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 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.

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 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

Tony Tailor-Neale

The US Army in the First World War Having won what many historians have called the first modern war in 1865 (American Civil War) the skills developed were lost by 1898 when US faced the remains of the Spanish Empire.

With a population supporting neutrality in the First World War the US. Army could only watch, and plan for its probable entry on the Western Front.

From a small volunteer force there were many problems to surmount in creating a mass army – recruiting, training, equipping, and finding the necessary leaders with the skills and vision to lead to the effort in moving a mass army across the Atlantic. All the time weighed down by being an “Associated” and not an “Allied” power – as imposed by President Wilson.

The initial German view of the army, and its reaction to its entry on the Western Front is investigated.

It was over a year after the declaration of war that American combat units fought their first serious planned engagement at Cantigny. How the subsequent engagements from Belleau Wood to the Argonne Forest escalated in size and complexity showed an army learning its trade from private to Commander, and highlights some of the outstanding officers.

There is an assessment of just what was the significance of the US contribution to Allied victory in 1918, and how the veterans were subsequently treated.

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.