D-Day Talk: Waterproofing in WWII

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, the REME Museum will be hosting talks about the build-up to D-Day.

This talk is included in your general admission ticket and will take place in our Conference Room at the stated times.

Taking place at 11:00 and 13:00

World War II Waterproofing and Wading in Weymouth

Mike and Ann Jones will be joining us to celebrate their new book World War II Waterproofing and Wading in Weymouth, launched this year to specifically commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The publication, created in collaboration with the Museum, details the activities of Ted, Mike’s father-in-law, preparing the vehicles for the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches. Ted served as a Project Sergeant at M.E.13 No.1 Experimental Workshop REME (Wading) Weymouth during WW2, where he and a team of over 50 men had sole responsibility for experimental trials and the waterproofing of wheeled military vehicles.

Mike and Ann state:

“We have had the honour and privilege of gaining in-depth knowledge from Ted’s experiences, being directly involved in the preparation of the vehicles for the D-Day landings. Ted passed in early 1990, so to ensure authenticity and detailed accounts of his countless stories, it has taken over 30 years to appropriately record, compile and complete the book.”

This is the first book to cover the detailed, specific, and important role that M.E.13 No.1 Experimental Workshop REME (Wading) Weymouth performed during WW2. Some images in the book were unpublished and not seen in the public domain for over 80 years.

The front and back cover of World War II Waterproofing and Wading in Weymouth. © Mike Jones.

For more details on the book and to purchase online, visit RRC Customs. There will also be copies available to purchase on the day.

About Mike and Ann Jones

Mike and Ann Jones have been together for over 45 years, having met in their early working careers while working as civil servants in 39 Command (Detached) Workshops REME, Bridgend, South Wales. Ann worked in the office, while Mike was a Vehicle Technician in the Workshop.

As their careers progressed, Ann stayed in the Civil Service and ended her career as the Personnel Manager of Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston. She continued in personnel management for various NHS departments across Hampshire. Mike stayed in the Automotive industry all of his working career.

Further Information

We expect this talk to last approximately 40 minutes, with plenty of time at the end to ask any questions.

Included in your general admission ticket, taking place in our Conference Room at the stated times. You do not need to book a space.

Crowns Cafe will be serving refreshments, hot barista-style drinks and freshly cooked food. Find a souvenir from your visit in our gift shop.

We have a large, free car park with Blue Badge spaces and dedicated coach parking.

Our D-Day 80 Events

Interested? You may wish to also join us for another talk later on in the day on the subject of The Logistic Build-Up to D-Day by Chris Barrington Brown. 

Who Am I? The D-Day Trail offers an opportunity to discover the stories of REME soldiers who served on D-Day in an interactive trail through our galleries. The trail will be running until we close at the end of 2024.

The D-Day Gnome Trail will be a fun family trail showcasing the roles of the different REME trades on D-Day through the medium of... you guessed it, gnomes! The trail runs from June to September 2024.

A special D-Day Wargaming Display has been created by the Calne Wargaming Club and will be taking place in our WW2 Gallery over the weekend of 8 - 9 June.

Check out all our D-Day 80 Events and related articles.

Plan your visit now