The Sandbag Times Issue No:24

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Canada Calling Canada Calling TheCanuckConnection Currently in the Land of the Maple Leaf, there is a serious problem with the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion was once a great VETERAN’S organisation, defending Veterans both locally and nationally. However, in the past few years many changes have taken place. The biggest change was the admission of associate members with absolutely no ties to the military, Police or fire services. The Dominion Command rules with an iron fist and tends to ignore Veterans. This was not what the Legion was formed for. In Canada at the moment we have many groups representing military Veterans. MANY, yes far too many. The Government tends to ignore the majority of groups representation except for one, and that is the Nato Veterans of Canada, a group that is focused on Veterans and the issues they face. What is NVOC? The NATO Our President Gord Jenkins Veterans Organization of Canada began as an organization for mutual camaraderie and support for those who had served our country on NATO missions abroad. We have since evolved into a national organization made up exclusively of veterans from all branches of service and encompassing Veterans from all eras. The NATO connection remains, in-as-much-as all members of the Canadian Armed Forces may at any time be called on to serve on a NATO mission or find themselves under NATO command. We play an important role in advocating on behalf of all Veterans. Only Veterans or current serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) can be members of NVOC. There is only one category of membership – that of a MEMBER. No associates. Educating politicians at every level, community organizations, and the general public on the needs of Veterans and their dependents. Engaging Veterans from across the country, seeking their input on issues requiring attention, and helping in understanding our collective rights and benefits.’ Simply put…’collectively we have a stronger voice.’ See more on our web page: www.natoveterans.org If you haven’t signed up yet, please go to the web site and have a good look, then decide. Meanwhile here in the UK we await the aftermath of the BREXIT referendum, which voted to leave the EU. Some interesting times ahead I am sure. On Friday the 1st of July, this week CANADA and Canadians celebrate the 149th Birthday of our great country. Throughout Canada in every City, Town or Village there will be parties, fireworks and entertainment. This is a day of National Pride and showing of our Flag, which I believe is only 551 years old. No matter which flag our troops served under they were all proud to be both Canadian and citizens of the British Commonwealth. Stay safe my fellow Canadians and celebrate in Style. In addition our southern neighbours will be celebrating their 240th Birthday as a Nation. Happy Birthday folks. That’s it for this issue folks, except to leave you with some Army Humour. An RCASC Clerk Admin had an ephinany one day. He made the decision to take his release, and to dedicate his life to the Lord. On the day of his release he went to a Monastery and spoke with the Abbot. The Abbot asked him what skills he could offer to the Monastery. He said he had been an army clerk for many years and his writing and administrative skills were excellent. The Abbot put him to work in the basement transcribing the books of old from handwritten and putting them onto a computer. Suddenly He Jumped up and said OMG, OMG. The Abbot rushed down and said what happened. The Clerk said I just translated the passage and it says CELEBRATE not CELIBATE. Till next Issue Stay Safe enjoy CANADA DAY Nil Sine Labore Robby Our Mission It’s quite simple and focused. To speak for all veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces in order that they receive the support they deserve from their country. We speak to the government of the day and to the general public. Our mission statement reads: ‘Advocating Veterans issues and concerns to the government, particularly through Veterans’ Affairs Canada, to see that much needed services and programs for Veterans and their dependents are put in place. | 14 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
The Historical Tommy Atkins The Battle of The Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 On this, the 100th year anniversary of The Battle of The Somme, we pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers wounded and killed. Let the story be told for years to come, so that we never forget the sacrifices they made for our freedom Comprising the main Allied attack on the Western Front during 1916, the Battle of the Somme is famous chiefly on account of the loss of 58,000 British troops (one third of them killed) on the first day of the battle, 1st July 1916, which to this day remains a one-day record. The attack was launched upon a 30 kilometre front, from north of the Somme river between Arras and Albert, and ran from 1st July until 18th November, at which point it was called off. The offensive was planned late in 1915 and was intended as a joint French-British attack. The French Commander in Chief, Joffre, conceived the idea as a battle of attrition, the aim being to drain the German forces of reserves, although territorial gain was a secondary aim. The plan was agreed upon by the new British Commander in Chief, Sir Douglas Haig, although Haig would have preferred an offensive among the open ground of Flanders. Haig, who took up his appointment as Commander in Chief of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) on 19th December 1915, had been granted authorisation by the British government, led by Asquith, to conduct a major offensive in 1916. Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928) Although in actuality British forces comprised by far the bulk of the offensive forces, Joffre and Haig originally intended for the attack to be a predominantly French offensive. However the German onslaught at Verdun at the start of 1916, where the German Army Chief of Staff, von Falkenhayn promised to 'bleed France white', resulted in the diversion of virtually all French manpower and efforts. The German Verdun offensive transformed the intent of the Somme attack; the French demanded that the planned date of the attack, 1st August 1916, be brought forward to 1st July, the aim chiefly being to divert German resources from Verdun in the defence of the Somme. Haig took over responsibility from Joffre for the planning and execution of the attack. Haig’s meticulous preparations progressed slowly, much to Joffre's irritation. Haig intended to fashion the attack using the ideas of both himself and General Rawlinson, whose Fourth army was to spearhead the assault. The attack was preceded by an eight-day preliminary bombardment of the German lines, beginning on Saturday 24 June. The expectation was that the ferocity of the bombardment would entirely destroy all forward German defences, enabling the attacking British troops to practically walk across No Man's Land and take possession of the German front lines from the battered Sir Henry Rawlinson (1864-1925) and dazed German troops. 1,500 British guns, together with a similar number of French guns, were employed in the bombardment. Following the artillery bombardment, it was determined that a creeping barrage would precede the advancing infantry to the German front line, and onwards to the second and third trench lines. The Royal Artillery had prepared an underground network of telephone cables so as to enable forward observation officers to monitor and correct the barrage as the battle progressed. www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 15 |
Page 1 and 2: The Veterans’ Magazine Issue 24 |
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS 30 June 2016 SBT News 4 La
Page 5 and 6: news norwich south MP promoted to s
Page 7 and 8: news Twin Veteran sisters continue
Page 9 and 10: Properties To Let For Veterans 0142
Page 11 and 12: Have you served in the Armed Forces
Page 13: A brand new TV series is soon to be
Page 17 and 18: The Historical Tommy Atkins On 19 J
Page 19 and 20: Our Military Roots This was replace
Page 21 and 22: team, is always a pilot who has pre
Page 23 and 24: AMERICAN VETERANS TODAY Also on the
Page 25 and 26: Have Faith It says in the Bible tha
Page 27 and 28: Veterans Breakfast Clubs Veterans B
Page 29 and 30: Contact Nicole Dopson Telephone 016
Page 31 and 32: advertise@sandbagtimes.com www.sand
Page 33 and 34: Veterans jobs Store Manager AVIS UK
Page 35 and 36: Information Screaming in Silence To
Page 37 and 38: Veterans Radio Veterans Radio Net V
Page 39 and 40: NAAFI break gawpin READ IT AG

The Sandbag Times Issue No:24

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