Western Front Association

Suffolk Branch

The Suffolk branch of the WFA hold monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month
at The Royal British Legion, 8 Tavern Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1PH.

They are open to members and non-members of the association.

Wednesday 14th January 2026

WW1 Aerial photographs at the IWM

Alan Wakefield

This talk examines the development and use of aerial photography by the British Army and RAF during the First World War.

The meetings usually last an hour followed by an interval of half an hour and then a Q&A session.

We suggest a minimum donation of £5.00 per person towards the Branch’s expenses. An individual buffet box is provided during the interval and drinks can be purchased at the club’s bar. We also hold a raffle ticket where the prizes vary from books to something to eat or drink.

Future meetings planned

Wednesday 11th February 2026

Raiders on the battlefield

Dr James Pritchett

This talk examines the view that Special Forces Battlefield. sprang into life newly born and formed during WW2. It is not a history of revolution, but of steady evolution, with new chapters written when the terrain was wrong for set piece battles or when an inspirational commander found enthusiastic volunteers with specialist skills

Wednesday 11th March 2026

The Half Shilling Curate

Sarah Reay

The Great War Padre the Rev Herbert Butler Cowl CF MC Curate.

The only padre to be awarded the MC for gallantry, Cowl served with the BEF in France and Flanders; was severely wounded and returned home on the ill fated HMHS Anglia when she was sank in the channel (The first hospital ship mined during the war).

The talk draws on Cowls letters and journals, communications to/from the war office, letters from comrades in his battalion and newspaper accounts to tell the tale of a fascinating man.

Wednesday 8th April 2026

Facial Injuries.

Rob Burkett

Pioneering surgery developed during World War 1 by Harold Gillis to repair dreadful injuries to facial features and return men to a reasonably normal life.

Wednesday 13th May 2026

The Devons on 1st July 1916

Ross Beadle

The man who predicted where he would be killed, gilded youth and all that. This is the dramatic story of the Devonshires attack on Mansel copse on 1st July 1916, it exemplifies the tragedy and failure of that day. It also include the curios tale of Capt. Duncan Martin of 9th Devons, who before the battle made a 3D model highlighting German strong points. Martin Middlebrook in the First Day Of the Somme called him 'the man who predicted where he would be killed' The truth has been lost in myth and embellishment. The Devons reached their objectives that day, albeit later than hoped. And spoiler alert Duncan Martin did not predict where he would die.