Membership

ALL cheques should be made out to Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association, never an individual.

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 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.  £1.00 or £100.00, 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 £800.00) 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.

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. See the NEWS page for details of the outstanding cemeteries. All French and Belgian cemeteries and monuments have been photographed as have the ones in the UK.

We also collect photographs and details of memorials which name the MGC or its men.

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 existed for only eight  years, it is nothing short of miraculous that this Old Comrades' Association not only still exists, but thrives 100+ years on.

We hope under 18s join so 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 (please contact Judith if you wish to purchase any of these items):

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 Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association):
At least:

PDF Worldwide £20.00

Hard copies

We welcome additional donations.

Please send your cheque, made out to Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association, to

Mrs Judith Lappin, Penfro, 111 Main Street, Pembroke, Dyfed, SA71 4DB

Please be sure to include the following details:

On receipt of your cheque and SAE, you will be sent a welcome pack, information about the OCA, your membership card and a membership form to complete and return at your leisure or better still, you may download a membership form from this page. See below.

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 (better yet, emails of jpg's) 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.
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 11AM TO 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 our homes.

If one of these forms won't download, simply download the other and amend the wording from renew to new member or visa versa.

Document Icon Click here to download members renewal form

Document Icon Click here to download new member form

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Copyright Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association.

Articles written by Judith Lappin and Keith Stephenson