Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: MELTHAM 1940'S WEEKEND

Meltham had another 1940’s do at the weekend and I went on Saturday, 2^nd July to have a look. Somehow the weather got from being like a bad early March to moderate Mid April in time for a decent day.

Well, the first thing I saw was the enemy. Not a swastika or an SS badge in sight though, so maybe they weren’t Nazi’s. I saw the Huddersfield Examiner photographer taking their pic but have not seen it in the paper. Nor have I seen ‘Nazis in Meltham!’ type banner headlines that tend to occur, especially in the Daily Mail. There were some quite sinister good ones a couple of years ago with a small scout car. I wonder where they have gone now as they seem to have been frightened off. Must be frustrating having all that authentic looking kit with nowhere to parade it. Copyright image by David Swanbury

This outfit mystifies me and I hope someone can identify it for me. At the time I took him for an army officer as he passed by and paid little attention, but looking at the pics I realize I haven’t a clue what he represents. The outfit is khaki yet the cap badge has a crown and anchor with oak leaves around the peak resembling a Commander in the RN. and his rings have a wide spacing. But what of the rest? I have looked around the web a bit and have found nothing similar.

If I get to know I will make the necessary amendment

But I also wonder about the leather gaiters or leggings. I did not know they were worn with the flap facing over to the inside. I just feel they would have sat on his smart boots better with them on the other leg. Probably wrong. He can’t be wearing all that fancy kit and not know what is correct. But if you were riding a horse you wouldn't want those straps ond buckles on the inside.

Some good strong calf muscles there!

A parade was gathering away from the village centre. I suppose this is a Caterham or is it a Lotus, but not representative of the era even if the occupants are. Unfortunately a bit of a deluge descended as they were forming up. Copyright image by David Swanbury

I don’t know its age but it reminds me of school busses.

Members of the Huddersfield and District Army Veterans Association.

A couple of proper looking sailors there with the one in the beard sporting a Captain’s insignia and very much looking the part.

In a rush to get back to collect his flag or whatever it is called before they form up. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A copper looking as they used to look when they had respect, were known by and knew the locals and could put the fear of God into small boys, with a Huddersfield Examiner photographer lurking in the background.

Getting their act together. One biker still missing

A REME attired sergeant was in command and is giving the instruction to move. Copyright image by David Swanbury

It is probably unkind to say it but some of the bikers look almost as old as their bikes.
Copyright image by David Swanbury

The distinguished chap in the bowler is the Secretary of the H&DAVA. Actually he is also distinguished for having researched the background of all the names on the Honley War Memorial and brought the short lives of the local fallen into the present. No longer just names. Link to Newspaper article

I never got another chance to see this again but it looks a bit of fun. Ferret came to mind but it is the Dingo Daimler Scout car and preceded the Ferret but was its inspiration.. According to Wikipedia it is arguably one of the finest fighting vehicles made in Britain during the last war. It had a rear engine with four wheel drive and a preselector gearbox giving five forward and reverse gears. The Mk1 had four wheel steering too but I think this was a bit too much for the average driver so they fixed the back wheels in a straight line on later versions. Wilkipedia Dingo link

Why do ‘Germans’ look intimidating? Have we been brainwashed.

An entertainer with songs of the era.

I wasn’t sure if these two were dressed for the era or not as quite a few locals were. The two from the barber's shop where I get my geriatric discounted haircut were dressed as landgirls

This great big chap loomed out of the throng and I couldn’t resist adding him as maybe he reflects the Viking heritage of some of the area.

The Germans have gained a mini admirer who wanted to be photographed with them. Copyright image by David Swanbury

This chap with the Commando flash was the smartest of the lot with creases in his pants that could cut your finger as well as having them immaculately and correctly folded into his gaiters. In a previous post last year I showed an ‘actor’ with his gaiters on the wrong leg, with buckles inside, and it makes you wonder how many have had experience and who would like to have had it.

He had a paper sticking in his hatband saying ‘Press’ that I haven’t shown, but I can’t see him looking a lot different in real life.

There were two passes from a Spitfire and then it waggled its wings and departed. A fleeting long distance shot between a web of overhead phone and electricity wires. Wonderful sound. The history of this one is here

Well I had to grab this pic.

This great long thing was parked around a corner out of the way and doesn’t represent the 1940s but maybe represents the American psyche of its own era, which I am sure has changed significantly by today. I have no idea what make it is and I forget the model name I saw, but it was in absolutely mint condition.

Four ladies having fun and a dog not having quite as much. Actually the vehicle belongs to the son of the lady in the driver’s seat

Nice turnout.

One way you could tell it wasn’t real was the fact that there was no saluting and it was all just one informal happy get-together. That and the fact that some were a bit old for the role or totally out of condition, but the stage was theirs and they enjoyed it as did everyone else.

Wednesday 6 July 2016

MELTHAM 1940'S WEEKEND

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