. I appealed to other military museums for anyone who had one to photograph and measure it so that we could have one made. I was really surprised when, it appears, everyone has one, and somebody explained that in about 1920 the government of the day distributed captured German equipment to all the municipalities for them to put on public display. 

 

Leicester Mercury- 82ndAirborne 

Article in theLeicester Mercuryabout the planning for 82ndAirborne's operations, we get a mention even through it is not quite accurate. There is however a plan by the volunteers who work on the displays each Wednesday morning (you are welcome to join them) to improve the display. I believe it involves raising the glass cabinet to the same level as the others and fitting another cabinet beneath to hold the diorama. Click on: Secrets of the D-Day operation were printed... 

Object Labels  

Now that we have agreed on the way that the medals are to be mounted and the appearance of the 'Object Labels' we just need someone to do them. It is a simple task you can to do at home. 

We will provide the card, craft knife and foam board, you need an attention to detail, a steady hand and an enthusiasm for the subject material.

  

You heard it here First

Some time ago in the Carillon Chimes I reported that the Irish Government was planning to pardon those men who deserted the Irish Defence Force in WW2 to fight in the British Army. They were very badly treated on their return at the end of the war, losing their pensions and barred from any government employment. 

Watching the news on the 6 May the story was covered and lo and behold the BBC used the same photograph that I had used to illustrate the story.

 

Three New Books Published 

I don't often include newly published books, there are so many of them but this month there are three that do deserve a mention. 

Of Those We Loved by I L (Dick) Read 

Dick Read​ joined up as one of Kitchener's first eager recruits, his experiences of war changed from enthusiasm to harrowing reality and he was inspired to write a touching memoir of his time on the Western Front. 

Dick's family privately published the book in 1994 but with the backing of the Association of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment it has now been re-printed. 

The book tells of the close relationship between the men of the Leicesters' and the villagers of the small village of Berles au Bois.

The village square in Berles is named 'Dick Read Square' to see the BBC coverage of the ceremony click on:

Soldier honoured (watch out for me) or you can watch the French version on You Tube at:Dick Read - la cérémonie version Internet.mp4 (watch out for the French bass drummer with the drum in a pram) the book is available from Amazon.

 

The royal leicestershire regiment- an illustrated history 

This book is by Robin Jenkins & James Ryan of the County Records Office in Wigston from photographs in their collection, many of them never published before. 

The regiment was raised in 1688 and of course there was no photography before the middle of the 19th century so rather than record the regiments activities in chronological order they have grouped the photographs by location, Home Front. Europe, India etc and it works very well. 

This is a fascinating book and is available from the Records Office, Amazon & Ebay.

Survivor on the River Kwai 

Reg Twigg Joined the Leicestershire Regiment to fight the Nazis but ended up in the disaster at Singapore and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese on the Burma Railway, 

A remarkable story of a Leicester lad living off his wits in the Burmese jungle and dealing with the ruthless brutality of his captors.  

Reg died just a few days before the launch of his book; to read the Mails review click on: The last Brit on the River Kwai: Reg Twigg, one of the ... - Daily Mail

 

Humour in Uniform 

Three Paras were walking through the forest when they came upon a set of tracks. The first Para said, "Those are deer tracks. "The second Para said, "No, those are sheep tracks. "The third Para said, "You're both wrong, those are goat tracks" The Paras were still arguing when the train hit them. 

Object of Desire - Bore Inspection Tool  

I had noticed this object in a display case in the Yeomanry room but it was not until we asked schoolchildren (as part of a project we have in the pipeline) to list their favourite objects in the museum and I was surprised when this object appeared on the list. 

It is placed in the chamber of the weapon and using the angled mirror and it allows you to inspect the barrel without having to strip the weapon down. It has a protective cover.

 

First produced in 1891 I am unsure how widely issued they were, they are not rare so this suggests common usage but later they were only used by armourers. There is another version with a short handle to make it easier to put the device in the chamber.

 

Leicester Mercury - Leicestershire Yeomanry  

Serving and former soldiers of a Leicestershire regiment are gearing up for a special anniversary of a First World War battle when they held the line against a massive German assault with terrible odds and won….Read more.. 

Recitals & Bandstand 

Caroline plays the carillon every Thursday 1pm till 2pm and Sunday 3.30pm till 4.30pm there are also concerts throughout the summer at the bandstand each Sunday 2pm till 3.30pm. Performers in June are: 

9 June; The New Orleans Hot jazz band      16 June; Melton Band

23 June; Melbourne Band                          30 June; Loughborough Concert Band

 

And talking of recitals here is 'Memorial Chimes' on YouTube:"Memorial Chimes" for the War Memorial Carillon Loughborough (Sir Edward Elgar) by Koen Cosaert

 

The Free Advert 

History Walk Around Loughborough 

Date: 19 June (Pre-booking advisable.) Time: 12noon-1pm
Admission: £2.50 library members/ £3.00 non-members
Venue: Charnwood Museum, Queens Park, Loughborough, 
 

A walk around some of central Loughborough's historical highlights with the Friends of Charnwood Museum. 

Want to receive the Carillon Chimes? Email carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

Anything you would like to see in the Chimes? Email: carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

May                                                       Issue No. 31

 

 

 

Diary Dates 

14 May Meeting of the Executive Committee 7.30 pm at Southfields. 

25 May Whitwick Historical Group 30th anniversary - see below. 

Michael Portillo Visits Carillon 

The carillon was visited by the production team responsible for BBC2's 'Great British Railway Journeys.' Caroline takes up the story.  "After a morning visit to Taylor's Bell Foundry, Michael Portillo made his way up the 91 steps of the carillon to visit me in the clavier room.   

"He asked about the Elgar piece specially composed for the opening of the tower in 1923 and then he joined me in a brief duet.  You'll have to watch the episode to see how that turned out but you'll have to wait until January 2014.  

"Hopefully it won't all end on the cutting room floor as they went to the effort of getting me to play the programme's theme tune too"

 

 Caroline the Carillonneur

Frezenberg Day - Leicestershire Yeomanry 

Each year the Leicestershire Yeomanry Association, supported by B (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron Royal Yeomanry commemorate Frezenberg Day. 

The Battle of Frezenberg in WW1 was probably the LY's finest hour when they held the line against a very determined German attack. Of the 291 men of the regiment who had gone into the trenches at Frezenberg on the 12 May 1915 only 40 could be rallied for the counter-attack the following afternoon. 

A service will be held at 1100hrs on Sunday 5 May at Newtown Linford Parish Church and then a wreath laying ceremony at the LY Memorial in Bradgate Park. 

If you require any further details then please contact Luke Smith through carillonmuseum@gmail.com

 

 

 The Great Paul 

 

Work as started on the base within Queens Park for the Great Paul bell case. It is to be placed next to the pond by the café. 

The Great Paul, cast by Taylor's, is the largest British cast bell in the country at more than 16 ½ tons. Cast in 1881 It took 11 days to transport it to London. It rings every day at 1pm to remind Londoners that it is lunch time 

The case itself weighs 14 tons and was, I believe, refurbished and moved from Taylor's yard after the staff had spent 120 years tripping over it.

 

 Link to a You Tube clip: Great Paul, The heaviest bell in the UK at almost 16 3/4 tons ...

 

 

 What's New? -  Framed Newspaper & Chair 

 

Donated by Mr James Toon of Loughborough   this is the front page of the Nottingham Evening Post from 11 November 1918, the day the Great War finished. 

At 5am on the morning of the 11/11/1918 the Germans, exhausted, short of manpower and supplies and in danger of being invaded signed an armistice agreement ending hostilities at 11am that morning. 

WW1 had cost the lives of 9 million soldiers another 21 million had been wounded. The civilian population had also suffered dreadfully with at least 5 million dead from disease, starvation or exposure. 

The British Army casualties are given as 956,703 dead and 2,272,998 wounded. Of those killed 526,816 have no known grave; this includes those lost at sea. France lost 1,697,800 soldiers and civilians dead and Germany 2,476,897 

 

 

This chair, presented in 1890 by Lt H S Logan to the Officers at the Leicestershire Regiment's depot.  Gifted to the museum by Mr Paul Clements of Coalville, himself an ex soldier of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment. 

In 1908, as a Captain, Logan was commanding a company of Sudanese infantry of the Egyptian Army when he accompanied the Governor of the province who was investigating two murders. Whilst awaiting reinforcements from Khartoum their camp was attacked. Captain Logan sustained wounds from which he died later. The chair needs a little attention to the castors after which it will be placed on the ground floor to replace one of the modern chairs we have in that room. Anyone know of a furniture restorer?

 

 

 Whitwick Historical Group 

 

The group are holding a 'History of Whitwick' in 30 objects on the 25 May at the Methodist Chapel on Hall Lane, Whitwick 10am till 5pm. Admission is free and there is parking close by. 

If you get the opportunity to visit they will be most pleased to see you. 

 

 

 That Grenade Again - The Final Word! 

 

The WW1 French P3 grenade which has perplexed so many people has finally been explained by Mr Paul Spence, we had assumed that on impact the plunger was forced backwards but as Paul explains, 

"The French P 3 Grenade was a simple 1st WW impact grenade. It functioned in the following manner. 

"The pin was pulled out and the grenade thrown using a high angle trajectory, the 

cloth drogue would catch the air and slide back till its inner tube stopped on the base of the handle. 

"This rearward movement released the spring lever which is holding down another lever that has a stud on it through to the inside the handle. 

"This studded lever secures the internal striker, when it springs up it releases the striker which is now free to move inside the handle, but is held back by a small creep spring. 

"Upon impact with the ground the striker shoots forward overcoming the creep spring and hits the sensitive detonator, which ignites the explosive shattering the grenade into lethal fragments." 

Paul's very interesting website is at: :  http://www.paul-spence1964.com/

 

 

 

 

 E13 Features in Magazine 

 

Just one month after our P3 grenade appeared in the Britain at War magazine the same publication have the story of the loss of the E13 submarine in WW1 

One of the men killed on the E13 was Herbert Goulden of Loughborough. The full story can be read on the website at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com click on 'WW1 Roll of Honour' and scroll down to Herbert Goulden. 

Or you can subscribe to the magazine at: www.britainatwar.com

 

 

 Herbert's grave in Loughborough Cemetery

 Presentation to Mayor 

 

 

When the Mayor, Cllr Diane Wise, visited the carillon in early April she was very taken by the picture of the carillon on the front of our brochure. 

 So it was that we ended up in the Mayor's Parlour where our President, Mr Peter Crooks presented, on behalf of the carillon volunteers, a framed copy of the original photograph. 

The Mayor thanked the volunteers but in particular Mr Peter Minshall who had taken the original photograph, in fact Peter had not only taken that photo but all the photos in the brochure, we are very lucky to have such a talented photographer as a volunteer.

 

 

Pictured is Peter Minshall with the mayor and the framed photograph, which will hang in the Mayor's Parlour.

 

 

Object of Desire - Vesta Case 

In last months Chimes we featured a silver vesta case presented to W Sutton in South Africa and reported that we also had the WW1 medals of a William Sutton and wondered at the time if they were the same person. After some very cursory research we now know that they are father and son and we will now re-unite the items, fathers vesta case will sit alongside his son's medals. 

Pilgrimage to France 

 

 

Mr Keith Hassall, museum volunteer and Royal British Legion (RBL) Standard Bearer travelled on behalf of the RBL on a pilgrimage to the battlefields of Neuve Chapelle and Loos. 

Pte William Buckingham Leicestershire Regiment won the VC at Neuve Chapelle and more men from Leicestershire died at Loos than in any other battle before or since. 

Amongst the cemeteries visited was 'Duds Corner' where so many men of the 1/4th Leicesters' are commemorated on the walls, few have any known grave. On of those commemorated is the grandfather of one of our other volunteers. 

At another cemetery, Neoux-les Mines 3 Mountsorrel men share the same grave. Keith laid a poppy cross on behalf of the Mountsorrel RBL.

 

 This is not the first time that Keith has represent the RBL on these visits, last year he was in Southern Italy with the relatives of those men of Leicestershire Regiment who died there in WW2 visiting graves at Monte Cassino, Anzio and Salerno.

 

 

The Free Advert

 

Billy's Book of Loughborough Boozers

 

 

The book, Loughborough Pubs that Billy Wells put together about 12 years ago has now been revised with lots of new (old) pics and pics of the latest livery of the pubs that have survived.

154 pages (previously 84) which feature 261 pubs/pub names and 274 photographs both old and new. There are also many alcoholic anecdotes. 

 

 

 

Mr Billy Wells is donating all monies due to him from the sale of the book to the Patients Comfort Fund at Osborne House, LRI.

It is on sale at Waterstones in Loughborough at £15-99 but from the printers or myself it is only £15-00. 

Bill Wells email; bill@firemanbill.plus.com and telephone 01509 267123

The printers email; dovecote.press@virgin.net and telephone 01509 218414

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

April                                                       Issue No. 30

 

 

 



 

Diary Dates

9thApril the AGM to be held at Southfields Council offices at 7.30pm.

A Fitting Memorial

As part of the campaign to have to have a proper memorial to the victims of the Zeppelin raid on Loughborough in January 1916 we have been very lucky with the coverage by the Loughborough Echo and as a result of that coverage were also featured on Radio Leicester.

One of my favourite anecdotes from the Echo was this from a gentleman relating the story his grandmother had told him about that night. He takes up the story. 

 

"I remember her telling me when I was very young about it" he said" She had been to the cinema with one of he friends and was walking across the Market Place when she saw the Zeppelin coming over low In the sky

"She ran for cover and went into the yard, which can still be seen between Boots and Gregg's. She said that the Zeppelin was so low that she could see the German officers who were pointing out the gasworks and talking to each other.

"Apparently they had big moustaches and spiky helmets, just like they had later in the movies. Ed. Just what you want in a gas filled balloon, a spiky helmet


What we need now is someone with he skills and experience to carry the appeal forward. Is that you?

Carillon Bells in Somerset

Rather an odd request was received from a gentleman in Somerset. They have an area of ancient woodland in to which they are to place speakers and play the bells of our carillon to visitors to the wood.

Fortunately we have a CD of the carillon being played and were able to oblige him. He told me of a volcanic crater in Hawaii where they also play the music recorded at a carillon. I have looked on the Internet but cannot find it. Can anyone else?

Discount Card

Defence Discount Service
Official - The only official discounts for the ...
is the websitefor serving and ex service personnel to obtain a discount card that can be used in hundreds of shops and other outlets including over 200 online outlets.

The Mayor's Visit

 

 

The Mayor, Cllr Diane Wise, her husband and the Vice Chancellor of the University pose with the volunteers on the steps of the carillon.

 

The Mayor and the Vice Chancellor of the University visited the museum early in March. The aim was to focus on the work that volunteers do. The Mayor showed considerable interest in our efforts and thoroughly enjoyed the visit, promising to visit again soon.

What's New? - Leicestershire Militia
 

Although we are very reluctant to accept books and are in fact working on reducing the number we hold this was passed to us a couple of weeks ago.

The Leicestershire Militia in South Africaby G H P Burne, the Battalion Adjutant, it is written as a diary recording the day-to-day events of the battalion's time in South Africa during the Boer War.  

 

The 3rd Bn had been a militia that was amalgamated into the Leicestershire Regiment in 1881, they had once served in Ireland and had a harp in their cap badge.They were a reserve battalion supplying recruits the 1st & 2ndBns but volunteered to go to South Africa as a unit.
 

The Work in the Airborne Room 

Here you can see the changes being worked on the displays in the Airborne Room. New blue backgrounds and a new cabinet for the Graff Spee. The rifles given a more prominent position and all the ammunition and bayonets in the upright cabinet in to which we have fitted glass shelves



Still some work to be done including the objects on top of the cabinets. A young lady from Rawlins is painting some heads to display the helmets and gasmasks.

That Grenade Again!

This French P3 grenade from our collection continues to puzzle us and many others, this month it is featured in the magazine Britin at War with an appeal to their readers to explain what function the metal sprung lever (hanging down in the picture) performs.

It is amazing with all the information there is about the
Great War we have failed to get a satisfactory explanation to this puzzle.



Gas Mask Finds Fame  

Mrs Maisie Walker tells me that the author Susie Hodge has written a book,The Home Front in World War Two: Making Do and Getting Through. Full of first-hand memories, this book tellsof the creativity and enterprise of people living in Britain during the Second
World War and it features t he baby's gas mask we have in the Airborne Room with
the doll inside it.

Mrs Maise Walker knitted the clothes that thedoll is wearing and we featured Maisie's story about being evacuated in an earlier edition of the Carillon Chimes.

Object of Desire - Vesta Case

We have in our collection a silver vesta (matches) case on the front is the crest of the Leicestershire Regiment and on the back the inscription;

Presented to Pte W Sutton To commemorate

His patriotic service in

SOUTH AFRICA

AD 1900 - 1901

The Leicestershire Regiment were in South Africa throughout the duration of the Boer War but what did Pte W Sutton do to rewarded with this fine vesta case?

  

The beauty of having the collection on the computer is that when we typed his name in, it revealed that we also had his South Africa Medal, the two had become separated at some time in the past and without the computer might have remained so. But even more interesting is that the computer revealed that we also have the WW1 and Long Service medals of Pte W Sutton of the Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Is it possible that this is the same man? Served in the Boer War and on leaving the army sign up in the Leicestershire Yeomanry (part time militia) and at the outbreak of WW1 went with them to France. The army number is different on the SA medal and his Long Service Medal but that is to be expected, the pre war numbering system could not cope with the enormous expansion of the army in WW1 and the system changed.

Hopefully by the next edition of the Carillon Chimes we will be able to tell you the results of the research.

We are Open for Business

We opened up for the new season on a bitterly cold Good Friday. We did not expect many visitors; the park was hardly the place to be in that weather. We were in fact busier than we thought.

Something else we did not expect was that our very first visitor put a £20.00 note in the donation box; perhaps this is an omen for a very successful season.

However we do have a problem, although we have more volunteers than ever we are short on museum guides, hose stalwarts who man theupper rooms and without whom the public would not be able to access parts of our museum. 

We do have two volunteers on each afternoon that we are open but we have absolutely no slack, someone is ill, goes on holiday or has another demand on their time and we will be struggling. Do you know anyone who might help? One afternoon a week, one afternoon a month or just be able to cover absences, it will all help. 

   

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

March 2013                                                       Issue No. 29

 

 

 

  

Diary Dates

Mayor's Visit  0900hrs 1 March the Mayor and Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University  will be visiting the carillon to meet the volunteers. 

Museum Committee meeting.12 March 1930hrs at Southfields,  

Open Day. There will be an open session at the museum on Wednesday 13thMarch, we will open in the afternoon and invite potential volunteers to join us. 1400hrs till 1530 please print off the poster at the bottom of this newsletter and display it where you can. 

A Fitting Memorial 

As the 100thAnniversary of the start of the Great War draws closer, we have launched a campaign to build a proper memorial to the victims of the Zeppelin raid. The original intention was to launch next year but circumstances have rather overtaken us. 

The Loughborough Echo are supporting the project and carried a full page feature on the 15 February on the 22nd and again on the 28th we could not have wished for a better start however there is a long way to go. We need people with the expertise and enthusiasm to carry it forward. Are you that person? Here is an opportunity to get involved in a worthwhile project that will appreciated by so many for generations to come. 

 

 

 

Airborne Room 

Volunteers have worked throughout the close season on the display cases in the Airborne room. A new display cabinet has been built and we must thank Tony Scutt for his efforts and expertise in constructing the cabinet. The large model of the Graff Spree has been moved into this cabinet with a couple of other small items related to the German Navy. 

This in turn has freed up room in the large cabinet where the rifles from the upright cabinet have been moved. The display of rifles was far to crowded in the upright cabinet so the extra room means they can be displayed far more effectively.

Finally the upright cabinet has been fitted with glass shelves to display the collection of grenades and ammunition that we hold. 

Read the National Army Museum's Newsletter: Click on:view it as a web page

  

Loughborough Grammar School's Roll of Honour   

A special project to research Loughborough Grammar School's Roll of Honour from the Great War is being undertaken by Karen Ette

 

The front page of the school's magazine, The Loughburian, from the autumn 1914, reads:  

"Since the end of last term, our Nation and Empire have been involved in the most terrible war the world has ever known. Boys at school are too young to fight the enemy in the line of battle, but they also have their part to play." 

The Headmaster continues:  

 "The duty of self-sacrifice is one of the needed lessons which we believe this war is intended to teach a Nation only too inclined of late to be eager for ease and comfort."  

 

 

The Roll of Honour in Hodson Hall. 

The article lists the early recruits and many of these names appear on the Roll of Honour that hangs on the wall in the Hodson Hall. Many are also named on the Carillon and local memorials.  

The research project will honour these brave men today. Each of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice is being carefully researched and their story included in a book together with school events of the time. 

Significant progress has already been made from school and local records, but much family detail and background information remains to be found. Perhaps readers can help here?  You can find the list of names at: http://www.battlefieldsandbeyond.com 

If anyone has family history, photographs, etc. relating to those Loughburians who bravely answered their country's call, we would really like to hear from you.  

Contact:Karen Ette, M.A.Loughborough Grammar School at:k.ette@lesgrammar.org

 

What's New - German Serving Spoons  

Mrs Cythia Brown of Leicester saw the copy of theCarillon Chimesthat featured the German folding fork and spoon and contacted me to offer us a ladle and a serving spoon.

They are both marked Fl U.V (Flieger Unterkunft Verwattung) (Flight Barrack Administration) I can only guess that these items were in the Officers Mess, they appear too delicate to be from the soldiers cookhouse. She believes that they were brought back after WW2 as a souvenir.

They will be on display in the 'Latest Acquisitions cabinet before moving to a permanent home in the German display in the Airborne Room.

WW1 Cigarette Case 

Griff Morgan-Jones drew our attention this cigarette case, a piece of 'trench art' engraved, Capt E R Hanbury Leicestershire Yeomanry. 

It has two compartments for cigarettes and matches and a striker along the bottom side. 

A collector in Wales was disposing of part of his collection, the non Welsh objects. Having made contact with him he agreed to let us have it.

 

The story is that Capt. Evan Robert Hanbury, who was wounded in 1915 at Ypres gave the case to the nurse in gratitude for caring for him. Capt Hanbury returned to France and was promoted to Major and attached to the Machine Gun Corps. He was reported 'Missing' in March 1918 and in 1919 with no trace of him it was presumed he had died. 

We are fortunate that we not only acquired his cigarette case but also a good photo and a copy of his obituary from the newspaper of the day.

Object of Desire  

Continuing on the subject of the Zeppelin raid we have tucked away in the cabinet on the ground floor not one but two OBEs (Order of the British Empire) introduced by King George V. 

He recognised a need for a new award that could be widely awarded to the large number of men and women who were helping with the war effort. It was the first time women were included in an order of chivalry. 

In 1918 it was split into Military and Civil Divisions and used as a reward for services to the state in a much wider sense

 

 

 

 Ours were awarded to Beatrice Smith and Ernest Stubley, Ernest was awarded his for remaining at his post throughout the Zeppelin raid and safeguarding the works, Beatrice returned to the factory in the dark to turn off the main power switch.  

A New Photo Website 

Here is a link to a new site featuring photos of soldiers of the Leicestershire Regiment in WW1 Click on… WW1 TIGERS - Home Page
 
 

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

February 2013                                                       Issue No. 28

 

 

 

 

From the Chairman 

Couple of changes, I am going to drop this paragraph in future editions, I always struggle to find things to say and the articles often provide the vehicle to add comments. The other change is that I am dropping the 'What's on' piece, there is so little 'on' that I scratch around looking for something to put in and it can be very time consuming. It will however continue as a 'Diary Dates' where I will continue to highlight future events that are important to us.

 

Diary Dates 

Mayors Visit. The Mayor will be visiting the Carillon and Museum on Friday 1 March at 9am. The visit will give us the opportunity for some publicity prior to our opening. The emphasis of the visit will be to explain and highlight the role and efforts of the volunteers. There will be a separate instruction for the volunteers to explain the format of the visit.

 

Open Day. There will be an open session at the museum on Wednesday 13th March, we will open for a couple of hours in the afternoon and invite potential volunteers to join us. More details to follow in the March Edition of the Carillon Chimes. 

Amazing Plants. All this month until 31 Mar at the Charnwood Museum. Exploring the relationship between people and plants. Showcasing a collection of botanical materials including the stories of local collectors. Free. 

Who is this man?

 

 

 

 

 

We have a large collection of photographs of individuals in uniform that we are trying to identify and put into albums however this one has come from another source. 

Mr Gryff Morgan-Jones a friend of the museum and an expert on the Leicestershire Yeomanry (visit his website: Welcome to Prince Albert's Own Yeomanry) has asked if any of our readers can identify this man; a Sgt in 153 Regt Leicestershire Yeomanry taken by a Dutch photographer in WW2. Any idea? Please let me know. 

There is a lesson here for us all, write details of the subject on the back of any photographs you have, use a soft lead pencil and as much info as like, otherwise your treasured snaps will join the millions of other unidentifiable photographs.
 
 
 Jim Nasmyth in Thailand

Recently one of our volunteers, Mr Jim Nasmyth and his wife visited Thailand and whilst they were there they took the opportunity to visit Chugkai War Cemetery. 

Sapper William Henry Soars of Loughborough is buried there having died in the POW Camp, the cause of death being recorded as a deficiency of vitamins.

The picture shows Jim and his wife at the grave of William Soars and below the grave stone and flowers placed by Jim.

 

 

 
 

 

There are 1,740 graves at Chunkai, 1.380 of them are British, 313 are Dutch and the remainder Indian and Malays. 

There are about 12,000 graves in the area but we should not forget the tens of thousands of Malays, Chinese, Tamil and Burmese who died and have no grave marker.

The people who look after the site handed over to Jim a number of items picked up on the site of the POW camp including a button stick, a steel mirror and two buckles. 

The war in the Far East is under represented in our museum so these items may give someone amongst the volunteers the incentive to rectify that situation. 

 
 
  

Cadets Struggle to Raise Funds 

Loughborough Sea Cadets, who lost their HQ building last year in a fire, are struggling to raise the funds required to rebuild. They are trying to raise £250.000 but as yet have raised just £25.000. 

Lt Kay Adey the Commanding Officer explained that they were still awaiting the insurance money but that plans to start the rebuild this year probably will not happen. 

Anyone who wishes to help can contact Kay on 01509 268 904 or visit:T. S. Venomous Phoenix Rising Charity profile - BT MyDonate 

Photographs needed 

Visit this site, they need photos of a war memorials, just type in the name of the town or village it lists the memorials and it is extremely easy to send them a photograph if there is not one shown. One memorial in Hathern, two in Shepshed, two in Quorn and not a single photograph. Visit: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk
 
 

French P3 Grenade 

Following our appeal for information about the French grenade we have a large number of responses, from other museums, the WFA and individuals. No one person supplied the complete answer but we are certainly a lot further than we were. 

Everyone agrees the hessian skirt acts like the flight of a shuttlecock to ensure that the grenade lands headfirst. It was added later after earlier problems with the grenade failing to explode.
 
 
 

The wooden handle on our example has been shortened it should be a little longer with a knob on the end, when the pin through the wooden handle is removed and the grenade thrown the hessian skirt and tube slid backwards, the knob prevents it from coming off altogether, having the flight as far back as possible improves the dynamics. 

As for the lever that then springs up this is perhaps where we are guessing, amongst the pictures of the P3 grenade sent to us there are some without the assembly holding the lever, suggesting that it could be thrown without the lever in place. 

Another picture shows a British No1 Mk 1 grenade with a very similar lever and the caption says, 'Converted for electrical detonation.' With what appears to be a detonator in place of the plunger. Close examination of the lever on our grenade does suggest an electrical use (there is a small stud, identical to the type you might find in a modern day device that requires a contact) 

I would like to thank everyone who showed an interest and responded to our appeal for help.

 

What's New? 

We have acquired a couple of 'On War Service' badges to go with one we already had, these will now be displayed together to tell the story. 

At the outbreak of WW1 some companies issued workers with an 'On War Service' badge so that they would not be accused of shirking. The Admiralty took up the idea followed by the War Office and private badges were then made illegal in August 1915. 

The badges were individually numbered to prevent misuse. Employers were required to keep the records however these were not kept when the war ended so it now is impossible to identify to whom the badge was issued.
 
 

The Admiralty Badge 

Issued to shipyard workers whose services were required to build the ships Britain needed. The early ones were not numbered but this was rectified later.
 
 

Army Ordnance Factory Workers Badge 

Issued by the Ministry of Munitions to identify men considered necessary for war work and exempt from call-up for military service. They are numbered and their issue was tightly controlled.
 
 

Women's On War Service Badge 

In May 1916 the Ministry of Munitions issued a badge exclusively for women. There was some opposition because women were not liable for call up but it was felt that their efforts should be recognized. It is fixed with a pin, a woman having no lapel buttonhole.
 
 
 

To late to be included in this edition we have also acquired a couple of spoons and a cigarette case. Details next month. Can't wait! 

Carillon Crackers 

Spotted this on the Internet, a blog by Di Coke, a competition compulsive, with the accompanying explanation.
 
 
 
 
 

In Summer I entered a competition featured in the Loughborough Echo to recreate a local landmark from food - this was to win a trip to Cornwall.  

Ry and I spent ages stacking cheese and crackers (and - erm - cabbage) to recreate the Loughborough Carillon.  

We didn't win, and missed the newspaper with the results in so never got to see the winning entry (we were eating cheese and crackers for some days afterwards!)
 
 Object of Desire - A Sten Gun  

On the shoulder of the mannequin in the Airborne Room this iconic weapon of WW2 and the Korean War. 

The Sten name came out of names of the designers (Shepard andTurpin) and from the factory where they worked (Enfield arsenal). Crude, ugly, simple, very cheap but effective.
 
 
Almost 4 million Sten guns of different versions were made between 1941 and 1945. The magazine holds 32 rounds but normally loaded with 28/30 to reduce strain on the magazine spring and it fired a 9mm round, at a rate of about 550 rounds per minute and had an effective range of 150/200 yards. It was replaced in the mid fifties by the Sterling Sub Machine Gun (SMG)
 
 
The Free Advert
 

For Sale: 3 pack bin set from Workzone. No reasonable offer refused, all proceeds to the museum funds. Emailcarillonmuseum@gmail.com 

Please forward this to anyone who may be interested or have them put on the distribution list. Email carillonmuseum@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

January 2013                                                       Issue No. 27

 

 

 

 

From the Chairman 

Hope you had a great Christmas and I hope that you enjoy this edition of the Carillon Chimes, put together at the last minute as usual. 

What's on in January? 

Each and every Wednesday morning volunteers meet at the carillon to develop the displays. Why not join us 1000hrs till 1230hrs. Apart from that I have trawled the Internet and there is next to nothing happening in January. 

12 Jan to 3 Feb Charnwood Museum. Holocaust Memorial Day Exhibition. An exhibition to mark the Holocaust. Entry free, for more info tel: 01509 233754 

Blow to Loughborough Tourism 

Great Central Railway are planning a new £10,000.000 museum, unfortunately the plan is to site it in Leicester. Read more….£10m rail museum would be a 'huge attraction...

 

Grenade Continues to Puzzle 

 

Reported in the last issue that this French P3 Mle Grenade that continues to puzzle us as to how it works, or perhaps more accurately why the hessian skirt can be removed was featured in the newsletter of the local Western Front Association. 

One of their readers offered a rather implausible explanation, It did not convince me although I have had the advantage of handling it and examining the mechanism close up.We have now appealed to the members of AMOT (Army Museums Ogilby Trust) this is the organisation that brings all the regimental and military museums together. 

 

 

 

British Veterans to Get medal 

David Cameron announced on 19 December that a medal should be awarded to the seamen who took part in the Arctic Convoys, braving German U-boats and Luftwaffe bombers to maintain supply lines to Soviet ports in what Winston Churchill called the "worst journey in the world". 

The Prime Minister also said that the "heroic" veterans of Bomber Command, who faced a one in 20 chance of being killed in their raids over Germany, should receive a new clasp. To read more ….Sacrifices of British veterans recognised at last

 

 

Loughborough Grammar School 

The Grammar School are preparing a book telling the stories of those former pupils who lost their lives in WW1. The list of the fallen was published in the Loughborough Echo unfortunately it is not available online so for those of you that do not take the Echo I have scanned the article and will send it separate to this newsletter. 

You will see that they have been in contact with Kevin Mitchell, if you do have anything on any of the names on the list and they are also commemorated on the Loughborough War Memorial then please let Kevin know as well as the Grammar School. You can contact Kevin through the site: Loughborough-RollofHonour.com - Home 

 

L/Cpl Richardson

 

It being the season of the year I thought this poem by Loughborough man, L/Cpl Henry Arthur Richardson of A Company 1/5th Bn, written at Christmas 1916 was appropriate. The Plough Inn of the poem is at Thorpe Acre, Loughborough and is still used by members of the Richardson family.

 

The gentleman 'Marston' in the second verse was the grandfather of RSM 'Tommy' Marston of the Royal Leicesters'. A legend within the regiment.

 

Tippit is game that involves guessing which of the opposing team is holding a coin in his clenched fist.

 

It is in the Plough Inn crowded, on a cold and winters night.

You can see the old boys faces, brimming with delight.

 

The old king pin of course was there, telling all he knew.

And Marston, still on politics, until his nose went blue.

 

I often sit and wonder, what the taproom is like.

Now Hallams gone and left it, to join the Wymeswold tykes.

 

I fancy I can see you, in the taproom bright.

With Gaunty playing 'Tippit', with Smithy on his right.

 

And Crossy sits a wondering, which side will have to pay.

So he can have a drink, out of the winnings (that's his way)

 

I expect that Perrys busy, mopping down the Brown.

Though I hope he won't go bald-headed, and show a shining crown.

 

I can see old Teddy smiling, as he rakes his shekels in.

So he reddens up his dewdrop, with a little drop of gin.

 

Lets hope there will be meetings, of faces old and new.

And so I send this greeting, from across the sea to you.

 

I hope you all will think of me, when mopping down the Brown.

Of  times when we got slotted, in old Thorpe Acre town.

 

I will close this little story, from across the water blue.

To wish you all a Jolly Christmas, and a Happy New Year to.  

 

 

Henry Richardson died of his wounds on 13th May 1917.

The Chaplin wrote to his wife,

 

"It is with very deep regret I have to tell you that your husband passed away in this hospital to-day. He was brought in so badly wounded that his case was hopeless, he gradually became weaker and passed away quite peacefully."

 

He his commemorated on the carillon and buried at the Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery in France. The photo is of his grave (Courtesy of Kevin)

 


Carillon Jigsaw Puzzle 

Last season we had several visitors asking if we had a jigsaw puzzle of the Carillon.

We decided that it would make a nice addition to the list of items we sell in the Tower. So a 500 piece puzzle is now in production.  It measures 48 x 35 cm and features one of Peter Minshall's lovely autumn views of Loughborough Queen's Park with the Tower.

 

 

It will be on sale with our other range of

souvenirs next Easter priced at £7.50, but there are a few available at the Loughborough Charnwood Museum now. 

 

Humour in Uniform 

A soldier was admitted to a military hospital for an operation. The next morning the Medical Officer (MO) was doing his rounds when he came to the man's bed and asked, "What are you in for soldier?" 

"Haemorrhoids sir" the man replied. 

"No you are not," stated the MO "officers have haemorrhoids, soldiers have piles." 

Object of Desire - Japanese Prayer Flag 

 

Coloured prayer flags are a common sight in the Himalayas (as seen on TV) and have their origins in the Buddhist religion. 

Ours however is a Hinomaru, a flag that a Japanese soldier would have taken into battle. Family and friends would write good luck messages on the flag before he left and receiving the flag was a great honour for the soldier. 

The object label beneath ours says that it was a practice from WW2 but it goes much further back than that. 

 

 

 

 

Ours was brought back by a local soldier after WW2 and is displayed in the Airborne Room alongside a photo of a group of Japanese soldiers, most of whom have a Prayer Flag tied to their rifles.

 

Displays in Loughborough Library 

 

 

We have two small displays in Loughborough

Library at the moment and we hope they will remain until the end of January. 

The first is a display of photographs of service personnel, some are identified others are not; we are putting all our photographs of individuals in albums so as to make them available to the public. The display is not the best, if you have a talent for this sort of thing please let me know. We need help in identifying those with no details on the back and we want more photographs of anyone who has served or is serving today.  Please ask your friends and family have you got a photo of a relation in uniform?

 

 

 

The second display is of WW1 postcards used as propaganda. Post cards were an extremely popular form of communication at the time and with up to seven deliveries a day it was possible to send a post card to say you would be late home for tea. 

We have on display, British, German, French and Italian cards, some sentimental, some humorous and some downright nasty.

 

 

 

The Free Advert

 

Loughborough Sea Cadets want to hear from you! Do you have questions about the Sea Cadet Corps? Or would you like to join? 

 

 

 

 

Email: kadey@btopenworld.com

 

or you can reach us at:

 

T.S.Venomous,

Loughborough Sea Cadets,

Beeches Road,

Loughborough.

 

Tel: 01509 268131

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

December 2012                                                       Issue No. 26

 

 

 

From the Chairman 

Remembrance Sunday saw not only the carillon at the centre of the act of remembering those who fell in conflict but possibly the largest crowd that Queen's Park as seen for many years. Fine weather and the dropping of thousands of poppies from the tower balcony made for a great and moving occasion. I met man wearing the silk poppy his mother had worn in 1921, the year that the practice of wearing a poppy caught on with the public. It has been worn by a member of his family every year since. 

Still busy in the museum, volunteers meet up every Wednesday morning at 10am to work on projects; you are welcome to join us. We have also had visits from distant parts, a large party from Derby and another from Denham in Buckinghamshire.  

Caroline came in for both visits to play and demonstrate the clavier. This proved very popular with the visitors and I would like to thank her for her contribution.

 

What's on in December? 

The Castles of Leicestershire & Rutlandat Charnwood Museum now till 6 Jan an exhibition of medieval fortified sites in the area. Free 

Christmas Sunday Fundaythe Town centre with Postman Pat 2 Dec10am - 4pm. 

Ladybird Liveat Charnwood Museum 6 Dec 1.30 till 3pm story telling event for 2-5 year olds; come dressed as a ladybird (This event will be filmed) 

Christmas Flora & Flea Marketin the Market Place 7 Dec & 14 Dec 10am - 4pm. 

Meet the Friendsat Charnwood Museum 8 Dec 11am till 3pm meet the experts and enjoy a mince pie. Organised by the Friends of Charnwood Museum. Free but donations welcome. 

Santa Fun Run Spectacle & Christmas Pudding marketMarket Place 9 Dec 10am - 4pm Cheer on 1200 Santas while browsing the Christmas Pudding Market.

The Reason for the Season in the Market Place 10am - 4pm Christmas Nativity including choirs, entertainment and food. 

Mayor's Carol ServiceAll Saints Parish Church 20 Dec 7pm. 

Miners Morning: From Coalville to the Trenchesat Snibston 20 Dec 10.30am History talk about the evolution of the British Infantry equipment and the Coalville connection. Tel: 01530 278444 £4.00 includes refreshments. 

Christmas Crackersat Charnwood Museum 22 Dec 10.15am, 11.45 & 1.30pm fun cracker workshop pre-book £2.50 per child. 

When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimneyat Charnwood Museum 22 Dec till 7 Jan

Hunt for Santa festive gallery quiz. 3+ Free. 

Christmas carolsat the bandstand Queen's Park 24 Dec 1pm carols accompanied by the carillon bells played by Caroline. Come along and get into the festive spirit. 

Santa Steam Trainsat the Great Central Railway now till 24 Dec A trip on the railway to meet Santa as he hands out presents & refreshments, Advance booking 01509 632323

Volunteer Website 

We have an entry on a volunteering website:www.do-it.org.ukenter 'Museums & Libraries and the post code LE11 and you will find us. 

War Memorials Website 

Another website opened on 11thNovember, gives details of war memorials across the country.WAR MEMORIALS ONLINE | Help us to record, conserve and ...very easy site to use. 

Mountsorrel Heritage Group

 

 
 

The Heritage Group has done a lot of research on the men commemorated on the memorial at Mountsorrel but there are still some gaps and they need your help. Do you have any information about the WW1 fallen of Mountsorrel? 

They are planning an exhibition in 2013 that will not only commemorate the outbreak of the Great War but also show how the village was in 1914. 

If you can help or want the names of those men that they are still researching then please contact Pat Neil at:

patrick.neal7@ntlworld.com

 

Carillon Jigsaw Puzzle 

Last season we had several visitors asking if we had a jigsaw puzzle of the Carillon. We decided that it would make a nice addition to the list of items we sell in the Tower. So a 500 piece puzzle is now in production. It measures 48 x 35 cm and features one of Peter Minshall's lovely autumn views of Loughborough Queen's Park with the Tower.

It will be on sale with our other range of souvenirs next Easter priced at £8.50, but a few will be made available at the Loughborough Charnwood Museum in the next few days for anybody after that last minute Christmas present.

 

 Rawlins College

We have started a very exiting project with a group of students from Rawlins Community College who are to undertake a number of projects in our museum. 

Funded with a Shire Grant from Leicestershire County Council they are planning six different Projects.

 

  • A WW1 German field uniform and equipment on an upper body mannequin to be placed in the cabinet in the Airborne Room alongside the German weapons and equipment that we already have.

 

  • Re-furbishment of the mannequins, starting with the two ladies in the Airborne Room, this may include having the uniforms cleaned after taking some advice.

 

  • A Leicestershire soldier, a display telling the story of an individual soldier, this will also include a WW1 uniform and accoutrements and will probably be placed in the ground floor central cabinet.

 

  • A 'Handling Box' with items that children (and adults we hope) can handle under supervision. We hope to be able to make this available for schools to borrow.

 

  • A slideshow of photos of soldiers from the Yeomanry on modern day operations, this will be placed in the Yeomanry Room where there is a DVD player already.

 

·        A display of WW1 Death Plaques, explaining what they are and telling some of the stories about the men they commemorate.

 

It goes without saying that their education comes first so they will be working on the projects during their spare time and holidays.

 

Western Front Association (WFA)

We have made the latest edition of the WFA newsletter. We have a grenade in our collection that as puzzled us for some time, we know it is a French P3 but we cannot figure out the mechanics of it. A number of explanations have been put forward none of them very convincing, The WFA have asked their members if they can help. At this moment in time it is, 'All Quiet on the Western Front' but we are hopeful that amongst their readers there will be someone who knows. 

If you want a larger picture and details email me.

 

Humour in Uniform 

A British POW was in a German hospital with serious injuries when the doctor informs him that they have to amputate his leg. The POW accepts the news with resignation but asks that the amputated limb could be place in a German bomber and dropped into his beloved homeland on the next bombing mission. The doctor agrees. 

Just a few days later the doctor returns with more bad news, the mans other leg needs to amputated, again the man accepts the news and makes the same request again, that the limb is dropped in Britain by a German bomber on its next mission and once again the request is granted. 

Within the week the doctor is back with the awful news that the man's arm needs to be amputated ad the same request is made and agreed to. 

A few days past when once again the doctor is back to tell the man that despite all their efforts they need to amputate his remaining arm. The man is upset but accepts the doctor's opinion and again asks that the limb be dropped into Britain. 

After the operation the doctor is at the man's bedside to tell him that his latest request has been refused. "The Commandant says no! he vill not do ziss for you. He thinks you are trying to escape!" 

Object of desire - Afghan Medal 1878

Following the arrival in Kabul of an uninvited Russian diplomatic mission and the refusal of the Afghans to allow the British to send their own mission. The British sent one anyway. The mission was stopped and turned away at the entrance to the Khyber Pass so triggering the Second Afghan War. The First Afghan War had taken place in 1839 - 42 and had ended in disaster for the British with no tangible gain. In 1878 40,000 mainly British and Indian troops (including the Leicestershire Regiment) invaded Afghanistan and quickly occupied most of the country. An agreement was signed by the Afghans to prevent further occupation and giving Britain control of Afghan foreign affairs. The British withdrew from the country leaving the diplomatic mission in Kabul. However on 3 September 1879 the members of the mission were murdered during an uprising in Kabul so the British Army returned and after a number of battles the uprising was put down and a ruler more sympathetic to the British was installed onto the Afghan throne and again the British withdrew but this time did not leave a mission in Kabul.

Our medal has the Ahmed Khel bar. Ahmed Khel is just south of Ghuznee (now known as Ghazni) on the road to Kabul and was won by (just realised I don't know; see next months edition)

 

Have you got a Dongle? 

It is our aim that once the collection is on the computer and due to Peter Hancock's sterling efforts we (he) are not far from completing the inventory. There is more to do, adding every thing we know about the objects in the collection and marking those objects with the catalogue number that require it. From the beginning of next season we intend to have a laptop on the ground floor so that the public can search our collection using simple keywords.  

If there is a laptop for the public to use (or a volunteer to use it for them) then it makes sense to think about what else we could make available and the most obvious is Kevin Mitchell's website Loughborough-RollofHonour.com - Homebut to be able to do that we need internet access in the tower. I have been told that the answer is a 'Dongle'. Do you own one and have any understanding of how they work then perhaps we could have a test run in the tower to confirm that we can pick up the Internet.Please if you can help and advise us contact me at:carillonmuseum@gmail.com

Christmas Market Stall 

We took part in the annual Christmas Market held in Loughborough on 25 Nov. The day started very windy but by lunchtime the sun and the crowds were out. We were selling items of our shop stock and our Christmas cards that had proved so popular last year.After a slow start we eventually made £230.55 worth of sales. Once again the cards proved popular but we had ordered more than last year so still have some left. If you want any of the cards email me; 5 cards for £2.00

Display in Library 

In a previous edition of the Carillon Chimes I reported that we are putting all the photographs of individual service personnel into albums so as to make them available to the public. We have a lot of photos but very few names.there is an excellent feature in the loughborough echo (29/11) publicising the display and our appeal for photographs of service personnel, not only those that have served in he forces but those who are serving today. Any of you have any photos of local servicemen and women? Email them to us with the details of the individual 

 

STOP PRESS.

Just heard that Charnwood Borough Museum has won the, 'The Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' Congratulations Alex and the team.

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum

November 2012                                                       Issue No.25

 

 

 

 

 

From the Chairman 

 

Hope you enjoy this edition of the Carillon Chimes, put together by Christine Harris one of our volunteers. What would really help would be articles or ideas for articles from you, our readers. What would you like to see in future issues? 

On a similar note you will see below (if you get that far) an appeal for items to pass to the Loughborough Echo between 2014 - 18 this is a serious request and we need your help as does Kevin with his website, again see the article below.

Diary Dates 

10 November: 10am till 3pm at Newarke Houses. Meet 'Tiger Jack' tales from WW1 with 6th Bn Leicestershire Regiment plus craft activities £2.50 includes donation to RBL.

 

11 November: Remembrance Sunday at Queens Park

 

14 November: 7pm at Newarke Houses. Dr Gavin Stamp talks on war memorials of the Great War Info: War Memorials Trust Talk on the Official War Memorials of the Great War

 

25 November:  Christmas Market, Loughborough. We will have a stall all we need now are volunteers to man it? See you there!

 

 Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday. Why have two? 

 

 

After the Great War the sacrifice made by the fallen was remembered on November 11th, 'Armistice Day', each year. At the outbreak of WW2 there was concern that because the 11th November could fall on a weekday it would interrupt production of war supplies. It was agreed therefore that for the duration of the war the act of remembrance would be held on the second Sunday in November, 'Remembrance Sunday'.

 

At the end of the war the subject of remembrance of the fallen was re-visited but by coincidence the 11th fell on a Sunday that year so it was decided the official day of remembrance would be held each year on the second Sunday in November, 'Remembrance Sunday'. However it has become the norm in the last few years to commemorate both days. 

 

 


The Things They Say


After introducing myself to a party of school children I asked, "Can anyone tell me what this is" meaning of course the tower. A boy at the back put his hand up and said "A school visit? 

 

 

Christmas Cards 

Last year we produced a Christmas card for the first time and it was a great success, I have even heard of a lady who had her card framed. Dr Brian Negus, who despite being registered blind, took the picture we used on the card. Of the 400 we had printed we sold 399.

 

 

 

We are producing 4 different cards this year, Dr Negus's and other photographs taken by Peter Minshall and Alice Catlow, two of our volunteers and a fourth by a Loughborough lady, Sarah Morgan and have increased our order.

 

They will be on sale at the Christmas Market on Sunday 25th November at Loughborough and available through any of our volunteers. All the proceeds will go towards the Museum Trust. 

 

 

What's New?

 

We have recently acquired for the museum these two Completely different items: 

A silver-plated spoon 

 

 

With a picture of the carillon and the word Loughborough on the crest at the top. 

At 99p on EBAY I could not resist it, we have a few items of carillon memorabilia at the moment so it will join them.b

 

 

 

 

 

A 1942 pattern Bren gun with magazine and original sling. 

Adopted by the British Forces in the 1930s it was still in use until the 1990s although it was re-barrelled in the 50s to fire the 7.62mm NATO ammunition. 

It had a rate of fire of about 500 rounds per minute but being magazine fed this slowed down the rate compared with belt fed machine guns. Although the very act of changing the Magazine ensured that the barrel did not get as hot as belt fed machine guns.The infantry had replaced it with the GPMG in the 1960s but it was retained in various roles. 

The name 'Bren' comes from the first two letters of Brno the Czechoslovak city where it was conceived and Enfield the British arms manufacturer.

 

 

 

Humour in Uniform - Boiling water.

 

At the end of the Second World war there was, understandably, a rush to demob soldiers who had served throughout the war, such was the rush that the army found itself short of experienced instructors to run the training of new recruits who were still being called up for service. One of the ways they overcame this shortage was to put all the lessons a recruit was to be taught into a single pamphlet, each lesson in the order it was to be taught, even the most inexperienced NCO could deliver the syllabus providing he had the pamphlet in front of him.

 

 

 

It was at Glen Parva, the Regimental Depot of the Royal leicesters' when one such inexperienced NCO, a Coalville man, had come to the end of his lesson, "Right, we'll go outside for a smoke break and when we come back I will be teaching you all there is to know about water! Now you may think you know everything there is to know about water, it freezes at zero degrees and boils at ninety

 

Degrees, but there's a lot more to it than that as you will find out. Right! everybody outside and someone can give me a fag."

 

Outside everyone stood about having a smoke when the NCO was approached by a rather well-spoken recruit, from Loughborough, "Excuse me Corporal, I hope you don't mind me commenting but you said that water boils at ninety degrees and I rather think that that is incorrect," The corporal rather than being annoyed at his knowledge of the subject being questioned went back in to the classroom to check the pamphlet, he emerged a couple of minutes later to announce to the squad, "I was wrong about the boiling point of water, I had accidentally turned over two pages, ninety degrees is of course the boiling point of the right angled triangle."

 

Object of Desire 

Continuing the food and water theme, this item is not on display in the museum but is in the store, a German WW2 folding spoon and fork.

 

 

 

This type of eating utensil was first issued to the German Army in WW1 and then continued on into WW2. They are not rare, as you can imagine a great many were produced and regardless of your situation or whatever other kit you might dump, your 'eating irons' stayed with you. They are small and very light weight and an invaluable item to the soldier. 

What makes our set very unusual is that it is has a raised Eagle & Swastika in a Wreath on both fork and spoon (just visible in the photo above the stud) 

I am surprised though, that no initials have been scratched into the handle so that the owner could recognise his set. 

Articles Wanted

The 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1 will be on us before we know it and it makes sense for us to make some preparations now. We have a couple of projects planned and have started the preparation on one of them. 

One of the other things we need to do is to write a number of articles to submit to the Loughborough Echo at regular intervals during 2014 and 2018 a on this day/week/month 100 years ago. They could be about a battle that men from the town were involved in, Hohenzollern, Bazentin le Petit, Battle of the Somme, Frezenberg etc or they could be about individual soldiers from the town, Kevin's website is the place to visit for inspiration.   index.htm (See below)

Even very short pieces, a photo and obituary of a soldier on the anniversary of his death will do if you do not feel up to writing a longer piece.  

 

Loughborough's Roll of Honour

By now you will have visited Kevin Mitchell's website:  Click here if you have not yet visited it: index.htm

Kevin has spent years getting this far but he needs help to complete the task; amongst the things he needs are photos of all the memorials in Loughborough and the details of them typed up, the Parish Church, Grammar School, Emmanuel etc. 

 

Still needs the ages of some of the soldiers listed on the site, simple task if you have access to an ancestry website. 

Photos of the graves of all those Loughborough men who fell, he has most of the WW1 but needs help with the WW2 graves, (I found a picture of my Great Uncle's grave on the Internet as someone had photographed every grave in the cemetery and posted them online)

Can you help? Want to play your part in completing the story of Loughborough's fallen? Just let us know!

 

 

 

 

 

Carillon Stalwart Retires 

Mr Ed Hancock, who has been involved with the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum for the last ten years as finally called it a day. 

Ed Hancock is the author of two books dealing with WW1, Bazentin Ridge and The Battle of Aubers Ridge. His interest in WW1 was as a result of his father's war service.

 

 

His father, Company Sergeant Major Robert Hancock of the 9th Leicesters' on the 14th July 1916 and being highest surviving rank, gathered up men from various units scattered about the area of Bazentin Wood and organised the defence against a German counter attack and although wounded joined with reinforcements to clear the wood where he was wounded for a second time. Two separate pieces of shrapnel remained in his leg for the rest of his life. 

For his actions he was awarded the Military Cross. 

Talking about the Carillon Museum he said how proud he was of his association with it and how pleasing to watch it develop over the years and wished it every success in the future. 

He and was recently made a life member of the Royal Leicestershire Regimental Association in appreciation for the work he has done. 

He is seen here, on the left, being presented with a small token of the Carillon Museums appreciation by Mr Peter Crooks, President of the Museum Trust. Mr Peter Crooks said that it had been a pleasure to work alongside Mr Hancock and thanked him on behalf of the Museum Committee.

And Finally 

Please keep your contributions coming and feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested or print it off and pass it on.

 

Email: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

 

The Free Advert: 

 

 

Rawlins Christmas Craft Fair

18 November

10:30am - 4pm

Rawlins Community College in Quorn has held a Christmas Craft Fair for the last thirty years and on Sunday 18 November this popular Craft Fair will be opening its doors once more. With more than forty stalls selling a huge variety of hand made goods, craft workshops and refreshments the event is always popular and well attended. A number of craft workshops are also being held over the weekend.

Venue: Rawlins Community College, Loughborough Road, Quorn, LE12 8DY. Tickets available on the door. Craft Workshops book able in advance. For further information call or email us. Admissions: £1.00 (50p concessions)

For more information: Tel: 01509 622827 Email: sharonscott@rawlinscollege.org.uk Visit the Website:www.rawlinscollege.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Museum 

October 2012                              Issue No. 24                             

 

 

 From the Chairman 

By the time you read this the season will be over although I hope that the work will go on developing the museum during the close season we intend to have a weekly session on Wednesday morning 1000hrs till 1230hrs. More details below. 

This is the last Carillon Chimes I will produce as Christine Harris one of our volunteers is to take the task on. No change though to the contact details, anything you want to contribute; email: carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

Diary Dates - March

 

6th& 7thOct. Fleckney Five-O An exhibition, Memories of the 1950s at Fleckney Village hall. For further details ring 0116 2402238

9thOctober Committee meeting and social, Brush Club. See below

21stOctober Hohenzollern Day - See below

27thOctober Loughborough Students mayor's Parade 

October Meeting 

The meeting on the 9thOctober is the last of the year and it will be followed by a social, a glass of wine and a small buffet. Everyone (yes that means you) is welcome. The meeting of the Executive Committee will be finished by 8pm and family and friends will then join them in the concert room of the Brush Club on Fennel Street. There is on street parking on Lemyngton Street and Church Gate.

 

Ebay Account 

We are perhaps the only place in Loughborough where you can buy a souvinier of Loughborough, all be it, carillon related. However to have items with a picture of the carillon or the name printed on them means that we have to buy fairly large quantities and of course we have a very long close season, Charnwood Museum do stock a few of our items selling them on our behalf. 

We need to turnover the stock a little quicker than we have done in the past and to that end we have opened a ebay account to sell small items from our shop. Anyone searching 'Loughborough Carillon' on ebay in future will be able to see our items. 100% of the proceeds will go to the museum account. (First items will be on in Oct.) 

You too can help if you want to, if you sell on ebay you will know that you can donate a percentage of the sale price to a charity, you will now be able to donate to our museum. Be aware that regardless of the selling price PayPal will send the minimum of £1.00 to your nominated charity, I was caught out when I sold some magazines for 99p each and PayPal took £1.00 for Help the Heroes for each one sold. 

Feedback from Public 

I mentioned in last month's edition that we had introduced a very short, 'Feedback Form' for members of the public to complete to assess their visitor experience. I cannot claim that it has been a great success, the comments are, in the main, too brief to be of any real use but a couple of things have been highlighted. First the repeated praise for the, "Helpful and knowledgeable volunteers" (A lady even rang me to praise the volunteer who had been on duty when she visited, "He brought it to life" she said) and secondly the suggestion of a, handling area' or a 'dressing up area'. 

Engaging with young people is extremely important and in fact is part of our, 'Mission Statement' 'Encouraging children to take an interest in their heritage'. 

The Arts Council have also issued a statement about the criteria for applying for funding and one of the things they want to see is, 'Every child and young person has the opportunity to experience the richness of museums' 

However there is some slight concern amongst our members that as a war memorial, dressing up is a little frivolous and irrelevant. What do think? Email me at carillonmuseum@gmail.com

Humour in Uniform 

Private soldier to Sergeant; "Sarge, what would happen to me if called you a prat? 

Sergeant, "Well I would march you down the Guardroom, lock you up, tomorrow you would appear in front of the Company Commander and he would jail you for a week." 

Private, "And what if I thought you were a prat" 

Sergeant, "Hmm, that's different, I can't jail you for what you are thinking." 

Private, "In that case; I think you're a prat."

 

Model Zeppelin 

In last months edition I asked if we had any model makers out here who could perhaps make us a model of a zeppelin. The request made it to the Loughborough Echo and one of the responses I got was from a company in Loughborough who make models, including a 42inch long model of a zeppelin, they invited me to the factory to have a look at it and I found myself in an Aladdin's cave of model making. There is a picture of the zeppelin on their web site. Click on ..Skytrex 

Object of Desire 

An arm band of the LDV 

LDV -Local Defence Volunteers; The original name for theuck andVanish hence the name change.Home Guard affectionately known asLook,D

 

The Home Guard was a defence organisation of the British Army during the Second World War. Operational from 1940 until 1944, comprising 1.5 million local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, usually owing to age, hence the nickname 'Dad's Army' they acted as a secondary defence force, in case of invasion by the forces of Germany and her allies. The Home Guard guarded the coastal areas of Britain and other important places such as airfields, factories and explosives stores. They wore the cap badge of their county regiment. 

Somewhere we have a photo of Captain Yeates of the Yeates Motor Goup, he was killed on a Home Guard training exercise in 1943 when a mortar simulater he was holding exploded.

Hohenzollern Day 

On 25 Sept 1915 the Battle of Loos started, more men from Leicestershire lost their lives in the battle than in any other battle before or since.On 13thOctober the 46 Division consisting of the Leicesters' Sherwood Foresters, Lincolns' and Staffords' attacked 'The Dump' a flat topped slagheap and part of the defences of the Hollenzollern Redoubt 

The British casualties in this action consisted of 3,763 officers and men and it is said that most of these occurred in the first ten minutes. It was the Division's first major action after its arrival on the Western Front, but was a gallant failure and the 4thBn Leicestershire Regiment was almost completely wiped out. 

21stOctober used to be remembered as Hohenzollern Day, flags were flown at half mast and a special recital was played on the carillon. I can only guess that the practice was dropped in WW2 and never continued.

There is a small memorial at Hohenzollern paid for by Lincolnshire Co-op after a campaign by the Leicester Mercury to prevent the site becoming a municipal rubbish dump.

On Saturday 29th September the carillon was visited by the Mayor of Hinckley and a group of French visitors from Grand Quévilly. They laid flowers in memory of all those who fell in the Battle of Loos. 

Members of 82ndAirborne visit the Carillon 

(Reprinted from the Leicester Mercury) 

American soldiers from a famous paratroop regiment flew into Britain to attend a special memorial service in Leicestershire yesterday. Three members of the 82nd Airborne Division travelled to Quorn for the rededication of a memorial to former comrades from its 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Cotman, Command Sergeant Major Lenard Summers and Major Loren Bymer were at the official service at Stafford Park in the village last night. 

The 505th were stationed in the village from February to September 1944, before playing their part in the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.

In 1952, Quorn residents planted trees in the park to commemorate the sacrifices of the 2,000 men from the 505th. 

The paratroopers fought in many campaigns, including the battle for the bridge at Arnhem, and a stone from the church at Njimegen has been mounted in the park. Last night, the three Americans, from Fort Bragg North Carolina, were on hand to see the rededication of the stone, which has been moved to a new site with a plaque, and the dedication of a new gate to the park called the 82nd Airborne Gate.

Lt Col Cotman, 41, said: "It is great honour for us to be here to witness this. I have never been to Britain before and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and warmth of the people. What we can do is report back to our fellow soldiers and tell them the memory of the sacrifice made by former members of our regiment is being properly respected." 

CSM Summers, 44, said: "It isawesometo see how much the British care about the memory of the regiment. We are here to represent the past and present and future of this regiment. "When I get back I will make it my duty to speak to my commanding officer and tell him that, in my opinion, we should make an annual visit here." Earlier, the trio visited the war memorial museum at the Carillon Tower in Loughborough. 

Curator Keith Hassell opened the museum specially so the men could enjoy a private viewing of the exhibits dedicated to the 82nd Airborne Division on the second floor. Major Bymer, 33, said: "It really is humbling to actually see just how much American history is prized in Britain. "We really do appreciate the genuine affection and respect afforded to us on this trip." 

Mr Hassell said: "It was a pleasure and an honour to meet these men and to open the museum for them. What those Americans did for us will never be forgotten." 

  

The Work Goes On 

During the close season we will still be engaged in developing the museum, we meet about 1000hrs each Wednesday morning and finish at lunchtime. There is something to interest and engage everyone. If when you arrive the door is locked and they are in one of the upper rooms ring 263370 (the carillon) and someone will come down and let you in.

Friends of Belgrave Cemetery

 

We featured this story some time ago when the Friends of Belgrave Cemetary contacted Mr Nick Bowley, the father of our then Treasurer, Nicola, through an appeal in the Leicester Mercury. 

This family headstone had fallen over and was in a poor state. 

Mr Bowley made a donation towards its repair and the work is now finished. On the headstone is L/Cpl William Bowley, 2ndBn Leicestershire Regiment, William died on 25the September 1915.

 

And Finally 

Please keep your contributions coming and feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested or print it off and pass it on. 

Email:carillonmuseum@gmail.com  

The Free Advert

National Army Museum - World Wars

Family Event

29 October 2012 - 2 November 2012

Bring your tiny troops along to this half-term event to find out more about the two World Wars that changed the country forever.

During this fun and interactive time you will:

·                           Hear tales of the war from our celebrated story tellers

·                           Touch real artefacts, try on old uniforms and meet historical characters

Please note: Tickets are not required for this event.

Entry to the Museum is Free. Click on:National Army Museum, London

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Museum 

September 2012                              Issue No. 23                             

Message from the Chairman 

Hard to believe but within a month the season will be over and the museum closed to visitors for the winter. I say visitors because work will still go on with both cataloguing the collection and altering the displays. 

The weather had a disastrous impact on our attendance figures in the first part of the season; non-stop rain keeps people out of the park and deprives us of any passing trade. Picnic in the Park and the celebrations for the Olympics helped us recover some of the lost ground. 

By the time you read this I will be on the beach or in a bar in the sunshine and out of contact till 12 September.

Diary Dates 

8th & 9th Sept. The Victory Show 0900-1700 daily at Foxlands Farm, Cosby. The Victory Show is the largest WWII experience extravaganza in the UK. Foxlands Farm, COSBY is transformed back in time with groups of re-enactors, warplanes, memorabilia, tanks and artillery displays. The main aim of the show is to provide a WWII themed event, showcasing every aspect of life during the War years, consisting of air displays each day of many war time aircraft such as the Spitfire, P51-Mustang, Hawker Hurricane, etc. The Show provides entertainment for the whole family.

11th Sept. Meeting of the Executive Committee 19930hrs at Southfields.

19th Sept. Visit to the City Museum, Derby. Contact me for details.

28th Sept.  Family History Taster Session. 0945-1045 or 1115-1215 at Loughborough Library. Want to know more about family history and don't know where to start? Loughborough Library is holding taster sessions to help people explore on-line resources to research their family history. The sessions are aimed at people with little or no experience of researching family history, but some experience of using the internet. Visit the Website:www.leics.gov.uk/loughborough_library

29th & 30th Sept. Model Railway Exhibition 1030hrs daily at Garendon School.

Every day until 30th Sept except Mondays, 1.30pm till 4.30pm Carillon museum open

Visitor Feedback 

We have also introduced a small feedback slip for our visitors to complete asking them if they enjoyed their experience and what we could do to improve on the museum. Rather bizarrely some want 'more steps' but what is satisfying are the comments about our volunteer guides who are continually referred to as, "Helpful and knowledgeable"

New Website

Mentioned this last month but someone still has not visited it! Kevin Mitchell, a local stonemason, history buff and good friend of our museum has set up a new site honouring the servicemen of the town who have died in conflicts from the Peninsular War to the Falklands. It is an outstanding piece of work. You must visit it and visit again to push it up the ratings.

Loughborough-rollofhonour.com

 

Objects of Desire 

This months object, an Australian postcard, is about as far removed from our collecting policy as you could get but somewhere along the line it found its way into a display case on the ground floor.

It earned its place one day when an Australian lady visited the museum and by coincidence she was from Amidale, she was thrilled to see mention of her home town and I had to take it  out of the display case so that she could photograph it and read what was on the back. 

In WW1 Australia did not have conscription but relied totally on volunteers. In 1915 a march was organised with the intention of recruiting men along its route this was so successful that more were organised and they became known as, 'Snowball Marches', picking up recruits and growing larger as the march went on. 

You can see this one; Armidale to Newcastle (241 miles) was fairly late in the war and was different because of the large number of soldiers who took part. They paraded in Armidale led by a band and collected 23 recruits before they even left the town although by 1918 recruiting had become a problem.

 

 
 
What's New?
 
This very fine table lighterwas presented to Capt M J Hardy on the occasion of his wedding by the officers of the 5thBn Royal Leicestershire Regiment in 1952 Capt Hardy was of the 'Hardy' part of Freeman, Hardy & Willis the famous shoe shops on whose bags were the initials FHW (For Happy Walking) We have yet to do any research on Capt Hardy. Do you know anything? Please email us at:    carillonmuseum@gmail.com
 
 
 
 

A set of Identity Discs issued to Joseph Smith when he was a prisoner of the Germans in WW2.  They are stamped Stalag XXA, which was the designation of a number of prison camps around the Polish town of Thorn.  

The prisoners were mostly engaged in farm work. Hollywood has created an impression of life in a POW camp as walking about all day in a woolly pullover, pipe in mouth and plotting the next escape. The reality was very different for most prisoners who were used as slave labour on the land, down the mines or in factories. 
 
Joseph was a pre war regular who had served in India with the Sherwood Foresters and we think he was originally from Grange Street, Loughborough. We will be contacting the museum and association of the Sherwood Foresters to see if they have any information on him.
 
 
 
 
 

  

Humour in Uniform

The Company Commander and Sergeant Major were on field training and as they climbed into their sleeping bags for the night the Sergeant Major said "Sir, look up into the sky and tell me what you see." 

The Company Commander said, "I see millions of stars." 

Sergeant Major: "And what does that tell you, sir?" 

Company Commander: Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Sergeant Major?" 

Sergeant Major: "Well sir, it tells me that somebody stole our tent."

 

Zeppelin Wanted 

Looking for a modeller to make us a model zeppelin (wire netting and paper mache?)

About 3 feet long. We can supply the scale etc. 

Want to try? We will pay for the materials and you will have the satisfaction of seeing it on display in our museum. School project perhaps? Email me.

 

 

And Finally 

Please keep your contributions coming and feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested or print it off and pass it on. (I am on holiday until 12thSept)

Email:carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Museum 

August 2012                                       Issue No. 22                              

 We are the best. Official! 

At the glittering, annual Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage Awards we came away with three awards including 'Museum of the Year' 

Mr Robin Clarke of the Leicestershire Museum Service explains, "The accolade of Museum of the Year is awarded to the organisation that the judges consider to have progressed the most over the past year from all of those museum entering the awards. In discussion with all of the category judges it quickly became clear that the competition for the title was fierce with a short-list of three emerging over the course of the conversation. 

The judges were particularly impressed with Loughborough War Memorial Museum, which they felt had shown a great deal of innovation over the last year, particularly with the William's War Twitter project and the creation of the DVD (the judges were particularly impressed that this was created 'in-house' by a museum volunteer). However, the clinching factor was the commitment to enhanced access to the museum, which was a theme that ran through all of the museum's entries from the Loughborough Museums Together project to increase volunteer opportunities, to outreach work, addressing physical access issues and providing 'virtual access' to the museum's collections via the Twitter project. 

The judges felt that the museum had achieved a great deal and hope to see more innovation and progress over the next twelve months."

 

 

In an incredible night we also won the, 'Best Special Project' the tweeting of William Grudging's WW1 diary. Credit must go to Hannah Shuttleworth, whose enthusiasm for the project and understanding of social media ensured its success. 

The Collections Care & Development Award was our third success, A joint project between us, The Old Rectory & the Museum at the Great Central Railway. The three museums formed a partnership with the intention of putting our collections on to the computer. Coordinated by an organisation called VIP (Volunteering, Internships & Placements. Volunteers were recruited, training organised and in our case a laptop and the museum cataloguing programme purchased.  

Pictured here is Hannah Shuttleworth the volunteer who 'Tweets' the diary each day and Terri Dewhurst from VIP who worked with the volunteers at each of the three museums.

Terri's support was invaluable and although she has moved on I am sure she will keep in touch. I must also mention Amanda Hanton from VIP whose enthusiasm and imagination carried us all forward. 

 
 

Peter Minshall and Peter Hancock; Peter Minshall produced the video that is now shown on the ground floor and that as proved such a success. This project was also entered in the Best Project category but the Twitter project proved to strong. Peter Hancock took the lead in putting the collection on to the computer. He has worked tireless, photographing and cataloguing our collection.

 
  

Helen Mussen and Cory Still, two of the volunteers recruited to help with the cataloguing. Helen also spent time as a guide such was her enthusiasm for the museum. Cory, although he spent most of his time at Rectory Place is now on loan to us for a separate project where he is putting all the information in the WW1 Leicestershire Yeomanry Register on to a spreadsheet. We were concerned that the original was being handled to often.

 

 

Mention must be made of all the other volunteers who played their part in our success, the cataloguing team of Adam Lleweln, Christine Harris (Christine was present at the awards but being the owner of the camera was not on any of the photos) Robin Williams. Steve Coltman, Tony Scutt & William Reeve. 

Those stalwarts who man the rooms and without whom the museum would not be able to open, Ken Harris, Alice Catlow, Bryan Breedon-Sharp, Dave Mars, Dave Grenz, Pauline Cutter, Keith Hassall, Pamela Gilbert & Jim Nasmyth. The members of the Executive Committee, Luke Smith, Ed Hancock, John & Madeline Gibbard and Alex Gasson who provide the continuity and support needed to run the museum and finally my own personal thanks to our President Mr Peter Crooks for his advise and immense knowledge of the museum and its history, we meet up every week for a chat and an opportunity for me to pick his brains. 

As well as our own staff there are many others who deserve a mention, Robin Clarke, always available for advise, Claire Brown our mentor and two people with whom I have been working with for the last 12 months, Museum Consultants, Emma Chaplin & Heather Lomas and if I have missed anyone I am extremely sorry.

 

Message from the President

I have been delighted to learn of the success of the War Memorial Museum in the recent Heritage Awards. To achieve first place or even second place would have been wonderful, but to sweep the board by coming first in all categories that were entered is truly magnificent. Congratulations all round.

It is good to know that the work started by our founder members is continuing, but we should never forget our other volunteers who open the floors at all levels to allow members of the public to view our display. Without them it would be pointless opening our doors. 

Mel and all of his team have done a wonderful job. On behalf of the people of Loughborough and area, keep up the good work. Thank you all 

Peter Crooks President  

And now back to business!

 

 Irish Republic pardons wartime deserters

The Irish government is to pardon nearly 5000 former soldiers who deserted the Irish Defence Forces during World War II to fight with the Allied Forces.

Irish Defence Minister Alan Shatter said the government apologised for the manner in which the deserters were treated by the state after the war. Mr Shatter said the government recognised the importance of their contribution to the Allied victory. 

In his statement he said that in 1946, the government of the day dismissed soldiers who had absented themselves during the war and disqualified them for seven years from hold employment or office paid for by state funds.

 

 

 The Reid brothers, who deserted from the Irish Army, were among the almost 5,000 people who joined the Allied armies.

New Website

Kevin Mitchell, a local stonemason, history buff and good friend of our museum has set up a new site honouring the service men of the town who have died in conflicts from the Peninsular War to the Falklands. It is an outstanding piece of work. You must visit it and visit again to push it up the ratings.       Loughborough-RollofHonour.com

 

Objects of Desire 

 

 

  

Tucked away in that rather cluttered cabinet on the second floor is a rare beast of a rifle. AGerman Mauser anti-tank rifle. 

The idea of using heavy calibre and high velocity rifles as anti-tank weapons originated in Germany. In June 1917, the German Army faced the menace of the Mark IV tank,and found that the armour-piercing 7.92 mm bullet was no longer effective. The Mauser fired a 13mm bullet.It was the first rifle designed for the sole purpose of destroying armoured targets and the only anti-tankrifleto see service in World War 1. Approximately 15,800 were producedbut very few were brought back as souvenirs, probably because of the size, 66 inches long and weighing 35lbs. 

The high recoil of the rifle was very hard on the firer, sometimes breaking the collarboneor dislocating the shoulder. There is a mention on this short film:NRA National Firearms Museum: Gallery 10 Tour 

A wooden stand is being made so that the weapon can be elevated and be made more visible.

Accolade for Caroline

I received this report from Tony Scutt who visited the museum with a party of retired teachers: 

"I initially took them up to the Clavier Room, to meet Caroline. She talked to them about the Clavier and the bells, and I talked to them about the history and funding/donors of the bells and building itself. She then played requested music choices, including the original piece for the tower by Elgar. She was very cheerful and kind to the visitors, putting on an excellent recital for them, for which they were very appreciative and impressed. 

All enjoyed their visit, and were very grateful, I am pleased that you can acknowledge the superb effort that Caroline gave to explain, demonstrate, and ask for requests, as she performed on the Clavier. She was so charming and welcoming, it made me feel part of a very special team here at the Carillon. 

The other staff member, and the 2 volunteers were very helpful and accommodating.

What's New? 

We have a large number of photographs in our possession, on display, in scrapbooks and in the filing cabinet. They are being brought together in albums and an index produced. 

The intention is make them available to the public to view and we will also be appealing through theLoughborough Echo for any photos of individual service personal including anyone who has served recently or indeed still serving

 

  

A number of items, including this book,130 Battery, by Maj R Hoare telling the story of 153 Regt. Leicestershire Yeomanry in Europe in WW2 have been donated by the son of Maj Peter Winslow who served in 153.

Simon Winslow visited the museum with his wife and was impressed by the Yeomanry Collection and is very grateful that the book will find an home where it will not only be looked after for future generations but will prove a useful addition to the collection.

The book is presently being scanned so that people doing research can read the contents without having to remove the book from the museum.

 

 

 

Humour in Uniform

British soldiers have threatened to strike over cuts announced recently.

The government said that fuel tanker drivers, bin men, fire fighters, ambulance drivers and Olympic security men will be trained to replace soldiers on the front line

 

 

 

And Finally

Please keep your contributions coming and feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested or print it off and pass it on.

 

 
 

  

 

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Carillon Chimes

The Newsletter of the Carillon Tower and War Museum 

July 2012                                       Issue No. 21                             

From the Chairman 

We say farewell this month to Elizabeth Egundebi. Elizabeth joined us as part of the team who are cataloguing the collection, however a change of job means that she will be unable to continue. She brought an enthusiasm and cheerfulness to the group, we will miss her but wish her all the very best for the future.

Diary Dates - July 

Till 9thSept at Charnwood Museum, Our Sporting Life in Loughborough. Exhibition admission Free.

10thJuly Meeting of Committee at Southfields. 1930hrs

19thJuly Charnwood Museum. Clay Creations. Clay modelling workshop. 3 years plus. £2.50 pre-book 01509 233754

25thJuly Charnwood Museum. Ancient Pots. Recreating objects from the past. £2.50 pre-book 01509 233754

 

Programme for Loughborough Carillon Week

During the week 16th to 22ndJuly to commemorate the opening of Loughborough's War Memorial and Carillon Tower, in July 1923, we welcome visiting carillonneurs for a week of special recitals.

   

Monday

16thJuly

1pm

Michael Boyd - Saltley

Tuesday

17thJuly

1pm   

Ian Cassells - Perth

Wednesday

18thJuly

1pm   

Caroline Sharpe

Thursday

19thJuly

1pm   

Caroline Sharpe

Friday

20thJuly

1pm   

John Ridgeway-Wood - York

Saturday

21stJuly

1pm   

Ian Brunt - Newcastle

Sunday

22ndJuly

3.30pm

Anthony Brooks - St Helens

 

 Buckingham Palace 

 

I mentioned in last months issue that I attended the tea party at the palace and that by coincidence Peter Crooks our chairman had attended the week before.

 

We were not allowed to take photos at he event but the same does not seem to be true of the day Peter attended as this picture of him and his wife Sheila with two Beefeaters on the back lawn shows.

 

Peter's invite came from the RAFA.

Objects of Desire

 

Part of the magic of our museum is that amongst the displays I keep spotting items that I am sure were not there last week and so it was with this and it brought back many memories. So what is it?Many years ago I was fortunate to spend some time in Libya, not a place that many people would want to visit but once you leave the coast road and scruffy towns and head off into the desert it is a different world. Amongst the many problems of surviving in the desert is that of navigation, miles and miles of featureless terrain, a normal prismatic compass is useless as the metal of the vehicle affects the reading. The answer is to navigate using the sun and this is what the object in the picture is, a Sun Compass, the time, longitude, latitude and bearing on which you want to travel are set on the dial and a gnome (pronounce Gur Nome, a metal rod just visible at the bottom of the compass) casts a shadow along the arm when you are travelling along the set bearing. You drive keeping the shadow along the arm, readjusting the time every 15mins. It is surprisingly accurate.
 
Army Hero at Carillon
 
 
 

We were recently visited by the army; the bomb disposal people from Nottingham. They were here to check all the ammunition and explosive ordinance we hold (all of it is perfectly safe I am pleased to report) The young man that came on the second visit was Cpl Baz Whitteringham.

Cpl Whitteringham was seriously injured in 2009 whilst serving in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by an improvised explosive device. His injuries included two shattered legs, and after 18 months of treatment he had an elected amputation on his left leg below the knee. "The pain was just constant, but since the operation I have been able to get my life back on track." A keen sportsman, Corporal Whittingham has represented Great Britain at the Para-Canoe World Championships, where he took ninth place in the World 200-metre K1 sprint. He has also taken up rowing and took part in a 24-hour, 1,000,000-metre row with Row 2 Recovery, who later went on to successfully row the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst in the carillon he climbed the 138 steps to the balcony and on 28thJune he carried the Olympic Torch in Nottingham.

 

Having read that uplifting story now read this: Bar Refused Soldiers - ITV News
 
What's New?
 
 

New Leaflet 

One of the volunteers, Peter Minshall worked with Alex Gasson of the Charnwood Borough Museum to produce a new leaflet, Peter took all of the pictures that feature in the leaflet and they are both to be congratulated on a really fine job.
 
 
 
 
Headless Eddie 

Mr Tony Scutt, one of our volunteers produced this plywood cut out of a WW1 soldier so that children (and adults) could be photographed standing behind it.

'Eddy' stood outside of the tower on the Monday and Tuesday of the Jubilee Bank Holiday and proved a tremendous success and the source of a lot of family fun. That is one of my granddaughters under the helmet. It was such a popular attraction that we are considering making it a permanent fixture out side the tower once it can be made safe enough to allow people to use it without our supervision.

 

 

 
 
Humour in Uniform 

This is the transcript of the actual radio conversation between the British and the Irish, off the coast of Kerry, Oct 98. 

IRISH: "Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South, to avoid a collision." 

BRITISH: "Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North, to avoid a collision." 

IRISH: "Negative! You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision." 

BRITISH: "This is the Captain of a British Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course." 

IRISH: "Negative! I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course." 

BRITISH: "THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMS BRITANNIA! THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE BRITISH ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, I SAY AGAIN, THAT IS 15 DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP."

 

IRISH: "We are a lighthouse. Your call."
 
 
Memorial For Bomber Command
 

Finally on 28thJune a memorial to those airman who lost their lives while serving with Bomber Command. 55,000 died, nearly 50% of the command, the highest casualty rate for any branch of the Armed Forces in WW2.

Honouring Bomber Command as been a sensitive subject in the past and a statue of 'Bomber' Harris as been vandalised in the past.

 

The Germans gave their blessing when it was agreed to add to the memorial the words, 'Those of all nations who lost their lives in the bombing of 1939 - 1945' 

We have on display the medals of Sgt William Ernest Harbidge who served as a rear gunner on a Lancaster bomber. He was killed in February 1944 aged just 19 when his aircraft crashed on its return to Lakenheath. William is buried in Loughborough cemetery.

  Sergeant William Ernest Harbidge

The Things They Say 

On the positive side a visitor remarked to the museum attendant our lucky we were to have such knowledgeable volunteers. 

But! I was showing a group from Mountsorrel Beavers around and pointed to the small rotund statuette of Winston Churchill in the Yeomanry Room, "Can anyone tell me who this is?" and the answer came back "Is it you?" 

And Finally 

Please keep your contributions coming and feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested or print it off and pass it on.

 

Email:carillonmuseum@gmail.com 

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 www.carillontower.org.uk
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