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 November 2026

First mistake - choosing Gough

Choice of leadership of the 1917 offensive in Flanders & the plan for the campaign.

Andrew Lock

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 9th December 2026

The Story of Britain's Great War Bantams

Britain recruited 30,000 bantams during the great war, men between 5' and 5'3" to fight. Those men came from all over the UK and Canada and were formed into two Bantam Divisions, the 35th and the 40th. They fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict, but today they have been all but forgotten.

Michael Hughes

Wednesday 13th January 2027

Carry on up the Tigris

The experiences of British and Indian troops in Mesopotamia 1914-18. Discusses the differing styles of warfare in Mesopotamia and problems caused by climate and disease.

Alan Wakefield

Wednesday 10th February 2027

Raiders on the Battlefield

This talk examines the view that Special Forces 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.

Dr James Pritchett

Wednesday 10th March 2027

Women footballers in Suffolk WW1

Stephen Bolton

Wednesday 14th April 2027

The Last Battlefield Knight

John Monash

Wednesday 12th May 2027

TBC

Wednesday 9th June 2027

The Guards 1915-1917

An Elite Division at war, including a Suffolk court Martial.

David Griffiths

Wednesday 14th July 2027

Too shallow for the Navy

Maritime Mesopotamia. The Royal Navy had a vital role, supporting the Army in the Mesopotamian campaign, with gunboats on the Tigris and Euphrates in actions which resulted in three VCs and over 150 other gallantry medals being awarded. This was the first campaign to be fought over oil.

John Johnstone-Allen

Wednesday 11th August 2027

The French at Gallipoli

Peter Hart

Wednesday 8th September 2027

Haig and his maps

John Peaty