The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester will be hosting a special evening dinner on Saturday 5th August 2023 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily.
The two-part talk on Operation Husky focuses on the experiences of the men of 231 (Malta) Brigade, from The Devonshire Regiment, The Hampshire Regiment and The Dorsetshire Regiment.
Guests will also have the opportunity to view some of the weapons and equipment used by troops during the Sicily invasion in 1943.
All proceeds from the evening will go to support The Keep Military Museum, a registered charity devoted to the military history of the counties of Devon and Dorset.
The evening will be hosted just across the road from the museum, in the Dorchester Army Reserve Centre (DT1 1TA). Parking is available at the museum and the Army Reserve Centre.
The museum will be open exclusively to ticket holders from 5pm until 6:30pm. Guests are asked to be seated in the Army Reserve Centre for 6:30pm when our first evening talk will begin.
Dinner will be served from 7:15pm to 8pm, followed by our second talk of the evening. This will conclude at 9pm, when guests will have the chance to engage with our speakers until the event formally ends at 9:30pm.
Speakers and Talks
We will be joined by Military Historians Christopher Jary (Author books on 231 Brigade) and Lt Col (Retd) James Porter.
Christopher Jary has written twelve books, including one about RAF Bomber Command and eight about the Hampshire, Devonshire and Dorsetshire Regiments. His 231 Malta Brigade Trilogy tells the story of the 2nd Devons, 1st Hampshires and 1st Dorsets in Malta, Sicily & Italy, and on D-Day. His latest book tells the story of 130 Brigade (the 7th Hampshires and 4th and 5th Dorsets) from Normandy to Bremen.
James Porter was commissioned into The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, commanded 5 RRF and served for a total of 41 years, the last 8 as Commander Defence Training Estates South West. He delivers talks on military history subjects and, relevantly, his father served as an officer in 2nd DEVONS in Malta and Sicily in World War II. He is also the founder of the Wessex Military History group and a battlefield guide. He played a major part in “Roy’s Boys”, Christopher Jary’s book on Sicily.
Purchasing Your Ticket
The ticket price is £50 per person and includes the following:
- Two expert talks on the Sicily invasion
- Two course evening dinner and wine
- Admission to The Keep Military Museum
- Gift bag and book
Keep Friends and current museum volunteers enjoy a 10% discount on the ticket price.
To book your ticket, click here to visit our online shop. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the museum front desk. We have limited availability for the evening, so tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Booking closes on the 28th July 2023.