Page 115 - QDG 2023

Firing Line
As always, the Firing Line team has had a busy year. Although visitor footfall has still not reached pre-Covid levels, the last two years have seen great leaps in numbers and we are predicting a contin- uation of this trend throughout 2025.
Highlights since the last report include Firing Line volunteer, Eliott Attwood, being named as the Marsh Volunteer Awards joint-winner for Wales 2023; Elliott was subsequently invited on-stage at the British Museum to collect his award.
Secondly, in October 2023 Firing Line submitted its application to renew the museum accreditation; accreditation is vital to the museum and ensures working practices adhere to highly professional standards. At the time of writing, we are waiting for the outcome of the applica- tion – with no concerns.
Day-to-day, our team continues to carry out talks on a variety of subjects, including helmets/headwear, swords, firearms, flags (our new addition last year) and, this year’s new addition, SOEs. Our education program looks to bridge the gap between Regimental History and the National Curriculum, both providing outreach and welcoming to the museum cadets, schools, youth and home-educa- tion groups.
We hosted several military visits last
year and have especially enjoyed the strengthening of the relationship with the RCA, with whom we have collaborated on numerous occasions over the last year. And what would this journal article be without our yearly reminder that QDG comrades are entitled to free entry to the Museum – please do get in touch to arrange a visit.
Hannah and I visited the Regiment on numerous occasions throughout the year to carry out our annual audits of the collections held by the various Messes, receiving a wonderful welcome each time. Thank you!
Exhibitions:
There have been numerous changes made to the exhibits over the last year. Here are some highlights!
Korean War Oct 23 – Present
This banner exhibition commemorates the Welch Regiment’s participation in what was known as “The Forgotten War”.
Beirut 1983
This is the story of QDG in Beirut 1983, based on the narrative of Chairman Jonathan Beatson-Hird and Colonel Simon Stewart. Their full story is in last year’s journal article!
Bellerophon and Napoleon
For a short period over the summer 2024, the museum has been offered a loan of artefacts relating to Napoleon and his surrender to Captain Maitland of HMS Bellerophon. Highlights of these arte- facts include the sofa on which Napoleon sat! At the time of writing this we are in the planning stages; it is expected to be the biggest exhibition the museum has ever hosted, so watch this space!
At the beginning of 2024 the Museum Manager left Firing Line to pursue other ventures, so the Management Team are now:
Major Mark Evans (Regimental Curator and Operations Manager): curator@ cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk; and Hannah Searle (Company Secretary): compa- nysecretary@cardiffcastlemuseum.org. uk.
Hannah is also the Assistant Curator and her email address for curatorial matters is ast-curator@cardiffcastlemu- seum.org.uk.
Iain Fife continues in his role as Front of House Supervisor, leading a team of six employees and around five volun- teers.
ME
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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