THE LATEST NEWS - MODERN WORLD

The latest edition of "Modern World"

Hereford newsagents have nearly sold out of the latest edition of "Modern World", chronicling the stout defence of the Cadbury's Marlbrook Chocolate Factory by elements of the Combined Corporate Guard (prop. Sir Charles Tite-Wadde, Bt.) against a combined force of Anglicans and Bromyardistas. Full descriptions of the Corporate Guards HERE, and of the Marlbrook battle HERE.

The Combined Corporate Guard defend the Cadbury Factory at Marlbrook.
In the advance are the purple uniformed Cadburys Commandos; in support (L to R)
are the red clad Oxo Brand Guardians and the yellow clad Fyffes Motor Guard.
In the rear (naturally) the white suited and enthroned Sir Charles with his standard bearer.
(photo courtesy JP)

The Cadbury's spotter plane did good service during the battle. Here it "runs interference"
for the advance of the "(Corporate) Guards Armoured Division" - consisting of one tank
each from the Cadbury, Oxo and Fyffes companies. Sir Charles and his standard bearer
peruse the battle from a specially selected sandbag emplacement.
(photo courtesy JP)

CORPORATE GUARD - "A GATHERING OF STANDARDS"

Having obtained the support of the Marlbrook Agricultural Militia, Sir Charles Tite-Wadde, Bt., has looked to improve the morale of his Corporate Guards by the presentation of company standards:

From LtoR: flagbears of the Fyffes Motor Guard, the Oxo Brand Guardians,
 and Cadbury's Commandos. The Oxo standard bearer has either had his right
hand missed in painting/converting, or is a 1938 version of Captain Danjou
All figures Gripping Beast WW1 British.

Sir Charles Tite-Wadde, Bt., with HQ Section and newly presented "Company Standards".
The Platoon Standard bears the motto of the Combined Corporate Guards -
"Profits and People" (not "Profits before People")

A formal Group Portrait of the Combined Corporate Guard HQ at Marlbrook.
All figures Heroclix plastics save No.2 with umbrella (Warlord Dredd line)
and medic/nurse with rolled towel (Empress?)

CORPORATE GUARD (5) - SIR CHARLES TITE-WADDE, Bt.

And enter "The Great Commander" of the Collective Corporate Guard, none other than Sir Charles Tite-Wadde, Bt, Birmingham screw maker and night club owner. Will the Defence of Cadbury's Marlbrook make him a VBCW hero? Or consign him to history as a (possibly very dead) VBCW zero? Sir Charles makes sure that his Silver Ghost's engine is running.......

Sir Charles surveys the scene from a suitably grand position. His chauffeur and Rolls Royce
Silver Ghost (Matchbox) await, as does his bodyguards ("Knuckles" and "Fingers").
Chauffeur unknown WW1 driver, all other figures Heroclix.

CORPORATE GUARD (4) - FYFFES' MOTOR GUARD & AT GUNS

Shortly after the arrival of the Oxo Brand Guardians, the forces of the Collective Corporate Guard are further bolstered by elements of the Fyffes' Motor Guard:

A tank and Self Propelled "Big Gun"
Fyffes have clearly been part of the "Joint Purchasing Commission", too -
the tank and SPG are identical in type to the Cadbury's models already seen.

Captain "Banana" Splitte boldly leads a section of Fyffes Motor Guard from their trucks.
Gripping Beast WW1 infantry, uniforms dyed yellow with pale blue accoutrements.
Important to keep to the "corporate colours". Trucks Lledo.

A Fyffes Mortar & Spotter (Reiver & Empress WW1 figures)
with the universally reviled Fyffes "Singing Mascot".

Happy co-operation within the Collective Corporate Guard.
Two AT Guns from Cadbury's and Fyffes' act as one battery.
(Matchbox diecast with 'bodged' new barrels)

CORPORATE GUARD (3) - OXO BRAND GUARDIANS

The forces of the "Collective Corporate Guard" are gathering to defend the Cadbury's Factory at Marlbrook:

A tank of the Oxo Brand Guardians leads an Oxo Van into the Factory.
(Tank the same bodge of Shoddy Chassis and Airfix Poly turret as the Cadbury's
Tank - obviously a product of a Joint Purchasing Commission. Van Lledo)

The Oxo van operating as a prime mover. 'Big Gun' and crew, Wargames Foundry WW1 range. 

A section of Oxo Brand Guardians dismount from their transport, covered
by their LMG and HMG. WW1 uniforms dyed scarlet with cream accoutrements.
(Infantry from Gripping Beast, MMG from Wargames Foundry)

CORPORATE GUARD (2) - CADBURY'S COMMANDOS HEAVY SUPPORT

The "Joint Strategic Board Review" has resulted in lots of heavy support for the single section of Cadbury's Commandos:

"Wait for the heavy support, chaps!" Cadbury's Captain Cubbe directs his men. 

A Cadbury's Tank swans into view (bodged "Shoddy" tank chassis with Airfix poly turret)....

...followed by some towed heavy artillery (Corgi 1/50 tow with "Timmee" plastic artillery piece)...

...and then a tracked Big Gun (Airfix poly chassis
 bodged with plastic toy artillery piece and Reiver crew).
The flat sides of the SPG provide a useful advertising hoarding.

CORPORATE GUARD (1) - CADBURY'S COMMANDOS

More transport arrives outside Cadbury's Marlbrook.....

Cadbury's Transport (Lledo). But what are they carrying?

A fine section of highly trained Cadbury's Commandos, of course. (Gripping Beast WW1).
WW1 Infantry uniforms dyed purple with off white accoutrements.
Captain "Coco" Cubbe, astride his favourite charger, directs proceedings.

Captain Cubbe's Command Car (Lledo) with MMG (Wargames Foundry) and Mortar (Scratchbuilt
with Foundry Artillery crew).

Pilot Officer "Top" Cover loops around the Cadbury Factory in his Observation Plane (Corgi)

CADBURY'S MARLBROOK (2)

First reports that the newly built Cadbury's Plant at Marlbrook is now the scene of unusual - nay, frenzied - activity:

A Scammell Highwayman Low-loader (Corgi, 1/50) at Marlbrook.
But is it collecting "chocolate crumb" or unloading armaments?

SPRING BIG GAME 2023 - "CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY"

On the urging of Lord de Braose, HM's Governor of Hereford and Lord Warden of the Marches, an urgent aerial photo reconnaissance has been undertaken of the Opposition Forces advance from Leominster towards the "Dinmore Hill Line":

That's right - Wing Commander Roo strapped himself into his stripped back and specially adapted photo reconnaissance "Silver Spitfire" to supplement the existing map information of the area around the Cadbury's Chocolate Factory at Marlbrook. 

The gallant Captain of the Cadbury's Corporate Guard (otherwise and perhaps somewhat hopefully known as "Cadbury's Commandos") has already reported "infiltration of the enemy around the Factory" and "masses of troops" heading straight towards his position. Cadbury Captain "Coco" Cubbe has personally telephoned Major Everard, Commander of all HMG Forces "in County" to plead for urgent assistance.

The history of "Corporate Guards" in the Hereford VBCW has not been a particularly happy one. Used to protect trade and resupply truck convoys, a variety of Corporate Guards became caught up in the Battle of Mortimer's Cross (Autumn Big Game 2019). At that conflict, an infantry section of the very same "Cadbury's Commandos" shamefully 'sold out' to the Communists, and were in turn bloodily "wiped out" by rampaging Morris Men. Their fellow "Corporate Guards" fared little better. An infantry section of the yellow clad "Fyffes Motor Guard" similarly "saw red" and joined" Comrade Colonel Professor Winter's Presteigne Communists (thereafter being massacred by newly landed Fallschirmjager), while their (extremely annoying) "Corporate Mascot" was machine gunned by Lord Scudamore's Loyal Legion. The red-clad "Oxo Brand Guardians", so far as can be recalled in the confusion that was the Battle of Mortimer's Cross, never even made it into action....

Thankfully, following these events, all three companies initiated a "joint strategic board review" in order better to defend "company property and profits". Considerable investment was made in 'heavy equipment' (obviously at a very favourable tax discount), a variety of dubious types were discharged from service, headquarters relocated (usually offshore) and new officers appointed. All three corporates agreed to "pool their resources", and a neutral "Collective Corporate Guard" flag was adopted:

The Collective Corporate Guard flag, 1938.
The original suggestion for a suitable motto,
"Profits before People", was reluctantly jettisoned
 following PR advice.

All that remained was the recruitment of a suitable figurehead, neutral between the contending corporates, to "Chair the Board" and provide direction to the fighting men. Strict selection criteria were drawn up, requiring military experience (preferably), courage, competence and undoubted honesty. No such candidate being available, the Board instead appointed Sir Charles Tite-Wadde, Bt., a Birmingham screwmaker (and nightclub promoter), a man who had (notoriously) "done well out of the (Great) War" and purchased his family baronetcy from Lloyd George in 1922...

Can Sir Charles and his Corporate Guards save the Marlbook Chocolate Factory? What resemblance is there between Marlbrook, 1938, and The Alamo, 1836? Which opposition faction will seize this huge "strategic asset" in-County and gorge themselves on its product? (this may largely depend upon who turns up from the available Opposition Forces). Is Cadbury's indeed the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate? Can Major Everard's Government forces "save the day" before the factory falls? All these questions, and so many more, can only be answered by attendance at the Spring Big Game 2023 ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") on Saturday 25th February 2023!

Amongst all the questions, one thing is certain. Everybody - but everybody -
hates "Banana Man", the Fyffes' Motor Guard "Singing Mascot".

And don't forget our latest Modelling Challenge ! If you've made your "Armoured Legend", you can play it as a free "Umpire Bonus" - in addition to your usual forces - at the Spring Big Game 2023!