A Chat With Malcolm Dunlop

All of you who have watched the iconic 1970s movie Kelly’s Heroes will instantly recall the plotline in which American troopers, led by a character played by Clint Eastwood, learn of a spot where millions of dollars’ worth of gold bullion is highly guarded behind a crack unit of German panzer troops and three Tiger tanks. Although this film clearly depicts the horrors of war, it also brings a humourous, almost carefree element to the proceedings with some very unusual characters.  This serious-yet-fun approach also characterizes Malcolm Dunlop, who --  for those of you who do not know him -- has imbedded his own personal WWII roots in military vehicle preservation and re-enacting for nearly 15 years.

Malcolm’s office is a living scrapbook of his adventures throughout this community.  He and his wife Gabi have given much time and energy into moving the hobby forward through the IMPS (Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society), of which they have been active members for 12 years.

Fascination for all things WWII was inevitable for Malcolm as he was raised in a military family, his father having served in the deserts of Africa and other family members having also served post-WWII.  Malcolm’s interest intensified after his first Jeep purchase, as he took it to the Sellinge Steam Engine Rally in May 1997 and won Best in Show.  From then on, he was hooked and formed a close association with the IMPS.  When he recollects watching the early WWII documentaries and war films with his father, Malcolm’s eyes gleam.  It was this ongoing passion which inspired him to found the group “Kelly’s Heroes,” depicting the 2^nd Armored, 502 Military Police company, and to transform his prizewinning Jeep into the impressive American combat vehicle you see today.

Although Malcolm recently retired from his role as Vice Chairman of the Committee, his passion has not waned in the slightest.  He and his family take an active role in the War and Peace Show, where (amongst many other responsibilities) he manages – and stages highly explosive, crowd-pleasing battle re-enactments at -- the camp known as The Swamp.  

“We aim to base the experiences the public will see on famous war movies, or battles,” he says.  “These are intense twenty minute  scenarios, where we work closely with re-enactment groups such as the second Battle Group, Kompanie 1 and the Stahlkriegers.  The mix we think of is Hollywood and realism -- we provide the tanks, guns and uniforms, as this really gives the crowd an excellent spectacle.”  I ask Malcolm if he has ever had any close shaves with safety on his battle arenas. “The only real close shave we have had was when I forgot to fill my son Michael’s blood squib, which when it went off, took a fair chunk of his uniform with it!”

The WWII battle here at Combined OPS will also be filled with the same enthusiasm and passion, with many armoured vehicles, tanks, explosions and theatrical performances from many old faces on the circuit. “We do have our three apprentices this year,” comments Malcolm.  “We have three youngsters in the group around 15 and 16 years of age, Chris, Jack and James, who really bring a youthful element to our group, and are very enthusiastic.  We hope to have them in the group for a long time to come.”  And what of the family element?  Well, Malcolm clearly explains that many of the wives and girlfriends not only come to the events but also actively participate in them. “We open our battles to all ages, male and female-- it’s a family hobby.”

For more information, visit thekellysheroes@aol.com

To read more on Malcolm or more related intevriews please visit www.reenactingww2.co.uk and subsribe today!  

Fantastic Backdrops

Fantastic Backdrops

The industrial revolution in England brought about many changes that were essential in the countries growth, James Watt noticeably added his own expertise when it came to designing the steam engine, roll on a few years to the early 1800’s and this power was utilised in the first ever steam locomotive, George Stephenson watched with awe this new technology and improved the early designs, to bring a new world order of commercial transport, his designs transformed these huge steam wielding beasts, and in 1825 saw Stephenson build locomotives for the Stockton and Darlington Railway essentially the United Kingdom's first public railway.

The age of steam is for the most part but a mere memory, as the advancement of design to find more fuel efficient means of transportation was necessary, although I am sure I did read earlier this year that the railway companies, have now decided to put some of their rolling stock, back to Diesel Loco's, owing to the current economical climate, the old adage ‘they don’t build ‘em like they used to’ comes to mind.

Heritage sites and a passionate volunteers have brought back the Locomotives of yesteryear, and with grants, fund-raising and dedication, have ensured that people like you and me, are able to marvel at these ferocious yet beautiful marvels of design, the smell, sounds and sight is enough to stir any soul, whether you can remember them the first time around or not!

I had the pleasure in being invited to the Spa Valley Railway last weekend, courtesy of Terry Mosely and Ray Downes who spearheads the Re-enactment group ‘Unsung Heroes’. These fine ladies and gents represent the heroines and heroes who worked an defended the British Isles during WW2, they don’t specialise in elite units, but pure and simply the many facets that were needed to keep this country going, and the civilians that lived here and I must say the variation is very wide, and I for one was very pleased with the diversity and sheer good nature of everyone I met on my travels up and down this picturesque railway.

Taking my first trip of the day from Eridge Station, which I was informed only opened in March of this year to compliment the already existing stations this line has to offer, was an instant trip back in time, where I was invited to go aboard the Home Front Bus parked outside, greeted by Norman and Ed, this bus is pure magic, you are treated to walk through the Living Room, shop, Bombed out Street and an Air Raid Shelter, not quite sure how it all fits on a double decker bus, I was astounded at the diversity of artifacts, information and my two guides brought this fantastic stage to life.

Once in the locomotive the nostalgia overwhelmed me, the rest of the day was spent sampling the other stations including, Groombridge, High Rocks and Tunbridge Wells West.

The best bits? Well the Lindy Hoppers at Groombridge were superb, and the Black Cat Ale, was an added bonus, also bumping into ‘Viv the Spiv’ was simply superb, it’s not everyday you can purchase two bars of chocolate and some back seamed stockings for your loved ones, knowing that you could be caught by the police at any moment!

Terry and his team, also called in great air support, the BBMF flew in along with the Red Arrows, to make a perfect ambience to this great event, other activities and entertainments’ were a 1940s dance in Tunbridge Wells in the evening, bomb disposal, and Fire Crew at the ready for the explosions that followed along the line at various intervals.

My report would not be complete without mentioning some great friends that all helped in creating a family friendly and nostalgic event, The George Patton Society, Monty, IMPS and of course the Unsung Heroes.

A great event and a beautiful backdrop, I can’t wait until 2012!

www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/

All images copyright Edon Publishing Ltd 2011
http://www.reenactingww2.co.uk/

The Rationale

 

“It’s a funny old hobby.” I was once told by a smiling old gentleman when I first became a re-enactor, “You dress up, pretend to wage war, but you have no idea what it was really like for us.” It was at this point my senses became a little more than acute as he began his tale of being drafted into the British Army and his effective entrance into the war as an infantryman. His tale spurred something in me far deeper than I had actually realised at the time, here I was, cigarette in mouth, sporting the finest repro uniform, very eager to help in my chosen group. Yet these comments alone, inspired me to delve deeper into myself as to why exactly I had chosen this hobby.

Was it to glorify war? That was I openly admit an attraction back in my early days as a re-enactor, remembering how excited I was to wield a blank firing sub-machine gun, crawl through the undergrowth, and surprise the enemy, on many occasions I witnessed true surprise as I emptied a full clip in the general direction of a completely unsuspecting patrol. However all of this is make believe, we don’t really know what it was like, and (I do mean those re-enactors never to have had actual combat experience.)

Did I re-enact to fulfil some crazy fantasy? My parents and loved ones all thought I was a sandwich short of a picnic, my closest friends really did think I had lost the plot. A deep down searching mission was once again born and I just wanted to find out as much information as I could about my chosen portrayal, after all if you want to truly learn as much as you can, you literally jump off at the deep end and experience as much as you can about the subject. Nothing better I thought than to actually immerse myself so deep in something that interested me, so I chose to re-enact.

The Veteran I had been speaking to, was plain speaking and hit some chords in me that I had chosen perhaps to hide, when I first embarked on portraying history to the masses, dressed as a soldier!

As the years passed my involvement in my chosen group grew, and my enthusiasm did not stop there, I was transfixed, on learning more, I had met some great people on my journey, those interested in nothing other than what calibre a rifle was, those who knew how many stitches should be in a tunic and those who were like me, enthralled at the sheer excitement of doing something so completely different to thirst our quest for knowledge on all things WW2.

I do know that the media tries to catch this community out, somehow portraying us as something as an oddity. Various programmes have been televised singling out segments of our community, the obvious Axis powers, is I believe only out of failing producers, seriously in need of attracting audiences from otherwise failed documentaries, and run of the mill, donkey fodder programming.

Some of the general public that attend the shows we display at, can be a ladleful, testing us on our knowledge and trying to catch us out, and lastly our parents and close relatives always in aghast at our pursuit of bringing WWII to life. Well In my case anyway!

So what is your rationale behind this extremely colourful and vast ranging hobby? I know mine, although admittedly it took me a while to work it out, I simply want others to remember what sacrifices others made so we can live in a peaceful and united existence and show to others that ‘dressing up’ is more than a hobby, its deeper than that, everybody I have met has a different reason, perspective and outlook on why they do it.

If you are looking to be a re-enactor, my advice, jump in, there are more than enough groups on the circuit to choose from, get yourself to an event and speak to the many souls that dedicate themselves to re-living the past during WWII.

And next time you see a Veteran, give him all the time that, that day allows, as you may just surprise yourself.

Images copyright Edon Publishing Ltd 2011

Group Featured Spirit Of Britain

Words Stuart Humphrey

Who will you portray this year?

 The questions re-enactors always have to answer to the masses are varied and always very intuitive, on the most part. The seasoned amongst us will always, have many a tale to tell, around the camp fire or NAAFI wagon, about just what line of interrogation they endured whilst on the display stand. For the most part, these questions are in-part, of why we do it. The sheer amount of time we spend in perfecting our own portrayals is astonishing, lets not forget  the amount of money involved !

Years pass and the community evolves, displays grow bigger, the portrayals intensify and the media seems to take the remembrance of the era to a new level, wherever you tune in, radio, television, internet, you will notice that there is a very strong theme running through our media moguls veins.

2010 saw essentially no less than ten celebrities (and these are only the ones I am aware of) taking part in this media hype, I must say the RAF got a fantastic mention, and it appears that unless we had the ‘Spitfire’ and a faithful Labrador at our side, then we should all be speaking German, be 6ft in height and have blue eyes. This clearly isn’t the case so just how important is re-enacting, versus the mass media?

Well there are more events than ever across the world to choose from, based on a wide variety of themes, there are even more private battles and training days too, plus let’s not forget that that WWII didn’t just engulf the common soldier, but also pretty much everybody that didn’t fight too, the fashion scene has exploded, just think of all those ‘White Man Van’ advertisements ten years ago, completing house clearances, just think if they had stockpiled the huge amount of Home front items that were scheduled for the rubbish tip?

Add to this the various special services, the elite units that always attract Film directors in their hordes, that sometimes just over glorify the sacrifices that were made, special effects have again further compounded the image of war, the imagination now for most of us who are too young,  has almost been eradicated, as we can now witness some of the most harrowing images that have ever existed. After all War is no picnic, it’s a race for survival.

So what of 2011? What will you portray this year? Will you be rushing to buy, at one of the popular militaria fairs a brand new set up of a British Commando fatigues, or will you beat a path to your local Oxfam store and take a more humble approach? Chances are if you have been in this hobby a while, you will have a number of uniforms at your disposal, you may even have a various array of   vehicles lined up undercover.

What is the best portrayal to take? And why should you take this path? Where do you get information on your uniforms? What makes you re-enact? What is your motivation to swap 48 hours at the weekend and delve into the past?

These are perhaps questions you can only answer, as for me? Well apart from reading a fanatic amount of books on WW2, I have chosen a new portrayal, to honour my Grandfather, he fought in the BEF. His combat experience lasted around 15 minutes, his internment within the Nazi war machine has lasted his entire lifetime, and if I can just put his story in the hands of just one member of the public and show what that what he did, which was to serve his country and fight for freedom, then I can have the satisfaction that I have now portrayed another role, that continues this hobby in the right direction, something that our educational establishments have a hard time to achieve, to inspire. As without inspiration, the history books will be just that. I’ll be looking forward to snapping my braces into place this year and seeing one or two of you at an event this year.

www.reenactingww2.co.uk

www.nickhalling.co.uk 

Words Stuart Humphrey 3rd January 2010 

All imagery and content copyright Edonpublishing Ltd.