The sidebar on the right of this page displays daily-changing historical events drawn from a library of (currently) 560 items. The number of entries a day varies. Most days have 2-3. Some have 5-6. Some artistic licence and creative thinking has been necessary to ensure every day has at least one entry.
Both the day of the year and the associated entries automatically update daily. Pictures and/or links to other, more detailed material are embedded in most of the entries and could include video or audio files. The cycle begins again after 365 days. The setup is very flexible and entries can be edited or added to whenever required.
The sidebar could be displayed on the homepage of the 2GR website which means people would see it when they land there (e.g. after an internet search). It could also be added to the most intensively-used pages such as the membership address list and Noticeboard(s) so people going to such pages would see it. Alternatively the material can be displayed on its own full page as shown below but to my mind that would reduce its impact as people would have to make a deliberate choice to go to that page rather than just seeing the stuff in the margins of navigating round other bits of the site.
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE REGIMENT’S HISTORY
On this day, 29th May, in....
- 1943 Captain Christopher Arumainayagam of the Indian Army Medical Corps and his orderly were drowned at Misrata, Libya. This cheerful, brave and efficient officer had joined the 1st Battalion in Cyprus as the Regimental Medical Officer and in a short period had endeared himself to all ranks . Shortly before his death he had received an immediate award of the Military Cross for his outstanding services at Wadi Akarit. A brother officer wrote 'We shall always remember his unselfish gallantry in ministering to our wounded under fire. He was usually found where the fire was hottest.' He was 29 when he died. He is buried in the Tripoli War Cemetery.
- 1944 The 1st Battalion had earlier relieved the 4th/16th Punjabis in the Arielli sector, three miles to the north-west of Orsogna in Italy. On this day they were in turn relieved by some of the first Italian troops to enter the Adriatic front following the Italian switch to the Allies' side. The Regimental History recounts: 'With more enthusiasm than common sense, the newcomers advanced with flags unfurled and bands playing, a folly which drew a heavy enemy bombardment during the relief. Italian paratroopers, men of fine physique who carried enormous loads with ease, took over the 2nd Goorkhas sector.' Communication was in 'a French of sorts' The Brigade Commander was Brigadier Lovett, a former 2nd Goorkha, of whom it was reported '[his] confidence in his qualifications exceeds the quality of his accent.'