FREE PHOTO ARTICLE: Great War Group Conference
As this goes live, I will already be at the airport heading off to do a recce for a tour next year: and in depth look at Monte Cassino in 1944. There’s a WW1/literary themed article to come later this week, but in the meantime, I thought I would share photos from our fifth annual Great War Group conference last weekend. Each year, we go to a different city to try and make it fair for as many people as possible, and this year we all congregated in Bristol…
On the Friday night, we usually have a theme, and a meal together followed by some entertainment and a social. This year, we focused on Sir Douglas Haig, and the upcoming GWG book looking in depth at a number of different aspects of his life and leadership. Each one is authored by a different member who had a particular interest.
We had two talks this year - Phil Watson, who has edited one of the three sections of the book, on Haig as a Corps Commander until the end of 1915, talked about his command philosophy. Then our second editor Dr. Andy Lock, who has looked after 1916-18, talked about Haig’s faux pas at Passchendaele. The last section of the books is mine, and includes the chapters about Haig’s legacy and reputation. We managed to sell 25% of the books needed to crowd fund publication on the night. News soon on how you can bag yours…
We were lucky enough to borrow some items of uniform worn by the man himself, and obviously protecting them from the madness of historian Peter Hart was a challenge.
After dinner Professor Bruce sprung a spot quiz on everyone about the war in the air. This is Trev and Gargy in serious mode…
Each year, on the Saturday morning, we lay on batches of small group seminars so that people can mix and match and create their dream lineup. There was a diverse selection this year. Above, Trustee Henry Spilberg hosted a listen-along for a unique pair of 78s depicting the war. Below, Ali Kimlinger jetted in from Canada to discuss ‘Yanks in the Ranks.’
Caroline Drew, (above) liked at hysteria, propaganda and fake news on the home front. Below, Sam Jolley, of the Royal Logistics Corps museum, hosted a talk on Army Service Corps tank drivers in the latter part of the war.
Emmett Kelly came all the way from Canada to talk about the scale of the logistical effort required to get Canadians to war in 1914. It involved a scaled demonstration, and a big lap of the hotel to help people visualise the sheer magnitude of the journey.
Sticking with logistics, WW1 stalwart Roy Larkin (Below) talked about how it was possible to spend 5 million a day by 1917 in waging a war.
First-time speaker Mike Taylor (below) gave a unique talk about all the guns pilfered from the enemy and what Britain actually did with them up to 1940…
Our keynotes this year on Saturday afternoon were both linked to the release of Ring of Fire. My co-author Nicolai kicked things off after lunch (below) by giving everyone an introduction to the colossal Battle of Galicia on what would become the Eastern Front.
Then it was my turn. As the book focuses on ordinary men, women and children, we don’t have a huge amount of coverage of generals. So I was thrilled to be able to talk everyone’s ear off with stories of Foch on the Marne.
It’s become an annual thing that members compete in a spot of jam-making, knitting (which benefits the homeless in whatever town we’re in) and other crafts. Special mention this year to trustee Judith Jones, who in a fit of enthusiasm she later regretted, recreated a pair of trench leggings. Below modelled by both lovely John and trustee Locky…
Saturday night is always set aside for a big social gathering, and here are some snaps of that…
Including two people (below) who I knew I would regret introducing to each other and yet…
On Sunday, those who are left always pay tribute to the local war dead wherever we are. Special thanks to our master of ceremony Bruce, and our wreath-layer, Jamie. This year we held our gathering at a Sikh war memorial and also commemorated their contribution to the war.
Next year, we’re aiming for Yorkshire, but before that, our spring getaway will take us all on a long weekend to Verdun. To find out more about the Great War Group, or join, visit www.greatwargroup.com
Stick me down for the crowd funder if my favourite author is involved, Dr Andy Lock.
It was an excellent weekend, thank you to all who organised it and all who came. This is a wonderful group to be part of so I urge readers to consider joining the Great War Group.