Western Front Association

Who were Tolkien’s brother officers in the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers? This article profiles 51 of them and overturns long-held assumptions about the battalion he served with on the Somme. westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-ar… #FirstWorldWar

Saturday 4 July: Join us at the Army & Navy Club on Pall Mall – one of London’s most distinguished private members’ clubs – for a day of expert talks marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. westernfrontassociation.com/events/2026/ju…

Iraq is the fifth largest country for Commonwealth war dead, with over 56,000 lives lost. Most of us will never visit these sites – this extensively illustrated article is a rare and invaluable record.

Since 1914, Britain has invaded Iraq three times and fought five wars there – yet the war cemeteries have almost disappeared from public view. Ben Soppitt visited every one in 2025. westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-ar… #FirstWorldWar #LestWeForget

@johncopse Neil, please let us know if you encounter this issue again. It'll be helpful to know what browser you're using, and which operation system (e.g. Mac, PC).

Could a @TheWFA member take a look at the WFA site for me, please? The searchable magazine, Stand To! and Bulletin archives etc appear to be broken - unless it's a problem with my machine. Thank you. #WW1

New on the WFA website: the letters of Captain Archibald James, who witnessed the Suvla landings, survived a bullet through his field glasses, and was among the last men off the Gallipoli peninsula in December 1915. westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-ar…

Three First World War re-dedication ceremonies will take place in France and Belgium on 17–18 March, for soldiers identified by the JCCC. Open to the public. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/febr… #FirstWorldWar #LestWeForget

How did First World War doctrine shape the BEF – and what traces survive in British Military Doctrine today? Phil Watson explores the links across a century. youtu.be/Y6-LUxYewwU #FirstWorldWar #GreatWar

In October 1996, WFA member Steve Metcalfe launched The Northallerton Memorials Project – possibly the world’s first online war memorial. Hand-coded in HTML 1.0, it predates many of the internet’s best-known Great War resources. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/febr…

Bulletin 130 is out now, with new editor Dr Martin Purdy (‘Doing Our Bit’ and ‘The Gallipoli Oak’) at the helm. This issue: the men of Niue, Cenotaph reflections, and more. Exclusive to WFA members. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/febr…

NEW VIDEO: The Austro-Hungarian Navy during the First World War. In this engaging talk, Graham Kemp covers the development of a surprisingly effective force and its Adriatic operations. youtu.be/z_lHAEZBfqA

Save the date: Four leading historians will gather on Saturday 4 July to mark the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/janu… Army & Navy Club, London.

There has been considerable interest in this firsthand account: Stoker W.C. Farnden was one of only twelve men to survive the sinking of HMS Hampshire in June 1916. His recollection of the tragedy – and the loss of Lord Kitchener – is a sobering listen. youtu.be/1l91ln8fxOw

VAD nurse Phyllis Guillemard died of pneumonia in 1916, aged 25. Her mother later donated her photograph to the Imperial War Museum with a note: ‘What a fine girl she was.’ Rob Kirk traces her story. westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-ar…

I Was There! A rich collection of first-hand accounts of the Great War. Have you explored our voicings? westernfrontassociation.com/i-was-there/

Cornwall calling! Gary Carrier is keen to establish a WFA branch in the county. Branches offer the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts, hear visiting speakers, and enjoy group visits. Interested in helping? westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/janu…

Introducing our new President: Dr Spencer Jones. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/janu… Image: Spencer (third from left) receiving the Alfred Burne Memorial Medal for his work with the Royal Artillery, April 2024.

Calling young historians: The Colin Hardy Memorial Award is back. Students aged 16–18 can submit an essay or project on any aspect of the First World War. Two £500 prizes on offer. Deadline: 21 August 2026. bit.ly/WFA-colin-hard…

Congratulations to Valmai Holt, appointed MBE in the New Year Honours for services to military history and war commemoration. The award recognises the pioneering work she and her late husband, Major Tonie Holt, undertook over several decades. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/janu…

@willisRM73 I'll pass on your feedback to the editor.

@TheWFA Please please please can you make the font bigger.

Stand To! 140 is on its way to members. This edition explores the human cost of war—shell shock, grief, amputees, remembrance and those who returned changed. Also available to read now from our digital magazine archive. westernfrontassociation.com/news/2026/janu…