Sandbag - Wincanton RBL Newsletter June 2013
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Summary
Lt. Col. Lucy Giles
Between 13th and 17th July 2013 Lucy is attempting to cycle 340 miles around this year’s five Ashes Test Match grounds, finishing at Lords the day of the 2nd Test Match. Lucy is trying to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund and Lords Taverners and is looking for people to sponsor her.
If you want to help please go to the following internet link:
www.virginmoneygiving.com/LucyGiles.
Ray "Ticky" Judd
One of our longstanding and regular supporters, Ray “Ticky” Judd, suddenly passed away on 26th May. Ticky served his National Service with the Dorset Regiment and saw active service during the Korean War.
Whenever we needed help or support Ticky was always there, as emphasised by the above photo taken on Old Faithful Day last year. Ticky had a wonderful personality and was greatly loved by all; he will be sadly missed.
Our sincere condolences go to Esther and the family.
Armed Forces Day at the Miller’s 29th June
The Armed Forces Day event, at the Miller’s Inn Wincanton, is scheduled for Saturday 29th June. There is going to be fun for all the family from 11.00 am until late evening. Lots is happening, with a marquee of many different types of stalls.
Wincanton Silver Band will be playing in the afternoon and there will be a barbecue in the beer garden all day. The event is free and open to everyone.
Battle of Waterloo 15th June 1805, Hougoumont
Napoleon planned to draw Wellington's reserve to Wellington's right flank in defence of Hougoumont Farm and then attack through the centre left of the British and allies' front near La Haye Sainte.
Wellington recorded in his despatches, "at about ten o'clock Napoleon commenced a furious attack upon our post at Hougoumont". The initial attack by Maréchal de Camp Bauduin's 1st Brigade of the 6th Division was driven back by heavy British artillery fire and cost Bauduin his life.
The British guns were distracted into an artillery duel with French guns and this allowed a second attack by Maréchal de Camp Baron Soye's 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division. They managed a small breach on the south side but could not exploit it. An attack on the north side by elements of the 1st Brigade of the 6th Division was more successful. This attack led to one of the most famous skirmishes in the Battle of Waterloo.
Under-Lieutenant Legros, wielding an axe, the French managed to break through the north gate of the farm at Hougoumont. A desperate fight ensued between the invading French soldiers and the defending Guards. In a near-miraculous attack, Macdonell, a small party of officers and Corporal James Graham fought through the melee to shut the gate, trapping about 30 other soldiers inside. All of the French who entered, apart from a young drummer boy, were killed.
The French attack in the immediate vicinity of the farm was repulsed by the arrival of the 2nd Coldstream Guards and 2/3rd Foot Guards.
Wellington's army defended the house and the hollow way running north from it, and maintained the occupation of Hougoumont until the end of the battle.
The Hougoumont battle has often been characterised as a diversionary attack to cause Wellington to move reserves to his threatened right flank to protect his communications, but this then escalated into an all-day battle which drew in more and more French troops but just a handful of Wellington's (having the exact opposite effect to that intended). In fact there is a good case that both Napoleon and Wellington thought Hougoumont was a vital part of the battle. Certainly, Wellington declared afterwards that "the success of the battle turned upon the closing of the gates at Hougoumont”.
Next branch meeting 15th July 7pm at the Wincanton Memorial Hall
Editor Tony Goddard
01963-824193
Secretary Arthur Pickup
01963-32952
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Reply #1 on : Fri July 19, 2013, 14:11:12
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