Page 100 - KRH Regimental Journal 2022

98 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
Preston has been removed to safe storage under the watchful eye of trustee Steve Butler. Plans are being finalised to ship it to Tidworth where the Regiment (by way of Capt Baines, the current Welfare Officer) has undertaken to restore it to full working order. Once achieved it will be sold with all receipts being used for the direct benefit of the museum. The Junior Officers’ are already collecting with eyes to an ‘Orderly Officers’ inspection wagon.
With the welcome arrival of the Assistant Regimental Secretary Lt Col Gary Wills, our Honorary Curator, Major Steve Penkethman, has found more time to devote to the museum. He and his wife Belinda have made great strides in the shop area, not least mak- ing many more items available for purchase on-line. My thanks to them both.
Following the postponement of evening talks last year due to Covid, the first talk was delivered on 25 October by Maj Gen Stephen Carr-Smith to mark the 168th anniversary of The Charge of the Light Brigade. He covered the events leading up to the bat- tle, the battle itself and closed with an insightful analysis of how misunderstandings, poor communications, and personal jealous- ies had led to such a brave charge being launched at the wrong objective. After such a long break it was reassuring to have it so well attended. Further talks are being planned for 2023 which will be advertised on the museum website.
During the year HorsePower has continued to receive items of significant historical interest which is wonderful. The medal collection was enhanced by the generous donation of two medal groups. The first are the medals of Maj William ‘Van’ Burdon MC,
who had the longest unbroken service of any 11th Hussar officer in the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross and Bar. Secondly, the medals of Lt Col William Crotty MBE, 14th/20th Hussars, who commissioned from the ranks in 1941. He was appointed an Instructor of an Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in India and this important work prevented him from joining the 14th/20th until after the war.
A fascinating new arrival was a sign relating to the 10th Hussars polo match against the 9th Lancers in 1870, the first match played in England. Discovered in a pub basement in 2005, it was rescued by the donor who, through family connections with a former 10th Hussar, kindly presented it to the museum. This interesting piece is now being researched and will undergo conservation before being displayed. Other new acquisitions include a photograph album of 1420H in Egypt 1930-31 and a flag flown by B Squadron, 10th Hussars, in Aqaba and Aden.
Should anyone be wondering what to do with family items from previous generations, do please consider gifting to the museum. Whilst unable to accept everything offered, should any item fill a specific gap in the Collection, and especially if the individual concerned has well documented history, the museum would be delighted to discuss it with you.
GHRT
The Medal Groups of Maj ‘Van’ Burdon MC 11H
The Medal Groups of Lt Col William Crotty MBS 14/20H