Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Well, we went to Bury today on the bus and Ramsbottom was packed with people who had taken the 1940's theme to their hearts.
It was lovely to see ladies smartly dressed in their suits(although back then a suit for a lady was called a costume...if I am wrong I am sure G will put me right)complete with hats and gloves......most of them were carrying shopping baskets too.

The gentlemen who were not in services uniforms also looked very smart, whether they sported a Homberg or a flat cap......they all looked like they had their gas masks.
There was one little man hurrying to the station complete with his little fibreboard case.
I would have loved to have stopped and spent an hour or so people watching from the gardens of the church.
There are more events on tomorrow, but I will be doing the roast(sigh).

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

No, you were right with suit.

It was a term first used for ladies tailoring in the late nineteenth century, when it became the fashion to have separate jackets and skirts. The first rumblings of freedom of movement....and eventul emancipation.

Sounds like a lovely day out.

Glad someone thought to pin your address to your gaberdine, so that you found your way safely back home.

:D

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

its on monday as well margaret .. im going to have a wander down on monday .. to rawtenstall ....

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Ooh Jen, I might just have a run up to Rammy then with my camera.
I even saw a lady with seamed stockings........she must've had an american friend....or perhaps it was gravy browning and eyebrow pencil :D

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

if you have a look at that link i put up in the first post you will find the programme for the events

you might be better off at rawtenstall or bury on monday rather than rammy ... rammy has most of their events on the sunday ...

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Oh Bums....was going to look at the shops there too!

The folk who were dressed in 1940's gear looked very good, and Rammy's main street is in keeping with that era too(well, except for the Curry house)......lots of little independent shops.
Might have to rethink my plans then Jen. I did look at the attached program of events......just didn't click that most of the stuff at Rammy is tomorrow!

There wasn't much evidence of the 1940's weekend in Bury......though we didn't venture down by the railway.

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

[QUOTE=Royboy39;909148]was aware were it was roy, twas me being sarky, about the re-enactment.;)

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Afternoon Departure | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Although this picture is not from this year, it will give you a flavour of it

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Stepping out 2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

And how elegant is this?

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

is this one italian or russian ... this from last year ....

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

think its russian.

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Definitely Russian Shill ! Looks to be a "Marshal of the Soviet Union" uniform (Uncle Joe's attire :)) with a "Hero of the Soviet Union" decoration gold star (obviously got 10 out of 10 for spelling at the Meerkovo academy :D).

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

The funniest thing I saw a couple of years ago when I visited the event was the sight of four men dressed as German SS men strutting up and down. The other soldiers from our side including the Yanks were chatting away very matey like.
What amused me though was that two of the SS chaps were coloured lads.
Was that a bit of mickey taking I wondered.

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

Not totally beyond the realms of imagination. In the early years as Germany invaded many countries some of the locals sympathised with the Germans & were encouraged to join "Frei Korps" similar to the modern day Foreign legion. Mainly as an arm of SS Batallions but some Wehrmacht units made use of the volunteers, the entry levels & standards weren't as idealistic as was originally set out for German SS troops, but the attrition meant replacements were required.

As the original comment was about coloured troops. I'd just like to point out the Germans raised the DAL (Deutsche Arab Lehrabteilung) in North Africa with volunteers from Iraq, Palestine, Syria & North Africa, amongst these would certainly have been "Black Troops". Added to that there was also an Indian SS Legion. I suppose if further time was given over to searching many such anomalies can be found regarding the perceived views of Nazi Germany & their use of non Aryan peoples to fuel their war machine.

German Militaria Blog: The Waffen-SS Indian Legion

http://www.histomil.com/viewtopic.php?f=212&t=1498

Re: East Lancs War Weekend
 

That is the lovely Miss Marina Mae, a wonderful singer who is booked up 'til November ! I've got some photos here

Miss Marina Mae at the ELR War Weekend 2011 at Ramsbottom | Flickr - Photo Sharing!