Latest news with #ScoutCar
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cumbria's Museum of Military Life hosts fourth annual military festival
Cumbria's Museum of Military Life hosted its annual multi-period encampment last weekend. The Carlisle Castle event, on May 31 and June 1, showcased military history, from Norman knights to the modern army. Visitors explored tents, equipment, and demonstrations, with medieval combat displays and Home Guard rifle drills bringing history to life. Home Guard re-enactors from the Victory in Europe Re-enactment Group (VERA) (Image: Cumbria's Museum of Military Life) Rachel Brodie, learning and events co-ordinator at the museum, said: "The re-enactors certainly bring the castle to life and provide visitors with a real insight into army life through the ages. "The range of activities and demonstrations on offer provides something for everyone. "It is great to see people having a good day out." Re-enactors cooking, Norman style (Image: Cumbria's Museum of Military Life) The Parade Square featured military vehicles, including the museum's Armoured Scout Car, while children enjoyed activities in the popular KidsZone. Ryan Aitken, a re-enactor, said: "This is the 80th anniversary year of Victory over Japan Day. "Our display with a Far East theme enables us to discuss the Border Regiment's part in Burma and people are really interested in the soldier's kit and equipment. "We love being part of this event." Members of the Second World War Combined Forces Living History Group (Image: Cumbria's Museum of Military Life) The event was supported by the Solway Aviation Museum and the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, with veterans from the Regimental Association and Royal British Legion also in attendance. As part of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, the museum is currently displaying items from its Second World War collections. A new temporary exhibition, Gretna 110: The Quintinshill Rail Disaster of 1915, opened on Saturday morning, and is currently on loan from the Royal Scots Museum in Edinburgh. Plans are now underway for the fifth Military Festival in 2026.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall veterans remember VE Day 80 years on
'We celebrated but we had remorse as well' 7 minutes ago Share Save Kevin Hay BBC News, South West Share Save BBC Max Embury was a Scout Car Commander "We did think of the casualties... and we were thinking why them and not me?" Three men from Devon and Cornwall have recalled their memories of their service during World War Two on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Former Scout Car Commander Max Embury, from Newton Abbot, said he remembered "throwing our hats into the air and jumping for joy". "In retrospect, we had a lot of remorse as well," he added. Recalling the final moments of the war in Europe, Mr Embury said he had seen his sergeant fatally injured by Hitler Youth snipers in Germany operating from a church tower and they had ordered the six young men inside to be killed. A short time later he said a message came over the airwaves announcing the end of the conflict on the Continent. "In retrospect, we had a lot of remorse as well, and we did think of the casualties that we had suffered, the young men that we had left behind who would never go home," he said. "And we were thinking why them and not me?" Richard Aldred, from Callington, remembers his time fighting during the war Richard Aldred, from Callington, was also in Germany on the day of the announcement. The former tank driver said: "We couldn't believe it. "We were warned to be careful to not walk about and keep in our vehicle. "You get some people who don't like the idea of losing and they were prepared to die, and we were told to be alert." Colin Young, from Plymouth, was in Germany in 1945 when news of the end of the war broke In another part of Germany was Colin Young from Plymouth, who reacted to the defeat of German with a "booze up" with his comrades in the Royal Artillery. "All the beer and the stuff that we had we started getting into it you know," he said. "One of the blokes went over to a big farmhouse and he went into a barn on the side there to get eggs because we had heard chickens. "The next thing we saw he was running like hell with a woman chasing him! That's the last thing I remember on that day." Mr Young has since died at the age of 98.
