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From: Colin Fuller
Sent: 13 June 2009 18:56
Subject: War on the Line - Day One
Dear Tony 
Just a quick e-mail to tell you that the War on the Line weekend got off to an excellent start.  Something like 200 re-enactors, many WWII (and earlier) vehicles, soldiers, sailors and airmen aplenty, many with their ladies.  On the civilian side, dancers and singers entertained at the stations and on the trains.  Evacuee children and P.O.W.s moved along the Line and the P.O.W.s were also transported by road.  The catering outlets, including the Field Kitchen at Ropley, were busier than expected.  Arguably the Home Front Display at Medstead & Four Marks Station generated the most interest from the visitors.  The aerobatics of the Spitfire and Hurricane just added the final touches.  AND there is more tomorrow! 
My first picture shows two Veterans sharing their wartime experiences with members of the Women's Land Army and the second shows Capt. Allaway of the 101st Airborne inspecting a parade from The Queens. 
Colin Fuller 
MHRPS Life Member No:1
 
    
         

  Movie:  Hurricane and Spitfire aerobatic displays over Ropley    (26MB, 13th June 2009): David Snow
   
   

   Photos from the June 2009 event
 
 

See also the 2006 event photos by:   Steve Walters   Chris Rogers   Peter Meaby   Sue Spanswick   Henry O'Dwyer   Ray Pettit       Hear:    Spitfire  -   Lancaster   -  Mustang  -  Churchill's speech:"This was their finest hour"

Subj: War on the Line
Date: 22/05/2001 20:17:34 GMT Daylight Time 
Dear Tony,
...snip...
... "War on the Line" weekend. Perhaps as before, you would be so kind as to pass this on to those responsible. We had never been before, but had always fancied the idea and the weekend co-incided with a visit by Pam's sister and her husband who, although madder than us in many ways, are not railway enthusiasts. Reading the details about the weekend, which we downloaded to them, they entered into the spirit and one came as a Naval Officer and the other as his '40's dressed floozie; Pam and I ended up the same, with me as a cross between one of the Grateful Dead and Biggles (in RAF uniform) and Pam as the good lady.
We had a marvellous time, as we thought we would, but our guests who had never seen the Mid Hants before were absolutely bowled over by both the railway itself and the atmosphere so entertainingly re-created. So many put so much effort in, but the atmosphere at Medstead & Four Marks was perhaps the best. The success (of the Saturday at least) was summed up by two things our guests said: the first was that they would have felt out of place in modern dress and the second was that they want to come again. For two non-railway buffs, we think this is praise indeed.
Additionally, being in fancy dress, we were mistaken as "staff". Apart from Pam and her sister being propositioned more than once, a couple of older gentlemen commented on how accurate the ambience was; one had been in Hampshire as a lad at the time of the preparations for the D-Day landings, the other was married to a land girl and fortunately we were able to direct him to Medstead.
So, well done one and all. Another excellent Mid Hants performance and ...snip...
Cheers
Malcolm & Pam Lawrence

From: Richard Hazelgrove
Sent: 21 May 2001 09:33
Subject: Watercress Line 1940s event
Hello
Although other work commitments prevented us from being involved in your weekend event my wife and I were able to attend the event on Sunday. I would like to say that we thought the whole event was absolutely brilliant - with so many people dressed in period costume there were times when it really felt like it could have been 1944.
We were very impressed with the friendly attitude of all of those involved particularly at the station with the BBC Outside Broadcast. The atmosphere was great - with no "closed shop" attitude that unfortunately can sometimes creep into re-enactment events.
Personally, I had a wonderful day - Bill Pertwee (and in fact anyone else from Dad's Army) has long been a bit of comedy favourite of mine and to meet him on Sunday was something I will remember for a long time. Then the Lancaster fly past to end the day - what more can I say!  Well done to everyone - next year we intend to be involved come hell or high water!
Richard Hazelgrove

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