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Aidan Sprot
Lieutenant Colonel Aidan Mark Sprot (19 January 1919 – 28 January 2021) was a British Army officer, who won an immediate Military Cross and later served as the Lord Lieutenant of Tweeddale. Early life Sprot was born on 19 January 1919 and was the son of Mark and Meliora Sprot (a daughter of Sir John Hay, 9th Baronet and Anne Milliken-Napier, daughter of Sir Robert Milliken-Napier, 9th Baronet). His sister Celia became Viscountess Whitelaw. He was educated at Stowe School, Sprot was forbidden from following his father into the army, and initially worked as a banker in the City of London. Military career On the outbreak of World War II, Sprot joined his father's old regiment, the Royal Scots Greys and was commissioned in 1941. Serving in Palestine on internal security duties, Sprot then moved with his regiment to the Western Desert, where he took part in the Second Battle of El Alamein. In September 1943, he served during Operation Avalanche, the landings at Salerno. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lilliesleaf
Lilliesleaf is a small village and civil parish south east of Selkirk in the Roxburghshire area of Scottish Borders of Scotland. Other places nearby include Ancrum, Ashkirk, Belses, Hassendean, Midlem, Minto House, Old Belses, St Boswells, and Woll. History Lilliesleaf used to be a village and parish in the northwest of Roxburghshire. On the old rail routes, the village was west of Belses station, NNW of Hassendean station, and SSW of Newtown St Boswells station — all on the Waverley Route of the North British railway system, which was closed in 1969. It was picturesquely situated on a ridge of ground which slopes down first steeply to the village, then gradually to Ale Water. Between the village and the river lie fields and meadows. Lilliesleaf consisted mainly of one long narrow street, half a mile in length, which contained the post office, with money order, savings bank, and telegraph departments, 2 inns, 2 schools, and several good shops. There was a s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Commission (document)
A commission is a formal document issued to appoint a named person to high office or as a commissioned officer in a territory's armed forces. A commission constitutes documentary authority that the person named is vested with the powers of that office and is empowered to execute official acts. A commission often takes the form of letters patent. Commissions are typically issued in the name of or signed by the head of state. In Commonwealth realms, the documentation is referred to as a King's Commission or Queen's Commission (depending on the gender of the reigning monarch). However, in Commonwealth realms other than the United Kingdom, they may be signed by the governor-general, the representative of the monarch of that realm. Terminology Because the word "commission" can also refer generally to an individual's duty, the more specific terms commissioning parchment or commissioning scroll are often used to specify the commissioning document. However the document is not usually ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1919 Births
Events January * January 1 ** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Bratislava, Pressburg (later Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia. ** HMY Iolaire, HMY ''Iolaire'' sinks off the coast of the Hebrides; 201 people, mostly servicemen returning home to Lewis and Harris, are killed. * January 2–January 22, 22 – Russian Civil War: The Red Army's Caspian-Caucasian Front begins the Northern Caucasus Operation (1918–1919), Northern Caucasus Operation against the White Army, but fails to make progress. * January 3 – The Faisal–Weizmann Agreement is signed by Faisal I of Iraq, Emir Faisal (representing the Arab Kingdom of Hejaz) and Zionism, Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann, for Arab–Jewish cooperation in the development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine (region), Palestine, and an Arab nation in a large part of the Middle East. * January 5 – In Germany: ** Spartacist uprising in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scout Association
The Scout Association is the largest organisation in the Scout Movement in the Scouting in the United Kingdom, United Kingdom. Following the rapid development of the Scouting, Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 and Incorporation (association), incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association. It is a founding member organisation of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The organisation is the largest national Scout organisation in Europe, representing 35% of the participants of the European Scout Region (World Organization of the Scout Movement), European Scout Region. , the organisation claimed to provide activities to 444,682 young people (aged 4–18) in the UK. It also has 83,792 adult volunteers in leader roles and 68,974 adult volunteers in governance, support and other roles, including Network members. This is more than one adult for every 3 children under 18. As well as Scout programm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 10,500 volunteers and 3,500 staff. At the heart of their work is providing help to people in crisis, both in the UK and overseas. The Red Cross is committed to helping people without discrimination, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs or religion. Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the society until her death in 2022, and was replaced by her successor King Charles III, who previously served as president between 2003 and 2024. In the year ending December 2023, the charity's income was £331million, which included £32M from government contracts and £34M from government grants. Total expenditure was £323M, of which £246M (76%) of its income delivering its charitable activities. Guiding ethos The mission ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Royal Company Of Archers
The Royal Company of Archers, The King's Bodyguard for Scotland, is a ceremonial unit that serves as the Sovereign's bodyguard in Scotland—a role it has performed since 1822 during the reign of King George IV when the company provided a personal bodyguard to the King on his visit to Scotland. It is currently known as the King's Bodyguard for Scotland or, more often and colloquially, The Royal Company. It is located in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. The Royal Company of Archers has a long history in Scotland as a body that celebrated both the recreation and talent of local archers. As a body established by the Monarch, the company has a long history of unique prizes, influential supporters, and ceremonial roles. It has an associated charity, the Royal Company of Archers Charitable Trust, dedicated to helping disadvantaged individuals with their health and wellbeing in Scotland. Early history During the 17th and 18th centuries in Scotland, a muster or military ren ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peebles
Peebles () is a town in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. It was historically a royal burgh and the county town of Peeblesshire. According to the United Kingdom census, 2011, 2011 census, the population was 8,376 and the estimated population in June 2018 was 9,000. History Initially a market town, Peebles played a role in the woollen industry of the Borders during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most mills had closed by the 1960s, although the last one remained open until 2015. The character of Peebles has changed; the town serves as home to many people who commute to work in Edinburgh, as well as being a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. In the mid-to-late 19th century health tourism flourished, centring on hydropathic establishments, which over time morphed into a hotel format, with Peebles Hydro Hotel being one of the few survivors of that era. Notable buildings in the town include the Old Parish Church of Peebles and Neidpath Castle. Other local attrac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hay Baronets
There have been four baronetcies created for persons with the surname Hay, all in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. Two creations are extinct, one dormant and one extant. A fifth baronetcy in the Jacobite Peerage, although theoretically extant, is not recognised by the Lyon Office. The Hay Baronetcy, ''of Smithfield and Haystoun'' in the County of Peebles, was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 20 July 1635 for James Hay, Esquire of the Body to King James VI, with remainder to his heirs male whatsoever. Along with the baronetcy he was granted of land in Nova Scotia. The title became dormant on the death of the third Baronet in 1683. In 1762 James Hay claimed and assumed the baronetcy as the great-great-grandson John Hay, younger brother of the grandfather of the first Baronet. A jury assembled at Perth in 1805 decided his claim was valid and in 1806 he matriculated arms as a Baronet in the Lyon Office. The sixth Baronet sat as Member of Parliament for Peeblesshire. The s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Long, Somme
Long () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography Long is situated on the D32 and the D112 crossroads, some southeast of Abbeville in a part of the valley of the Somme that is filled by lakes and ponds. Population Places of interest Church of St. Jean-Baptiste The first church was built here in the 12th century and must have been quite small compared to the present-day building. Another church replaced the original in the 15th century. During the 19th century, as the population of the town had grown to 1800 people, another church had to be built, though the bell-tower of the original was incorporated within the new building, which was completed in 1851. The hydro-electric plant In 1900, the municipal council decided to build an electricity generating plant, powered by the waters of the Somme. Inaugurated three years later on 7 June 1903, the three turbines provided electricity at 120 volts DC for the entire village, at little ch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Armoured Vehicle-launched Bridge
An armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) is a combat support vehicle, sometimes regarded as a subtype of military engineering vehicle, designed to assist militaries in rapidly deploying tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles across gap-type obstacles, such as rivers. The AVLB is usually a tracked vehicle converted from a tank chassis to carry a folding metal bridge instead of weapons. The AVLB's job is to allow armoured or infantry units to cross craters, anti-tank ditches, blown bridges, railroad cuts, canals, rivers and ravines, when a river too deep for vehicles to wade through is reached, and no bridge is conveniently located, or sufficiently sturdy, a substantial concern when moving 60-ton tanks. The bridge layer unfolds and launches its cargo, providing a ready-made bridge across the obstacle in only minutes. Once the span has been put in place, the AVLB vehicle detaches from the bridge, and moves aside to allow traffic to pass. Once all of the vehicles have crossed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
M3 Stuart
The M3 Stuart/light tank M3, was a US light tank of World War II, first entered service in the British Army in early 1941 and saw action in the North African campaign in July 1941. Later an improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942 to be supplied to British and other allied Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the United States into the war. The British service name "Stuart" came from the U.S. Civil War Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 light tank. Unofficially, they were also often called "Honeys" by the British, because of their smooth ride. In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "light tank M3" and "light tank M5". Stuarts were first used in combat in the North African campaign; about 170 were used by the British forces in Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December 1941). Stuarts were the first American-crewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Falaise Pocket
The Falaise pocket or battle of the Falaise pocket (; 12–21 August 1944) was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. Allied forces formed a pocket around Falaise, Calvados, in which German Army Group B, consisting of the 7th Army and the Fifth Panzer Army (formerly ), were encircled by the Western Allies. The battle resulted in the destruction of most of Army Group B west of the Seine, which opened the way to Paris and the Franco-German border. Six weeks after the 6 June 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy, German forces were in turmoil, having expended irreplaceable resources defending the frontline and with Allied air superiority threatening the availability of food and ammunition. However, on the Allied side, British forces had expected to liberate Caen immediately after the invasion, an operation which ended up taking nearly two months, and US forces had expected to control Saint-Lô by the 7 June, yet German resistance delayed this u ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
