https://www.thegarrison.website/, https://www.mvt.org.uk/

94th Field Regiment, Bolton (2026)

11/10/2026

On Saturday 3rd October Members of the 94th Regiment Part of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers attended The regimental Officers Mess Dinner of 216 Bty part of 103 Regiment RA based in Bolton. We were invited guests of the The Bolton Royal Artillery Association.

It was an excellent Meal with Pate Starter, Chicken wrapped in Bacon, Cheese cake followed by a Cheese board & Tea & Coffee during the meal we were entertained by 103 Regiment RA Pipes & Drums and the Lancashire Artillery Band.

After the meal the team retired to the Officers Mess for Drinks.

This allowed the lads to meet members of the Royal Regiment Present & Past and discuss collaboration with 216 Bty in future endeavours.

11/10/2026

Arnhem 2026 (the Humour)

Over the period of the five days spent in the Netherlands we discovered to our delight or horror depends on which way you look at it that one of our team was a Dab hand at recreating photos into AI

We also discovered that as a team we were able to let our hair down when the moment allowed us

Please see some of the humorus Photos & Cartoons that didnt make it into our Posts.

Some members of the Regiment will be visiting Arnhem Again (November 26 ) and also getting up to all sorts of business during the Closed event season

Watch this space

11/10/2026

Arnhem Day 6 (Last Day Journey Home)

The team woke up this morning with a sombre heart. Our last day in the Netherlands. The morning was spent packing away our Personal equipment and reloading the Jeeps onto the trailers. Once this task was completed we headed into Oosterbeek for a bite to eat at our favourite café. once we were all full of coffee and brunch we headed over to Meijer & Siegers the local bookshop in Oosterbeek to find suitable reading for the journey home. I think the team cleaned out the store of The Battle of Arnhem September 44 Extended Omnibus Edition ( Basically a story of the battle of Arnhem in the style of the old Commando comics). Then off to the local Albert Heijn (A bit like the local Co op ) to fill up on goody's
(Pastries) and last Minute presents (Mainly 50p Waffles) for the Journey home.

leaving Oosterbeek behind us we headed off in convoy to Rotterdam to catch the ferry Home. We arrived at the ferry terminal early and waited a couple of hours in the car park for boarding (Not a Coffee stand or toilet in in sight).

Eventually we boarded and RV'd at the bar. The inbound journey home was a reverse of the inbound journey with the team smashing the all you can eat buffet before retiring to bed early.

On arriving back in the UK we headed to Samantha's Diner in Goole for an English Fry up Before hitting the M62 Home.

09/10/2026

Arnhem Day 5

A slight lie in this morning. but still a busy morning at camp, Refreshments of scrambled egg or spam butties for everyone followed by a few gallons of coffee to prepare us for the day ahead.

Our first point of call was a visit to The Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, more commonly known as the Airborne Cemetery, it is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery It was established in 1945 and is home to 1,764 graves from the Second World War besides four later non-war graves and there are special memorials of two personnel buried elsewhere.

Most of the men buried in the cemetery were Allied servicemen killed in the Battle of Arnhem, . Men killed in these battles are still discovered in the surrounding area even in the 21st century, and so the number of people interred in the cemetery continues to grow.

Thousands come together every year for the Airborne Memorial Service.

The first remembrance service took place in 1945 and was designed by the Commander of the 1st Airborne Division, Major General R.E. Urquhart, together with acting Mayor of Renkum, mr. J. ter Horst, ds. Ph. Bergkotte and Father R.F. Dijker.

Since that first remembrance service the order of service has not been changed. Nor has the participation of the schoolchildren. Since 1945 they lay flowers on the grave during the service.

One of the teams Grandfather is laid to rest in the cemetery and following the service we paid our respects to him and all others that paid the ultimate price.

Following the service we headed off in our Jeeps to visit the Culvert. For those who are not aware of there military history the culvert is a small brick-built passage underneath the railway embankment at Wolfheze, on Johannahoeveweg. During the Battle of Arnhem, it provided a way through the railway embankment when the normal crossing was under German fire.

The route to the culvert is mainly closed off to vehicles however as we had a couple of Arnhem Visit veterans with ourselves we were able to circumnavigate the streets and pretend we couldn't read Dutch Road signs. Our hopes were still high however we have been told that they do post guards on the culvert to stop vehicles driving through it (Exactly like we were intending on doing).

On arriving we found no guards and were able to pass through the tight culvert in our jeeps. On the way back we saw Al Murray and his entourage heading to the culvert. In good 94th style we smiled & waved and carried on.

Leaving the Culvert we headed off to a very prominent location. Through some good friends we had managed to locate where our team members grandfather had fallen on the route to Arnhem. and we were informed that there was a memorial to him and his colleagues on the spot where he was found.

On visiting the site a Track T Junction we discovered a stone obelisk with a brass plate with the names of those who had fallen there engraved on it. A few moments were spent in quite reflection made even more special as our team member was with us,

Then onwards to the First memorial established in Oosterbeek that of an airborne 6 Pdr with Drop cannisters all around it.

Feeling the hunger pans coming on we headed back to our favourite café (Grand café Oosterbeek) If your ever in Arnhem this is the place for a bite to eat.

We met up with a long time friend of the regiment Tim who we last saw at Foxfield Railway - War Wheels in 2025.

Tim is from the Netherlands and lives in Nijmegen and has a knowledge about Arnhem that is without doubt one of the best in the country.

Tim was able to take us to a few locations that we didn't know existed a lot of these were portrayed in the film a bridge to far,

The Film was released in 1977 and was an epic war film directed by Richard Attenborough. It depicts Operation Market Garden, the film's screenplay, by William Goldman, is based on a book of the same title by historian Cornelius Ryan. It stars an ensemble cast, featuring Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Hardy Krüger, Laurence Olivier, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Redford, Maximilian Schell and Liv Ullmann. ( A Classic)

We saw the house where the British Soldier (Laughby) shot through the window at the German solder then escaped down an alley (Ginnel if your from up North). Also the house where Major-General Robert "Roy" Urquhart hid in the attic w2hist a German Panzer was in the street outside.

From there we headed into Arnhem itself where we parked our Jeeps along side the 25 Pdr Memorial. We walked along the river to Arnhem Bridge The Original Name: Built between 1932 and 1935, it was originally called the Rhine Bridge (Rijnbrug). During September 1944's Operation Market Garden (the Battle of Arnhem), British 2nd Parachute Battalion commander Lieutenant-Colonel John Dutton Frost led forces that captured and held the northern end of the bridge for four days. The rebuilt road bridge was officially renamed on December 17, 1977, to honour John Frost.

The team were able to climb the original stone steps up to the bridge (Where during the battle Airborne forces manhandled a 6Pdr Anti Tank gun up the steps realised they were to exposed to incoming fire and manhandled it down again) We were also able via the bridge to cross the Rhine river to the other side. Something that our forefathers fought and died for us to be able to do.

as time was running short we headed off to the Pension d`Oude Herberg more commonly known as the Airborne restaurant to meet new & old friends for an evening meal.

Once again with the light fading we headed back to camp to have a few fingers of wh***ey, talk about our experiences of the day and start to pack away our equipment for the journey home tomorrow

06/10/2026

Arnhem 4

Reveille this morning was was at 05.30 hrs, (Thank God for going to bed early We are not as young as we used to be) After a quick 4 S is (Sh*t, Shave, Shower & Shampoo) and a quick morning coffee we left camp in the dark and headed for the ABWO camp in Oosterbeek to get lined up for the days activity.

(Traveling in the dark with WW2 Jeeps that have head lights designed in the 40s was an experience Thankfully the rest of the Netherlands were still asleep so very light traffic on the dual carriageways).

On arriving at ABWO our veterans of the trips quickly informed us that we need to jostle for position at the front of the Convoy as this would be our placement all day. Dutifully we managed to get approx five Vehicles behind the lead.

At approx. 06.30 the Whistle signalled our movement and we set of in convoy for our first location Ginkel Heath. (I don't exagerate there was actullay a whistle if i hadnt been in WW2 Uniform the scence from Black adder would have been in my head).

Ginkel Heath (Ginkelse Heide), it was one of the major airborne landing and dropping zones used during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

After arriving at the heath we were positioned along the sand track directly in front of the mass of spectators that were gathering to watch the Parachute jump. Unfortunately the weather at this point was not kind there was a very low cloud base and a far chance of rain. The Jump was in question but we had to wait for a final decision

The Parachute Jump would be the 82nd Commemoration of the airborne landings which would involve a mass parachute drop by 12 nations The Netherlands 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade & 11 other NATO nations — including the United Kingdom and United States. nearly 900 parachutists would take part.

Having a bit of down time the team took the opportunity to set up our tables & bench's, set the table cloth, Get a brew on and get the cooker out to get the SPAM butty's on. (The original discussion from Day 1 of what to call the Bread like mixture was also resurrected). After having been suitably feed and watered some of the team set off for the nearby pop up shopping village to attempt to get a bargain.

Luckily the weather didn't hold them back and the parachute drop was able to take place with a variety of aircraft flying low over our position. There was numerous parachute drops over the next two hours concluding in a low fly past of the aircraft.

Then the whistle again 15 mins to move. Then off we went in convoy to laager up at the Telefoonweg Renkum and await other vehicles that were joining us.

From the Telefoonweg Renkum. we set of on the race to the bridge.

The “Race to the Bridge” at Arnhem refers both to the original attempt by British airborne troops to reach Arnhem Bridge in September 1944 and, today, to an annual commemorative convoy of historic WWII vehicles following that route.

The original “race” – September 1944

As part of Operation Market Garden, the British 1st Airborne Division landed west of Arnhem on 17 September 1944. Their main objective was to capture and hold the road bridge over the Lower Rhine.

The plan was essentially a race against time:

The 1st Parachute Brigade was to move rapidly from the landing zones towards Arnhem.
The 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron, using armed jeeps, was supposed to race ahead and seize the bridge.

Lieutenant Colonel John Frost's 2nd Parachute Battalion was to reach the bridge and hold it.
The bridge then had to be held until the advancing ### Corps could reach Arnhem from the south.

However, the reconnaissance squadron was delayed and encountered German resistance. Frost's 2nd Battalion therefore became the main British force to reach the bridge. Around 740 men ultimately held the northern end of Arnhem Bridge for several days, surrounded by German forces.

The modern Race to the Bridge

Today, Race to the Bridge is a commemorative event held during the Arnhem remembrance period in September.

Historic WWII vehicles—particularly Jeeps, trucks and motorcycles—travel the route taken by the British airborne troops in 1944. The modern event normally starts around Renkum and proceeds towards the John Frost Bridge in Arnhem, with vehicles subsequently gathering around Oosterbeek and the Airborne museum

For a WWII re-enactment or artillery heritage organisation, the event is interesting because it connects the modern restored vehicles directly with the historical route and events of 17 September 1944. It isn't simply a vehicle rally—it is intended to commemorate the movement of the airborne troops towards Arnhem and the battle for the bridge.

The John Frost Bridge is named after Lieutenant Colonel John D. Frost, whose 2nd Parachute Battalion reached the bridge and fought there from 17–21 September 1944.

The roads were lined with people young and old. For the members of the team that had never witnessed it before it was a truly amazing sight. Every where we traveled the piblic were waving and cheering.

The 2026 Race to the Bridge route starts at Telefoonweg in Renkum, turning left onto Bennekomseweg heading towards the Airborne monument. at the Roundabout we turned left left towards Doorwerth via Utrechtseweg N782. Via van der Molenallee towards Doorwerth. Via van der Molenallee towards Oude Oosterbeekseweg Oosterbeek.
we Stayed left on Nedermeijer van Rosenthalweg until you reaching Utrechtseweg.
Turned right until we reached the roundabout at Utrechtseweg near Kema.
Here, we continued straight onto Utrechtseweg heading towards Arnhem.

In Arnhem, we turned right via Onderlangs to Roermondsplein (Blauwe Golven).
Next, we went through Weerdjesstraat, Eusebiusplein, Oranjewachtstraat to Westervoortsedijk. At Nieuwe Kade, we continued to the “Rijnkade” (lower Quay).

We had a short stop at Rijnkade. Here, we had a 15-minute break We then continued via Boterdijk, Onderlangs to Utrechtseweg. until reaching the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek.

When we arrived at the Airborne Museum Hartenstein we took part in a static display along side a variety of other vevicles.

Following the exhausting days events we headed once again back to the ABWO camp for tea and refreshments, A military Car Boot sale The Tea that night was a Cook your own BBQ meal.

Before the light got the better of us we headed back to camp to dwell on the days activity and get some more lighr refreshments.

02/10/2026

Arnhem Day 3

Well our first real day in the Netherlands and the first day in WW2 Uniform. Our day started with the usual cup of Coffee A to Start the day & B to clear away the wh***ey consumed the night before (I know some of our team have the breaking strain of a wet Kit Kat). after some sustanence we all jumped in the three jeeps and set off on our travels.

Our first stop was not for along along the road we had to stop to put fuel in the jeeps. I don't know the MPG of a Willys jeep but under the ferry rules we were only allowed to travel with 1/2 tank of fuel. This allowed the team to once again grab a coffee and a pastry.

Our first stop was at Hackett's hollow. Hackett's Hollow which was a small but significant location in the Oosterbeek perimeter during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. It is associated with the fighting involving the 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hackett.

We arrived before the ABWO march which gave the team time to wander around the hollow and take a good look at the landscape.

We then took part in the official opening of the ABWO weekend in the form of a remembrance parade at the Hollow with the laying of wreaths and the playing of the last post. A very Sombre moment felt by all in a place where so many laid down thier lives.

We then headed off once again in our three trusty steads over to the Concertzaal in Oosterbeek which is transformed into a living museum. In an authentic setting, re-enactors show how a field hospital of the British Airborne forces operated during the fierce fighting in and around Oosterbeek in September 1944.

Unfortunately one of our steads sprang a slight oil leak. Luckily we had a very able Jeep whisper with Us (Chris Allsop) who soon diagnosed the problem. Thankfully it turned out that the Oil filter gasket had not sealed properly and when the engine was running was squirting Oil over the engine. In true bush fix style reminisant of the TV MacGyver chris managed to temporally fix the problem using cardboard, Sealer a piece old old inner tube and scissors bofrrowed from the field hospital.

The scene was like a typical council meeting one working Nine watching and offering advice.

Once it was fixed it was a short drive to the Old church in Oosterbeek where we stopped and had a walk around the grounds. The church still bears the marks of war with bullet holes in the walls.

Then off to a very prominent location the memorial to John “Jack” Baskeyfield VC. Baskeyfield joined the South Staffordshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion's anti-tank platoon. The 2nd Battalion was part of the 1st Airlanding Brigade, itself part of the 1st Airborne Division

On 20 September 1944, during the battle of Arnhem, Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield was the N.C.O. in charge of a 6-pounder anti-tank gun at Oosterbeek. The enemy developed a major attack on this sector with infantry, tanks and self-propelled guns with the obvious intent to break into and overrun the Battalion position. During the early stage of the action the crew commanded by this N.C.O. was responsible for the destruction of two Tiger tanks and at least one self propelled gun, thanks to the coolness and daring of this N.C.O., who, with complete disregard for his own safety, allowed each tank to come well within 100 yards of his gun before opening fire.

In the course of this preliminary engagement Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield was badly wounded in the leg and the remainder of his crew were either killed or badly wounded. During the brief respite after this engagement Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield refused to be carried to the Regimental Aid Post and spent his time attending to his gun and shouting encouragement to his comrades in neighbouring trenches.

After a short interval the enemy renewed the attack with even greater ferocity than before, under cover of intense mortar and shell fire. Manning his gun quite alone Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield continued to fire round after round at the enemy until his gun was put out of action. By this time his activity was the main factor in keeping the enemy tanks at bay. The fact that the surviving men in his vicinity were held together and kept in action was undoubtedly due to his magnificent example and outstanding courage. Time after time enemy attacks were launched and driven off. Finally, when his gun was knocked out, Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield crawled under intense enemy fire to another 6-pounder gun nearby, the crew of which had been killed, and proceeded to man it single-handed. With this gun he engaged an enemy self propelled gun which was approaching to attack. Another soldier crawled across the open ground to assist him but was killed almost at once. Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield succeeded in firing two rounds at the self propelled gun, scoring one direct hit which rendered it ineffective. Whilst preparing to fire a third shot, however, he was killed by a shell from a supporting enemy tank.

A tree on the site of Baskeyfield's second gun, on the corner of Benedendorpsweg and Acacialaan, has been named the Jack Baskeyfield Tree.

The 94th have a strong affiliation to the south North Staffs Military Vehicle Group as well as the Stafford Regiment association. One of our team was the face of the memorial statue of him that was erected at Festival Heights in Stoke-on-Trent,

Feeling the hunger we headed over to the The Hartenstein Hotel at Oosterbeek, and had lunch in the grounds Coffee shop before heading inside the museum

The Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ in Oosterbeek, is dedicated to the Battle of Arnhem in which the Allied Forces attempted to form a bridgehead on the northern banks of the Rhine river in September 1944. Hartenstein served as the headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division.

In the museum we saw an extensive and diverse collection of original weaponry, genuine uniforms and equipment used in the battle. The numerous photos and films on display provided a realistic picture which was enhanced by interviews with Allied soldiers. In addition the museum had an award-winning Airborne Experience exhibition, that depicts the area around Arnhem and Oosterbeek during the battle.

After finishing our tour we once again headed over to the ABWO camp for tea and light refreshment. There was also a WW2 car boot sale selling artifacts from the war as well as reproduction.

The intention was to take part in the operation berlin Operation Berlin (25/26 September 1944) was a night-time evacuation of the remnants of the beleaguered British 1st Airborne Division, in German-occupied territory north of the Lower Rhine in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden in the Second World War. The aim of the operation was to withdraw the remnants of the division while covered by the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade and surrounded on three sides by more German troops with more heavy equipment and tanks and being in danger of encirclement.

The operation evacuated about 2,400 men of the British 1st Airborne Division, thus ending Market Garden, the Allied plan to cross the Rhine and close the European Theatre of World War II by the end of 1944. Members of the Glider Pilot Regiment laid white tape through the woods, leading from the perimeter, the grounds of the Hartenstein Hotel, to the north bank of the Neder-Rijn (Lower Rhine) where the Royal Canadian Engineers and Royal Engineers were waiting with small boats to ferry the men across the Rhine to a landing point north of Driel.

However due to having an early start the next day and having to pack the vehicles with the light fading we headed back to camp.

Exhausted both physically and emotionally it was time to get our uniforms off take a shower pour a night cap and head off to bed.

29/09/2026

Arnhem Day 2

After our early morning wake up call by the pleasant ferry tannoy system the team Rv'd at the Costa Coffee shop on board ship all a little bit tired after suffering from a combination of a food coma and the one pillow bunk beds on board ship.

The team disembarked the ship and drove thorough customs including Bio metrics. Then off on our way remembering to drive on the opposite side of the road.

After a quick stop at the services to grab more coffee and an apple pastry (But no Greggs Pasties). we arrived at our accommodation at Europarcs Hooge veluwe (Camp).

After unloading the jeeps parking up the cars & trailers and spraying them with pine martin repellent (Honestly im serious) sorting out the sleeping arrangements (Who was sleeping with the Noisiest snorer's). and squaring away our personal equipment we set off for what was the first time for most of us flying around the Netherlands in WW2 Jeeps.

We headed to the Glider Museum at Wolfheze there we discovered just how vast and complex the airborne landings were. we saw authentic artefacts and personal accounts, and experienced first-hand just how vulnerable the gliders were.

After spending a considerable amount of time at the museum we hoped back in the jeeps and headed down to Oosterbeek to catch a bite to eat and do some essential shopping (Milk, B**r, Cheese, B**r, Crackers, B**r & W**e),

We then headed over to register with ABWO Airborne Battle Wheels Oosterbeek. The ABWO was founded in 1996 as a means of commemorating the Battle of Arnhem and preserving the airborne vehicles that were used during the Second World War. Every year in September, they organise a grand weekend for all Second World War British airborne vehicle owners and re-enactors.

Following the purchase of merchandise at ABWO and after a hearty meal and a few drinks we headed back to Camp where some of the b**r and duty free was consumed as well as the cheese board.

Then off to bed before an early rise in the moring

26/09/2026

Arnhem Day 1

On Wednesday the 16th September 2026 Ten members of the Regiment set off for a five-day trip to Arnhem.

Arnhem is a city in the eastern part of the Netherlands, located near the German border.

Every year in September there is a gathering of Second World War British airborne vehicle owners and re-enactors who come together to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem and preserve the airborne vehicles that were used during the Second World War.

The Battle of Arnhem was one of the major battles of the Second World War in northwest Europe. It took place in the Netherlands from 17–25 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden, the Allied attempt to break through into Germany and end the war in Europe quickly.

What was Operation Market Garden?

The operation had two parts:

Market – an enormous airborne assault by American, British and Polish airborne forces to capture bridges.

Garden – the ground offensive by the British ### Corps, advancing north along a single route to link up with the airborne troops.

The ultimate objective was to cross the Rhine at Arnhem and provide the Allies with a route into northern Germany.

The British at Arnhem

The British 1st Airborne Division, commanded by Major General Roy Urquhart, was tasked with capturing the bridges at Arnhem.

The plan called for the division to seize:

• The Arnhem road bridge
• Railway and pontoon bridges
• The surrounding approaches
• The ground around Oosterbeek, west of Arnhem

However, the British were dropped several miles from the main objective because of concerns about German anti-aircraft defences and the availability of suitable landing zones.

The Lads left Regimental headquarters in Bolton in a convoy One car towing a trailer with two Jeeps on & one car towing a trailer with a Jeep & Motorbike on. and headed along the M62 corridor Through Yorkshire (Which for five of our members was like going home)

Stopping at the oblicatory truck stop in Goole (Where a deep and meaningful conversation arose around the name of a bread shaped like a pebble - Lancashire its a Barm, Yorkshire its a bread cake & Stoke a Bap We all agreed to disagree as long as it had Chips on) then off to the port of Hull. We boarded the ferry and sought out our luxury cabin.

For those that have never made the crossing its an overnight ferry two berth cabin is included in the price. The cabin is approx. 6ft wide 14Grilled ft long with a pull down bunk bed a toilet & Shower.

Then off to the bar to receive orders and have a bit of liquid refreshment. Once the thirst had been quenched we all booked into the all you can eat buffet oh and belive me we smashed that bad boy

Fish Chips curry sauce with a side order of roast beef & gammon.
BBQ selection with califlour cheese
Grilled Halloumi cheese with chips
Noodle Soup with chilli sauce

Somebody told us there was a salad bar (Never saw that)

After tea it was off to the show bar to listen to the cabaret before heading off to bed with an over full belly and a little stagger that was nothing to do with the ship. and await the tansy system in the morning anouncing we had arrived in Rotterdam.

20/09/2026

A very busy final day in Arnhem.

We left camp this morning and headed to the cemetery in Oosterbeek to pay our respects. From there, we went to find a newly erected memorial which marks the site where one of our members relatives was killed during the battle in September 1944.

We then went on a mini tour of the area, taking in the Culvert, the 6 Pdr at Heelsum, Urquhart House and Arnhem Bridge itself before heading to the restaurant for dinner.

Tomorrow, we load the Jeeps up and head back to Rotterdam for the return ferry to England.

Until next year...

17/09/2026

Arrived safely at the accommodation!

94th Field Regiment

11/10/2026

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