Programme of events 2018-2019.
The Birmingham Medal Society meets on the first Thursday of each month at The Holiday Inn, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9AB. Each meeting is different and provides a wide range of subjects for medal collectors and historians in all areas. The meetings begin at 1900h with the formal start at 1930h. Members may also wish to meet in the bar area from 5.00pm onwards for a meal or drink.
The programme for the next year is detailed below, for more information please contact us.
Any member wishing to talk about an item on a relevant night can fill a form in upon arrival or complete one in advance by CLICKING HERE and e-mailing on the link to the Secretary.
The programme for the next year is detailed below, for more information please contact us.
Any member wishing to talk about an item on a relevant night can fill a form in upon arrival or complete one in advance by CLICKING HERE and e-mailing on the link to the Secretary.
Thursday 6th September 2018 - A Memorial Plaque - the Worcestershire Regiment and Salonika. Long standing member Jeff Taylor will give another of his entertaining and highly detailed talks on a World War I Memorial plaque and explain what he has uncovered about the recipient, and interesting evening is promised especially so as it covers the Worcestershire Regiment and Salonika.
Thursday 4th October 2018 - Medals to Conscientious Objectors at War. As we enter the last year of the First World War Commemorations, the talk looks at the experiences of those individuals, who for conscience and other reasons, chose to serve in the ‘non-combatant’ Friends’ Ambulance Unit during World War I. The talk will explore the evolution of the Unit, one of the main aspects of the Unit’s work – motorised ambulance convoys working for the French Army, the impact conscription had on the individuals and the organization, and reflect on those members who lost their lives while serving with the FAU. The talk is presented by member Paul Handford MBE and supported by medal groups, original photographs and many other related items from Paul’s own private collection, and once again promises an energetic and enthralling presentation on an emotive subject.
Thursday 1st November 2018 - Drummond Lecture - details to follow.
Thursday 6th December 2018 - Recent acquisitions, Mini Presentations. An opportunity for members to show off a recent acquisition or talk for a short while on a subject of their choice. An ideal evening for new members who are especially welcome.
January 2019 - No meeting.
Thursday 7th February 2019 - Recent acquisitions, Mini Presentations. An opportunity for members to show off a recent acquisition or talk for a short while on a subject of their choice. An ideal evening for new members who are especially welcome.
Thursday 7th March 2019 - On the Lines of Communication. This presentation was originally scheduled for March 2018 but cancelled due to inclement weather. Member Paul Handford MBE will focus on WW1 medal groups to individuals who engaged in Ambulance work – ‘On the Lines of Communication’, for both the British and French Red Cross. What Paul calls, ‘Working behind the scenes!’ The talk considers the development of ambulance work from early October 1914, collecting the wounded arriving in trains from the ‘First Ypres’ Battle Front. The wounded were transported from the ambulance trains to Base Hospitals on the French Coast, and as the War continued, became a huge undertaking. Hundreds of ambulances and personnel served large numbers of base hospitals along the French Coast, drivers, orderlies; and mechanics to maintain the vehicles. The drivers also were responsible for transporting the wounded to the awaiting hospital ship when required. The talk is supported by original and rare photographs of the British Red Cross & Order of St John garage works shops in Boulogne, Women V.A.D. drivers, Base Convoys and funeral processions, the coffins being transported in the ambulances driven by the volunteers, to Military Cemeteries situated on the French Coast. The talk also considers the work of volunteer drivers undertaking the same work for the French Army. It also looks at medal groups to the volunteer gentlemen and women who drove the ambulances; mechanics and coach builders who serviced and maintained the vehicles and to those who developed this work from the early days in October 1914, work that although was not at ‘The Front’ was nevertheless incredibly important and helped to save many soldiers lives.
Thursday 4th April 2019 - Annual General Meeting and Presidents Cup. The first part of the evening is devoted to the formal business of the Society, followed by the presentation of Trophies for the annual President’s Cup and Research Trophy and Easter Rising 1916. Long standing member Major Dave Seeney will talk about the armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week, April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War. Dave’s talk will cover the lead up to the rising, the key players, Decorations and awards to the Military & Civilians. An ideal evening for new members who are especially welcome.
Thursday 2nd May 2019 - Waterloo 1815. Renowned medal collector and BMS Member Mick Atkinson will talk about the Waterloo Medal, its history, design, manufacture and how best to research it. He will use the examples in his collection, now that he has achieved his aim of owning a medal for all seven Heavy Cavalry Regiments. As always with Mick’s talks a highly interesting evening is promised.
Thursday 6th June 2019 - 75th Anniversary of D-Day. BMS President Roger Bragger will introduce this subject 75 years on from the actual day. The decision to undertake a cross-channel invasion in 1944 was taken at the Trident Conference in Washington in May 1943. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed commander of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), and General Bernard Montgomery was named as commander of the 21st Army Group, which comprised all the land forces involved in the invasion - the rest as they say 'is history'. Roger will cover the main story and he and members will then display relevant groups of medals they possess from the unsung heroes of this famous day. An interesting evening is indeed in store.