Marika,
do I recall you mentioning some part of the McPherson report pertaining to
museums and the desirability of including/representing the historical
presence of Black and Asian peoples? Prior to commencing combat with the NAM
I have spent the morning ringing round regimental museums. I've spoken to
four or five, none of whom have had any direction regarding the matter. I
wonder whether this has anything to do with the curious position of
regimental museums - I'm assuming that the majority are privately run?
Anyway, the good news is that the ones I have spoken to have either: 1) made
plans to include sections on the historical presence of Black soldiers in
their regiments when they next update their displays. Or 2) have ensured
that museum staff are aware of their regiment's historical black presence,
as part of their required knowledge of regimental history. (John Dart of the
RRW museum, Cardiff, likes to recount to all and sundry the quite topical
account of Lenox Simpson, the giant African who distinguished himself
serving with the 41st Foot's Grenadier company during the 1st Afghan War).
The QDG's museum, also in Cardiff, does a guided tour, part of which
includes a reference to a Black soldier in a painting dating from the
1820s.(From info I suplied regarding his identity).
Bear in mind that these are the regiments which have been most enthusiastic
and encouraging about Black soldiers. I guess that the others are toeing to
NAM's line.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marika Sherwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 6:37 AM
Subject: Re: BASA - do you know this person?
> John, my Mp is Hugh Robertson, a young Tory guy... he was in Kosovo, but
> that is all I know about his military career. He's 34, if I remember
right -
> married recently. He was hugely helpful with my struggles with Immigration
> re Craig's mother-in-law, despite my telling him that I was a socialist!
>
> Here is what I sent him:
>
> Hugh, I trust you are having a real break with some time to spend with
your
> wife.... Craig is due on Saturday and his wife & her mother on the
27th....
> I shall let you know when they are all safely here! Marika
>
> What's below is from my 'military expert' colleague:
> 'SA-80 was complained about when I served during the early 1990s, and the
> MOD ignored us then. We all asked for the American M16, a far better
weapon
> all
> round...did you know that the British troops in Afghanistan were given the
> nickname "the cavemen" by the Americans due to their out-dated kit and
> spartan living conditions?'
>
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