Tickets for this lecture are available on line from Abercrombie & Kent by using the PayPal link on their website www.abercrombiekent.co.uk. Tickets will be sent by first class post. Alternatively a cheque for £30 per person with a stamped addressed envelope can be sent to Sally Dyer, Duncan Lawrie Limited, 11-12 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT.  Cheques should be made payable to Duncan Lawrie Ltd, re: RGS event. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go toBreast Cancer Haven Trust & The David Rattray Foundation.

ABOUT
After David Rattray's tragic death, Rob Caskie has picked up the mantle of recounting the events of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu battles of Islandlwana and Rorke's Drift. These two human struggles continue to capture the imagination of the British people, and are brought to life by Rob in a compelling and mesmerising manner.

On Wednesday 22nd of January 1879, the British Army suffered one of her greatest military defeats at the hand of a native army at Isandlwana. That evening, just ten miles away to the west, 4,000 Zulus attacked the mission station at Rorke's Drift. The defence of Rorke's Drift lasted for ten hours and saw 139 British soldiers, 35 of whom were patients in a make-shift hospital, hold out against those 4,000 Zulu warriors.

This single action saw the award of 11 Victoria Crosses and 5 Distinguished Conduct Medals. In the middle of that dramatic afternoon the sun went dark in a 70% eclipse!  Who would ever have imagined that as the sun set on the British Empire's military career at Isandlwana, the sun would go dark driving superstitious Zulus into a complete frenzy?

These two famous battles fought on the same day are epics of human struggle and triumphs of the human spirit.  The romance and intrigue of Zulu warriors armed with sticks and spears taking on Queen Victoria's Army in 1879 has huge appeal as it is captivatingly told by renowned historian Rob Caskie.

Media enquiries and interview requests to:

Jake Stavrinides and Rachel Thomas at apt marketing & pr 01242 250692

jake@aptmarketing.co.uk

rachel@aptmarketing.co.uk

The Society is happy to announce that this special edition has now been made available in a digital format for purchase from the Commissariat, the society's popular on-line store. Priced at only £4, this is a 'must have' for anyone interested in the Anglo-Zulu war.

Over the coming months the Society aims to make more issues of 'Soldiers of the Queen' available in a digital format.

More details will follow.

To mark this, the June issues of Soldiers of the Queen will be devoted to general Gordon's life and career which spanned three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa - and the service of four separate governments - British, Egyptian, Chinese and (briefly) Belgian.

If you would like to contribute towards this "special", please send any contributions, articles etc. to the editor Andy Smith.

INTERNATIONAL HISTORY CONFERENCE

LADYSMITH, KWAZULU–NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

The South African Military History Society and the Ladysmith Siege Museum Trust have announced pleasure in announcing that they are arranging a History Conference to coincide with the 110th Commemoration of the Anglo-Boer War in January 2010.

Janaury coincides with the commemoration of three of the significant battles that took place during the Siege and Relief of Ladysmith – namely Caesar’s Camp / Wagon Hill (also known as ‘Platrand’) on the 6th January, iNtabamnyama between the 20th and 22nd January and Spioenkop on the 24th January 1900.

The dates for the conference are Monday 25th Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th January 2010.

Brian's contact details are:

6 Glenalmond, Whitburn, West Lothian, EH47 8NS

bsw@blaeberryassociates.com

'A Succession of the Titles of the Regiments of the British Army' shows the changes in the titles and structure of the British Army from 1881 to the present day, helping the family historian establish which modern regiment or corps is the successor to their ancestors. There is also an appendix of current Military Museums included.

The book is now available to buy from our on-line store, priced at £6.30.

With research revealing 19 million Brits (40%) have now looked into their family history to find out more about their ancestral roots, family history fever is sweeping the nation.

Take advantage of the May Bank Holiday Weekend to discover more about your roots by visiting The Family History Event, taking place at The Barbican in London on Sunday 3rd May 2009.

The Family History Event is a brand new family history expo, which will see more family history societies from counties across Britain gathered under one roof than ever before, offering visitors access to genealogy experts from all over the UK who will be sharing their knowledge, hints and tips for both novice family detectives and experienced genealogists.

Visitors can also take advantage of the programme of lectures, which will be covering everything from getting started in family history to researching abroad.

For more information please visit the Family History event web site.

Date: Sunday 3rd May 2009

 Time: 10am - 5pm

Location: Exhibition Hall 2, Barbican, Golden Lane, London EC2M 8DL

Tickets: £10 per person