Vickers MG Collection & Research Association

If you would like to know more about the #VickersMG Collection and Research Association, what we do and how we approach military history, then take a look through the following images. Get in touch with us to see how we could work with you, whether you’re a museum… 1/2

@martin_wil10992 @almurray @ww2headquarters @TheNewsAtGlenn Hopefully the cameras caught the times @TheNewsAtGlenn did the same to @almurray - no burns thankfully!

@almurray @vickersmg @ww2headquarters @TheNewsAtGlenn I fired mkIV LE .303 At 12 years old at RAF Kinloss in 1982 ,I wasn't old enough and tried to explain myself best mate grabbed my arm and pulled it down, on the range I fired first he's on my right my empty cartridge hit his cheek and burned him 🤣#myshouldersinbits 😬🤣

The most amazing day with @vickersmg for @ww2headquarters with @TheNewsAtGlenn as sharp shooting wing man

And what a day it turned out to be! @almurray was kind enough to do a video to remind people that what we do is largely funded by subscribers and donations so please head to our Patreon and subscribe to support us. He'll tell you himself ⬇️

@MichaelJPryce @almurray @ww2headquarters @TheNewsAtGlenn I am. PhD done but not much room for historical analysis in the org. Leaving at the end of April. More time to run the charity and spend with the family. Hope you’re well too.

@vickersmg @almurray @ww2headquarters @TheNewsAtGlenn Richard, I heard you were leaving Cranfield. More time for all this? Hope you are well, and the Bren Gun Carrier is too.

What a day!

@Stu_Lyle If you head up to Shriv again, get in touch. We’re 15 minutes away (likely on your route) and could show you around what we have here, and where all the archive goodness is kept.

It's been a busy time for me delivering urban professional military education. Over the last three weeks I've taught on: - 🇬🇧 Urban Ops Instructors Course, - the Intermediate Command and Staff Course - the Royal Marines Scout Sniper Course 🗡️& - 🇺🇸 the USMC Command and Staff College. The best part of my job, for sure!

@Longm8 @Stu_Lyle @HistSyndicate @warmatters We have some papers and items too then as he was Chairman of the MGC OCA for many years, including the 50th anniversary of the Corps. Fascinating stuff.

@vickersmg @Stu_Lyle @HistSyndicate @warmatters Indeed the very same family

This week - not so quite the ‘Dads Army’…learning so much about the development of urban warfare and fighting in built up areas with @Stu_Lyle Out tomorrow for a history of urban warfare and the doctrine of the Home Guard in WW2

@Longm8 @Stu_Lyle @HistSyndicate @warmatters Is he the ex-MGC George Wade of Wade pottery?

@Stu_Lyle @HistSyndicate @warmatters @vickersmg Ah cool! I researched Wade when I interned for Matt at Royal Armouries back in 2011. I've still got most of my research materials knocking about somewhere

@BattlefieldBen @DrTregoning Yeah Hotchkiss modèle 1914 I think. Very heavy barrel making it look like a much bigger calibre. I think these guys are just using it almost where found, similar to the photo of theHampshire Regiment guys above Arromanche.

@DrTregoning Hotchkiss, I think I’ve discussed this with @vickersmg, I think they were possibly used to backfill Vickers. It is British 3rd Inf Division.

I will be back in Caen within the next hour and I am going to find this location. Currently trawling IWM film for the short clip of the crew firing away….

@Stu_Lyle @FennellJW Such a psychological impact that it was maximised upon by dropping propaganda leaflets specially highlighting it. We have these in the archive and will shortly be sharing them on our patreon site.

@FennellJW We are not having serious conversations about reintroducing a Crocodile-type system. However, I have seen the analysis which corroborates the claim that flame throwers ultimately save lives. No will to fight = no fight = little/no casualties (defender/attacker/civilian).

Dermott Rooney makes a very good case for the psychological effect of flame projectors (Churchill Crocs), when combined with infantry and used tactically for psychological effect (rather than killing)- achieving a 50:1 PoW to kill ratio. @Stu_Lyle are we thinking about this?

@6thairborne Great bit of footage that shows the ammunition supply problems with primers that Mark 8z ammunition was having that month.

@vickersmg No. 11 platoon in the 2nd Battalion Princess Louise's Kensington Rifles' 'C' company fire a Vickers medium machine-gun along fixed sights at German positions west of Pont Audemer iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Head to YouTube for our latest video. It’s a long one but Rich explains the changes in machine gun use during the First World War. There’s something for all aspects from the logistics to the technical aspects of the Vickers MG and a bit about the Lewis and Maxim.

Apparently it was the most hardware they’d had! I’d add the belt-filling machine and a rangefinder for another time. If any other organisations or @TheWFA branches want a talk then this is ready to go so get in touch

Our latest video of the extras from Dispatches from the Dugout is now over on the VMGCRA Patreon. Dave and Rich take a closer look at the MP28 we fired during the range segments.

For those in the south of England, Rich will be giving a talk to the Wessex branch of @TheWFA this Saturday 3 January 2026 in Pimperne, near Blandford, Dorset. It will cover machine gunnery during the First World War, the Machine Gun Corps, their training and the people in it.

Another great cartoon inside of this Machine Gun Corps Christmas Card (47 Battalion, 47 Division) and we have also included a special Christmas gift offer for those who would like to trial our Patreon access. Head to the VMGCRA Patreon and find this post.

Today’s Machine Gun Corps Christmas card was sent from 149 MG Company in 1917. Inside is a great cartoon illustration capturing a pillbox with men wearing the company flash. Part of 149 (Northumberland) Brigade. Full card accessible on the VMGCRA Patreon.

@FamilyAtWar1418 @RoyalTankRegt @TankMuseum I think part of the family but trying to work out which John or Jack he was is difficult. Here’s the link to him on the MGC Database. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/65c4…

@vickersmg @RoyalTankRegt @TankMuseum The rose 🌹 grower? He was a friend of my grandmother’s and named a rose after her when she died.

An extra card today. ‘Almost MGC’ as it is a 1917 Tank Corps card sent by a former member of 24 Battery MGC Motors - Jack Harkness - for who we hold several pieces.