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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
The Last Hurrah Tour ( traveling the Somme and onto GDSF )
Hello everyone, I know we have many serving, ex-serving and families of both on this forum.

I am involved with a small group of which is a mix of the above, we are due to deploy on The Last Hurrah Tour, this is to be a tribute in-line with the century of the Great War.

This trip has be privately funded and any money raised will go to supporting The Royal British Legion who do a fantastic job at supporting the Forces community.

So what is happening?

Well we have a cohort of Personnel on horse back and a smaller contingent of personnel on pushbikes, we will all be dressed in the correct WW1 uniforms with the correct equipment, we take our living history very seriously and will for the majority of the trip be eating and sleeping similarly to what the brave men did back then. We will be travelling the length of the Somme through France and Belgium, stopping off in pre arranged towns/villages and memorials. (About a week)

After this we will be traveling via Stone henge and onto Great Dorset Steam Fair for the full week.

I will update with a rough itinerary when I get a chance and try to post updates as we go along, so if at any point you see some odd fellows on horses or bicycles looking like they have been lost for a 100 years give us a wave Thumbs Up


I hope it’s ok to add this link Martin,


https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thelasthurrahtour2018


As I have said some personnel are paying a lot of money especially the horse crowd as some of you will know transportation fees etc, we are simply asking to assist in helping the brave men,women and families of our serving and ex-serving personnel. 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #718296 17th Jul 2018 10:00pm
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Apologies for the delay in updating this, I have been flat out fixing various bits on my D3 and sorting kit/equipment for the trip.


So here is a little insight into what’s happening;

First job was to get my all singing all dancing led light working.......... well my 191... ish paraffin lamps:



Click image to enlarge


This one is nice and bright as it has a double lense set up to improve the light output.

Next up was project shoehorn, I have to fit all of this into the small/large pack and onto the bike (absent is my rifle and
blanket)




Click image to enlarge


So with:
One pair of coveralls
Two grey back shirts
One Guernsey (best warm kit going)
3 woollen under garments
4 pairs of woollen socks
One pair of canvas pumps
One rain cape
One blanket
One ground sheet
One service box respirator
One wash kit complete
One house wife
One mk1 helmet
One messtin
One mug
One tommy cooker

One uniform
One rifle
Repair kit, new inner tubes, spanners
One set of 08 mills webbing:
200ish rounds of 303 (inert and getting expensive for a full compliment)
One 1907 bayonet (genuine issue to the RGLI and found in America a few years ago)
One entrenching tool
One water bottle
Some rations

The bikes did some transformation:



Click image to enlarge


To this:



Click image to enlarge



And finally to this:



Click image to enlarge



As you can see we are well loaded and bloney warm on the test ride we did the other day, we have been studying our aerial fots and there will be some good cross country tracks to navigate as well as roads, everyone is now about ready and I will get a rough itinerary up soon Thumbs Up 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #721667 6th Aug 2018 8:51am
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
That is excellent Mash, and all for a great cause Thumbs Up
The last photo is fantastic! Bow down

We did go to GDSF a few years ago when they dug the trenches to recreate the battle fields,
We both were quite moved at what we saw.

Have a great show Thumbs Up 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #721674 6th Aug 2018 9:10am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Cheers Ian, some of us from this group did the show last year and added this block house to the trench system:



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



This trip has got some firsts and very rare opportunities that I will reveal as we do them Thumbs Up 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #721678 6th Aug 2018 9:15am
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OsloBlue



Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
Looks interesting.

Noting your Kit list you have one number house wife (shoehorning her onto a bike might be awkward eh?)(also wish they were army issue), what kind of food will you be carrying? Biscuits and Bully beef? Filming and Logging the whole thing might be interesting to see. I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html
Post #721680 6th Aug 2018 9:26am
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Have they made it a permanent thing now?
It looks great Bow down

Maybe we should pay another visit this year! 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #721681 6th Aug 2018 9:27am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Food wise is a few crates of period tins (with correct labels) with some fresh food to be sourced when required, we will be mainly feeding on WW1 recipes, with some fresh meals but our cooking choices are limited by either a wood burning soyer stove or an old grill to go over a wood fire, (we have got a gas ring just incase we can’t use a wood fire).


Ah the good old house wife, swmbo is actually our support driver, have had to teach her how to tow/reverse a trailer the other day.



Not sure about how permanent the trench is as it was/wasn’t on various chats I have had, I think it’s going to stay and may be adapted for other periods but I’m not sure, the block house will take some work to remove Rolling with laughter


It’s the 50th this year Ian and they are wanting 500 steam engines, some have come from America, Australia, New Zealand etc so will be worth a visit Thumbs Up 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............


Last edited by Mash on 6th Aug 2018 10:13am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #721685 6th Aug 2018 10:11am
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Ramsay



Member Since: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway
Posts: 623

Scotland 1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Auto Keswick Green
Donated and shared on FB.

I think you may be travelling with people I know.

Other friends have done WWI and II cycles so I understand the work involved. 1995 Defender 110 CSW
1971 SIIA Lightweight
Post #721687 6th Aug 2018 10:12am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Thumbs Up thank you very much Ramsay Bow down

It’s a small world eh 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #721690 6th Aug 2018 10:14am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16808

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I believe that this year, 2018, will be the last year of the fascinating WW1 trench recreation at the GDSF (this is based on the current local radio advertisements).

If you are interested in this subject and haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend that you make the effort this year. It is fascinating yet shocking and horrifying in equal quantities, and we must never forget what that generation gave to give us the freedom that we now seem to fritter away.




NB - when I say shocking and horrifying, of course I don't mean in an "unsuitable for children" sense, I mean that it really drives home the awfulness of what millions did and gave for us.
Post #721693 6th Aug 2018 10:17am
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
quote


It’s the 50th this year Ian and they are wanting 500 steam engines, some have come from America, Australia, New Zealand etc so will be worth a visit Thumbs Up[/quote]

We know a chap just down the road from us, he owns a Traction engine, I remember him saying they were aiming for 500!
He did invite us to go down and have day on the foot plate with him.

Maybe we should make the effort Razz 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #721696 6th Aug 2018 10:27am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Thumbs Up I’m sure it will be worth it Ian 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #721905 7th Aug 2018 7:58am
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Very Happy well it’s official we are in the local rag, few typos as expected but we are in it Thumbs Up



Click image to enlarge



On the boat tonight, will be arriving in pompy bright and early and heading to our first stop off just outside Dover, so if you see a Green D3 towing a trailer and Red transporter van on Gsy plates in convoy give us a wave (at least the disco has a green oval on it Whistle) 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #722536 9th Aug 2018 4:48pm
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legin



Member Since: 22 Jul 2017
Location: Chelmsford Essex
Posts: 1004

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Santorini Black
Good luck with the tour and I will see you at the GDSF
Post #722539 9th Aug 2018 5:01pm
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Hope you have a good journey, at least the weather is on your side! Thumbs Up 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #722541 9th Aug 2018 5:09pm
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