September 6th - 7th Victory Show, Cosby, Leicestershire

Report by Andrew Etherington

This year we decided to share our display with another group which greatly improved numbers. We had a radio group and a Vickers machine gun group made up of men from various units all portraying the Middlesex Regt in 3rd div '44. This all made a large display and we filled a very large area. Friday being open to schools whilst most groups set up their displays . During the hot day various people turned up and we all got stuck into putting trenches in and getting the tentage sorted out. Planes arrived just over the hedge and armour arrived all day as the atmosphere built. By evening things were coming together nicely and the forecast for the weekend was good. 

Saturday soon arrived and so did more men. During the day the 100% authentic display was added to with a couple of motorcycles and a BREN CARRIER. We soon took over the carrier and had it set dressed. 

I felt our display was one of our best; the carrier , two motorcycles , the radios , a bren pit , a 3" mortar pit , 4 vickers machine guns in pits and 20 plus infantry, too many to count. It really was a sight for sore eyes. During the day the planes were flying around very close to us. We took part in the battle on both days , which was standard for Victory Show. Something about the Germans being trapped in some pocket somewhere with spitfires and Hurricanes straffing them all day before we had to finish the job. Quite an experience to go into battle under spits and hurricanes and behind armour and with a vickers machine gun in support...."what did you do at the weekend " comes to mind. We also had a firing bren which despite its problems added to the authenticity of the chaos with so many people on such a small field. The show was very well attended by the public and we were kept busy all day and periodically fired our mortar. 

All the main groups had high standards this year and our display had to be ranked up there with the best. It was heartening to see us Tommies getting together and showing how it can be done. When other groups want to be a part of ours it should make us proud. I think we all enjoyed this, it really was immense and now the season is over we can look forward to the next. Thanks should go to all of us for this one because we all bought something to this event which however small made something quite big. So , thanks everyone , for putting the Tommy up there. Any ideas for next year lads ?