The_Poppy_March_2012.pdf - The Western Front Association

Programme for 2012*
Details of the meetings for the remainder of our 26th season
are set out below and the Branch Committee hopes that
you agree the programme offers a wide variety of different
subjects to meet most interests. However, should you have
any comments on the programme or suggestions for future
topics and speakers then please let us know.
All meetings are held at the Berkshire Sports and Social
Club, Sonning Lane, Reading on the last Thursday of each
month (except December) commencing at 8.00 p.m.
29th March 2012 – Prof. Richard Grayson BA, D.Phil
“The Belfast Boys: How the Unionists and Republicans fought side by
side in the First World War”
Belfast’s Loyalist murals depict many images of the First World War. The 36th Ulster
Division, in which so many forebears of today’s Ulster Loyalists fought and died, is a
regular theme for these gable-end remembrances. Alongside the 36th was the 16th
Division, which recruited Irishmen from Belfast, England and elsewhere. The 36th
contained many members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the 16th included
many of the pro-Home Rule Irish Volunteers. Yet, instead of fighting it out in a civil war
on the streets of Belfast, the UVF and the Volunteers fought together at the Somme.
While the 36th is heavily remembered, the 16th merits no equivalent memorialising
among Nationalists. The 36th Division, with its strong associations in Protestant
Belfast, is the chosen symbol of the Unionists’ war-time sacrifices. The 16th reminded
Nationalists of their service for Britain and her Empire but, when British troops were in
Northern Ireland, they had no desire to commemorate the fact.
26th April 2012 – Paul Cobb
“Fromelles, 1916”
At Fromelles in July 1916, two divisions - one British and one Australian - within a few
weeks of arriving in France went into action for the first time. Their task was to prevent
the Germans from moving troops to the Somme, where a major British offensive was in
progress but the attack on 19th/20th July 1916 was a disaster with 7,000 casualties in
just a few hours. Paul’s talk explores this battle, which for many epitomises the futility
of the Great War. During that brief time many heroic deeds were done but the battle
caused a souring of Anglo-Australian relationships and truly was a baptism of fire for
these British and Australian troops. This is their history.
31st May 2012 – Ian Cull
“Battlecruisers, Lions or Lemons?”
As part of his redesign of the Royal Navy from 1900 to 1908, Jackie Fisher introduced a
new class of heavy cruiser, which combined the firepower of a battleship with the speed
of a cruiser. At the battle of Jutland, in 1916, they proved to be a disaster, with three
being sunk with almost all their crews. Was the design flawed, or were they victims of
Admiral Beatty’s leadership?
28th June 2012 – Jon Cooksey
“All’s Well With England, Poulton’s On His Game, Ronald Poulton Palmer:
Sporting Legend and Soldier”
Ronald Poulton Palmer was one of the England’s biggest rugby stars before the First
World War, playing 17 internationals and scoring eight tries. He was born in 1889 and
was a member of the Huntley and Palmer family. Ronald was set to inherit the well
known biscuit manufacturing business but on the outbreak of war volunteered to serve
with the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was killed by a sniper’s bullet at Ploegsteert
Wood on 5th May 1915, age 25.
*See full list in next column
Programme for Next Season
September 2012 to June 2013
The programme of speakers for next season is now
confirmed. Please make a note in your diary of the
following dates for speakers and topics:
27th September 2012 – Taff Gillingham
The Development of Uniforms and Equipment of the
Great War British Infantryman
25th October 2012 – Andy Robertshaw
Ghosts on the Somme
29th November 2012 – Tony Taylor-Neale
Germany at War - Taking on the World
20th December 2012 – Edward Dixon
Postcards of the Great War
31st January 2013 – Prof. Gary Sheffield
tba
28th February 2013 – Verne Littleyl
The Basra CWGC War Cemetery and Memorial to
the Missing – World War 1 to 2005
28th March 2013 – Fraser Skirrow
How Tactical Capabilities Developed in one
Territorial Battalion from 1916-1918
25th April 2013 – Stephen Cooper
The Final Whistle: A History of the Great War in 15
Players (Rosslyn Park Rugby Club)
30th May 2013 – Aimée Fox-Godden
The word ‘retire’ is never to be used – Command in
the 9th Brigade AIF at First Passchendaele 1917
27th June 2013 – Prof. John Derry
General Horne
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