Page 77 - Bugle Spring 2023

SOUTH WEST
The Keep Military Museum held a number of events, activities and exhibitions in 2022, and look forward to building on this in 2023.
Earlier in the year the team deep cleaned the museum, a vital yet thankless task to ensure the long-term care of the collection. They were then straight into the final preparations for the launch of our Bosnia25 exhibition, reflecting on The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment’s tour in Bosnia in 1995.
Whilst preparing for another small exhibition on military rations, the museum team took another look at a recently mis-identified World War 2 ration pack in
the collection. It is believed to be the only surviving complete Assault Ration Pack in
the world, as used by British troops landing on D-Day. As the box still has its water and gas-proof seal, the ration pack was x-rayed
to preserve its sealed state. The results were outstanding and reveal the complete contents still inside!
The pack designed for 24 hours contains:
• 10 Biscuits
• 2 Oatmeal blocks
• Tea, sugar and milk blocks
• 1 Meat block
• 2 slabs of raisin chocolate
• 1 slab of plain chocolate
• Boiled sweets
• 2 Packets of chewing gum
• 1 Packet of salt
• Meat extract tablets
• 4 Tablets of sugar
• 4 Pieces of latrine paper
In June, The Keep held its second annual Armed Forces Day event, which was
hugely popular, and saw 400 visitors visit the museum during the day. Supported by RIFLES cadets from Dorset ACF, and the
1st Dorsetshire Regiment Living History Association, an enjoyable day was had by all.
The museum is now on TikTok, so please follow the account at @keepmilitarymuseum
Our research team have been working hard researching regimental gallantry medal winners of the Great War, with a view of publication in the near.
So, the South West finishes 2022 in a really strong position, and it is clear to see healthy and renewed growth across all pillars of
the regiment. We will continue to bring the best welfare support when needed to our
WW2 Ration Pack
veterans and will continue to build the South West Rifleman’s Association, which it is hoped will include a Southern Rifleman’s Gathering
in 2023. We will also be looking to reconnect with our Cadets so that we can support their training in the best way possible, and, support the oh so essential Adult Instructors as they build their detachments. Communities too are looking to reconnect with us as they shake free from the constraints and pressures of Covid. Already in the plan for 2023 are the Freedoms of Exeter, Torbay & Wellington and we will also be carrying out Bugle Breakfast engagement activities in Barnstaple, Plymouth & Poole. Please come and join us if you have any availability, we would welcome seeing you!
WW2 Ration Pack (Xray)
RIFLES The Bugle 77
Farewell to Mike Motum, RIFLES Secretary at Taunton
2022 saw the departure of Mike Motum from RHQ. In 2007 he joined The Rifles
at Taunton and subsequently spent well over 14 years working alongside Mrs Debbie Hards who continues as the operations focus in Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire. Following the formation of The Rifles, responsibilities expanded beyond Somerset to include Bristol, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
Mike was commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment and later served with the RGBW where he commanded 2 RGBW (V). He enjoyed working from Taunton immensely and particularly when alongside the five pillars of The Rifles. Life was never dull and always full of surprises. Soon
after arriving in post, and finding himself
Curator of the Somerset Military Museum, he had to rapidly close and pack up the whole museum before assisting in a four year project to create what became the Museum of Somerset.
Retirement sees Mike maintaining links with forming regimental Associations, as a volunteer at the Taunton Office and also with the South West Heritage Trust. Most importantly he will be finding the time to visit Norway, together with his wife Bente, contributing as a DL in Somerset and learning how to control a neglected garden.
THE KEEP MILITARY MUSEUM, DORCHESTER