The Flash

Hello Pete,
Good for you !

Regards Don

Thanks Don.

I am always looking for great war ephemera particulalry anything relating to the RWF. Little things that make a camp display more authentic like original newspapers, maps, everyday items of the period. If any one has any such items for sale or donation please let me know.

Regards.

Hello Pete,
I will keep my eye open for you re ephemera (RWF) Have fun on you next exhibition.
Regards Don

Cheers Don,

I've just finished polishing my brasses for the weekend, and re-laced a new pair of repro boots.

The boots are a fantastic copy smooth out brown leather, as per overseas issue. It's heartbreaking polishing them black though, as they only had black polish.

It's funny as I have spent 5 years polishing a black pair with brown polish to get the same effect.

Regards

Hello Pete,
Nothing is easy in the P.B.I. Soldier on son!
Regards Don

Hi all
Living so close to Whittington Bks (and having been married there nearly 31 years ago!), I'd like to go and see the displays etc. Times, dates, costs please.
Thanks
Take care
Anita xx

It is in the early stages of organising at the moment. Dates are May day bank holiday 2007. Entrance fee tbc and arranged with the Staffs's museum. Several european Great War Living history groups are already signed up. Once I return from Belgium this weekend I will be able to paint a bigger picture regarding the whole event.

I will keep you posted.

Regards

Many thanks, look forward to the info. I'll ensure its popped into my diary.
Enjoy your break.
Take care
Anita x

Finally got back from an arduous weekend Monday evening.

The weekend was a great success with some very authentic and preficient groups attending. There was even a Dutch representation which you don't often see.

Saturday afternoon saw a dog fight with 3 Bi-planes overhead. I spent most of my time occupying the trench.

I did of course wear the flash which drew much attention.

On sunday 20 Tommies marched from Zonnebeke to Tyne Cot Cemetary to pay our respects. A wreath was laid the appopriate words spoken and the last post sounded.

At the event I met 2 Australians who had travelled from Tasmania and had spent the last 3 weeks walking from the Somme to Zonnebeke. They were in full ANZAC kit and carried everything they needed in their 08 Webbing. Living on Iron rations and with the walking meant they had averaged a 2 stone weight loss each. They finish their pilgramage on 4th May. I have been invited over to a Military Tattoo they are organising in Australia for next year. One that I will have to take the wife to if I can talk her into I think.

We next embark for the Somme for the commemoration of the 90th Anniversary. A lot of the detail is concentrating on the Pals battalions Bradford Pals being one. After that the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey.

So lots going on as you can see. I am still looking for "new recruits" to join me and wear the flash, and carry the torch for the honour of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers of the Great War.

Regards

My apologies to those of you that have read this already; the original version appears to have disappeared from the Military History Forum!

Whilst looking for information about Clr Sgt A M Boreham, I came across a reference to the Flash. The source of information is the book, "THE WAR THE INFANTRY KNEW 1914 - 1919"

[October 16th] "Tactical Use", we were told that the Rossignol Wood affair was just to have been a feint: as things are Fritz is having to shorten his line.

The C.O. has overhauled our administration. H.Q. details are now organized as a fifth company, except for pay. (The scheme lapsed with Colonel Crawshay's command. It was set up throughout the Army after the War.) Part of the scheme was the reappointment of a sergeant-cook. For over a year we have had no such sergeant; Companies looked after their own cooking, and great inequality resulted. The most competent of the Company cooks was paraded, told that a leveling-up of the cooking was wanted, and asked, "Do you think you can do it?" "Yes, sir, and shall I be entitled to wear the Flash?" -- presto, in a breath. Half an hour later he was going round the cookers wearing sergeant's stripes and a Flash. Such is the Regiment's pride in its Flash; and Atkins's pride in any distinguishing mark. (Since the end of the War all ranks wear the Flash.)