Each years CAMRA’s Sunderland Octoberfest has a theme.
In recent years we’ve focused on a forgotten “Sunderland Hero” with a relevant anniversary.
Last year it was the 100th anniversary of the death of inventor & scientist Sir Joseph Swann. In 2013 the 100th anniversary of the death of diver & marine rescue hero Harry Watts.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of military hero Ernest Vaux veteran of the Boar War (1900-01). Where he commanded the Maxim Gun Troop of the Imperial Yeomanry on over 80 missions!
In celebration of his safe return hone his (brewing) family created
a new ale called “Maxim Ale” which developed into “Double Maxim” the iconic Sunderland brewed beer known internationally & still brewed today by one of our festival sponsors, Maxim Brewery.
Ernest Vaux went on & 100 years ago was again in action as the colonel commanding the 7th Batalion (TA) of the DLI, a unit made up almost entity of Sunderland men.
Please take time to find out a bit more about this “Sunderland Hero” HERE or HERE (Illustrations & Photos.