March 2026The Development of Aeroplanes and their initial uses in 1914 and early 1915 – Robin GoldsmithRobin charts the transition from early flying machine, through the formation of the Royal Flying Corps to the emerging roles of military aviation in the first year of the Great War.
April 2026Three Days in the Great War – Dr Derek ClaytonThis talk examines the performance of the 49th Division in set-piece attacks on 3 September 1916 at Thiepval, 9 October 1917 at Poelcappelle and on 1 November 1918 at Valenciennes.
May 2026Mobilization 1914 – Phil WatsonFrom the declaration of war to deployment, the critical phase was the mobilisation, and the production of the Western Front Plan or the War Book, which for the most part has been credited to General Henry Wilson. The talk is a detailed look at the BEF’s mobilisation and the truth behind the men who wrote […]
June 2026‘Kaiser Bill: the Man Behind the Image’ – Sue WoolmansWilhelm II – the last emperor of Germany – was pilloried by the British press and castigated for his role in the start of WW1. In this talk, Sue sets out a more rounded view of the man who was the grandson of Queen Victoria, the first cousin of King George V, a British Field Marshal and […]
July 2026Most of the Work, Most of the Blame, None of the Credit – Platoon Commanders in the Great War – Fraser SkirrowHistory has not been kind to Great War subalterns, satirised then and now as enthusiastic and patriotic but naïve and ignorant public school boys. Originally expected to be gallant, lead from the front and look after their men but they had few tactical responsibilities and little autonomy. Later in the war, the platoon became the key tactical […]
August 2026Winning the Vote in Wartime – Dr Anna MuggeridgeAnna provides insight into the journey and sometimes struggle towards a true democracy in Britain during the Great War that resulted in key amendments to the ‘Representation of the People Act’ 1918 and 1928 that incorporated the enfranchisement of women.
September 2026The Presidents PanelAn opportunity for the audience to ask a panel of academics / experts led by Professor Peter Simkins a number of questions that will be developed in 2026 prior to the event.
October 2026“Our Allies, the French”: Anglo-French Co-operation in Practice – Bryn HammondLiaison is essential to effective military operations in any coalition of two or more military forces from different nations. This talk presents early research on what structures, organisation and methods existed to encourage co-operation in military operations between the French and Allied forces on the Western Front and how well these aids to co-operation performed […]
November 2026The Men Who Planned the War – Dr Paul HarrisThe story of the British Army staff on the Western Front 1914-18. The talk examines the characteristics of the staff and how they evolved over the course of the war. Based on Dr Harris eponymous book.
December 2026Members’ EveningFor our December meeting we draw on the wide and varied expertise and knowledge of our Branch members. We have a small selection of ten-minute length presentations throughout the evening on Great War related subjects of their choice.
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