On 2 November at 4pm Professor Alexander Balezin, Doctor of Historical Science, Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences will be speaking on World War 1 in East Africa at the Dar-es-Salaam Russian-Tanzanian Cultural Center, Seaview Road 2043/3 (near Aga Khan Hospital), tel. 225222136578, email: rtcctanzania@gmail. web: http://tza.rs.gov.ru/en
Around 11 November, BBC Northern Ireland will be broadcasting a 10-minute interview with John Bannon whose Grandather, John (Jack) Bannon was at the surrender in Abercorn on 25 November 1918.
There are various special commemorations taking place in Africa: 11 November in Tanga, 25 November in Mbala and in Tsavo. Other main centres are, by all accounts, following the usual 11 November practice and I understand in Zimbabwe there will be a special remembrance lunch. Please feel free to share your centenary remembrance experiences and thoughts. The centenary marks a special occasion especially as we have none around who were involved in the 1914-1918 war and new generations are discoving the sacrifice so many made in so many different ways.
Thanks to Guy Ellis for bringing the following from Rhodesiana to light:
Operations around Mpepo by HA Cripwell (p54)
The last phase of the East Africa campaign 1914-1918 by LA Russell annotated by HA Cripwell (p41)
The memorial book The Sikh Chronicles is available online – there is a short contribution on Africa.
The Legion of Frontiersmen featured in the UK Belgian Embassy news back in August – Africa has a mention.
Peter Charlton’s Cinderella’s Soldiers has been re-issued for anyone who wasn’t able to get a first edition. There have been a couple of new additions to the text. A book containing essays on why we should remember WW1 in Africa was produced by Diversity House and published by GWAA. It includes contributions by Sir Hew Strachan, Tim Stapleton, Nuno Lemos Pires, and various GWAA members.
At last the GWAA Conference papers from 2012 to 2017 have been published in a compilation entitled There came a time. Finally, a book commemorating the end of the war in Zambia has been produced by the GWAA which contains diary accounts of the events between 11 November and 31 December 1918. Harry Fecitt and Michael Pesek have each contributed a commentary on the last days of the conflict. Contributors to the various publications wishing to purchase copies should contact Anne to ensure they receive the appropriate discounts.
Some documents from Africa during World War 1 can be found on The National Archives (UK) education website:
Letter from Henry Bullen in Egypt, 24 July 1916 2/10 Middlesex Rgt
Letter from Harold Cronin in Egypt, 20 May 1915 4th Sea Highlanders & 5th Bedfordshire
Frederick Jarrett, East African Mounted Rifles, Aug-Nov 1916 with photos
For members interested in campaign stamps, Mike White’s Worldwide Postal History has some items of interest.
Another collection of WW1 Africa stamps has been brought to attention – if anyone can provide additional information to accompany any of the stamps, please get in touch
Peter Dickenson has an article on VC Harry Greenwood, a South African who served in Europe.
The following request has come in. Perhaps someone will be inspired to do something with an African sound?
A message from Neil McLennan regarding the musical project https://www.napier.ac.uk/…/play-for-peace-a-concert-for-coo…
“I wondered if you might help us. As you will know #iPlay4Peace is growing fast and we have musicians across the world joining. https://www.napier.ac.uk/…/play-for-peace-a-concert-for-coo…
Any further shares appreciated.
However, not everyone is able to play a musical instrument. And so….
Can some people record themselves reading their most inspiring piece of World War One poetry which helps us to consider war and peace (British, German, French or any country or origin) and then upload the video clip before 4pm CET (3pm GMT) on 11th November 2018 to Facebook or Twitter with these two hashtags added:- #iPlay4Peace #Poetry4Peace
You can record yourself reading it from anywhere :- your living room, next to a war memorial or in front of a live audience in town halls etc.
If you do not want to play music or read poetry, why not share what you think is the most powerful image of war or the poppy on 11 November. For this, use the hashtags #iPlay4Peace #Pictures4Peace
The hashtags are vital so that we can bring together and view all the musical, poems and art work shared.
Please share this growing project with any other music, poetry or art groups you know. Together, on 11 November, we will create an amazing bricolage of cultural responses to war at the hashtag #iPlay4Peace
Kind Regards Neil McLennan”