A VAST collection of second world war military vehicles will be on show as Okehampton Army Camp opens to the public next month for the Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend. The spectacular weekend is sure to be of particular interest to those with memories of the war ? this year?s event is being staged to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the end of the second world war. The free weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11. Branch secretary Peter Williams said there will be a major contribution by the Royal British Legion (RBL) to proceedings. At 11am on Saturday, September 10, members of the Okehampton branch of the Legion, led by the National Youth Band of the Royal British Legion from Essex and joined by members of neighbouring branches, will parade through the centre of Okehampton. In addition, the town?s detachments of the Devon Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps will also provide a youth element to this celebration of events of 60 years ago. Opening at 10am on both days, attractions at the camp will include a display of vintage military vehicles, a field command post ? set up by 37 Signal Regiment ? unarmed combat demonstration and cookery display by the Royal Marines, a light gun from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, equipment and training demonstrations by members of the Royal Rifle Volunteers and obstacle course competitions by Devon Army Cadet Force. Military memorabilia and many other exhibits will also be on show. The women?s section of the RBL will serve cream teas, Bovey Tracey Primary School is staging a musical concert about the 1940 evacuation, while the National Park Authority is organising an audio visual history of Dartmoor and two-hour guided walks on both days. The finale of the first day will be the ?Beating Retreat? Ceremony by the RBL Youth Band with the Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards on the main arena at 5pm. The band will also perform on Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 11am. Entry to this military spectacular is free as is the shuttle bus service which will run to and from the camp from the town centre.
