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Join us this month at a recent meeting of the newly inaugurated Hereford Militaria Club - an opportunity for military researchers, collectors, military vehicle owners and family historians to meet over a meal and share no end of fascinating stories. This lively bunch met at the Godwins Pub in the Herefordshire village of Bartestree - once the headquarters of the famous Godwins encaustic tile manufacturers.

We hear a tantalising snippet of Mick Atkinson's talk, showing Napoleon's personal Legion d'Honneur, worn in many famous battles and later in captivity. More of Mick in a future podcast!

We also hear from Reg Gibson about his interest in military vehicles and the discovery of a poem written by his late mother Jean dedicated to a crew of an RAF bomber that was lost over Germany. It was to be read to them at an 18th birthday party. After finding the poem, Reg said he wanted to "bring the names of these young men back from the dead, to celebrate their lives and acknowledge their sacrifice". Thanks to Reg's research and dedication, the poem was shared with the crew's family, nearly 80 years on and a recording played at their graveside.

If you would like to join us at our next meeting of the Hereford Militaria Club, contact us: hfdlimuseum@gmail.com

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Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

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Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

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This month, Rev Paul Roberts joins the crew of the Sutton Voices HR1 Podcast, a community podcast from the Herefordshire village of Sutton St Nicholas. Keith Lawton and Mike Winnell have recorded 33 episodes, winkling out the fascinating stories of local residents and cheering up the community in the face of relentless bad national and international news.

Paul, Mike and Keith compare notes on podcasting and talk about the research work undertaken by Sutton Voices on men on the local war memorial and the men remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the two village churches - St Nicholas' and St Michael's. They also discuss the impact of acts of remembrance services in the village.

One man - Robert Garrard, who died with RAF Coastal Command proved a mystery, but the 1939 Register held the key to tracking down his link with the village.

Mike Winnell shares his literary creations - he has just finished his third novel spanning the 1930s and the Second World War. The central character being a member of MI8, radio security. HIs books Transmissions and To America are available on Amazon.

This leads the trio to talk about the importance of radio interception, code breaking and Bletchley Park. Both Paul and Keith having links - Keith's through work with British Telecom and Paul, whose grandmother was a Voluntary Interceptor during the Second World War. Keith also shares his father's experience during the Second World War, including having responsibility for 6,500 Italian prisoners of war in Egypt.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

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Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

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This month Rev Paul Roberts chats with Ledbury-born military researcher, Alyn Tanner.

Alyn, who runs the Herefordshire Regiment Research Group, talks about how he became interested in the Herefordshire Regiment and shares several individuals he has researched, including Pte Tommy Fletcher, one of the "'intrepid three" who returned to Gallipoli in 1965 for the 50th Anniversary. More information on these three veterans can be found in a short talk on our Youtube Channel.

As someone who emigrated to the United States, Alyn also shows the medals of Pte Andrew Harton who made the same journey in 1921, settling in Chicago, where his medals turned up a lifetime later.

We also hear a little about Alyn's own military career as in the British Royal Corps of Signals, and latterly his 19 years in the Minnesota National Guard. As well as the value of social media in connecting people with similar research interests together.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

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A brief look forward to what will be coming in the second series of podcast episodes from the Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum, including chats with Aly Tanner, regimental researcher and founder of the Herefordshire Regiment Research Group on Facebook, Prebendary Jane Davies, and walks to explore the Cawley brothers of Berrington Hall and elite pathfinder, Wing Commander Tony Davies DSO DFC from Munsley.

Also details of our Museum Open Day on 7th September 2024 10.30am - 3.30pm at Suvla Barracks, Harold Street, Hereford.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

Send us a text

This month on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion ever mounted, Col Andy Taylor and Rev Paul Roberts reflect on the role the Herefordshire Light Infantry played in the days after 6th June 1944, including the Regiment's first casualties, among the Carrier Platoon, over the river Odon bridgehead. They examine the role of the Regiment as part of the 11th Armoured Division, an example of an all-arms force, the extensive training undertaken ahead of the battle and the part the Regiment played in the approach to Hill 112, so important in the battle for Caen.

Our pair also discuss the changing nature of remembrance as the number of veterans from the Normandy Campaign dwindle and the British Normandy Memorial, first inaugurated in 2011. Andy relates a recent hair-raising flypast by the Belgian Air Force at the memorial.

There is also some advice shared, given to British servicemen in 1944 who would soon be liberating a ravaged, war-torn and weary France... including some sound advice on strong wines and liquors!

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

Send us a text

The final part of Douglas Pike’s diary, runs through September 1915 until his evacuation from the Gallipoli Peninsula, suffering from dysentery. He includes fascinating details of everyday life in front line trenches, attacks by Turkish forces and ways in which he acted as a guide to relieving battalions, including the Buffs. Finally, he reflects on the campaign from a hospital camp and marvels at the successful withdrawal, while also recognising that the campaign was “for nothing.”

Douglas Pike was mentioned in dispatches for his actions at Gallipoli in the early phases of the Herefordshire Regiment’s involvement.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

Send us a text

This third extract of Douglas Pike’s Gallipoli Diary finds him caring for Pte Yates, a wounded comrade through the night of 13th/14th August 1915, awaiting promised stretcher bearers, which never came. On reaching Lala Baba the next morning RSM Chipp tells him he has missed the battalion and in the evening he sets out for Chocolate Hill to find them. We then hear of conditions in the front line and how Douglas volunteers for a listening post.

We featured excerpts of Pte Pike’s diary in a podcast episode a little while back, looking at the first 24 hours at Suvla Bay. After a number of requests, here is the diary in full, detailing conditions faced by men of the 1st Herefordshire Regiment at Gallipoli. We’ll publish it in four parts.

Map references appear on the podcast page of our website.

2221 Pte Douglas Harry Pike was born in Ross-on-Wye, the son of Henry Pike a miller and grain merchant. He was educated in Weston-super-Mare, and by October 1914 when he joined the Herefordshire Regiment, he was working with his father.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

Send us a text

This second part of Douglas Pike’s Gallipoli Diary picks up on the morning of 10th August 1915. Douglas meets up with ‘A’ Company and they spend the day fighting alongside the South Wales Borderers; he is sent back to the beach for rations, and on his return finds his unit has moved. After searching his is finally reunited with the Herefords and he is asked to accompany a wounded man back to the dressing station.

We featured excerpts of Pte Pike’s diary in a podcast episode a little while back, looking at the first 24 hours at Suvla Bay. After a number of requests, here is the diary in full, detailing conditions faced by men of the 1st Herefordshire Regiment at Gallipoli. We’ll publish it in four parts.

Map references appear on the podcast page of our website.

2221 Pte Douglas Harry Pike was born in Ross-on-Wye, the son of Henry Pike a miller and grain merchant. He was educated in Weston-super-Mare, and by October 1914 when he joined the Herefordshire Regiment, he was working with his father.

Support the show

If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience.

Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.

Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a Friend

Theme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band.

This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.