Programme of Talks 2010.
The Surrey Branch meets at 7.45 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) on the third Wednesday of every month (second Wednesday in December), in Cobham. Members hear a talk on one of a wide range of topics - the careers of individual soldiers, unit histories, the role played by women, the flying services, British generals, French and German operations, and many other subjects. Entrance is free, although a contribution at the door is always welcome to help with our expenses and £3 is suggested. There is a book raffle and books about the Great War are often available for sale.
Our meetings are informal and our membership covers a broad range of ages and backgrounds. Visitors are most welcome and you do not need to be a member of the WFA to attend. After branch notices, our speaker starts at 8 p.m. and we normally break for coffee/tea at about 9 p.m. for 20 minutes. After the break the speaker answers questions from the audience. Members are then welcome to stay for an informal discussion until 10.30 p.m.
Surrey Branch meetings
The Day Centre,
Lushington Drive,
Cobham
KT11 2LY
Lushington Drive is off the A245 in the centre of Cobham, just by Waitrose. It’s 5 minutes from the Painshill roundabout on the A3 and 10 minutes from J10 on the M25. Parking is free.
The Western Front Association (WFA) aims to further interest in the period 1914-1918, perpetuating the memory, courage and comradeship of those of all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders during the Great War. It does not seek to justify or glorify war. It is not a re-enactment society nor is it commercially motivated. It is entirely non-political and application for membership is welcomed from anyone with like mind. It has 6000 members and branches throughout the United Kingdom as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, France and Belgium.
20th January – Andy Robertshaw
The Trench Detectives – New discoveries on the Western Front
Andy will introduce the techniques of battlefield archaeology and show how they can help us to discover what life on the Western Front was really like.
17th February - David Filsell
War and Ludwig Renn
Renn was a fine soldier and author who carried his beliefs beyond WW1 to become a staunch fighter of Fascism. David will outline his career and his writing to underline the continuing effect of WW1 until the Spanish Civil War, in which Renn fought, and beyond it into the second half of the 20th century.
17th March – Clive Harris
Daring Deeds and the Dardanelles
Clive’s talk will look at the men involved at Gallipoli. From polar explorers to Ceylon tea planters, bandleader Billy Cotton to Olympic rower and classical composer Frederick Kelly the men of the Dardanelles have their own story to tell, one that is fascinating to all interested in the Great War.
21st April – Steve Rogers
The War Graves Photographic Project
Steve will describe how The War Graves Photographic Project aims to photograph every war grave, individual memorial, MoD grave, and family memorial of serving military personnel from WWI to the present day and make the photos available to all.
19th May – Alan Leakey
Men, Methods and Machines for 1919
The Allied Generals did not expect the Great War to end in 1918 and were preparing detailed plans and equipment for campaigns in 1919. Alan will explain what might have happened if the war had gone into a sixth year.
16th June – Michael Sheil
Fields of Battle 1914-1918.
Michael will present a visual look at the entire Western Front from the English Channel to the Swiss border paying special attention to the less well known regions held by the French containing some of the best preserved and most interesting remains of the First World War.
21st July – Alan Wakefield
Carry On Up the Tigris
Mesopotamia 1914 - 1918
Alan will provide an overview of the campaign, discussing the changing nature of warfare in Mesopotamia between 1914-1918, the conditions facing soldiers in the front line and the transport and medical services whose activities enabled the British and Indian forces to wage the successful campaign against the Turks.
18th August – Phil Tomaselli
MI5 – The Struggle against German Espionage
In pre-war Britain, popular novels and lurid newspaper reports helped to create a ‘spy mania”. Phil will tell the real story of the German spies in Britain and MI5’s effort to counter them.
15th September – Joanna Legge
The First Day on the Somme from the German Side of the Wire
The British experience on the first day of the Somme is well known but what about the Germans? Joanna will tell their story, providing a different perspective on the First of July.
20th October – Ian Passingham
The German Experience at Passchendaele
Ian will describe how, facing annihilation from incessant artillery bombardments and determined attacks by the Allies, the German defenders had no choice but to hold on, regardless of the suffering and horrific conditions in which they had to fight.
17th November - Branch AGM
Member’s Presentations
After the AGM a number of branch members will give short presentations. Topics will be announced nearer the time.
8th December - Christmas Event
Our Christmas meeting is a social evening with a short talk. The topic will be announced nearer the time.