June update and Conference details

Greetings

The Great War in Africa Conference is fast approaching and we’ve finally got the draft programme together which you can find GWAA Conf 2014 Programme

In addition to the information on the programme (start times, cost, speakers), local hotel accommodation can be found at – http://www.i-hotels.it/lisboa-av-antonio-serpa-13-9667-en-n.aspx
The university recommends Hotel VIP Zurich Executive. You can also find the details of hotels and book at www.booking.com

If you are arriving over the weekend are looking for places to visit, there is an exhibition in the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal on World War 1. Opening hours 09,30 to 17,30.
There is also the Maritime Museum which has a display on the First World War in Africa.

Payment for attendance can be made at the venue but it would be helpful to know if you are planning to join us. You can either Email me or the Conference email.

I hope to see you there.

For those of you UK based and unable to attend, or others visiting London in November, we’re looking to have an informal get-together on Saturday 22 November 2014. Please do get in touch if you are interested. Details will be made available in due course.

Some other World War 1 Africa bits and pieces which have been in the media follow:

Togo sees first shot fired
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world-war-1/470132/Great-War-Centenary-How-the-Empire-saved-an-desperately-outgunned-Britain-in-WWI

CWGC focus on Kenya
http://www.cwgc.org/media/202559/kenya.pdf

Taita Taveta and 15 August 2014 commemoration plans
http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/mark-august-15th-when-the-taita-taveta-county-government-commemorates-ww1/c

Captain Thornycroft memorial (panel 6) in Cork, Ireland brought to us by a researcher, Colleen Watkins.

His brother is listed on panel 7.
http://www.irishwarmemorials.ie/html/showMemorial.php?show=490
Following up on my research re. Captain Thornycroft please find attached an Irish website that hosts photographs of the WW1 war memorial in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland) in Cork city, which commemorates the many WW1 fallen and includes Captain E.M.G. Thornycroft and his older brother, Captain JOHN RALPH M. THORNYCROFT (born 1884. He died on 22 Oct 1914. The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). DIED OF WOUNDS 22 Oct 1914 RECEIVED IN BATTLE AT 1ST BATTLE FOR YPRES. (WAS DUE TO MARRY ON HIS RETURN FROM FRANCE)).

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral WW1 war memorial panels
http://www.irishwarmemorials.ie/html/showMemorial.php?show=490

Please click on the accompanying links on the web page: panel 6 shows Captain Thornycroft’s name and his brother is on panel 7. There is also a text link on the same web page that shows all the names of the fallen from the parish.

The panels were erected upon the south-western aisle pillar (near the choir); and below the names – and just above the inscription HEROES COLUMN engraved into the foot of the stone pillar – is the following dedication:

In reverent and grateful memory of men from the diocese of Cork Cloyne & Ross who gave their lives at the call of honour and duty in the Great War 1914-1918. Their names have been inscribed here that future generations may be reminded of their sacrifice and their achievement. Death is swallowed up in victory.

NB On the same pillar is also a beautiful illuminated book (housed in a wooden and glass box) that records the WW1 fallen and an original wooden crucifix brought back from the Western Front.

Meanwhile, f.y.i. I have located Edward Thornycroft’s birth registration (Yorkshire, England 1886) and his British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index:- Campaign: B.E.F. 1914, disembarked 4/8/14 (1914-15 Star). His rank is Lieut. and from 4/8/14 Capt. His Corps is given as: R. Lancs Reg and from 4/8/14 K.A.R. Meanwhile, his correspondence/home address is listed at his mother’s home (she was widowed and had remarried) c/o Mrs Morris, Stance (sic) Court, Castletownsend, Skibbereen, County Cork.

New Member, Jennifer Bosch found this link with some amazing photos of GSWA and EA: http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/heritageimages/index.htm

Some Africa related links can be found in Empires in World War I: Shifting Frontiers and Imperial Dynamics in a Global Conflict (Andrew Tait Jarboe and Richard S. Fogarty, eds.) recently published by I.B. Tauris.

Please do send in any bits you have discovered or would like to share with the group. We’re slowly approaching 200 members…

Best wishes
Anne