In association with

The Invicta Military vehicle Preservation Society

Issue 1 2005 January

Barbara, Myself and the rest of the team at War and Peace would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their Christmas cards and kind letters received over the festive period and wish all our readers good health for the future.

War and Peace 2005 is looking to be as busy as ever. Entries are arriving daily and unbelievably some from enthusiasts who have never exhibited before, and many from past day visitors who now wish to exhibit. Heavy armour is plentiful with a few that have not been seen before, and are eager to get into the arena to play. Living History groups seem to be multiplying; we will have to monitor the support vehicle rules to ensure sufficient space for all.

The War and Peace team have had a busy time attending shows. The Lord Mayors Procession in London invited us to supply vehicles to take part in the world's oldest parade. It all started back early in 2004 when I was contacted by Michael Savory, the incoming Lord Mayor. I was asked the feasibility of sourcing and arranging some tanks, Jeeps and relevant personnel to accompany the said vehicles. Unfortunately supplying the heavy armour was taken care of by the incoming Lord Mayor himself; well he does own The Muckleburgh Collection in Norfolk. I did get to supply one tank. Our annual loan of the Sherman Firefly and low loader to The Sharpshooters Yeomanry Association.

It was left to me to present about 18 Jeeps, with appropriately dressed crews to each transport a Chelsea Pensioner along the route of the procession. With the criteria being "Jeep", "Parade" and "Dressing Up" one person had to be involved: Malcolm Dunlop. It seemed that within minutes true to form Malcolm arrived at The War and Peace Office - full of ideas, enthusiasm and a completed list of Jeeps.

The Lord Mayors Show is a gigantic military operation that has been held annually for the last 800 years and this year involved over 6,000 participants, 200 horses, 350 motor vehicles and 20 marching bands and more. All this descends on the narrow streets of The City of London, so the need to arrive at your allotted time is paramount. All groups are then packed tightly in procession order. If you are late, you miss your slot and are excluded from the parade. So punctuality (not my forte) is essential. This is where I knew we needed to use the NLBA.

Paul Shea kindly volunteered to co ordinate the arrival for the appropriate time under motorcycle escort from a muster point somewhere in South London, central to as many of the Jeep drivers as possible and not too far from our official parade meeting point. Bearing in mind most Jeeps were coming from Kent & Surrey and we needed enough space to park 18 Jeeps, The Albert Embankment by the secret MI5 building was chosen.

The day of the show arrived with most of us leaving home before dawn. Malcolm, Gabi and Michael Dunlop left Hythe near Folkestone in Kent at 04:45 hrs and travelled approximately 90 miles to the muster point, collecting other Jeeps in Ashford and Godstone to name just a couple of places along the way. I travelled up with Barbara in the warm and her Jeep followed behind me on an A Bar. I'm not sure who arrived first because true to form I was the last to arrive.

After all our greetings were completed, the signal was given by our outriders to fire up and head out into the early Saturday morning traffic. The NLBA had furnished the relevant authorities with the appropriate information, you know "18 wartime vehicles, some with machine guns, passing through your patch" so we weren't too much of a surprise.

We immediately arrived at the 1^st roundabout by Lambeth Bridge, where other road users were advised of the slow moving convoy by the outriders. This happened again at the roundabout by Westminster Bridge and again as we turned left over Waterloo Bridge. It amazed me as to how courteous London drivers can be, as we proceeded at our leisurely pace with all others giving way. My mind drifted off to thoughts of Bethune and similar journeys. We reached the Police cordon at Holborn and the solitary Policeman waved us through. It was eerie driving through the City of London in daylight with no other traffic or even pedestrians. It was as if London had become a ghost town.

We arrived at our parade position with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately we received word that the Chelsea Pensioners were unable to attend. They had had a late night the evening before and would be having a long day the day after the show, with Remembrance Sunday events. Still they were in our thoughts as we paraded. The parade set off and ran like clockwork as it usually does. Cheers from the crowds roared out as we approached. I think the biggest cheers were for Barbara and Gabi in the front centre Jeep with comments like "Girl Power". Everyone soon got into the swing of things - non stop waving to the crowds.

The parade is in two legs, so once the new Lord Mayor is sworn in at The Law Courts he returns to Mansion House. We had a two hour break for lunch and then started the return leg. Regulars to the parade know this so as soon as the parade has passed them on its outward leg, they make their way to get a good viewpoint for the return leg.

As you can imagine running three Jeeps abreast can be daunting for the first timer, let alone through the streets of London. The three lead Jeeps driven by Barbara, Malcolm and Nick Cowles set the standard that the following Jeeps needed to meet and did. All drivers must be congratulated on keeping the formation except for the odd occurrence where street furniture took preference, but once past that formation was again rebuilt.

At the end of the parade we were led into St Martin Le Grand, to disperse. At the lunch break we had decided to be escorted back to our original muster point for dispersal. The whole day, although a very early start was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion.

NEW YEARS DAY PARADE

So impressive was our display that after seeing us in The Lord Mayors Parade, Westminster City Council invited us to take part in The London New Years Day Parade as part of their "West-end at War" showcase. We have been informed that the Westminster float was voted as best parade display which raised a total of £30,000 for Westminster Council to give to their local charities. More than 10,000 performers representing 20 countries world-wide assembled and were started by the chimes of Big Ben at noon. In recent years BBC, CNN, Fox News, SKY and CBS Networks have all covered the event sending live pictures around the world. Since its inception in 1987 the New Year's Day Parade - London has raised or donated almost two thirds of a million pounds to charities.  Monies raised have benefited a wide range of London based charities. To see an M10 Achilles, with 13 Jeeps, Jimmy and half track all driving through central London in convoy was an impressive sight to behold. Especially after the official parade when we had to travel the three or so miles back to the low loader past Hyde Park Corner, Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station and the MI5 Headquarters at Vauxhall.
 

War and Peace has already been invited back to participate in the 2005 Lord Mayors Procession in London, although as of yet the format is unknown.

The War and Peace team will be at the Military Convention at Malvern on Sunday 20^th March 2005 to answer any queries or just to have an informal chat. Please come and say hello - we don't bite!

Trucks and Tracks 2005 has been moved to 30^th April & 1^st May. It is still at The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone and Military vehicles are welcome for a static display. Bringing your vehicle earns you free entry to the show. For more info Contact Trevor on 01303 850801. Again the War and Peace team will be on hand with information, entry forms, vehicles from the War and Peace Collection and a smile.

War and Peace have been approached by a couple of French cities with a view to arranging wartime vehicles to attend various parades in France. Negotiations are currently underway for subsidies to assist vehicle owners with costs. These events are of course in addition to the many events being planned to celebrate VE Day at home. We will keep everyone updated as and when news becomes available.

Norfolkline are still offering the "War and Peace" discount of £12 per metre, minimum 5 metres each way for up to 5 persons. This is still the cheapest way to cross the channel and can be used at any time of year, not just for Beltring. By special arrangement with the management this arrangement will continue when Norfolkline receive their 2 new super ferries this summer. For further information call 0870 870 1020 or Email: [email protected]

DVD's of War and Peace 2004 are now available at £24.99 + p&p. Live action of battle re-enactments - see it through the eyes of the combat troops in Normandy and Vietnam.  Living history displays portraying the many facets of military life including their combat roles.  Many classes of military vehicles shown in detail in the fields away from the main arena.  Main arena vehicle displays, motorbikes and motorbike ride out, oddities and support vehicles.  Special guest appearances, entertainment and dancing.  TV celebrities from the old favourites like 'It Ain't Alf Hot Mum' and 'Dad's Army', Dame Vera Lyn and Sylvia Syms from the old Attenborough favourite film 'Ice Cold In Alex'. Copies are available direct from Yellowhammer Productions on 01622 204801 or by Email; [email protected] There are still a few copies of previous years shows available, please contact The War and Peace office for information.

War and Peace are hoping to be running the ever popular "Jeep Raffle" this year, although I's and t's are still being dotted and crossed in the IMPS - War and Peace agreement. We look forward to the legal beagles completing their part of the agreement whereupon both parties are looking forward to once again renewing an old relationship.

War and Peace monthly meetings will be starting on the 3^rd Thursday of March and the 3^rd Thursday of each month thereafter. All those who regularly attend will receive invitations. These meetings are for heads of groups and teams who have specific areas of responsibility. The team we have has grown each year and helped share the numerous tasks, not only during the public's five days of the show but for the months leading up to the event. Should you have any input or feedback please do not hesitate to get in touch.

As you can see from previous pages War and Peace is becoming a contact for numerous events and film work all year round. We are often approached for vehicles or re enactors. Personal information will not be divulged, only The War and Peace office will contact you and ask to see if you are interested.