Picture of the Week 2/11/2008

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:26 am

Mike I hadn’t taken offence so no apology is due. I do however have a real interest in that time frame and there is still so much to learn. Healthy discussion such as this and done without offence, improves our understanding, and puts right some of those myths so often created when an ill advised publisher prints another "reference" book, and sets it in stone ! Let’s not go there.

My interest in the Geneva Cross came about when I researched the design to make some large display flags; it then snowballed into quite a lengthy file! With “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” coming up on 8th May, this topic may serve to highlight awareness.

We seem to have much in common for I too have some issues with "elite" troops. Of course they should be recognized and portrayed, quite rightly too, but as you say there seems to be a disproportionate interest in this area, and precious little representation of how they were maintained in the field.

The 514th will be back in the field very shortly, and certainly at one event it will be expanding on the medical theme. You'll be most welcome to join us, as will any other forum member here.

The door is always open for constructive comment, and the kettle is always on.

Colin

Canadian Gunner · Post by **Canadian Gunner** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:09 pm

Hi Colin:

I appreciate the invitation.

I'll be in the UK for the weekend of 26-27 Apr and will be going to the '40s weekend at the Churnet Valley Railroad on the Saturday.

I fly to Nairobi on the Sunday to teach the next set of courses to the African Union.

I will be back for a week on 29 May and plan to attend any events I can find on the weekends of 31 May-1 Jun and 7-8 Jun. I am currently scanning the internet to see whats aval. I generally stage out of Bristol or London as I have family in both locations.

During the week of 2-6 Jun I will be moving my SWB CCKW from Bristol to Liverpool to put it in a container bound for Canada. It will be sharing space with a Windsor carrier and a 4.2" mortar trailer!

Cheers! Mike

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:43 pm

Bristol, my home town.

Give some thought to COAM = 31st May - 1st June.

Last years event here: http://514th.co.uk/PDD2007.html as I recall........ it rained !

Canadian Gunner · Post by **Canadian Gunner** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:01 pm

OK, sold!

If you are in Bristol you may know my chum Ian Furey-King of the Ack-Ack living history group. I will try to convince Ian that we should go up (across/down?) to COAM.

Please help me figure out where exactly COAM is. The firewall on oour computers doesn't let maps though unless they are a picture (interactive maps have some security problem that bothers our IT types).

My SWB CCKW is in Bristol right now... is COAM something I could drive it to without bankrupting myself on your petrol costs?

Ubique! Mike

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:54 pm

Hey Mike thats great. Details on Coam can be found here;

http://www.coam.org.uk/

Its an open air museum, that lends itself readily to a themed weekend, and because of its ancient buildings a very "forties" feeling. The address is at the bottom of the webby, about 100 UK miles I guess from Bristol. N on M25.

I'm sure the 514th will be very pleased to have you along and Mick (our Sarg) will no doubt read this soon enough, and chip in.

I will be traveling up from Portsmouth on the south coast, but one of our other trucks will be making its way from Cardiff and will be passing through Bristol. There may be an opportunity there for you to meet up to convoy.

More pictures on Coam can be found here: Nick Halling 514th photographer.

http://www.nickhalling.co.uk/navbar.htm click on Archives Coam 2007

Be great to have you along.

mick.wilson · Post by **mick.wilson** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:54 pm

That sounds like a good plan but not sure if TRK 48 (in Cardiff) will be driving to the COAM event but you would be made very welcome if you turned up.

Mick

John · Post by **John** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:06 pm

Not sure yet if we can make it due to work commitments

but will let you know asap. Would be great to hook up & travel together.

Trk 48 still predominatly red lead but almost ready for OD.

Any travelling in this country will bankrupt all of us.

Will keep you posted.

John & Dee

Canadian Gunner · Post by **Canadian Gunner** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:21 pm

Hi all:

It looks like I'll make it to COAM but I may be assisting with the Ack-Ack Gunners' display... being a serving Gunner and guesting with the Bofors detachment commander, I suppose I'd best earn my bed and breakfast!

My CCKW may be shipped so, unfortunately, I will not likely be bringing it along. Nonetheless, I look forward to spending some time with you QM truckers and picking your brains about CCKWs.

For thos that might know my machine I purchased it from John James in Bristol- its a hard cab CCKW352-B1 dated May 41.

Cheers and Ubique! Mike

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:24 pm

Mike thats good news, a real Gunner with an Ack-Ack crew, sounds good. Look forward to meeting.

Colin

The GMC CCKW

Picture of the Week 2/11/2008

Mike in UK

COAM

COAM