Convention is back!
In re-launching Convention we have taken the opportunity to adjust the format of the weekend. Convention will now start with an informal welcome buffet dinner on the evening of Friday 23rd September.
Convention Saturday will continue to have the talks and exhibition, but will now also have the medal fair - members of longstanding will recall that this was the format in use many years ago. This is not a decision that was taken lightly, but after consulting dealers who regularly attend Convention there was clear majority who wanted to be part of the Saturday's activities.
For both the medal fair and the exhibition, doors will open at 10:00am for pre-registered members and at 10:30 for those who have paid on the day. Book now for Convention HERE!
The Convention Brochure containing full details of the Convention activities is available for download HERE.
Speaker Programme
This year we have an outstanding line-up of speakers:
Simon Bendry - Head of Education and Engagement for Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Talk: Research using the records and archives of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Perter Starling – Curator, later Director of the then Army Medical Services Museum and now the Honorary President of the Museum of Military Medicine.
Talk: Mules, Molars, Medics and Matrons – Awards and medals to the Army Medical Services
Paul Evans, Army Museums Ogilby Trust will introduce and demonstrate The Ogilby Muster (TOM), an online platform that allows access to the digitised First World War archives held in Regimental Museums across the UK. Eventually the TOM archive will cover more than 2 million items that were previously hard to access or were inaccessible.
Exhibition
Always a major highlight and talking point, the exhibition has seen a strong return with displays covering various themes including the Police, the Crimean War, gallantry, long service, foreign decorations and awards and the commonplace and the obscure.
Dealers
There will be a selection of well-known medal dealers including the main auction houses of A.H. Baldwins, Morton & Eden, Noonans and Spink.
Honours & Awards
At the end of the day, at 4pm the Society’s President, Dr Robin Thomas, will present the awards for Members’ exhibits, followed by the announcement of the award of Society honours.
Virtual Convention
The virtual Convention kept the spirit of Convention alive when we couldn't gather physically. The virtual Convention was an excellent way for Members who don't normally attend Convention to take part, especially those who live overseas. In recognition of this we will be continuing to have online, pre-recorded talks in the weekends leading up to Convention Saturday.
10th September
Dr David Biggins - a longstanding member of the OMRS and specialist on the Boer War having published four books on the subject and who also hosts the AngloBoerWar.com website will talk on the siege of Wepener.
17th September
Ryan Darby - a South African collector and OMRS member now based in Australia, will talk on the History of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
If you have any queries please contact Afion Media Ltd on Tel: 01451 830129 or e-mail: omrsconvention@afionmedia.com