Western Front Association - Cleveland Branch

Branch Meetings 2013

Meetings take place at the Royal Navy Club, William Street, Stockton.

The meetings commence at 8.00pm.

Both members and non-members welcome

 

15 January ‘A Ridge Too Far’ - The Battle for Redan Ridge, Somme 1916 – Sean Godfrey

Situated between Serre and Beaumont Hamel, Redan Ridge is a forgotten battle in the Somme campaign. Sean will be looking at the costly British efforts to take the ridge and the desperate German defensive battle to hold it.

19 February ‘Our Friends In The North’, - The Belgian Army in the Great War – Jeff Bennett

The Belgian Army, fighting to the north of Ypres played a vital role on the Western Front, defending the small part of Belgium not conquered by the Germans. Jeff will be looking at the crucial and critical part the Belgians played in the Great War that is so often overlooked.

19 March Hartlepool, December 1914 – John Sadler

John will be talking about the bombardment of Hartlepool by the German navy in December 1914, in what John declares should be classed as a battle in its own right.

16 April Monty’s Mentor – Terry Dean

The story of James Walter Sandilands, who uses his pre-war experiences in fighting the Dervishes and Boers to quickly progress from Captain to Brigadier General on the Western Front. He gives his young Brigade-Major (Captain Montgomery) lessons and experiences he would never forget.

21 May ‘Surely We Are Winning’ – A Family at War – Malcolm Johnson

Malcolm will be talking about an ordinary family during The Great War 1914-1918, based on the letters of Private Walter Parsonage 1/5th KOYLI.

18 June 'Wully’ – Field Marshall William Robertson in the Great War – Dr John Bourne

Dr John Bourne will be talking about Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Great War'. The only soldier in the British Army to rise through the ranks to the position of Field Marshall.

16 July The Great War and its Aftermath – Colin Hatton

Colin will be talking about some of the personalities from the war and looking at some of those who served and died from the Haverton Hill area of Stockton.

20 August No Meeting

17 September Second Alamein 1942 – A Great War Battle? – Dr Bryn Hammond (Imperial War Museum)

Dr Hammond will be looking at the similarities between the Battle of El Alamein and battles fought in the Great War and whether Montgomery’s experiences in the Great War influenced his tactics at El Alamein.

15 October Talk to be Confirmed – Peter Hart (Imperial War Museum)

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19 November ‘MI5’ - Aspects of the British Secret Service– Brian Ainsworth

Brian will be talking about its foundation, subsequent division into MI5 and MI6, and operations during the Great War.

Branch Chairman: Sean Godfrey. Tel: 07990 784605, e-mail sean.godfrey@ntlworld.com

The Western Front Association, Cleveland Branch is a Registered Charity.