Events

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10th-14th May 2024

Forgotten Fronts of 1915

Instead of skipping over the battlefields on your way from Ypres to Somme, join us for a long weekend based in Arras where we’ll explore all manner of battles in what was a torrid year for the Allies. Coupled with the usual fun in the evenings, you don’t want to miss it!

Join the mailing list by emailing GWGADC Judith: gwgtrips@gmail.com

Banish your post-Christmas blues by immersing yourself in history…

When we make sweeping statements about leaders in battle during the First World War, we often don’t comprehend just how varied that term was and what it might have meant. What were the unique challenges they faced depending on where they were from, and where they were sent?

In our most ambitious online course yet, across ten weeks, delve into the minds of military commanders in the First World War. Using examples from across the globe, we single out some of the men orchestrating battles and look at what they faced, their successes, their failures and the wider impact of their decisions.

Sundays at 16:00UK: January 7th – March 10th

Recordings are available for those wishing to take the course who live in prohibitive time zones and particpants who who cannot attend all lectures.

Just Because You’re Paranoid Doesn’t Mean They’re Not Out to Get You! – Vanda Wilcox on Luigi Cadorna

War as a Means to an End – Alex Churchill on Prince Feisal and the Arab Revolt.

From Hero to Zero (In a Year) – Peter Hart on Ian Hamilton

Trying to Exercise Control When You Arrive at the Sticky End – Ali Kimlinger on John Pershing

The Lion of the Isonzo – Nicolai Eberholst on Svetozar Boroević

Burdened with a Constitutional Command – Bart Debeer on King Albert I

The Great War’s Great Fixer – Andy Lock on August von Mackensen

When Over-Confidence Leads to Humiliation – Jim Smithson on Robert Nivelle

“I Don’t Even Know a Canadian” – Beth Moore on Byng at Vimy

Nation Building from the Inside – Joshua Zimmerman on Józef Piłsudski

Members can opt to book now, pay later (by 31st December)

We offer a 50% discount to full-time students and scholarships are also available for members who are ex-service personnel. We would also like to state that any member suffering financial hardship or mental health issues might also be eligible for a scholarship. This course is scheduled for what is a tough time of year, and every little helps.

Email Captain Spilberg (Henry), our Divisional Director of Training via gwgonlinecourses@gmail.com to offer a scholarship, apply for one, or to buy now, pay later.

https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/onlinecourses/

The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton.

20th - 22nd October 2023

FRIDAY 20TH OCTOBER

AN EVENT DEDCIATED TO THE INDIAN ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT

ALEX CHURCHILL - TIES THAT BIND: BRIGHTON, INDIA AND THE GREAT WAR

&

RAVINDRA RATHEE - TRUE TO THEIR SALT: INDIA IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR

SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER

TAMARA SCHEER: AUSTRIA-HUNGARY: HOW TO LOSE A WAR IN 12 LANGUAGES

&

RICHARD VAN EMDEN: BOY SOLDIERS: THE LAST WORD

A diverse selection of small group seminars. 12 to choose from.

Speakers announced so far:

PETER HART: THE FRENCH AT GALLIPOLI

ROSS BEADLE: "THE BUGGER IS SIGNE" WILLIAM ROBERTSON & THE CRISIS IN BRITAIN'S MILITARY POLICY, DECEMBER 1915

JONNY DYER: 48TH DIVISION ON TWO FRONTS: FROM THE WESTERN FRONT TO ITALY

GEOFF CUNNINGTON: THE LOVELY GEORGINA: ENTERTAINING EACH OTHER IN THE GREAT WAR

Social events including a First World War themed Drag Race in honour of entertainers during the war, live German music, and of course, Karaoke.

Bake-off and other contests, Book sellers, signings, collectors and other stalls Remembrance service on Sunday

To book your tickets visit: www.greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/

We will be finalising the itinerary in the coming weeks and accumulating quotes, but the broad  details are as follows:  friday 19th May - Sunday 21st may 2023 Activities to include: Friday night social A program of stops throughout the Mons area on Saturday to introduce you to this under-visited area. Saturday dinner in town. Outdoor revelry at lunchtime on Sunday Alex is also willing to hang around for the Monday and take you out to look at the Battle of the Frontiers (French 5th Army front) if enough people are interested, and there are more suprises to come. To provisionally register your name email Beth at:  greatwargroupinfo@gmail.com

Join us for our annual get together. This year it takes place in Chester. Friday afternoon war walk option, evening keynotes with Vanda Wilcox, Richard Van Emden and social afterwards. Saturday all-day ticket with seminars and keynotes from Peter Hart, Alex Churchill & Nicolai Eberholst, includes lunch, tea & coffee and evening social. Pop-up museum of rarely seen items from private collections. There will also be an open remembrance service on Sunday morning locally.   To book visit: https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/

Join us with Lindsey to discuss her smash hit new book about Harold Gillies The Pacemaker.

For those of you at the New Year's Day Quiz who failed miserably in the pilot identification round, this is the mandatory First World War Aviation Detention Hall of Shame. For all others, both members and non-members this is a free event, where Alex Churchill will provide an introduction the the Great War in the Air. Without frowning at you. 16th January 2022, Zoom, 16:00 UK To register, please email Beth, who scored a miserable 4/12 in this round. greatwargroupinfo@gmail.com The admin for this is her penance...

Later this month, author Andrea Hetherington will be giving a fascinating talk on the widows of the First World War.   Her book is the first major account of the experience of women who had to cope with the death of their husbands during the conflict and then rebuild their lives. It explores each stage of their bereavement, from shock, through grief and mourning to the practical issues of compensation and a widow's pension. The way in which the state and society treated the widows during this process is a vital theme running through the book as it reveals in vivid detail how the bureaucracy of war helped and hindered them as they sought to come to terms with their loss. Her work gives us a fascinating insight into the way in which the armed services and the government regarded war widows during the early years of the twentieth century.   The talk is open to both members and non-members and will take place on Sunday 26th September at 14:00 UK time. We've opted for the middle of the day to make it accessible for those in America, Europe and Australia.   To reserve your place, either fill out the form below or email greatwargroupinfo@gmail.com   [ninja_form id=]

Monday 30th August, 20:00 (UK) What do you really know about Italy and the war? How did the Army function? What did people think of the war? What did it mean to be Italian at this time and how did the Italian Empire factor into the conflict? Historian Dr. Vanda Wilcox will be answering these questions and more for members at this live event. The author of fantastic books on morale in the Italian Army and the Italian Empire, it's an unmissable opportunity to widen your knowledge beyond the Western Front. Members can book their spot by filling out the form below or by emailing: greatwargroupinfo@gmail.com If there are any spaces left 48 hours before the event, we will release them to non-members.

Following the success of our intimate Kut event, we'll be hosting another in February for those with an interest in Salonika. Pocket talks will be given to put the strategy behind the campaign and then battles into perspective, and there will be lots of opportunities for you to share your own research/family history/stories on this oft-forgotten front.

Join us for a small group chat on the events leading up to the Siege of Kut, the experience of those trapped inside and the subsequent surrender; which of course involved T.E. Lawrence to a degree. This event is open to anyone with an interest in and or/family connections to the advance up the Tigris under Townshend. This is not a lecture, and as well as brief presentations by some of the Great War Group trustees there will be lots of opportunities for attendees to speak about their areas of interest and share stories. Great War Group members will be given priority for attendance. You can complete the form or email your name to greatwargroupinfo@gmail.com to register your name.  

You asked, we listened. Lots of people with a long way to travel are keen to start looking at their flight options etc. now, and so we wanted to give you the opportunity to book your tickets ASAP.  You will only be able to book once on each transaction.  You will also only be able to book one space per membership number. This is to give the maximum amount of members the opportunity to book. If there are any spaces left nearer the event, we may release tickets to non-members, but we anticipate being sold out long before then.    Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th October 2021 Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headquarters, Maidenhead   What Can I Expect? Lots of opportunities to hear leaders in their fields talking about their research. Lots of opportunities to engage and discuss WW1. The chance to purchase books and other items that will appeal to the consummate War Bore (TM) Social events in the evenings. There is an inflatable limbo pole for the hotel bar. A service of remembrance on Sunday before we disperse.   Friday 22nd October: Those staying for the whole weekend will converge in the evening and engage in social activity! Fingers crossed, without any masks.   Saturday 23rd October: How will the day look? (Seminars will be limited to 20-30 attendees and feature three experts on the subject matter. The format will be an hour of free-flowing discussion incorporating questions from the audience.) 09:30 Doors Open 10:30 First Seminar Sessions 12:00 Second Seminar Sessions 13:00 Lunch 14:00 Third Seminar Sessions 15:10 Peter Hart Keynote Speech (A brand new talk, it’s a secret for     now!) 16:10 Simon Verdegem Keynote Speech (The work of Skylarcs and finding the missing in 2021) Evening dinner and social event (not included in price) Details of seminar topics will be released in due course. You will then have the opportunity to indicate your preferences.   Sunday 24th October: We will be carrying out a mid-morning, non-religious service of remembrance at Maidenhead War Memorial. This event is open to all. Nobody should have to pay to honour war dead. We will release details to the public in advance.   What Do I Get? Admission to a minimum of two of three seminar sessions (you will get to prioritise which ones in due course) Admission to both keynote speakers’ presentations. Tea and coffee, and lunch. You will also receive a generous and very shiny souvenir pack from the GWG and CWGC.   Additional: Reps will also be present from various Battlefield Tour Companies to talk to you about their upcoming, exciting events. CWGC has a bar on site. The alcohol is not included in the price of your ticket. There will be a lounge area for you to mingle with other like-minded military historians and enthusiasts open throughout the day. The hotel of choice us Premier Inn’s Maidenhead Central branch. Others are situated nearby, but that is where the Trustees and Officers will be based. Attendees will receive a booking pack with further information on the event, local amenities, hotels and transport on booking. To book your space visit https://greatwargroup.com/product/great-war-group-conference-2021/

Log in online to take part in an expert-led session about the genesis of Land Ships and effectiveness of the tank in The Great War. Led by ex tank-commander and battlefield guide Gareth Davies, an expert panel will discuss the evolution of the tank and its role in the war for 45 minutes. This is not a conference session where each member of the panel has 20 minutes to present their paper. The panel members will introduce themselves to the participants and there will then be a free flow question and answer session controlled by the chair.

Join us for an expert panel-led session on the unsung heroes of the air war. We'll be discussing everyone who wasn't a pilot. That's ground crews, mechanics, pioneering inventors, observers, training, logistics, anything you can think of that helped put aeroplanes up into the blue.