3/4/25

I attended a meeting of the Cambridgeshire Branch of the Western Front Association last night, having just re-joined after a gap of about forty years! The meeting was at the Old Stukeley Village Hall and the speaker was excellent. I was also pleased and surprised to meet one of our members, Eric Hitchcock there who isn't actually a WFA member but attends like a number of other people just to hear the talks. I was asked if I wanted to address the audience (around 40 people) and tell them about our group, an offer which I eagerly accepted. I also took some PMHG flyers to hand out. I received two emails after the meeting from people offering to talk to us on various subjects. As we have a full program for this year I responded that we may well contact them regarding 2026 and forwarded their details to our speaker finder Roger Negus.

2/4/25

Another article has been added to the Research page. This is the story of the National Savings Warship Week campaign in 1942, in which Potters Bar set a target of £120,000 to enable the government to buy the corvette, HMS Poppy. A wooden plaque was presented to the ship and is in the author's collection.

31/3/25

Another story has been added to the Research page, Lend Lease from Britain to Russia. This provides a rundown of all the war materials and weapons that Britain provided to Russia during WWII from 1st October 1941 to 31st March 1944, under the Lend Lease agreement, so they could carry on the fight against Germany. The story begins with an announcement by the Prime Minister in parliament, reported by Hansard, followed by a full breakdown of materials sent to Russia, item by item.

This is a good time to remind all members that Peterborough Military Collectors Fairs, organised by our own Terry Edge, has its latest fair this Sunday 6th April, at the Royal British Legion Club, Yaxley, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Entrance fee £3.50. Our Group will have a table at the fair promoting the PMHG, manned by David Gray and Andy Lingard. Andy will be exhibiting some of his impressive collection.

27/3/25

We have just uploaded another story to the Research page. This is the story of Landing Ship Tank, LST 420, which sank during a storm off the Belgian coast with a tragic loss of life after being mined in November 1944. Two men from Peterborough, serving in the RAF, lost their lives during the sinking.

25/3/25

David Gray has sent in another story for the Research page. Tom Treliving - Bayonet Fighter concerns another Peterborough WWI soldier. Tom was ambushed by a group of German soldiers in a wood near Ypres, Belgium, on 7th November 1914. However, this is not just Tom's story, as quite often happens (see Simon Wilson's Story below), my research led me down another 'rabbit hole' to things I had no idea about.

22/3/25

Simon Wilson has sent in another fascinating story for the Research page. The story is about the German naval bombardment in WWI of a number of towns on the east coast including Scarborough. Simon highlights one casualty, Mrs Emily Merryweather, who lost her life when her shop was hit. The story illustrates how as collectors we can end up following a path that takes us somewhere quite unexpected. Simon bought a commemorative medallion which took him to Emily and ended up with the Guernsey Militia!

20/3/25

Another story about the First World War has been added to the Research page. This is the sad story of a Peterborough man, Gunner Harold Meadows. Harold committed suicide in the city centre in the early hours of the morning in April 1916. No one knows why he killed himself. He is buried in Broadway Cemetery.

17/3/25

I went to see 'The Longest Yarn' at Peterborough Cathedral yesterday. It's on until the end of the month and well worth a visit. Some photos I took here, sorry about the reflections.

The latest edition of 'Trench Lincs' is now available, visit Jonathan D'Hooghe's WWI website http://www.jonathandhooghe.co.uk/ and click the link at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget the Cambridgeshire Branch of the Western Front Association is holding its next meeting on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30pm. See their website here Cambridgeshire | The Western Front Association for details. Click for their Facebook page.

12/3/25

David Gray has contributed another document to the Research page. During WWI, Sexton, Grimwade and Beck's horse repository in Peterborough was used as a collection point for horses commandeered in the city for the army. This is the story of how it happened and what is still left to see of the stables.

Any member who didn't collect a Group badge from me at the March meeting will be able to pick one up at the meeting in April.

9/3/25

Roger Negus and David Gray have added another document to the Research page. Roger has in his possession a WWI death plaque along with some related information. We had to carry out some research to confirm these details and put right some obvious errors.

5/3/25

Two more shows we will be attending with our Group Stand:

Peterborough Militaria Collectors Fairs. As stated on the Home page, fellow member Terry Edge has organised this event and has kindly offered us a table in order to promote the group. The next event takes place on Sunday 6th April at the Royal British Legion Club, Yaxley, near Peterborough. Click for poster.

I think it is very important to try and attend any local event if it helps us to promote our group and reach out to the community to let people know more about us. We should always be on the look-out for ways to increase our membership at any opportunity. If you are around, come and see our stand.

I also met the Peterborough Wargames Club at their stand at the Peterborough Scale Model Club Show recently and they invited us to put on a display (2 x 6ft tables), at their show at the Cresset in September this year. I accepted their invitation and invited them to display at our exhibition in November, and they confirmed that they would. Click for poster.

This is another opportunity to meet people with different interests and and hopefully encourage visitors and exhibitors to take an interest in our group.

4/3/25

Roger Negus has submitted another document for the Research page which is now uploaded, giving the details of five brothers from Warmington, Roger's Great Uncles, who served during the First World War. One was killed in action and two were wounded. The story includes some great pictures.

3/3/25

As already stated on the Home Page, three of our members attended the Peterborough Scale Model Club show at Stamford Welland Academy on Sunday 2nd March. Andy Lingard and Terry Edge took along some of their collections (Andy, some of his WWII, U.S. military weapons and equipment, and Terry, some of his vast array of regimental badges, focusing on the Northamptonshire Regiment). David Gray took along banners, flyers and badges in the hope of stirring up interest in the Group.

A great day was had by all, with around 500 to 600 people visiting the show. Quite a few visitors and exhibitors showed an interest in our stand and took away many of our flyers. One group, the Peterborough Wargames Club, invited us to have a stand at their Wargaming Show later this year and expressed a wish to have one of their stands at our own exhibition in November. This sort of reciprocal arrangement can only benefit our Group. Click here for more pictures.

27/2/25

Fellow member Simon Wilson has forwarded to us the fascinating story of the Hospital Ship Maine which was brought into being through the determination and fund-raising of a group of American ladies which included Jennie Churchill. The ship carried soldiers who had been wounded during the Boer war. It is so good to be able to upload a story (which can be found on our Research page), from one of our other group members and something we would like to see more members having a go at. With such varied interests, there must be a multitude of interesting stories out there waiting to be recorded here. Please have a go, and let us see what interests you.

25/2/25

It was remiss of me not to mention we have a new member. Welcome Matt Colley, we look forward to seeing you at the meetings.

23/2/25

The latest issue of 'Trench Lincs' from Jonathan D’Hooghe has just arrived and with its usual fascinating array of stories. Click the link to read this week's copy but please subscribe and receive the latest version in your inbox every Sunday morning.

21/2/25

As stated on the front page of the site, we now have Group Badges available free for all members. We will be handing these out at the next meeting, but don't worry if you are unable to attend. We will have badges available at each meeting ensuring everyone has one as a physical record of their membership.

13/2/25

Further to yesterday's post below, although monthly meetings officially start at 7.30pm, going forward, we can gain access to the meeting room at the museum from around 7.10pm each month. This still gives plenty of time to park and set up for the talk, displays etc.

12/2/25

For those members who have not read the latest group email; due to a meeting by others being held prior to our own tonight, we cannot gain access to the meeting room until after 7.15pm this evening.

10/2/25

The Peterborough Scale Model Club are holding their annual show at the Stamford Welland Academy on Sunday 2nd March this year (Click here for the poster). For the first time, our Group has been offered two tables on which to present a display and hopefully advertise our presence, with a view to attracting a few more members. If you are in Stamford, or can pay a visit on the day, drop in and say hello. 

The show itself will be amazing, with modellers and dealers from all over the country attending. Our own modellers will be exhibiting as representatives of the PSMC of which they are also members. I will be there with Andy Lingard and hopefully a few other stalwarts who want to keep us company putting on a general, eye-catching display.

3/2/25

We have come across the following fascinating website run by Jonathan D'Hooghe http://www.jonathandhooghe.co.uk/ Jonathan says: 'I am a Nottinghamian by birth but am now domiciled in Lincolnshire. I am an independent First World War historian, researcher, author, battlefield guide and publisher of the weekly news blog, Trench Lincs.

I have a passion for British history through the ages and the Great War in particular. I have an MA in British First World War studies from the University of Birmingham (2014) and a particular interest in the social history of the war, the stories of the men who served, and the post-war processes that communities went through in their desire to memorialise their village and town war dead.'

Trench Lincs can be accessed from Jonathan's website and also from this link Home | Trench Lincs

3/2/25 

We are still very keen to receive members' contributions to our 'Research' page. Don't be shy! Send in that work you created which is still sitting on your computer. It deserves to have a life and we all want to see it!

2/2/25 

Have you ever wondered just how the British Government physically paid for all of the military hardware it ordered from British companies in WWII? They didn’t just send a man round to the factory with the cash in a bag! Quite often they didn’t have the money anyway. David Gray has submitted a document on the Research page which covers the whole process of how Britain paid for its weapons.

31/1/25

Roger Negus has submitted another document for the Research page which is now uploaded, giving the tragic details of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Norman Rackley, who was killed in action on 22nd June 1944.

18/1/25

Roger Negus has submitted another document for the Research page which is now uploaded, entitled: Walter James GARFIELD - A recipient of the Battle of Britain clasp - A tribute from his 1st cousin, once removed, that he never knew. 

18/1/25

David Gray has uploaded another document to the Research page which covers the story of Peterborough's mystery wireless station, its contribution to the destruction of the Zeppelin menace in WWI and how it helped with experiments in the atmosphere after the war.

16/1/25

Roger has updated his document regarding RAF Peterborough on the Research page.

15/1/25,

Roger Negus has now submitted a report to the Research page that he will continue to update, recording the details of local people (civilians), who were employed at RAF PETERBOROUGH (Westwood) in September 1939 during WWII. The information comes from the 1939 Register. Roger has also included photographs of the 'RAF Peterborough at Home - Battle of Britain Souvenir Programme' from 1945.

Contributions on other subjects from members are very welcome.

11/1/25

I have uploaded another document to the research page (my first was the story of the removal of iron railings in Peterborough in WWII and what can still be seen now). This second one tells the story of my discovery of an unknown WWII pillbox/shelter on the corner of London Road and Hicks Lane. I wanted to have it Grade 2 Listed, this is how I got on.

10/1/25

Visitors will note that the website no longer has a 'Buy and Sell' page. The page is now the 'Research' page as described yesterday, below. The reason for this is because if we add any more pages to the website we will have to have a contract and start paying for it, and that we cannot do!

But don't worry. If you have an item to sell, then email me from here, or via the Research page, and I will put it here on the 'Blog'. I hope members like the new page and feel that one day you might submit a story for us to read.

9/1/25

Have you been doing some research into an aspect of your military interest? Does it cover a number of pages which makes it too large to be submitted for inclusion in the Newsletter? We will shortly have a page on the website where group members can publish their research. You might have carried out some detective work on an item you have acquired, or followed up an interest in a subject and would like to publish your findings. You will be able to submit your work (text and images) as a file which will be available to others via a link on the page. Authors will have their work credited and it will remain their own, but otherwise you will be submitting it solely for the benefit of others to read and perhaps learn something. The page will contain an email link to me (Ted Gray), so you can send me the document, in PDF format please (if you can't save it as a PDF then send it as a Word document and I will do the rest). Readers will then be able to download your story from a short description on the page. 

9/1/25

Last night's talk presented by Geoff Turtle was excellent, and was very well attended (aircraft related talks are always popular). However, one of the best results of the night was that we had three new members join us. 

As we know, members are the lifeblood of any group, without them there is no group. Since Covid, most community groups across the country have suffered with a falling off of membership. Meetings ceased during those dark days and many groups have found it difficult to start up again where they left off. This makes the addition of three new members (dare I say friends), a real bonus at the beginning of a new year; a very big PMHG welcome to Judith, Paul and Simon.

A reminder to everyone (although it as been in the Newsletter), our Annual Exhibition for 2025 will take place on Saturday 15th November at the Museum.

8/1/25

Don't forget the meeting tonight, Geoff Turtle will be presenting a talk entitled Airfields and Aircraft of Lincolnshire in World War Two. In order to illustrate some of the aircraft Geoff will be talking about, Keith Boucher will be bringing along some of his aircraft models for display. This will be a great first talk for 2025 and Roger Negus has found speakers for the rest of the year which can be found listed on the Home page.

Members please remember, annual subs are now due, £8.00, and £2.00 on the night.

3/1/25

All members please note that annual membership is now due, £8.00, plus subs are now £2.00 each month at the meeting. I am sure everyone will understand that we have had to raise these slightly to cover costs. Thanks, Ted Gray.

23/12/24

Fellow member Roger Negus has sent us a message regarding some items of military uniform he is disposing of to a good home, FREE of CHARGE!! Roger will be bringing them along to the January meeting.

"I have quite a few bits of army uniform and kit from the 1970/80's. Please see attached photo's. They are up for grabs free of charge although a couple of quid into PMHG funds would be appreciated". Click to see photos

Roger disposed of some of these items at the January meeting, although he still has a few pieces left. If you are still interested and want to enquire about those remaining items, please contact via this website.

19/12/24

Meetings in 2025

8 January - Airfields and Aircraft of Lincolnshire in WW2 Geoff Turtle 

12 February - Seven Brave Women and a Boy John Chester 

12 March - Cambridgeshire WFA Medley Emrys Jones 

9 April - Hobart’s Funnies John Thornthwaite 

14 May - Roman Military Medicine Stuart Orme 

11 June - 457th Bomb Group, Glatton Jerry Wright 

9 July - The Pharmacist of Krakow - The story of Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who helped jews in the Krakow Ghetto. He was the only non-jew in the ghetto and was an 'Oscar Schindler' type character. Jan Gray 

13 August - TBA Andrew Flindall 

10 September - Scum of the earth – Wellington’s Infantry Dave Roberts 

8 October - My Modelling CV Keith Boucher 

12 November - The Stalingrad Airlift 1942/43 Ted Gray 

10 December - The Polish Winged Hussars Rob Gawronski