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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Military Odyssey


johnreed

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Anyone going, I will be there on the 28th wearing my Pals shirt with pride, if you see me stop me and have a chat.

John

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I'm pretty sure that it always on over the Bank Holiday weekend.

John

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I'm pretty sure that it always on over the Bank Holiday weekend.

John

Two things, what does the shirt look like? Where can I get one? Three things, can you let me have more info on the event in Kent?

regards

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It's a Blue polo shirt with the words in yellow "One of the Pals Great War Forum www.1914-1918.net"

Military Odyessy is billed as the Worlds Largest Living History event. It is held annually at the Kent Show Ground this year it is on 26th,27th & 28th August 2006. It is located at Detling, Nr Maidstone.

As for the shirt go to page 8 on Chit Chat and find Chris's post.

John

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  • 2 years later...

Just thought I'd bump this up, as it's just over a week to go now to the 2008 show on the Bank Holiday weekend of the 23rd-24th-25th August. I'll be there as part of the Great War display, attached to the 10th Essex for the weekend and acting as their Machine Gun officer again, with the temporary/acting rank of Corporal, as I will be in charge of not one but two live/blank firing Vickers guns this year, which should be fun. If you are there and spot a young speccy MGC Corporal please do say hello!

As usual, plenty of other things to see and do, spanning over 2000 years of British history, with lots of things to keep those of all ages amused.

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I went to this a few years back, has the event changed in any way.

I must say seeing Brits dressed up in Nazi uniforms on tanks did seem a little wrong to me, I am sure my grandfather who was shot to bits by them would not have approved.

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Replica WW1 planes booked down for Sywell airshow, which has a cracking line up of WW1 aircraft and entry goes to a very good cause (i'd be there myself if I wasn't going to MO), see the website http://www.sywellairshow.co.uk/ , unusual for an airshow it has fantastic facilities, especially the catering.

My first time there, going as Royal Flying Corps groundcrew. I agree with you John, i'm not too keen on the SS guys myself, but i'm not going to let them ruin what should hopefully be a good few days

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Replica WW1 planes booked down for Old Sarum, so doesn't look like it unfortunately.

Thanks ... although not the answer I was hoping for!

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Will be there on the Saturday with the family. The other must do event of the year (alongside War and Peace) for anyone with a military interest.

Topic here from last year has pics (including Andrew) for those who have not been to give an idea of what to expect (will get them rehosted asap).

Military Odyssey Re-enactors and Militaira show this weekend

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Will be there on the Saturday with the family. The other must do event of the year (alongside War and Peace) for anyone with a military interest.

Topic here from last year has pics (including Andrew) for those who have not been to give an idea of what to expect (will get them rehosted asap).

Military Odyssey Re-enactors and Militaira show this weekend

How'd I manage to miss that thread, I knew there was one from 2007 but couldn't find it, and so stuck the post on the 2006 one instead. :rolleyes:

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Pics now re-instated in the topic linked to above.

Very nice as always. :)

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Good show today - superb weather. Dealers and public a little fewer than in previous years but still lots to see. Picked up a nice collection of trench maps and some trench art but a lot of stuff was silly prices as ever. The Nazi lot were nicely outnumbered by everyone else.

Our 5 year old had a fantastic time at the Home front/ARP area - really the whole essence of re-enactment here, teaching the younger ones what it was all about in a fun and educational way.

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Missed you Max, I was wearing my "One of the Pals Great War Forum" Shirts only accosted once. Picked up a few nick nacks much to the wifes disgust, but a very enjoyable day, great weather. I prefer Military Odyssey to War and Peace at Beltring.

John

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Hi John - must arrage something next year. I used to go for two days but now just one so have to rush round to make sure everything is seen...

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I picked up a very nice complete 13 Pdr 9 cwt Shrapnel round to add to my collection.

John

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I went today arrived early but no big que's in fact at 0900 not even a 100 yd line waiting very quiet all day, less dealers, less everything compared to last year. I think it shows how the belts are being tightened all round. £14 to get in is to much in my mind and with the boy in tow more expense, then they have the cheek to want a pound more if you pay by switch card Hurumph!!! The guys at the WW1 area with there Royal Flying Corps plane and little skit made me chuckle. Next is the Great Dorset Steam Fair at the end of the week never know what I will find WW1 wise there, it is usually good for a rummage about the sales area. Picked up some nice WW1 303 drill rounds in slotted charger last time for peanuts.

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The last day of a show is never the best unfortunatley - at Hop Farm for example many dealers pack up and leave Sunday morning. Odyssey is not so bad but always try and get there on the first day for more choice and 'action'. Queues on Saturday were a good few hundred yards 1/2 hour before opening - one good thing there is pre-booked tickets have a seperate queue and get in 15 mins early.

Agreed on the costs - both big shows have got very greedy with entry fees over the last few years.

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I don't think that the problem was due to the tightening of the belts, but that the show was a week earlier than normal not the end of the month (been paid) next year it will be alright 29th, 30th and 31st August. I spoke to some dealers that I know and they made the same observation.

John

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Few pics from a great weekend;

b7-6.jpg

a4-11.jpg

I'm in the tan overalls

b1-6.jpg

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John mentioned that it may not be tightning of belts but timing of the event. Well the Edinburgh Festival have announced ticket sales down by 10% the first downturn in 8 years. So me thinks cost did have an effect on this years odyssey attendance, last year the crowd for the battle scenes was 6 - 10 deep. on Monday is was non existant my son could walk to the fence without pushing through a throng and I was taking photos 6 yds back without my view being blocked.

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b1-6.jpg

Well, at least there's one photo of me last weekend - that's me on the left, next to Tom, disappearing into the distance as we're setting off to get the Vickers for the battle! :lol:

A great event from a WW1 point of view - an excellent turnout from the Imperial German troops meant a very evenly balanced battle for once. I had problems with the Vickers gun on the Saturday battle and didn't get to fire a shot :angry: . However, things went better on the Sunday and Monday, but after getting through about 140 rounds of .303 blank on the Sunday I had the unique experience of seeing the armoured nose cone come off the end of the gun and landing about 20 feet down the field. A boiling hot lump of steel flying through the air is not something you see everyday! It took most of my waterbottles contents to cool it down to a level we we able to handle it without injury. And it was an almost exact repeat performance on the Monday - our Officer picked it up with a hankie this time, screwed it back on again, and the next shot took it right off again! I suspect the threads holding it in place were very worn, and getting so hot meant it lost all remaining grip...

From a buyers point of view, lots of nice WW1 bits and pieces at what seemed to be quite low prices to previous years, but only bought a few things - new tent peg hammer, a wreathed MG badge to replace mine that got damaged in the Saturday battle, and a 2-inch walking out webbing belt dated 1917 for £10. The dealer literally had a whole box load, all dated 17 or 18 in great shape, and according to him ex-Belgian army stock recently released. He also had a lovely 1917 dated Vickers ammo box with all the leather tabs at £75 - a bargain I sorely regretted having to pass on!

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I came looking for you Andrew a couple of times but missed you each time, still we will meet at Barry in November.

John

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