Our meeting in March was a talk requested by members, from Peter Hammond, who gave a talk and presentation about Albert Ball who was a Great War pilot. We began by seeing Albert as a child with his family, siblings, where he lived and the schools he attended. He was a clever child who was a bit naughty, good at making things and hoped to become an engineer. He joined the army during the Great War but after learning to fly changed to the R.F.C. Eventually he was posted to France where before he died in 1917 he had the greatest number of ‘kills’ at the time and was posthumously granted the Victoria Cross for valour. All the letters sent home to his parents from his being a child to the time he died were presented by his family to Nottinghamshire Archives where they are saved for all future researchers. Peter showed copies of these letters which meant we were there with Albert from the time he was at school until he was telling his father of his experiences of flying, or of sorties over the battlefields. We learned of his romantic episodes as well. Albert was only 20 years old when he died so it made us feel for all the young men who died in the Great War.
May 16th Visit to Blists Hill Museum and Ironbridge Gorge. Any money owing to be paid at the meeting on April 11th please. At present there are 3 vacant seats which means any U3A member can join us on the coach leaving Hucknall Market at 9am. Cost £25.
June 20th Visit for a tour of Nottingham Caves from the Broadmarsh Centre. Would members who would like to come on this visit include their names on a list in the interest group room.
Please note that for excursions sensible shoes should be worn due to uneven ground.
Please don’t forget you can contact me if you need help with your family history at any time.
Maureen Newton