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EVENTS 2012

7 January, 2012	Double Header Dorset VCs & Bere Regis War Memorial This month we have two presentations to our members. Branch Member Kevin Patience gives a talk on Dorset VCs. Kevin is a keen collector of medals, orders and decorations and his talk is an extension of our branch 'First Five Minutes' which is normally a short five minute talk on a 'local' memorial or aspect of remembering. Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge to his subject in this extended First Five Minutes. Our second presentation given by Phillip Ventham and members of the Bere Regis Scout Group of which Phillip is the Leader, describes the research and outcomes done by the Bere Regis Scouts on their Great War Memorial. The First Five Minutes has become a popular feature of our branch meetings and this extended session allows us to bring some more local knowledge to the attention of our members.	Kevin Patience Philip Ventham
11 February, 2012	The Will Townend Memorial Lecture Mark Smith, Curator, Firepower, the Museum of the Royal Regiment of Artillery returns to give this, the second annual Will Townend Memorial Lecture. Members and guests will recall that Will, despite his wide renown as military historian and guide, was a stout and keen supporter of the branch and its range of activities. On our battlefield tours Will brought unequalled knowledge of matters Artillery to the itinerary and benefit of our members.	Mark Smith
10 March, 2012	Branch Field Trip – Imperial War Museum The first of our 2012 trips and by popular request we make a return visit to the IWM. A great opportunity to spend more time in the exhibitions you missed last time! A flyer has been sent out by e-mail, we depart Pimperne Village Hall at 0700 prompt with an estimated return time of 2100. Avoid the rush and book early, deposit of £10 per head to the branch secretary.
17 March, 2012	Three Chaplains on the Western Front Professor Gary Sheffield makes a very welcome first visit to the branch. His talk 'Three Chaplains on the Western Front' gives members and guests a fascinating insight into the attitudes and activities of chaplains in the Great War. For those members who were present on our visit to the Museum of Army Chaplaincy in 2011 this talk is a useful adjunct.	Professor Gary Sheffield
21 April, 2012	The CWGC Records and Fromelles(Pheasant Wood) Cemetery Roy Hemington - Archive Supervisor at the Commonwealth War Graves Headquarters in Maidenhead makes a welcome first visit to the branch to give members a unique insight to the background, idiosyncrasies and uses of the CWGC records. He will also show a time lapse video of the construction of the CWGC's first cemetery in 60 years and discuss the challenges it presented.	Roy Hemington
19 May, 2012	Defeat at Gallipoli Peter Hart, Oral Historian at the Imperial War Museum, returns to talk on Gallipoli. The talk, based on his new book 'Gallipoli', will give our members the benefit of the latest research. Some of Peter’s conclusions have in some quarters been seen as controversial. From my own research I believe that Peter has come close to a realistic appraisal of the campaign. We look forward to an enervating discussion! (Chairman)	Peter Hart
2 June, 2012	Branch Field Trip: The National Code and Cipher Museum The second branch field trip of 2012 to Bletchley Park. Its activities are well known and as an adjunct to predecessors such as Admiralty Room 40, the branch visits the home of code breaking and the birth place of modern computing. This will be a guided tour with lunch and refreshments, extremely good value for money. For details contact the Branch Secretary.
9 June, 2012	The Zeebrugge Raid Tim Tawney makes his first trip to the branch to tell us about this most determined of raids. The sheer determination and bravery of the participants truly beggars belief. This is an epic, told in exciting detail by Tim.	Tim Tawney
11 August, 2012	Title still to be agreed Peter Doyle, scientist and published military historian, makes a welcome first visit. At the time of writing we await the topic he has decided upon.	Peter Doyle
1 September, 2012	Allied Submarine Warfare in the Sea of Marmara Branch Member John Tozer develops a theme started in our First Five Minutes memorial slot when Angela Tozer told us of her relative who served in the submarine service being deployed to the Sea of Marmara. John continues and develops the story of an allied submarine warfare in the Sea of Marmara. Members will find this a fascinating insight into undersea warfare.	John Tozer
14 September, 2012	Branch Battlefield Tour – Tanks on the Somme Later than usual due to an overloaded diary - The 7th Annual Battlefield Tour has as its primary theme, 'Tanks on the Somme'. However, in keeping with branch 'tradition' there will be the eclectic, the unusual and, weather permitting, the usual al fresco relaxation at the end of a hard days touring! The full itinerary is under development and will be published in due course. For further details contact the Branch Chairman.
23 September, 2012	Battlefield Tour – Gallipoli In association with RND Tours the branch invites members to journey to the enigmatic peninsula of Gallipoli. For details there are few places left contact RND tours at: len405@sellers.eclipse.co.uk
13 October, 2012	The Abandoned Army - The Portuguese on the Western Front Chris Baker a former Chairman of the WFA and the driving force behind the renowned 'Long, Long Trail' website joins us to tell the tale of an army virtually abandoned by its own country. If 'Tommy' thought he had it tough, come and listen to Chris' fascinating and yet disturbing tale of an abandoned force!	Chris Baker
10 November, 2012	To be confirmed Speaker and topic to be arranged
8 December, 2012	To be confirmed Speaker and topic to be arranged