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Please note memberships are now dealt with by Committee Member, Graham Sacker. For details see below.
ALL cheques should be made out to MGC/OCA. While most members are descendents of MGC men, more
and more are simply interested in the Corps and WWI in
general. You do not need to be at all knowledgeable to
join the OCA but those who are invariably try to help
those who are not! There is great 'cross pollination' in
particular with the Western Front Association.
It is important to note that the MGC/OCA receives no grants from any source.
Many people mistakenly believe that all regimental associations receive funding
from the Army or government. This is not so.
It is polite to always include a stamped addressed
envelope when contacting any organisation to ask them for information or advice.
The MGC/OCA is financed totally by the generosity of members. Membership subscriptions cover little more than the cost of production and postage
of "Emma Gee."
We hold various services of Remembrance, lay wreaths, remember Veterans
birthdays and so on, all of which cost money.
When you are making out your cheque for membership, please do add a
contribution towards the cost of these very important items. £1 or £100, every one counts and every one is welcome.
If you would be interested in sponsoring an act of Remembrance (for
example the Annual Observance costs over £800) in part or whole, the
Honorary Secretary would be very pleased to hear from you.
Currently we are trying to compile copies of all the
editions of "Emma Gee"
and collect any item of MGC-related memorabilia which is donated.
Sadly, there is no
archive and it is our intention to try to correct this
situation.
The OCA has purchased a copy of Soldiers Died in the
Great War on CD-ROM. Members have the opportunity of
requesting information regarding their relative free of
charge from this source.
A large project is under way to photograph all MGC graves and names on memorials.
In this way
each and every soldier who gave his life is remembered. Members going overseas can obtain a list of
graves and memorials we need photographed.
Many members contribute generously financially and in
every possible way to the Old Comrades' Association to
ensure that it is vibrant, friendly and informative.
Considering the fact that the Machine Gun Corps has existed for only
eight years, it is nothing short of miraculous that this Old Comrades'
Association not only still exists, but thrives 90+ years on.
We have set up a 'Junior Gees' section, both in the
membership and in our magazine, "Emma
Gee." We hope that by
encouraging under 18s to join, they will become more
interested in the history of the Corps and the First
World War in general and provide a link to the future of
the Association.
Members may
purchase: MGC tie, silver MGC badge/pin (can be worn
as a tie pin, lapel badge or 'brooch'), blazer badge, enamel cufflinks, tie bar or sweetheart brooch and
MGC/OCA polo shirt.
Membership runs from January to December, if you join
later in the year, you receive all information and issues
of 'Emma Gee' already sent out.
PLEASE NOTE : Membership subscriptions do not include research,
though we try to give advice (see also research section).
To apply for membership,
please send an A4 size stamped, self
addressed envelope along with the following membership
fees (cheques made out to MGC/OCA):
At least:
- UK members £12.00
Overseas members
- £13 EU £17 International
- £3.00 for Junior Gees
Members
- £5 Overseas Junior Gees Members
We welcome additional donations.
Send subscriptions and donations to:
Graham has been having major problems with post, hence do not use his name on the envelope please.
Please send your cheque, made out to MGC/OCA, to The Beeches, Sandy Lane Road, Cheltenham, Glos GL53 9DB
Please be sure to include the following details:
- Your Full Name
- Your Full Address
- Postcode
- Country
- Telephone (Work and Home if relevant)
- Fax
- Email address
On receipt of your cheque and SAE, you will be sent information about the OCA,
your membership card and a membership form to complete and return at your leisure.
To save on time and postage, membership forms are not sent out unless a
request is accompanied by a SAE.
We are always interested to
hear if you own any documents relating to the MGC. Official documents, personal letters to and from the
soldier during the war, diaries, photographs and so on.
Photocopies of such
items would be gratefully accepted as well as originals. Interesting
extracts from diaries or articles written by you are also very welcome
for inclusion in our magazine, "Emma
Gee."
FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
Judith Lappin, Honorary Secretary, Penfro, 111 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4DB.
Please include a SAE with all correspondence requiring a response.
It may take several weeks to receive a response via the post.
Emails are generally answered quickly, but to help us, please do
not write letters asking questions or checking progress.
Writing unnecessary letters just adds to the burden of work and creates
further delays.
Rather, telephone so your question can generally be asked and answered
in moments.
01646 682753
Not before 11 am please nor after 9.30pm.
If it is not convenient
for me to talk, I will suggest an alternative time, please don't be
offended if I have to hurry you! Everyone involved in running the OCA is unpaid and a volunteer, thus when you ring, there is no dedicated office, only my home.
 Click here to a download members form
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