Can You Help Record Local Military History?
The public’s help is being sought with a historical project on all the Bermudian military units that preceded the Bermuda Regiment, which formed in 1965.
Previous to 1965 there were two separate units which were racially segregated; the all-white Bermuda Rifles, and the Bermuda Militia which was majority black, however did contain a small amount of whites in senior positions.
Through an initiative of the Bermuda Regiment Historical Trust, a book is in the works to display a history of all the Bermudian military units that preceded the Bermuda Regiment’s 1965 amalgamation.
Undertaking the project is writer and former Regiment Captain Larry Burchall, who originally started in the Militia in 1962, along with Samantha Crew assisting with research.
They would like any person who has letters or pictures from the men who served with any of the units who served in both WWl and WWll, to allow them to see and possibly – but only with your express permission – use that important historical material.
They are asking anyone who may have had family members serve to please dig though your home treasures, look for letters sent home from the wars, discharge papers, medal citations and medals, and anything that will help recall those times. The units and their times are:
- BMA – Bermuda Militia Artillery – 1895 to 1965
- BVRC – Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps – 1895 to 1946
- BVE – Bermuda Volunteer Engineers – 1939 – 1946
- BVRC – Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (Overseas Contingents – 1915 – 1919 and 1944 – 1946)
- BCGRA – Bermuda Contingent Royal Garrison Artillery (Overseas 1916 -1919)
- BMI – Bermuda Militia Infantry, local service (1940 – 1945)
- BMI – Bermuda Militia Infantry (Overseas Contingent – 1944 – 1945)
- Bermuda Rifles -1951 – 1965
- Bermuda Regiment – 1965 to 1990.
If you have any pictures or letters or want to know more, please contact them at bdaregthistoryproject@gmail.com, or call Larry Burchall at 295-7122.
have you contacted the Maritime Museaum as they have a very good militaria display with a lot of photos, records etc
Richard, Thanks for the comment.
We are already well stuck into the Maritime Museum’s records and data; we are going through the records in the Archives in Hamilton. We are now asking for stuff that is in neither place and that may still sit at home in some forgotten corner or drawer. The sort of stuff that mot people tend to throw away as ‘just some old junk’.
Larry Burchall
Irony of this Larry is I was looking at some old photo’s yesterday and found one of my uncle, Manuel F. Perry who served for many years and I believe retired as as a Colour Seargeant.
In the fifties he did maintenance and ordered supplies ( can’t remember what his title was back then along with my Father Alfred Cabral and our old friend along with many Herman Basden et al.
My father spent most of his on again off again duties as a cook and an arrester of drunks that went between Somerset/ St. George on the trains whcih they did hijack at times to stop and have beers at places I cannpt mention at this time.
Alfred “Chew” Cabral….
BVRC 1930′s-1940′s
Bermuda Rifles l950′s – 1960′s
Bermuda Regiment 1965- 1980.
Ah the stories they told and the work they did to keep us safe. At one time he needed a new stove during World War Two. His commanding Officer refused, not in the budget ( yeah right…ain’t gutt dee muney)…… Chew set fire too it. Not much damage at all to the building except smoke….Next day……New Stove.
Ah the good ole days.
Terry,
Thanks for the reply. I served alongside your Uncle Manny. So scan in and send on…
Larry
I will see what I can do. Thanks for replying.
LARRY, I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE BMA. MY FATHER WAS WARRANT OFFICER, HE RECEIVED THE OBA FROM GEORGE THE SIXTH, 1946. IHAV HIS MEDAL AND CERTIFICATE ALSO CEDAR SITCK HE CARRIED.