Mercian Military History Society

This month’s topic was the ‘Batavian Coast of West Australia’. It starts with of the Dutch rebellion against the Spanish which allowed the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) to be formed and, using stolen, secret Portuguese maps and information they took over the Spice Trade. We learned how crews for the ships of the V.O.C. were recruited using the ‘Soul Stealers of Amsterdam’ and how 30% of any ship’s crew sailing to the East died. Even so the Dutch East India Company paid a minimum dividend of 18% for 200 years! When the Dutch searched for quicker route to the East Indies across the Indian Ocean, they had a big problem; they could calculate Latitude but not Longitude and so they kept ‘crashing’ into West Australia. Finally, we learned the stories of wrecked ships; gold; mutiny and murder and why many coastal Aborigines have ‘Dutch Genes’, proving that some sailors survived! All this gave the ‘Batavian Coast of West Australia’ its name.

The next meeting is on March 16; ‘The WW2 1940 Norwegian Campaign’. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start (normal £4 door charge applies). Contact Ron Gallivan on 01527 545450 or e-mail ronnieg33b@hotmail.co.uk for details.