Three members of the Road to Mandalay Living History Group attended the Ayscoughfee hall 1940's weekend in Spalding Lincolnshire.
The Ayscoughfee weekend is a small but friendly 1940's weekend which is a free event inviting the general public to step back to the war years within the setting of the museum grounds and buildings. The event is complemented with a VJ inspired parade and dedication service on the Sunday afternoon, with veterans in attendance from all branches of the services from WW2, Malaya and Korea through to more recent conflicts including the Falklands and Gulf wars.
Apart from engaging with and educating the public about the Burma campaign; it was a great honour and pleasure to meet with and speak to Mr Arthur Branch, a sprightly 97 year old Burma Star veteran who served with the Gurkha regiments in the Indian 19th Division (Dagger division).
Mr Branch was very keen to inspect the troops and rifle through the equipment on our display as well as passing on some of his knowledge and experiences, it sure was a pleasure to have his stamp of approval for the display.
We ended our first meeting with a few photographs in which Mr Branch was very insistant on handling his old Enfield rifle.
Thank you Sir for your kind words and support of the group, we look forward to meeting with Mr Branch again real soon.
The Ayscoughfee weekend is a small but friendly 1940's weekend which is a free event inviting the general public to step back to the war years within the setting of the museum grounds and buildings. The event is complemented with a VJ inspired parade and dedication service on the Sunday afternoon, with veterans in attendance from all branches of the services from WW2, Malaya and Korea through to more recent conflicts including the Falklands and Gulf wars.
Apart from engaging with and educating the public about the Burma campaign; it was a great honour and pleasure to meet with and speak to Mr Arthur Branch, a sprightly 97 year old Burma Star veteran who served with the Gurkha regiments in the Indian 19th Division (Dagger division).
Mr Branch was very keen to inspect the troops and rifle through the equipment on our display as well as passing on some of his knowledge and experiences, it sure was a pleasure to have his stamp of approval for the display.
We ended our first meeting with a few photographs in which Mr Branch was very insistant on handling his old Enfield rifle.
Thank you Sir for your kind words and support of the group, we look forward to meeting with Mr Branch again real soon.