bigjarofwasps

The Pattern 1914 (No. 3) Rifle Although not a Lee-Enfield, the Pattern 1914 is most often considered an Enfield rifle inasmuch as it was designed by engineers at the Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory. In 1910, the British War Office began considering a replacement for the SMLE Mk III. Field experience with Mauser and Springfield rifles had indicated the desireability of a one-piece stock, a receiver-mounted aperture rear sight, and forward-mounted bolt locking lugs. Also under consideration was a rimless cartridge with a smaller caliber, higher velocity bullet. Over the next two years, various prototypes were examined and trials were conducted, leading to extended field trials in 1913 of over 1000 new rifles. Manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, this new rifle was designated the .276-Inch Enfield Magazine Rifle, or as it is more commonly known, the Pattern 1913 rifle. With the outbreak of WWI, the War Office decided both to continue production of the SMLE and to commence production of the new rifle--but in .303 British caliber. In October 1914, the .303 Pattern 1914 Rifle was approved. A contract was let to Vickers, Ltd. for 100,000 rifles. Vickers had difficulty getting into production, however, and other British rifle factories were tied up with SMLE production, so the War Office approached the American firms of Winchester Repeating Arms Co. and Remington Arms/Union Metallic Cartridge Co. to manufacture the P-14. Production began in January 1916. Winchester manufactured the P-14 at its New Haven, Connecticut plant. Remington/Union manufactured the P-14 at its Ilion, New York plant and also purchased a half-finished locomotive factory in Eddystone, Pennsylvania through its subsiderary, the Remington Arms Co. of Deleware. This factory became known informally as the “Eddystone Arsenal.” In the rush to get arms to the British, each factory operated independently in making design improvements. This led to some parts incompatability, so in June 1916, three separate models were approved: the Pattern 1914 Mk I E (manufactured by Eddystone), the Pattern 1914 Mk I R (manufactured by Remington), and the Pattern 1914 Mk I W (manufactured by Winchester). In December 1916, a new bolt with a longer locking lug was approved. Rifles fitted with the new bolt are designated the Mk I* E, the Mk I* R, and the Mk I* W. By April 1917, the manufacture of 1.2 million P-14 rifles for the British was nearing completion. An additional 100,000 had been sent to India. With the U.S. entry into WWI on April 6th, the need for additional American rifles was acute, and both Remington and Winchester offered to design a .30-06 caliber version of the Pattern 1914 and retool for its manufacture. The rifle became the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917, with production beginning in the summer of 1917. By the fall of 1917, the need for a British sniper rifle was apparent. A new backsight was developed which had a micrometer adjustment for elevation. In November 1917 this backsight was approved for installation on Winchester-made P-14 rifles, the Winchesters having proven more dependable and more accurate than the others. Rifles with the fine adjustment backsight became known as the Mk I W (F) and Mk I* W (F), the “F” indicating “fine adjustment.” In April 1918, a scope-sighted model was approved. Again, only Winchester-made P-14s were fitted with scopes. These are designated the Mk I* W (T), the “T” indicating “telescopic sight." After WWI, both the P-14 and the M1917 were relegated to substitute standard or reserve status, with significant quantities of P-14s being sent to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Nearly 700,000 P-14 rifles and over a million M1917 rifles were put storage. In 1926, the Pattern 1914 rifles were redesignated as the Rifle No. 3 Mk I, the Rifle No. 3 Mk I*, with both the (F) and (T) models carrying the Rifle No. 3 designation as well. In 1939, the British government began removing P-14 rifles from stores and returning them to service status, as specified in the Weedon Repair Standard (WRS). Work was done at RSAF - Enfield and at a number of private firms, including B.S.A., Purdy, Greener, Holland & Holland, and Paker Hale. Rifles were de-greased and inspected, and the long range volley sights were removed. A number of new stocks were manufactured as well, the new stocks not having inletting for the volley sight dial. Rifles equipped with these stocks are designated the Rifle No. 3 Mk II, although all rifles converted to WRS specifications are sometimes referred to as Mk II rifles. In 1941, a quantity of P-14 (No. 3) rifles were fitted with Aldis scopes, utilizing a low side mount. The low mount required that the sight protector “ears” on the receiver be milled off. In addition, a wood cheekrest (similar to that of the No. 4 “T-Model” rifle) were attached to the buttstock. This rifle was designated the No. 3 Mk I* (T) A, the “A” designating “Aldis.” Also in 1941, the American government began removing M1917 rifles from stores and returning them to service status. Over 100,000 M1917 rifles were shipped to England, for use by the Home Guard; another 152,000 were sent to China; and 40,000 were sent to other allies. The remainder were issued to U.S. troops. In 1944 and 1945, large numbers of P-14s and lesser numbers of M1917s were provided to the resistance fighters of the Free French and the Free Dutch. Following WWII, Great Britain send a large number of P-14 rifles to Greece, as well. The “American Enfields” have been observed in Palestine in the 1960s, in Pakistan and Angola in the 1970s, and in Afghanistan in the 1980s; and sporterized P-14s and M1917s are currently used for hunting the world over.

The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, or SMLE, was developed to provide a single rifle to replace both the Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle (MLE) and the Lee-Enfield Carbine (LEC). With an overall length of 44.5 inches, the new weapon was referred to as a "short rifle"; thus, the word "short" refers to the length of the rifle--not the length of the magazine. Beginning in 1901, trials were conducted at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) in Enfield on the new short rifle, resulting in the adoption in December 1902 of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk I. (marked "SHT L.E." and "I"). Production of the SMLE Mk I began in 1903 at RSAF Enfield and in 1904 at RSAF Sparkbrook, the Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA), and the London Small Arms Co. (LSA). Minor modifications led to the adoption of the SMLE Mk I* in 1906, with production at Enfield, Sparkbrook, BSA Co., and LSA Co. In 1903, conversions of various "Long Lees" to SMLE configuration were approved. These converted rifles were designated SMLE Converted Mk II (marked "SHT L.E." and "ConD II" with varying numbers of stars, or asterisks). "ConD" is an abbreviation for "Converted." In 1907, additional conversions were approved, designated SMLE Converted Mk IV (marked "SHT L.E." and "ConD IV"). Further improvements and simplifications of the SMLE led to the adoption in 1907 of the SMLE Mk III. Production of the Mk III began in 1907 at Enfield, BSA Co., and LSA Co. (RSAF Sparkbrook having been acquired by BSA Co. in 1906). Production of the Mk III also began in 1909 at the Ishapore Rifle Factory in India and in 1913 at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in Australia. Earlier Mk I* and Mk II rifles were upgraded to include several of the improvements of the Mk III, yielding the SMLE Mk I** in 1908 and the SMLE Mk I*** in 1914. Similar upgrades done at the Ishapore Rifle Factory were designated the SMLE Mk I* I.P. and the SMLE Mk I** I.P., with the "I.P." designating "India Pattern." To allow for more rapid production of rifles during WWI, further simplifications were approved, leading to the adoption in 1916 of the SMLE Mk III*. Production of the Mk III* did not begin simultaneously at all rifle factories; BSA Co. actually began production of the Mk III* in 1915, while LSA. Co. didn't begin producing the Mk III* until 1918. After the cessation of WWI hostilities in November of 1918, both Ishapore and Lithgow reverted to Mk III production. In Great Britain, the LSA Co. factory closed, but BSA Co. continued to produce both Mk III and Mk III* rifles--for use by the British military and for overseas sales through the "trade." RSAF Enfield shifted its focus to developing trials rifles with aperture rear sights. In 1922, the SMLE Mk V was approved as a trials rifle, although some 20,000 of them were manufactured from 1922 through 1924 at RSAF Enfield. In 1926, the No. 1 Mk VI rifle was approved as a trials rifle, with B, and C patterns following in 1929 and 1935. The Mk VI eventually became the No. 4 Rifle. In 1926, the British government changed the nomenclature of its rifles, redesignating the .30 caliber SMLEs as No. 1 Rifles, the .22 caliber conversions of SMLEs as No. 2 Rifles, and P-14 Enfields as No. 3 Rifles. Purists will distinguish between earlier SMLE rifles and later No. 1 rifles, but for all practical purposes "SMLE" and "No. 1 Rifle" are alternate names for the same weapon. It is not correct to think of the SMLE (or No. 1 Rifle) as a solely a WWI firearm. While it is true that the British government adopted the No. 4 Rifle in the late 1930s, production of the No. 1 Rifle continued, with more than 250,000 of them being produced during WWII by the BSA Co. factory at Shirley. In addition, the Ishapore factory in India manufactured more than 600,000 No. 1 Rifles during WWII, while the Lithgow factory in Australia produced more than 500,000 No. 1 Rifles between 1939 and 1945. Except for several thousand Mk III rifles manufactured by Lithgow from 1939 to mid-1941, all of the WWII No. 1 Rifles are in the Mk III* configuration. Ishapore changed over from Mk III to Mk III* production circa 1936, while Lithgow did so in 1941. All of the No. 1 Rifles produced by BSA-Shirley were Mk III* rifles. Production of No. 1 Rifles continued at Lithgow until circa 1956 and at Ishapore until circa 1974, with a number of improvements to the design of these rifles being implemented at both the Ishapore and Lithgow factories. All post-WWII rifles--both Lithgow and Ishapore--are Mk III* rifles. Circa 1949, Ishapore began using Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals for the Mark number ("Mk 3*" rather than "Mk III*"). In the mid-1960s, Ishapore developed a version of the No. 1 Rifle in the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, which was designated the Rifle 7.62mm 2A, with minor modifications leading to the Rifle 7.62mm 2A1. For several years in the early 1970s, Ishapore resumed production of Mk 3* rifles in .303 British caliber.

Cheers Kevin, Well that puts pay to that one doesn`t it!!!!! I suppose to a certian extent its for Iraq, but no more than an MSM or OBE, would be. Just out of interest Japan and the Ukraine, have troops out here, doesn anyone know what there medals look like?

Eye of the Storm by Peter Radcliffe DCM. P380 & p 381 Following the attack on Victor Two............. As one of the last to vehicles to leave fishtailed away, in a skidding start, its wing struck me a violant blow on my thigh and belt kit and sent me flying through the air. As I went in one direction my rifle, which had been knocked from my hand, went in the another. Half winded, I staggered to my feet, and found the last of the four Land Rovers we`d left here revving up next to me. Jump on or we`re f##king going without you a voice yelled. It wasn`t much of an option, for the bullets were ricocheting off the vehicles sides and bonnet. Someone grabbed my arm, and I scrambled aboard as the wagon lit out, with enemy bullets still pining off the sideworks. My M16 with the twenty gold sovereigns still hidden in the butt was left behind. I often wonder whether whoever found the weapon also discovered the secret hoard of gold. It would go a long way nowadays, given the present state of the Iraqi economy. I wonder if these sovereigns, are the ones he referes to early in his book, when he states...........I might add that, contrary to what has been said in several accounts of the SAS in the Gulf War, most of the sovereigns were accounted for after the war.

I don`t suppose it makes a great difference which effigy you have on your sovereigns, if your bartering with an Iraqi, money especially gold talks, as they say. Given the fact that there are thousands of sovereigns kicking round the place, I won`t see the need to mint ones with an old effigy on, however, why they used 1980 E11R examples is anyones guess?

Another American Medal, which I`m told is for service in Iraq?

Gulf War 1 medal with different clasp & Gulf War 2 medal with clasp.

Eye of the Storm, by Peter Radcliffe DCM. P244 & p245 The pay sergeant major also issued each man with twenty gold sovereigns. The sovereigns were intended to be used to bribe Iraqi citizens or military personel if the need should arise. Since gold sovereigns are an internationally accepted currency, and since each one is worth, not its nominal ?1 face value, but around ?80, they are extremely useful and a compact way of carrying a large sum of money. The sovereigns had to be handed back after the war unless you could prove to have had a legitimate use for them. No one did use them. We tended to steal or hijack what we needed, rather than barter for it. I might add that, contrary to what has been said in several accounts of the SAS in the Gulf War, most of the sovereigns were accounted for after the war.

The British GSM 1918 to 1962, also comes with clasp `Southern Desert Iraq`

New Zealand Medal, for service in Iraq. About this medal This medal was instituted in 2004 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who have served in Iraq since 27 May 2003. The initial New Zealand Defence Force contribution consisted of two personnel who served with the United Nations Mine Action Service?s Mine Action Coordination Team based in Basrah. Military engineers and support personnel were subsequently deployed to Iraq under United Nations Resolution 1483, to work on humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. The qualifying period for the medal starts from 27 May 2003 for mine clearance operations, and 17 September 2003 for service with the British led Multi-National Division in (Southeast) Iraq undertaking humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. More than 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel who have served in Iraq since 27 May 2003 have qualified for this medal. Further information on service by New Zealand personnel in Iraq can be found in the media statements listed below, on the Current Missions page of the NZDF website (see section 16), and on the Medals Listed by Campaign table. Service by New Zealand personnel in Iraq prior to 27 May 2003 with the United Nations missions UNSCOM or UNMOVIC is recognised by the New Zealand General Service Medal 1994 (Clasp Iraq) and the United Nations Special Service Medal. About the ribbon The ribbon is comprised of stripes of black, light green, white, and red. These colours have been used as the basic colours of various Iraqi national flags since 1919. Red (blood), black (oppression), and white (shining future) have been used as the basis of Arabic liberation flags of a number of Arabic countries. Green alludes to the Islamic faith and hope. Black and white are also regarded as national colours of New Zealand. Royal Warrant The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 can be viewed here. Medal Regulations The Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003) can be viewed here. Clasps and Bars There are no clasps or bars for this medal. Order of Wear The position of this medal in the Order of Wear Table can be viewed here. Media Statement concerning the NZGSM 2002 (Iraq 2003) 16 September 2004 - New Medals for Service in Iraq and Solomon Islands Media statements concerning service by New Zealand personnel in Iraq: 23 September 2004 - Minister Congratulates NZ Defence Force Personnel on Reconstruction Work in Iraq 23 September 2004 - NZAID in Iraq 23 September 2004 - Defence Force Personnel Come Home from Iraq 9 March 2004 - Defence Force Personnel Return from Iraq 4 March 2004 - More Defence Personnel Head for Iraq 4 March 2004 - Iraqi Blast Officer back at Work 1 March 2004 - Helping Hands: Kiwis in Iraq 27 February 2004 - Iraq Charitable Freight 23 December 2003 - Kiwi Soldiers Bring Water to 200,000 in Iraq 11 August 2003 - NZDF Deployment to Iraq 11 August 2003 - Questions and Answers on the Iraq Deployment 9 June 2003 - Chief of Defence Forces Announces Deployment to Iraq 9 June 2003 - Government Assistance to Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq

I think I`m right in thinking that the only thing that has taken out a Chally 2, is another Chally 2!!!!!!! Warrior has been defeated, but I`d still rather be in one of those bad boys, than a Snatch!!!!!!

I think the only vehicle that hasn`t been had by anything out here is the Challanger 2 tank. Do the US have ECM?

Hi, Can anyone tell me anything about the campaign in Oman, in the 70`s? How long did it last? Other than the SAS, what other units were involved? Was a medal awarded for it? BJOW

And this........ US general: Insurgents using more lethal bombs General Carter admits Iraqi insurgents have adapted to increased armour protection on US military vehicles by changing techniques, building more lethal bombs. WASHINGTON - Insurgents are using more powerful, armour penetrating bombs in attacks like those this week that killed 21 US marines in western Iraq, a top general said Wednesday. It was unclear what kind of device was used to kill 14 marines and an interpreter in an armoured amphibious assault vehicle Wednesday in the town of Haditha. But Brigadier General Carter Ham of the US Joint Staff said insurgents have adapted to increased armour protection on US military vehicles by changing techniques and building more lethal bombs. The changing insurgent techniques have proven a challenge for US forces, he said. "We are seeing larger amounts of explosives," Ham said. "We are seeing different techniques that are being used in an effort to counter the efforts of coalition and Iraqi security forces to protect folks while they are moving -- different types of penetrators, different techniques of triggering the events." "I mean, again, this is a very brutal, lethal and adaptive enemy," he said. The marines killed in Wednesday's attack were in an amphibious assault vehicle, which carries less armour protection than a tank, he said. They were in the same area where six marine snipers were ambushed and killed on Monday, he said. In that attack, the marines were dismounted, apparently moving on foot through Haditha, when they were killed. One of their bodies was found some distance away. "This was a unit that was properly prepared, trained and equipped for their operation. They came under attack and, as we know today, the six US Marines were killed in that attack," he said. Ham shed little light on their deaths, saying the incident was under investigation. But he denied rumours the marine snipers were betrayed by ostensibly friendly Iraqi forces, or that some were beheaded and mutilated, and he said there were no indication that any marines were still unaccounted for. Ansar al-Sunna, an insurgent group linked to al-Qaeda, claimed earlier in an Internet statement that its forces killed eight marines and captured a ninth on Monday in Haditha. Ham said US forces have been conducting simultaneous operations in towns along the Euphrates river valley that are used to funnel foreign fighters and weapons into Baghdad from the Syrian border. US commanders were concerned about the insurgent presence in the area and brought in additional troops from outside the marine's sector for the operation, he said. In past campaigns in the area, insurgents have simply moved elsewhere. But Ham said the simultaneous operations have disrupted their ability to move. "I think that's one of the contributing causes to these number of direct contacts that are occurring," he said.

The obvious anti war message aside, I thought the info on the `hillbilly armour` most interesting, what do you guys think? Support our troops' ? bring them home alive Plain Talk By Al Neuharth USA TODAY Founder They're burying young Marine reservists in Ohio this week. Fourteen of them, ages 19 and up, were killed last week when their amphibious landing vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Iraq. President Bush won't be at any of the Ohio funerals. He has not attended any funeral for any of the 1,840 servicemen and women killed in Iraq, although he has met with some groups of families who lost loved ones. Bush simply called this latest tragedy a ?grim reminder? that we are at war. It also should remind anyone who knows anything about war that lightly-armored amphibious vehicles never were meant to transport troops on bomb-laden roads. They were designed for sandy beaches. They're being misused because, nearly 2? years after we invaded Iraq, we still don't have enough heavily armored transport vehicles. Some soldiers themselves make ?hillbilly armor? out of sand bags and scrap metal. ?Support our troops? has been an appropriate rallying cry for every war president. Nearly all civilians nearly always respond, supporting not just troops but also the commander in chief. Now, that's changing. Results of a nationwide poll this week by USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup: ?54% say Bush's war in Iraq was a mistake. ?33% say we should withdraw all troops from there. ?Support our troops? has become a sad, empty slogan for Bush. Public support for the troops still is there, with candy, cookies and yellow ribbons. But government support sadly is lacking. No effective overall war plan. Inadequate or outdated equipment. No exit strategy. That's why the best way to support our troops in Iraq is to insist that Bush bring them all home. Alive. Sooner rather than later.

Well its been a few months now, and can confirm that I still haven`t seen any military dogs. I can however confirm that the stray dogs are not all the same colour, I`ve seen a wide varity of colours, shapes and sizes, now. A few cats and birds. One of the guys claimed to have seen a desert hedgehog the other morning, but this report is yet to be confirmed. There seems to be no shortage of dead horses either, especially on the way into Basrah.

Yes I thought the t shirts were bolloxs!!!! Quote, `For a supposed finsihed campaign, why is it taking so long to get things sorted out over there?` Erm, yes well, not by a long chalk, keep watching the news!!! I wonder will Iran, be next who knows? I also wonder how long its going to take to sort out Iraq? Get a load of this kiddies t shirt, whats all that about. Talk about enflicting your opinions onto your kids!!!!!

I appreciate, that technically, given the fact that this couple where not British, and that I have not been listing all the fatalities suffered by the Iraqi people and other Coalition forces serving in Iraq, that maybe I shouldn`t been posting these details on this thread, however, given the fact that this incident occurred in the British Area of Operations, I feel that it merits being added to this thread. However, if anyone feels that it is not appropriate, to list it here, then I will move it. US journalist shot dead in Iraq Vincent reported that Shia militants had infiltrated Basra police A US freelance reporter, Steven Vincent, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Basra, southern Iraq, police have said. Mr Vincent was abducted with his female Iraqi translator at gun point by men in a police car on Tuesday. His bullet-riddled body was found on the side of a highway south of the city a few hours later. He had been writing a book about the city, where insurgents have recently stepped up their attacks. Bundled into car The pair were kidnapped by five gunmen in a police car as they left a currency exchange shop, Lt Col Karim al-Zaidi said. "Both were later shot, but Vincent was killed, while the girl [translator] is alive," said Mr Zaidi. Mr Vincent was shot several times in the head and body, said Mr Zaidi. The translator, Nour Weidi, was seriously wounded. Mr Vincent's relatives have been informed and US officials are working with the UK military and Iraqi authorities to identify the killers. "I can confirm to you that officials in Basra have recovered the body of journalist Steven Vincent," said embassy spokesman Pete Mitchell. "Our condolences go out to the family." Mr Vincent had been in Basra in recent months working for the Christian Science Monitor and the New York Times. In a recent New York Times article, Mr Vincent wrote that Basra's police force had been infiltrated by Shia militants. He quoted a senior Iraqi police lieutenant saying some officers were behind many of the killings of former Baath party members in Basra. Mr Vincent also criticised the UK forces, who are responsible for security in Basra, for ignoring abuses of power by Shia extremists.

Lodge-Craft is very proud to present:- A well crafted two sided Enamel and Antique Pewter finish Masonic Coin or Token. "Brothers In Harm's Way" It measures 1 7/8" Beautifully Designed and handpainted in Canada. Complete with Leatherette and Velour Case as shown in the Photograph. ???????

Cheers Geoff, I think that answers my question perfectly, many thanks indeed. You might be interested in a research project i did a few years back about Capt John Martin MC Gordon Highlanders, he won his MC for a trench raid he organised, on the Somme, but later at Arras he took out a machine gun out post, off his own back that was stopping his company advance, he was killed, and got no award for it? Its on the WW1 thread, under..A few soldiers that I`ve researched....., Might be of interest to someone...... I`d very much like to hear you views on this case. Gordon.

Wounded soldier to be flown home Two military vehicles were hit by a suspected roadside bomb A British soldier critically injured by a roadside bomb in Basra is to be flown home for more treatment, the Army said. He suffered upper body injuries and remained "very seriously ill", after Saturday's explosion in the Gzeiza area, an Army spokesman in Iraq said. "We can confirm it was an improvised explosive device, or roadside bomb, and there were no other injuries," he said. Three British troops and two British security guards have died in attacks in Basra since mid-July. The injured soldier had emergency surgery in Iraq on Saturday, and would be returned to the UK in the next couple of days for further treatment, the Army spokesman said. The investigation into the incident is continuing. BRIT TROOPS HIT BY BOMB (Sky News 06/08/05) Up to three British soldiers have been wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq, according to Iraqi police. The blast hit near a British military convoy north of Basra. Witnesses reported three soldiers were injured and airlifted from the scene. The British military confirmed "an incident" occurred but gave no details. The attack took place in the Gzeiza area on the northern outskirts of Iraq's second largest city, said Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Karma al-Zaidi. Some 8,500 British troops are deployed in southern Iraq. The region has been mostly calm since US and British forces invaded more than two years ago. But today's attack is the third in the last three weeks. On July 30, two British security contractors were killed when a roadside bomb exploded alongside a British consulate convoy in Basra. On July 16, a roadside bomb in Amarah, 100 miles north of Basra, killed three British soldiers and wounded two others. Mike Wooldridge, BBC world affairs correspondent, said the incident came in a "difficult period" in the south of Iraq, which was generally regarded as much calmer than the north. Security guards Britain has about 8,500 troops in Iraq, mostly based in the south of the country. Saturday's attack is the third in the region in three weeks. Three British troops died in a roadside bomb attack in Amarah, north of Basra on 16 July, taking the total number killed in action to 92. On 31 July, two civilian security guards were killed in attack on a British Embassy convoy on a road near Basra. At least 21 British civilians have been killed in Iraq since March 2004, according to the Foreign Office website. The Iraqi Defence Ministry says an estimated 2,700 Iraqis, around half of them civilians, have been killed in insurgency-related incidents since April.

Blast kills two Britons in Iraq The bomb exploded on the outskirts of Basra Two British security guards have been killed in an attack on a convoy in Basra, southern Iraq. A bomb blew up near a convoy of British Embassy four-wheel drive vehicles south-west of the city on Saturday, UK officials said. The Foreign Office said the attack, using a home-made bomb, had happened at 0630 BST on the outskirts of Basra. The pair worked for Control Risks Group, which provides security for the consulate in Iraq. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "A British Embassy convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device. Two security contractors have been killed." A spokeswoman for Control Risks Group, which employs about 500 people in Iraq, said the company could not comment further on the guards' identity until next of kin had been informed. Troops secured the area following the blast One contractor working for the company was killed in an attack in Iraq about 15 months ago, she added. Britain has about 8,500 troops in Iraq, mostly based in the south of the country. At least 21 British civilians have been killed in Iraq since March 2004, according to the Foreign Office website. It says: "The security situation is dangerous. The threat to British nationals remains high." Basra is home to the British military headquarters and also the consulate general's office, which has about 20 employees. BBC world affairs editor John Simpson said the convoy was heading through the south western edge of Basra when a roadside bomb went off in which two contractors, essentially bodyguards, were killed outright. "We are told local people rushed out to help, including a couple of children who we are told were injured," he said. Caroline Hawley, BBC News correspondent in Baghdad, said a second explosion, five minutes after the first, seriously injured two Iraqi boys. They were part of a crowd that had gathered around the scene of the blast. She said the Foreign Office do not believe anyone else in the convoy was injured, but they would not comment on its role in the area.

What about this one? I saw it on ebay, but was out. Howver, I`ve managed to track down a copy from a second hand book shop online. I would vey much like to hear from anyone who was read it. There are two books that I believe no Freemason should be without and this is one of them. Freemasons Guide and Compendium, by Bernard E Jones. A very respected and eminent Masonic author, especially in the field of Masonic instruction. I have used my copy many times in the past when compiling instructional presentations and wouldn't be without it. This book published in 1950, is in good condition and is split into six sections, there are 557 pages in total and this book has a dust jacket which is a bit scruffy, hence not shown in the photograph. Book One: Operative Masonry and the London company. Book Two: Speculative Masonry. Book Three: The Grand Lodges. Book Four: The Craft Degrees and Other Matters. Book Five: The Lodge and Many Related Subjects. Book Six: The Royal Arch, Mark Masonry and Additional Degrees. Within each of the sections are several chapters, jam packed full of useful instruction. 31 black and white photographs and countless illustrations. An extremely useful book for any Freemason and would be invaluable to the newer Brother, or even an experienced Mentor to help him to answer some of the many questions put by junior Brethren.

Has anyone read this book? Do you recommend it? Harry Carr revised by Frederick Smyth This is one of the most successful Masonic Publications in recent times due to the immense knowledge of the late Harry Carr and his entertaining writing style. If you enjoy your masonry then this book will bring a new delight to all that you see and hear in lodge. When Harry Carr became secretary and editor of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research, the answering of lodge questions became a major part of his duties. In a style that became a hall mark of all his masonic writing, he always answered a little more than the original question. In response to hundreds of requests from all over the world, the answers he gave to questions during his twelve years office as editor of Quatuor Coronati Transactions have been collected together in this book. Only the best and most interesting subjects are included and every question will be relevant to most brethren in the course of their work in the lodge ? hence the title The Freemason at Work This book was substantially revised by Frederick Smyth, the eminent Masonic author and Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, in 1992; brining the text right up-to-date for much had change since the book was first published in 1976. This is a book to be treasured, one that will provide a wealth of knowledge in an easy to read style. A collection of more than 200 questions with comprehensive answers to all manner of masonic subjects. 390 pages, hardback

Well guys, we`ve been lucky enough to get a seperate forum, for Masonic threads, lets make the most of it. The worlds our oyster as they say.