Branch Meeting 18th July 2014

At this month's meeting we welcome Dr Simon House, a financial consultant based in Southampton.  His talk is entitled;


”'Offensive á outrance': French Doctrine & Tactics in 1914”

Dr House, like our May speaker Dr Jim  Beach, is a member of the Army Records Society.  In this presentation he looks at the French actions in the first few months of the war;  how they implemented their 'Plan 17' and where, and why, it went wrong.

Branch Meeting 20th June 2014

Apologies for the late post about last month's talk.

Dr. John Bourne, former director of the Institute for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, gave an enthralling talk about his research into some of the names on his home town's Great War memorial.

Entitled;


“Thoughts on a Small Town’s Roll of Honour –Burslem, Staffs.”,

it was a fascinating insight into the men of Burslem, their lives and livelihoods, reasons why they joined up and what became of them.  Delivered with professional ease, it was a much appreciated presentation.

 

 

Branch Meeting 16th May 2014

Unfortunately, our advertised speaker, Michael Stedman, is unable to attend this month's meeting.  He will be returning to the Branch in January next year.

Instead, Dr. Jim Beach, Senior Lecturer in Twentieth Century Studies at Northampton University, has kindly agreed to step in.

His talk is entitled;

"Sir Cuthbert Headlam and the First World War"

Sir Cuthbert Morley Headlam (1876-1964) serves with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry before, during, and after the Great War (retiring as a   Lieut-Col.) before embarking on a successful Parliamentary career.  During the conflict he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO and OBE.  He was created a Baronet in 1935 before retiring from politics in 1951.  Jim's talk is based on Sir Cuthbert's diaries and letters written between 1914 and 1918..

Branch Meeting 18th April 2014

Kenneth Wright, a Chartered Accountant, is this month's invited speaker.  His talk is entitled;

"1914 - The Year the World Changed"

Kenneth tells us how Britain prepared for war in August 1914 and, following the fortunes of an officer of the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, he takes us from mobilisation to Le Cateau, where the officer was killed.

Branch Meeting 21st March 2014

This month's guest speaker is WFA member, Helen Earle, who's talk is entitled;

"Woodbine Willie"

In 1914 the Rev. Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy of St. Paul's church in Worcester, volunteered as a padre for the British forces.  Helen tells the enthralling story of the man who became known as "Woodbine Willie".

Branch Meeting 21st February 2014

Due to problems accessing the blog last month, the notice of the meeting was not posted.  Vern Littley's talk, on the action at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons, was well presented and well received.  Vern will be returning to the branch early next year.

Branch Meeting 17th January 2014

Dr Larry Collins is an author and his talk, based on one of his books, is entitled;

"Theatre at War"

Dr Collins looks at the theatre's role during the Great War as an unofficial government aide: as a recruiter, propogandist, fund raiser, morale booster and provider of war-related roles for those ineligible for military service.  He also analyses the organisation of productions by military and civilian concert parties for troops in training and at the front.