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 11th February 2026

Taff Gillingham

Returning to France.
The Suffolk Regiment in Normandy.

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 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.

Wednesday 10th June 2026

Too Shallow for the Navy

John Johnstone-Allen

The Maritime Mesopotamia 1914-17. The Royal Navy's role in the the navy's Mesopotamian campaign. In 3 years a small number of RN personnel in a variety of river craft supported the military, in the process winning over 160 medals for gallantry, including 3 Victoria crosses.

Wednesday 8th July 2026

Welsh Warrior at Ypres, 1914

Peter Hart

The thrilling memories of Captain Hubert Rees who ended up in command of the 2nd Welsh Regiment during the fighting at Gheluvelt.

Wednesday 12th August 2026

A Doctor at War

Steve Roberts

Based on the work of a surgeon who served on the Western from August 1914 to the wars end. He held a variety of roles including as an RMO with an Artillery Brigade and later as a surgeon at various CCS. during the war he maintained a comprehensive diary and series of medical notebooks giving a unique insight into the workings of a Surgeons war.

Wednesday 9th September 2026

Arras

With the Canadians fighting at Vimy, the Scots on the Scarpe, the Newfoundlander's at Monchy and the Australians at Bullecourt, a battle which began so brilliantly ended dismally.

Wednesday 14th October 2026

Commonwealth War Graves

Elaine Brown

The talk will include the history of the commission, the work being carried out currently and the future plans.