Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
Busman's Holiday for the Volunteers
17th January 2011
Museum Volunteers Visit to the Imperial War Museum
'A Busman's Holiday'
This year the Museum Curator Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Michael CORNWELL decided that he would thank the volunteers and supporters for their work with a days trip to the IWM in London in Lieu of a Christmas gathering. A coach load left Salisbury about 08.30 in awful weather conditions arriving at the IWM mid morning. Thereafter the volunteers were free to explore. Many had either not visited the museum, or had not been there for many years. A focal point was the Ashworth Victoria Cross collection in its new setting on the 4th floor and only recently opened. Although none of our regimental VCs form part of the collection, one was of particular interest, that was the VC awarded to the Medical Officer of the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment Captain ACKROYD VC MC in the 1st World War. He only ever served in that battalion so he is considered to be one of us. Of further interest was the VC of Boy CORNWELL, Royal Navy a family member of the curator killed in action during the Great War. The Holocaust exhibition was of course very sobering. The promise of a three course meal at the Savoy came to nothing, and we all had sandwiches in the IWM canteen. An excellent day out summed up by one of our older volunteers, our weapons expert Mr Peter SHORTEN who was heard muttering "I really enjoyed that, but I must say the Charabancs have improved somewhat now they have roofs!!!"
IF YOU WISH TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER AT THE MUSEUM ? CONTACT THE CURATOR.