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Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremey Hiltz, Operation SAVANNE Joint Task Force’s Headquarters Commander, says goodbye to members of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, as they board a CC-150 Polaris aircraft to depart Jordan on May 8, 2023, as part of Operation SAVANNE.
Image Credit: Master Corporal Bryan Carter, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) – Imaging Services, Canadian Armed Forces photo
Le lieutenant-colonel Jeremey Hiltz, commandant du Quartier général de la Force opérationnelle interarmées de l’opération SAVANNE, dit au revoir aux membres du 3e Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment, au moment où ils montent à bord d’un avion CC-150 Polaris pour quitter la Jordanie, le 8 mai 2023, au cours de l’opération SAVANNE.
Photo : Caporal chef Bryan Carter, Groupe de soutien des Forces canadiennes (Ottawa-Gatineau) –Services d’imagerie, Forces armées canadiennes
Once upon a time, I guess Kingsnorth was a small leafy village, set in loamy countryside, rarely visited. Indeed this is what Hasted suggests.
Set a mile or two outside Ashford, all was calm and peaceful until the railways came to Ashford and the town grew and grew.
In the 21st century, Kingsnorth is found from the main road into the town centre, along a busy road to where the old village pub still sits. And opposite is the start of Church Hill, at the top, not surprisingly, sits the church.
Inbetween now is a large and modern housing estate, and beside the church, a busy school, even busy on a Saturday morning due to football practice and the fleet of MPVs and Soccer Moms taking their darlings for a kickabout.
It is the modern way, after all.
St Michael sits quietly next door to the school, the end of a footpath leading to another housing development on the Brenzett road, were an old friend once had a house. And I can remember him leading us on a walk over the fields through clouds of Gatekeepers where we found, as today, the church open.
I took a few shots then, but am back now to complete the task.
First highlight was the 17th century graffiti in the porch.
In truth it is a small and simple church, mostly clear what looks like modern glass, though a single panel of ancient glass is in one of the north have windows and a single panel of wall painting on the side of the north chancel arch.
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KINGSNOTH,
THE next parish south-eastward is Kingsnoth, sometimes called Kingsnode, and by Leland written Kinges-snode.
THIS PARISH is so obscurely situated as to be but little known, the soil in it is throughout a deep miry clay; it is much interspersed with woodlands, especially in the south-east part of it, the whole face of the country here is unpleasant and dreary, the hedge rows wide, with spreading oaks among them; and the roads, which are very broad, with a wide space of green swerd on each side, execrably bad; insomuch, that they are dangerous to pass except in the driest time of summer; the whole of it is much the same as the parishes adjoining to it in the Weald, of which the church, which stands on the hill nearly in the middle of the parish, is the northern boundary, consequently all that part of it southward is within that district. There is no village, the houses standing single, and interspersed throughout it At no great distance eastward from the church is the manor house of Kingsnoth, still called the Park-house, the antient mansion, which stood upon a rise, at some distance from the present house, seems from the scite of it, which is moated round, to have been large, remains of Mosaic pavement, and large quantities of stone have been at times dug up from it. South-eastward from the church is Mumfords, which seems formerly to have been very large, but the greatest part of it has been pulled down and the present small farm-house built out of it; westward from the church stands the court-lodge, now so called, of East Kingsnoth manor, it is moated round, and seems likewise to have been much larger than it is at present, and close to the western boundary of the parish is the manor-house of West Halks, which has been a large antient building, most probably of some consequence in former times, as there appears to have been a causeway once from it, wide enough for a carriage, which led through the courtlodge farm towards Shadoxhurst, Woodchurch, and son on to Halden, remains of which are often turned up in ploughing the grounds. In the low grounds, near the meadows, is the scite of the manor of Moorhouse, moated round. The above mansions seem to have been moated round not only for defence, but to drain off the water from the miry soil on which they were built, which was no doubt the principal reason why so many of the antient ones, in this and the like situations were likewise moated round. There is a streamlet, which rises in the woods near Bromley green, and slows along the eastern par to this parish northward, and joining the Postling branch of the Stour near Sevington, runs with it by Hockwood barn and under Alsop green, towards Ashford. Leland in his Itinerary says, vol. vii. p. 145, "The river of Cantorbury now cawled Sture springeth at Kinges Snode the which standeth sowthe and a lytle by west fro Cantorbury and ys distant of Cant. a xiiii or xv myles."
THE ROYAL MANOR OF WYE claims paramount over this parish. The lord of that manor, George Finch Hatton, esq. of Eastwell, holds a court leet here for the borough of East Kingsnoth, which claims over this parish, at which a borsholder is yearly appointed; subordinate to which is THE MANOR OF KINGSNOTH, which in early times was the residence of a family to which it gave name, who bore for their coat armour, as appeared by seals appendant to their antient deeds, Ermine, upon a bend, five chevronels; and John de Kingsnoth, who lived here about the latter end of king Edward I. sealed with that coat of arms; yet I find that Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who was attainted about the 17th year of king Edward II had some interest in this manor, which upon his conviction escheated to the crown, and remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, the judge, who had, not long before, purchased that proportion of this manor which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth, by which he became possessed of the whole of it; but he being attainted and banished in the 11th year of that reign, that part which had belonged to Badlesmere, and was granted by the king to Sir Robert Belknap, returned again to the crown, a further account of which may be seen hereafter. (fn. 1) But the other part of this estate, which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth likewise, henceforward called the manor of Kingsnoth, which seems to have been the greatest part of it, on the petition of Hamon Belknap his son to parliament, to be enabled in blood and lands to his father, notwithstanding the judgement against him, was restored to him, and he was found by inquisition to die possessed of it in the 7th year of king Henry VI. Soon after which I find Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle, treasurer of the king's houshold, to have become possessed of it; for in the 27th year of that reign, he obtained licence for a fair in this parish, on the feast of St. Michael, and that same year he had another to embattle his mansion here and to inclose a park, and for freewarren in all his demesne lands within this manor; and in a younger branch of his descendants this manor continued down to Richard Browne, esq. of Shingleton, in Great Chart, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Andrews, of Lathbury, in Buckinghamshire, and dying soon after the death of king Charles I. Elizabeth, their only daughter and heir, carried it in marriage to Thomas, lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh, who afterwards alienated it again to Andrews, in which name it continued till Alexander Andrews, executor and devisee of William Andrews, in 1690, conveyed this manor, with the farm called the Park, the manor of Morehouse, and other lands in this parish, being enabled so to do by act of parliament, to the company of haberdashers of London, as trustees, for the support of the hospital at Hoxton, commonly called Aske's hospital, in whom they are now vested. There is not any court held for this manor.
THE OTHER PART of the above-mentioned estate, which had formerly belonged to the family of Badlesmere, and had escheated to the crown on the attainder of Bartholomew de Badlesmere in the 17th year of king Edward II. remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, on whose attainder and banishment in the 11th year of that reign it returned again to the crown, whence it seems, but at what time I have not found, to have been granted to the abbot and convent of Battel, in Sussex, by the name of THE MANOR OF EAST KINGSNOTH, together with the manors of West Kingenoth, in Pluckley; Morehouse, in this parish; and Wathenden, in Biddenden, lately belonging to that monastery, in as ample a manner as the late abbot, or any of his predecessors had possessed them, (fn. 2) and they continued part of the possessions of it till its dissolution in the 30th year of Henry VIII. when they came into the hands of the crown, where they staid but a short time; for the king that year granted these manors to Sir Edw. Ringsley for his life, without any rent or account whatsoever; and four years afterwards the king sold the reversion of them to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of the first fruits and tenths, to hold in capite by knight's service. He died in 1558, possessed of this manor, with the advowson of the church of Kingsnoth, and the manors of West Kingsnoth and Morehouse, held in capite, in whose descendants the manor of East Kingsnoth, with the advowson of the church, descended down to Sir John Baker, bart. who, in the reign of king Charles I. passed it away by sale to Mr. Nathaniel Powell, of Ewehurst, in Sussex, and afterwards of Wiarton, in this county, who was in 1661 created a baronet; and in his descendants it continued down to Sir Christopher Powell, bart. who died possessed of it in 1742, s.p. leaving his widow surviving, whose trustees sold this manor and advowson, after her death, to Mrs. Fuller, widow of Mr. David Fuller, of Maidstone, attorney-at-law, who in 1775 devised them by will to her relation William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke, the present owner of them. There is not any court held for this manor.
MUMFORDS, as it is now called, though its proper and more antient name is Montfort's, is a manor in this parish, which was once the residence of the family of Clerc, written in antient deeds le Clerc, and afterwards both Clerke and Clarke, in which it continued till about the latter end of the reign of king Edward I. when Henry le Clerc leaving no issue male, Susan his daughter and heir carried it, with much other inheritance, in marriage to Sir Simon de Woodchurch, whose descendants, out of gratitude for such increase of fortune, altered their paternal name from Woodchurch to Clerke, and in several of their deeds subsequent to this marriage, were written Clerke, alias Woodchurch. They resided at Woodchurch till Humphry Clerke, esq. removed hither in Henry VIII.'s reign. (fn. 3) His son Humphry Clerke, about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, sold this manor to John Taylor, son of John Taylor, of Willesborough, who afterwards resided here. His son John Taylor, gent. of Winchelsea, alienated it, about the beginning of king Charles I.'s reign, to Edward Wightwick, gent. descended of a family originally of Staffordshire, who bore for their arms, Argent, on a chevron, argent, between three pheons, or, as many crosses patee, gules, granted in 1613. He afterwards resided here, as did his descendants, till at length Humphry Wightwick, gent. about the beginning of king George II.'s reign removed to New Romney, of which town and port he was jurat, in whose descendants this manor became afterwards vested in several undivided shares. At length Mr. William Whitwick, the only surviving son of Humphry, having purchased his mother's life estate in it, as well as the shares of his brother Martin's children, lately sold the whole property of it to Mr. Swaffer, the present possessor and occupier of it.
WEST HALKS, usually called West Hawks, is a manor, situated near the western bounds of this parish, being held of the manor of Kenardington; it formerly was the residence of a family of the name of Halk, who bore on their seals a fess, between three bawks, and sometimes only one, and were of no contemptible account, as appears by old pedigrees and writings, in which they are represented as gentlemen for above three hundred years. Sampson de Halk, gent. died possessed of this manor about the year 1360, and held besides much other land at Petham and the adjoining parishes; but about the latter end of king Henry VI.'s reign, this manor had passed from this family into that of Taylor, in which name it continued till the latter end of king Henry VII. when it was alienated to Clerc, whose descendant Humphry Clerke, esq. about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, passed it away to Robert Honywood, esq, of Charing, who settled it on his fourth son by his second marriage Colonel Honywood. How long it continued in his descendants, I cannot learn; but it has been for some length of time in the name of Eaton, of. Essex, Mr. Henry Eaton being the present owner of it.
Charities.
HUMPHRY CLARKE, gent. of this parish, left by will in 1637, a parcel of land, called Pightland, containing about three acres, in the eastern part of this parish, for the benefit of the poor of it.
MRS. ELIZABETH MAY, in 1721, gave by will 9l. every third year, chargeable on Bilham farm, to be paid, clear of all deductions, to this parish in turn, during a term of years therein mentioned, to be applied yearly towards the binding out a child an apprentice, of the poorest people in three parishes in turn, as has been already mentioned more at large under Sevington. One girl only has as yet been put out apprentice from this charity, by this parish.
The number of poor constanly relieved are about twentyfive, casually twelve.
KINGSNOTH is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Limne.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is small, consisting only of one isle and one chancel, having a square tower steeple at the west end, in which are five bells. In the isle is an antient gravestone, coffin-shaped, with old French capitals round it, now illegible. In the chancel is a stone, with an inscription on it in brass, for Thomas Umfrey, rector, no date; and a monument for Thomas Reader, A. M. son of Thomas Reader, gent. of Bower, in Maidstone, obt. 1740. Against the north wall is the tomb of Humphry Clarke, esq. made of Bethersden marble, having the figures of him and his wife remaining in brass on it, and underneath four sons and five daughters. Over the tomb, in an arch in the wall, is an inscription to his memory, set up by his daughter's son Sir Martin Culpeper, over it are the arms of Clarke, Two pales wavy, ermine, impaling Mayney. In the glass of the south window of the isle are several heads remaining, and in the north-west window the figure of St. Michael with the dragon. The north chancel fell down about thirty years ago. It belonged to the manor of Mumfords, and in it were interred the Wightwicks, owners of that manor; the gravestones of them, nine in number, yet remain in the church-yard, shut out from the church; and on one next to theirs, formerly within this chancel, is the figure of a knight in armour, with a lion under his feet, and an inscription in brass, for Sir William Parker, son of William Parker, esq. citizen and mercer of London, obt. 1421; arms, On a fess, three balls.
The advowson of the rectory of this church was formerly parcel of the possessions of the priory of Christ-church, and at the dissolution of it in the 31st year of Henry VIII. came into the king's hands, where it remained till that king in his 34th year, granted it in exchange, among other premises, to archbp. Cranmer, (fn. 4) who did not keep it long; for four years afterwards, he reconveyed it, with the consent of his chapter, back again to the king, (fn. 5) who soon afterwards granted it to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of his first-fruits and tenths, who died possessed of the manor of East Kingsnoth, together with the advowson of this church, in the year 1558, in whose descendants it continued down to Sir John Baker, bart. who in the reign of king Charles I. alienated it, with that manor, to Mr. Nathaniel Powell. Since which this advowson has continued in the like succession of ownership with that manor, as may be seen more fully in the account of it before, to the present patron of it, William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke.
There was formerly a pension of forty shillings payable from this church to the abbot of Battel.
¶This rectory is valued in the king's books at 11l. 9s. 9½d. and the yearly tenths at 1l. 2s. 11¼d. In 1578 it was valued at sixty pounds, communicants one hundred. In 1640 it was valued at fifty pounds only, and there were the like number of communicants. It is now worth about one hundred and forty pounds per annum. The rector takes no tithes of wood below the hill southward. There are about seventeen acres of glebe land.
www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol7/pp583-592
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There has been a Church in Kingsnorth from Saxon Times but the present building probably dates from the 11thC. There are examples of 13thC and 14thC stained glass remaining in some of the windows. The chancel was rebuilt in the 18thC following a storm and the two side chapels were demolished at this time. Major restoration was carried out in the 19thC at which time the stained glass in the East Window was installed. At this time and again in the 1920s work was carried out to try and cure the problem of rising damp due to the high water table. In 2006 major restoration was once again required and in addition to repairs to the tower and external stonework it was decided that an extension would be built on the site of the old chantry chapel on the north side of the building and that the interior of the church would be re-ordered. This involved digging out the interior of the church and laying a new suspended floor to try and cure the problem of the rising damp (This has been largely successful). The old pews and choir stalls were replaced with modern stackable pews to enable a more flexible use of the space, new lighting and a new heating system was installed. This has resulted in a light airy user friendly building. At the back of the church a glass screen was erected forming a separate area. This provides a space where parents can take their children if they become restless during the services. The ground floor of the extension consists of a large meeting room with kitchenette plus toilet. On the first floor there is a choir vestry and church office. There are currently plans to install a second toilet on this floor. On the second floor there is a further small meeting room and a store room.
Wicomico County Task Force Honda Pilot on a traffic stop backed up by a Salisbury Police Dept Chevrolet Caprice on Business Route 50 near Booth Street in Salisbury, Maryland.
USMA Class of 2018 did the Task Force Walker Honor Platoon Challenge, July 18. Under the supervision of cadet cadre, new cadets navigated the course that consisted of eight sites with challenges designed to build camaraderie, teamwork, and small unit cohesion within the Cadet Basic Training objectives. The task force is named in honor of 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, USMA Class of 2003, who was killed in Afghanistan.
(Photos by: John Pellino/ USMA DPTMS VI)
Rangers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, board an Air Force C-17 Globe Master and prepare for Airborne Operations during 2nd Battalion’s Task Force Training at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington, 4 April 2013. (U.S. Army photo by PFC. Connor Mendez)
Glam shots for each of the Kickstarter figures. Hit HissTank.com for lots of coverage and discussion on these guys!
by Troy Darr
Public Affairs Officer
Joint Task Force-East
NOVO SELO, Bulgaria — U.S. and Bulgarian military personnel joined together for two symbolic ceremonies Sept. 27 and 28 as exercise Lion Strike came to an end.
First, Joint Task Force-East celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a humanitarian project at a kindergarten in Mokren, Bulgaria. Eleven U.S. Navy personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, otherwise known as SeaBees, finished an extensive renovation of the school during the exercise.
The children from the school, along with parents, teachers, school director, local officials and U.S. and Bulgarian military personnel, crowded the small courtyard during the ceremony.
"We say in the United States that the children are our future," said Army Lt. Col. Bruce Sones, commanding officer for JTF-E "Lion Strike".
"We hope through the efforts of those involved in this project that the improved environment created for teaching the children will contribute to the children's development as they grow and become leaders in your society."
The school director, Margarita Nicolova, thanked the SeaBees and then presented them with a picture painted by the children, a CD of Bulgarian folk music, a photo of the children and a glass vial filled with Bulgarian soil.
Of the soil, she said, "Wherever you go, you know you'll have a piece of Bulgaria with you."
The school children then sang several songs for the audience and the ribbon was cut. But, there was another surprise for the children, a HMMWV full of gifts. All of the soldiers, sailors and airmen participating in the exercise had contributed money to buy much-needed school supplies and educational toys for the school.
"We will maintain what you have done, and promise to continue with improvements," said Emil Enchev, mayor of Mokren. "Hopefully we will continue working together in the future."
The next day, all JTF-E "Lion Strike" participants, both U.S. and Bulgarian, came together again, this time to commemorate the end of the exercise during the closing ceremony.
During the ceremony Sones and Col. Biser Kalinov, chief of Training, Bulgarian Land Forces, presented certificates of achievement to 14 U.S. Soldiers and 16 Bulgarian soldiers for their efforts during the exercise.
"During this training, we had the opportunity to gain military experience from the leading force in NATO - the United States Military, and to show that while representing a small army, the Bulgarian officers, Non-commissioned officers and soldiers are honorable partners and excellent professionals," said Kalinov, who spoke first during the ceremony.
He was followed by Sones, who echoed Kalinov's feelings.
"This closing ceremony does not mark the end of a training opportunity or a farewell to relationships fostered," said Sones.
"In our minds, it marks the hopeful commencement of future training opportunities to be conducted between our nations."
"We can truly say the professionalism and generosity of the Bulgarian Land Forces is unrivaled," he continued.
"We know the strong relationship between the United States and Bulgaria, as demonstrated during this exercise, will continue to grow, and we look forward to training and serving with you in the years to come."
DRE @ 12 Weeks Old
HISTORY OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
Mankind has enjoyed the faithfulness of the dog by the side for countries. Few dogs desire to please their human masters as mush as the staffordshire bull terrier. Dogs in general have accommodated man and his every whim for generations anything to please the master. Today's Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in mind and body, echoes that sentiment with night and determination.
A SPECIALIST IN BODY AND MIND
before the days of dog shows and the purebred mating of champions, human recognised the merit in dogs that specialise in performing a specific job or task. We bred dogs that could hunt, herd, haul, guard, run, track and perform countless other tasks geared towards making humans lives more comfortable, enjoyable, and manageable. Each dog's anatomy reflected the task tha men set before him. The hunting dog had an insulated coat, a super sensitive nose, a short coupled body, a deep chest and straight, strong legs. The coursing dog had longer legs, a tucked-up abdomen (for speed), a deep chest (for lung capacity), keen eyesight, and a narrow, long muzzle (to slice the wind). The guard dogs were true heavyweights: massive and solidly boned with punishing jaws and nerves of steel.
Understand the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a pet
required knowledge of the dog's history as a baiting and
fighting dog. No dog matches this breeds devotion to
it's master, in mind and body
The physical characteristics that set apart the staffordshire bull terrier are its impressive musculature, its strongly undershot strong jaws and large teeth, very pronounced cheek muscles, loose shoulders, roach black, low-slung body and long legs that bend in the forequarters. These are the characteristics of a fighting or baiting dog that enable it to perform the tasks that breed indeed all the bull and terrier dogs, were created to tackle. The decree'Go Low, pin and hold!' was in sooth a battle cry! This imposing physique was needed for the dogs to fight one another, as well as dodge and grab an ornery bull with their powerful gripping jaws and hold on to it without being tossed aside!
Baiting a bull, an animal twenty or more times the size of a dog, placed some obvious demands on the dog, its anatomy and temperament. The desired temperament of a bull and terrier dog for baiting was not a vicious, risk-taking daredevil. Instead, the baiting dog required an even-keeled, level-headed, obedient temperament, peppered with patience, indomitable courage and tenacity. The bulldog excelled in the pinning and holding of the bull, but lacked the flexibility required in the dog pit. thus, the smaller bull and terrier dogs were designed to take on this challenge and each other.
The characteristics of a fighting dog still distin
guish the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, including the
pronounced cheek muscles, long legs and loose
shoulders
Image the heart of the dog that willingly undertake such a task for the sake of pleasing his master! Baiting and fighting dogs were not the only kinds of dogs that risked their lives for their human counterparts. Indeed, harding and droving dogs, hunting dogs, and even the smaller terrier risked their lives for the sake of accomplishing their task. Nonetheless, the bloody endeavour of slaying bull overshadows almost any other taskset before dog.
The original fighting types were large, mastiff dogs with heavy, low-slung bodies and powerfully developed heads. Some accounts also descibed the deep, frightening voice of the mastiffs. In appearance, the mastiffs were appalling and frightful. Mastiff dogs yielded not only fighting dogs but also flock guards, scent hounds and other powerful hunters. Consider the size and fearlessness of such modern-day mastiff as Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Dogo Argention and Spanish Mastiff. Consider the size and features of the bloodhound, Great Dane,Newfoundland and Polish Hound. All these dogs derive from crosses to these powerful mastiffs of yesteryear.
ORIGINAL PURPOSES OF THE GREAT MASTIFFS
Historians have recorded many impressive duties amongst the purposes of these original mastiffs. Dogs used for war armoured,spiked, and collared became valuable weapons for human strying to defend themselves from t heir enemies. These dogs were not only brave but aggressive and resource full. As early as 2100B.C. dogs were employed for warring purposed. Many famous kings and tribes used dogs to claim their victories. The dogs were trained in combat and were uniformed with impenetrable metal shields and spiked collars to protect them from their foes who carried spears and other primitive weapons.
The American Staffordshire Terrier, shown here,
derived from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier from
crosses to other terriers in the U.S
Spanning the millennia, Hammurabi, Kambyses, Varius and henry VII were among the monarchs that valued dogs in their militia. These dogs were necessarily vicious and trusted no one exept their one master. Appropriately these war dogs were labelled Canis bellicosus.
The great mastiff also assisted man by hunting large, ferocious game. These dog commonly hunted in packs, maintained by the royals, and were used to pursue bison and aurochs in the wild forests. Dogs were also used to track the stag, considered a noble game,as well as the wild boar, the most dangerous of wild game, revered for its ruthless, nasty disposition. The mastiffs worked in conjunction with lighter, swifter dogs that tired the boar before the mighty mastiffs were releases to slay it, many men, dogs and horses were killed by the wild boars fighting for their lives. There are accounts of boar dogs being kept in kennel 6000 dog strong. Today, mastiffs are rarely used for these purposes, but there are still boar hunts in the U.S., Germany and the Czech Republic.
Bear hunting, even more popular today than boar hunting,was also a noble pursuit of the dogs of antiquity. The dogs were required to track the bear, cornerit and keep it occupied until the hunter arrived with their firearms. The bear is highly intelligent creature that could weight much as 350 kgs and could easily outmatch a dog. Mastiffs in India produce the most coloful tale of hunting, including the pursuit of buffalo, leopards, panthers and elephants! Regardless of the actual truth of many of these accounts, the stories underscore the fearless tenacity of these mastiff dogs that the ancestors of our Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Once upon a time, I guess Kingsnorth was a small leafy village, set in loamy countryside, rarely visited. Indeed this is what Hasted suggests.
Set a mile or two outside Ashford, all was calm and peaceful until the railways came to Ashford and the town grew and grew.
In the 21st century, Kingsnorth is found from the main road into the town centre, along a busy road to where the old village pub still sits. And opposite is the start of Church Hill, at the top, not surprisingly, sits the church.
Inbetween now is a large and modern housing estate, and beside the church, a busy school, even busy on a Saturday morning due to football practice and the fleet of MPVs and Soccer Moms taking their darlings for a kickabout.
It is the modern way, after all.
St Michael sits quietly next door to the school, the end of a footpath leading to another housing development on the Brenzett road, were an old friend once had a house. And I can remember him leading us on a walk over the fields through clouds of Gatekeepers where we found, as today, the church open.
I took a few shots then, but am back now to complete the task.
First highlight was the 17th century graffiti in the porch.
In truth it is a small and simple church, mostly clear what looks like modern glass, though a single panel of ancient glass is in one of the north have windows and a single panel of wall painting on the side of the north chancel arch.
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KINGSNOTH,
THE next parish south-eastward is Kingsnoth, sometimes called Kingsnode, and by Leland written Kinges-snode.
THIS PARISH is so obscurely situated as to be but little known, the soil in it is throughout a deep miry clay; it is much interspersed with woodlands, especially in the south-east part of it, the whole face of the country here is unpleasant and dreary, the hedge rows wide, with spreading oaks among them; and the roads, which are very broad, with a wide space of green swerd on each side, execrably bad; insomuch, that they are dangerous to pass except in the driest time of summer; the whole of it is much the same as the parishes adjoining to it in the Weald, of which the church, which stands on the hill nearly in the middle of the parish, is the northern boundary, consequently all that part of it southward is within that district. There is no village, the houses standing single, and interspersed throughout it At no great distance eastward from the church is the manor house of Kingsnoth, still called the Park-house, the antient mansion, which stood upon a rise, at some distance from the present house, seems from the scite of it, which is moated round, to have been large, remains of Mosaic pavement, and large quantities of stone have been at times dug up from it. South-eastward from the church is Mumfords, which seems formerly to have been very large, but the greatest part of it has been pulled down and the present small farm-house built out of it; westward from the church stands the court-lodge, now so called, of East Kingsnoth manor, it is moated round, and seems likewise to have been much larger than it is at present, and close to the western boundary of the parish is the manor-house of West Halks, which has been a large antient building, most probably of some consequence in former times, as there appears to have been a causeway once from it, wide enough for a carriage, which led through the courtlodge farm towards Shadoxhurst, Woodchurch, and son on to Halden, remains of which are often turned up in ploughing the grounds. In the low grounds, near the meadows, is the scite of the manor of Moorhouse, moated round. The above mansions seem to have been moated round not only for defence, but to drain off the water from the miry soil on which they were built, which was no doubt the principal reason why so many of the antient ones, in this and the like situations were likewise moated round. There is a streamlet, which rises in the woods near Bromley green, and slows along the eastern par to this parish northward, and joining the Postling branch of the Stour near Sevington, runs with it by Hockwood barn and under Alsop green, towards Ashford. Leland in his Itinerary says, vol. vii. p. 145, "The river of Cantorbury now cawled Sture springeth at Kinges Snode the which standeth sowthe and a lytle by west fro Cantorbury and ys distant of Cant. a xiiii or xv myles."
THE ROYAL MANOR OF WYE claims paramount over this parish. The lord of that manor, George Finch Hatton, esq. of Eastwell, holds a court leet here for the borough of East Kingsnoth, which claims over this parish, at which a borsholder is yearly appointed; subordinate to which is THE MANOR OF KINGSNOTH, which in early times was the residence of a family to which it gave name, who bore for their coat armour, as appeared by seals appendant to their antient deeds, Ermine, upon a bend, five chevronels; and John de Kingsnoth, who lived here about the latter end of king Edward I. sealed with that coat of arms; yet I find that Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who was attainted about the 17th year of king Edward II had some interest in this manor, which upon his conviction escheated to the crown, and remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, the judge, who had, not long before, purchased that proportion of this manor which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth, by which he became possessed of the whole of it; but he being attainted and banished in the 11th year of that reign, that part which had belonged to Badlesmere, and was granted by the king to Sir Robert Belknap, returned again to the crown, a further account of which may be seen hereafter. (fn. 1) But the other part of this estate, which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth likewise, henceforward called the manor of Kingsnoth, which seems to have been the greatest part of it, on the petition of Hamon Belknap his son to parliament, to be enabled in blood and lands to his father, notwithstanding the judgement against him, was restored to him, and he was found by inquisition to die possessed of it in the 7th year of king Henry VI. Soon after which I find Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle, treasurer of the king's houshold, to have become possessed of it; for in the 27th year of that reign, he obtained licence for a fair in this parish, on the feast of St. Michael, and that same year he had another to embattle his mansion here and to inclose a park, and for freewarren in all his demesne lands within this manor; and in a younger branch of his descendants this manor continued down to Richard Browne, esq. of Shingleton, in Great Chart, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Andrews, of Lathbury, in Buckinghamshire, and dying soon after the death of king Charles I. Elizabeth, their only daughter and heir, carried it in marriage to Thomas, lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh, who afterwards alienated it again to Andrews, in which name it continued till Alexander Andrews, executor and devisee of William Andrews, in 1690, conveyed this manor, with the farm called the Park, the manor of Morehouse, and other lands in this parish, being enabled so to do by act of parliament, to the company of haberdashers of London, as trustees, for the support of the hospital at Hoxton, commonly called Aske's hospital, in whom they are now vested. There is not any court held for this manor.
THE OTHER PART of the above-mentioned estate, which had formerly belonged to the family of Badlesmere, and had escheated to the crown on the attainder of Bartholomew de Badlesmere in the 17th year of king Edward II. remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, on whose attainder and banishment in the 11th year of that reign it returned again to the crown, whence it seems, but at what time I have not found, to have been granted to the abbot and convent of Battel, in Sussex, by the name of THE MANOR OF EAST KINGSNOTH, together with the manors of West Kingenoth, in Pluckley; Morehouse, in this parish; and Wathenden, in Biddenden, lately belonging to that monastery, in as ample a manner as the late abbot, or any of his predecessors had possessed them, (fn. 2) and they continued part of the possessions of it till its dissolution in the 30th year of Henry VIII. when they came into the hands of the crown, where they staid but a short time; for the king that year granted these manors to Sir Edw. Ringsley for his life, without any rent or account whatsoever; and four years afterwards the king sold the reversion of them to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of the first fruits and tenths, to hold in capite by knight's service. He died in 1558, possessed of this manor, with the advowson of the church of Kingsnoth, and the manors of West Kingsnoth and Morehouse, held in capite, in whose descendants the manor of East Kingsnoth, with the advowson of the church, descended down to Sir John Baker, bart. who, in the reign of king Charles I. passed it away by sale to Mr. Nathaniel Powell, of Ewehurst, in Sussex, and afterwards of Wiarton, in this county, who was in 1661 created a baronet; and in his descendants it continued down to Sir Christopher Powell, bart. who died possessed of it in 1742, s.p. leaving his widow surviving, whose trustees sold this manor and advowson, after her death, to Mrs. Fuller, widow of Mr. David Fuller, of Maidstone, attorney-at-law, who in 1775 devised them by will to her relation William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke, the present owner of them. There is not any court held for this manor.
MUMFORDS, as it is now called, though its proper and more antient name is Montfort's, is a manor in this parish, which was once the residence of the family of Clerc, written in antient deeds le Clerc, and afterwards both Clerke and Clarke, in which it continued till about the latter end of the reign of king Edward I. when Henry le Clerc leaving no issue male, Susan his daughter and heir carried it, with much other inheritance, in marriage to Sir Simon de Woodchurch, whose descendants, out of gratitude for such increase of fortune, altered their paternal name from Woodchurch to Clerke, and in several of their deeds subsequent to this marriage, were written Clerke, alias Woodchurch. They resided at Woodchurch till Humphry Clerke, esq. removed hither in Henry VIII.'s reign. (fn. 3) His son Humphry Clerke, about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, sold this manor to John Taylor, son of John Taylor, of Willesborough, who afterwards resided here. His son John Taylor, gent. of Winchelsea, alienated it, about the beginning of king Charles I.'s reign, to Edward Wightwick, gent. descended of a family originally of Staffordshire, who bore for their arms, Argent, on a chevron, argent, between three pheons, or, as many crosses patee, gules, granted in 1613. He afterwards resided here, as did his descendants, till at length Humphry Wightwick, gent. about the beginning of king George II.'s reign removed to New Romney, of which town and port he was jurat, in whose descendants this manor became afterwards vested in several undivided shares. At length Mr. William Whitwick, the only surviving son of Humphry, having purchased his mother's life estate in it, as well as the shares of his brother Martin's children, lately sold the whole property of it to Mr. Swaffer, the present possessor and occupier of it.
WEST HALKS, usually called West Hawks, is a manor, situated near the western bounds of this parish, being held of the manor of Kenardington; it formerly was the residence of a family of the name of Halk, who bore on their seals a fess, between three bawks, and sometimes only one, and were of no contemptible account, as appears by old pedigrees and writings, in which they are represented as gentlemen for above three hundred years. Sampson de Halk, gent. died possessed of this manor about the year 1360, and held besides much other land at Petham and the adjoining parishes; but about the latter end of king Henry VI.'s reign, this manor had passed from this family into that of Taylor, in which name it continued till the latter end of king Henry VII. when it was alienated to Clerc, whose descendant Humphry Clerke, esq. about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, passed it away to Robert Honywood, esq, of Charing, who settled it on his fourth son by his second marriage Colonel Honywood. How long it continued in his descendants, I cannot learn; but it has been for some length of time in the name of Eaton, of. Essex, Mr. Henry Eaton being the present owner of it.
Charities.
HUMPHRY CLARKE, gent. of this parish, left by will in 1637, a parcel of land, called Pightland, containing about three acres, in the eastern part of this parish, for the benefit of the poor of it.
MRS. ELIZABETH MAY, in 1721, gave by will 9l. every third year, chargeable on Bilham farm, to be paid, clear of all deductions, to this parish in turn, during a term of years therein mentioned, to be applied yearly towards the binding out a child an apprentice, of the poorest people in three parishes in turn, as has been already mentioned more at large under Sevington. One girl only has as yet been put out apprentice from this charity, by this parish.
The number of poor constanly relieved are about twentyfive, casually twelve.
KINGSNOTH is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Limne.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is small, consisting only of one isle and one chancel, having a square tower steeple at the west end, in which are five bells. In the isle is an antient gravestone, coffin-shaped, with old French capitals round it, now illegible. In the chancel is a stone, with an inscription on it in brass, for Thomas Umfrey, rector, no date; and a monument for Thomas Reader, A. M. son of Thomas Reader, gent. of Bower, in Maidstone, obt. 1740. Against the north wall is the tomb of Humphry Clarke, esq. made of Bethersden marble, having the figures of him and his wife remaining in brass on it, and underneath four sons and five daughters. Over the tomb, in an arch in the wall, is an inscription to his memory, set up by his daughter's son Sir Martin Culpeper, over it are the arms of Clarke, Two pales wavy, ermine, impaling Mayney. In the glass of the south window of the isle are several heads remaining, and in the north-west window the figure of St. Michael with the dragon. The north chancel fell down about thirty years ago. It belonged to the manor of Mumfords, and in it were interred the Wightwicks, owners of that manor; the gravestones of them, nine in number, yet remain in the church-yard, shut out from the church; and on one next to theirs, formerly within this chancel, is the figure of a knight in armour, with a lion under his feet, and an inscription in brass, for Sir William Parker, son of William Parker, esq. citizen and mercer of London, obt. 1421; arms, On a fess, three balls.
The advowson of the rectory of this church was formerly parcel of the possessions of the priory of Christ-church, and at the dissolution of it in the 31st year of Henry VIII. came into the king's hands, where it remained till that king in his 34th year, granted it in exchange, among other premises, to archbp. Cranmer, (fn. 4) who did not keep it long; for four years afterwards, he reconveyed it, with the consent of his chapter, back again to the king, (fn. 5) who soon afterwards granted it to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of his first-fruits and tenths, who died possessed of the manor of East Kingsnoth, together with the advowson of this church, in the year 1558, in whose descendants it continued down to Sir John Baker, bart. who in the reign of king Charles I. alienated it, with that manor, to Mr. Nathaniel Powell. Since which this advowson has continued in the like succession of ownership with that manor, as may be seen more fully in the account of it before, to the present patron of it, William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke.
There was formerly a pension of forty shillings payable from this church to the abbot of Battel.
¶This rectory is valued in the king's books at 11l. 9s. 9½d. and the yearly tenths at 1l. 2s. 11¼d. In 1578 it was valued at sixty pounds, communicants one hundred. In 1640 it was valued at fifty pounds only, and there were the like number of communicants. It is now worth about one hundred and forty pounds per annum. The rector takes no tithes of wood below the hill southward. There are about seventeen acres of glebe land.
www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol7/pp583-592
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There has been a Church in Kingsnorth from Saxon Times but the present building probably dates from the 11thC. There are examples of 13thC and 14thC stained glass remaining in some of the windows. The chancel was rebuilt in the 18thC following a storm and the two side chapels were demolished at this time. Major restoration was carried out in the 19thC at which time the stained glass in the East Window was installed. At this time and again in the 1920s work was carried out to try and cure the problem of rising damp due to the high water table. In 2006 major restoration was once again required and in addition to repairs to the tower and external stonework it was decided that an extension would be built on the site of the old chantry chapel on the north side of the building and that the interior of the church would be re-ordered. This involved digging out the interior of the church and laying a new suspended floor to try and cure the problem of the rising damp (This has been largely successful). The old pews and choir stalls were replaced with modern stackable pews to enable a more flexible use of the space, new lighting and a new heating system was installed. This has resulted in a light airy user friendly building. At the back of the church a glass screen was erected forming a separate area. This provides a space where parents can take their children if they become restless during the services. The ground floor of the extension consists of a large meeting room with kitchenette plus toilet. On the first floor there is a choir vestry and church office. There are currently plans to install a second toilet on this floor. On the second floor there is a further small meeting room and a store room.
In 2010/2011, Langston & Tasker purchased foru double deckers, all Volvo Olympians. Odd man out in the four is P751 SWC, new to Dublin Bus as RV355 and more recently with Souls of Olney. It was seen in Buckingham on 21st March, 2014.
Task Force Phoenix Soldiers had long journeys to the locations they will be operating out of during their deployment to the Middle East. Here they get a little help from the U.S. Air Force. First Lt. Christopher Tinklenberg, from B Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), tries to get some rest in an Air Force C-130 cargo plane en route to his duty station in the Middle East. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Pace)
I promised Steve (misterpexies57) some low-loader progress a while back, to be honest there hasn't been much to show really.
Until now, shown here are some of the 16 new wheel bearing's, 16 new brake shoe pull-back springs, and 4 new push-rod springs I've had to have made, and 4 relined shoes.
This trailer was in pretty good condition to say it's 60 years old, unfortunately water ingress has knackered all the wheel bearings, corrosion has also made the big compression springs fall to pieces as well, the shoe pull-back springs are out of shape and have to be replaced.
Members of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) discuss cold load drills with the Polish military in Jaworze, Poland on March 17, 2015 as part of a partnership engagement.
Photo: Land Task Element, DND
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Des membres du 3e Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR), discutent de l’entraînement d’évacuation à bord d’un hélicoptère en arrêt avec les Forces polonaises à Jaworze, en Pologne, le 17 mars 2015, dans le cadre d’un engagement de partenaires.
Photo : Élément opérationnel terrestre, MDN
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http:/www.usaraf.army.mil
By Troy Darr
Public Affairs Officer
Joint Task Force-East
NOVO SELO, Bulgaria — U.S. and Bulgarian military personnel joined together for two symbolic ceremonies Sept. 27 and 28 as exercise Lion Strike came to an end.
First, Joint Task Force-East celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a humanitarian project at a kindergarten in Mokren, Bulgaria. Eleven U.S. Navy personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, otherwise known as SeaBees, finished an extensive renovation of the school during the exercise.
The children from the school, along with parents, teachers, school director, local officials and U.S. and Bulgarian military personnel, crowded the small courtyard during the ceremony.
"We say in the United States that the children are our future," said Army Lt. Col. Bruce Sones, commanding officer for JTF-E "Lion Strike".
"We hope through the efforts of those involved in this project that the improved environment created for teaching the children will contribute to the children's development as they grow and become leaders in your society."
The school director, Margarita Nicolova, thanked the SeaBees and then presented them with a picture painted by the children, a CD of Bulgarian folk music, a photo of the children and a glass vial filled with Bulgarian soil.
Of the soil, she said, "Wherever you go, you know you'll have a piece of Bulgaria with you."
The school children then sang several songs for the audience and the ribbon was cut. But, there was another surprise for the children, a HMMWV full of gifts. All of the soldiers, sailors and airmen participating in the exercise had contributed money to buy much-needed school supplies and educational toys for the school.
"We will maintain what you have done, and promise to continue with improvements," said Emil Enchev, mayor of Mokren. "Hopefully we will continue working together in the future."
The next day, all JTF-E "Lion Strike" participants, both U.S. and Bulgarian, came together again, this time to commemorate the end of the exercise during the closing ceremony.
During the ceremony Sones and Col. Biser Kalinov, chief of Training, Bulgarian Land Forces, presented certificates of achievement to 14 U.S. Soldiers and 16 Bulgarian soldiers for their efforts during the exercise.
"During this training, we had the opportunity to gain military experience from the leading force in NATO - the United States Military, and to show that while representing a small army, the Bulgarian officers, Non-commissioned officers and soldiers are honorable partners and excellent professionals," said Kalinov, who spoke first during the ceremony.
He was followed by Sones, who echoed Kalinov's feelings.
"This closing ceremony does not mark the end of a training opportunity or a farewell to relationships fostered," said Sones.
"In our minds, it marks the hopeful commencement of future training opportunities to be conducted between our nations."
"We can truly say the professionalism and generosity of the Bulgarian Land Forces is unrivaled," he continued.
"We know the strong relationship between the United States and Bulgaria, as demonstrated during this exercise, will continue to grow, and we look forward to training and serving with you in the years to come."
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon return to Virginia and reunite with loved ones and fellow Soldiers Sept. 29, 2022, in Sandston, Virginia, after serving on federal active duty since November 2021. More than 1,000 Virginia and Kentucky National Guard troops under the command of the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted security operations throughout the Horn of Africa and provided the East Africa Response Force in support of the U.S. government for crisis response throughout East Africa. A transfer of authority ceremony with the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment was conducted Sept. 19. More Soldiers will return to Virginia in the coming weeks after completing administrative tasks transitioning them back to a traditional National Guard status, but an exact date for their return has not been finalized. Members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to assist with traffic management and parking. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank performing during the MAGTF demonstration at the 2014 MCAS Miramar Air Show. A review of the airshow can be found online at www.theaviationmagazine.com/2014_MCAS_Miramar_Airshow.htm
Langston & Tasker Ford R1114 Plaxton Supreme V VJT 612X seen at Steeple Claydon in January, 1997. It had been new to Excelsior of Bournemouth.
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician Tech. Sgt.(Ret.) Adam Popp, a Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba participant, walks toward the water at Blue Beach, Aug. 28, 2010. Volunteers from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo hosted SUDS participants Aug. 26-31. JTF Guantanamo provides safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations. (JTF Guantanamo photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth) UNCLASSIFIED – Cleared for public release. For additional information contact JTF Guantanamo PAO 011-5399-3589; DSN 660-3589 www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
Service members from the Joint Task Force – National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington provide ceremonial support with a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard during the V-E Day Observance, hosted by the Friends of the National World War II at the WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C., May 8, 2021. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Victory in Europe and the end of World War II. (U.S. Army photos by Spc. Laura Stephens and Cpt. John Whitmore)
A friend of mine is engaged in refurbishing, renewing a former home of hers. Throwing out the old and bringing in the new with a flourish. I visited for a while yesterday...wandering through the old farm house, trying to document the works in progress. It's a bit daunting to realize the amount of work to be done, but then at the same time it's overwhelming to take in what she has accomplished already.
And as you can see, she's adept at multi-tasking.
:)
Wicomico County Task Force Honda Pilot on a traffic stop backed up by a Salisbury Police Dept Chevrolet Caprice on Business Route 50 near Booth Street in Salisbury, Maryland.
Nato's 26 member states unanimously agreed earlier this year to send a naval task force on a look-and-learn mission around the coast of the African continent.
The visit to Cape Town this week by the powerful Standing Nato Maritime Group 1 task force represents the first move by the organisation, outside its traditional areas of operation.
The Nato ships, docked at the V&A Waterfront, will leave Cape Town on Monday to begin an extensive three-day programme of exercises with the South African Navy.
Reunited with ex Brighton Buses Dennis Dominator East Lancs 17 (OAP 17W) at Langston & Tasker, Steeple Claydon, on 6th January, 1997.
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter assigned to Task Force Guardian, flies over areas along the storm-damaged coast of New York on a mission from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. to Floyd Bennett Field, NY, Nov. 4, 2012. The helicopter is assisting with the movement of the National Urban Search and Rescue task force teams from JB MDL to storm damaged areas in New York and New Jersey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres/Released) 621st Contingency Response Wing
Members of the 3rd Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) and the Latvian Army fire each other's weapons during Exercise Summer Shield XII in Adazi, Latvia on March 26, 2015.
Photo: Land Task Element, DND
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Des membres du 3e Bataillon du Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) et de l’armée lettone tirent avec leurs armes au cours de l’exercice Summer Shield XII, à Adazi, en Lettonie, le 26 mars 2015.
Photo : Élément opérationnel terrestre, MDN
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