Family Outing to Damyns Hall Aerodrome
| Published: 16th August 2008 15:56 |
When I saw a notice telling me about a military vehicle and flying display, I thought it would mean a long journey. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was happening just the other side of Hornchurch.
I therefore decided to make a day of it, and on Saturday 9th August the whole family bundled in the car and, with-in half an hour, were courteously being directed to a parking space in a large field.
Armoured Car
The event turned out to be organised by the Essex branch of the Military Vehicle Trust. This is a charity dedicated to the conservation of ex-military vehicles.
Damyns Hall seemed to be 68 years in the past
I found myself quickly being dragged around as my children bombarded me with questions. They were quite impressed with the various vehicles - many of them fully operational. But most startling of all were the tents and dug-outs manned by what appeared to be actual service men and women - I had to keep telling myself that that my journey to Upminster had not included going 68 years back in time!
AFS Fire Engine, winning the War at Home
The Military Vehicle Trust (MVT ) is an organization dedicated to the conservation of ex-military vehicles..
British Tommies - ready and waiting
We were able to view displays of historic military vehicles, military equipment, re-enactors, vintage and modern aircraft, arena events and flying displays.
US Army Trucks
The Essex Branch of the MVT is based in Chelmsford and has a membership of over two hundred people with over two hundred and fifty vehicles ranging from push bikes, jeeps, lorries, artillery and tanks
The Essex MVT raises money to help out various ex-servicemen's charities and where possible contributes to efforts to raise funds for ex-service personnel. In particular, the branch actively supports the area's British Legion fund-raising activities; supplying vehicles as a backdrop for the fund-raising collections and the local Normandy Veterans association.
US Army Half-track
Particular attention is paid to ensuring the authenticity of vehicles, equipment and displays to ensure that all their events are of educational value, and that the younger generations are aware of our heritage.
More of our allies
The experience was very enlightening, and not only did my children learn lots about the lives and struggles of our service men and women during the Second World War, I also now view that period in a different light.
The Essex Branch of the MVT will be holding their "Military & Flying Machines" Show again, next year, at Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Aveley Road, Upminster RM14 2TN. It will be on the 8th / 9th August 2009.
Vehicles came from all over to be here
Landrover
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