Ep384 – The Saxons in Flanders, 1914-8 – Andrew Lucas This week on WFA's MiD pod, discussion about the Saxon army on the Western Front.https://kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep384-the-saxons-in-flanders-1914-8-andrew-lucas/

Concert yesterday in Victoria Square Shopping Centre with the East Coast Orchestra; lots of fun and raising money for charity.

Next concert of The Sanctuary Singers Summer Concert with the East Coast Orchestra In aid of the Alzheimer's Society The Great Hall, Stormont, Belfast Sat 20 Jun 2026, 7:30PM Tickets: www.ticketsource.com/booking/sele... In Aid of @alzheimerssoc.bsky.social

At PRONI talking about London Pride and the London Irish in the London TF 1908 to 1915. Thanks to PRONI for hosting us. Sharing the stage with Dr Stephen Sandford.

Ep383 – Smith Dorien saving the British army – Charles Barrington In this ep of the WFA's Mentioned in Dispatches pod, the life and career of Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, focusing on his decisive actions during the early stages of the FWW. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep38...

Grave of Sir Harim Maxim, inventor of the Maxim Machine Gun, which was the first portable, self powered, fully automatic MG. Born in US, moved to UK in 1880s; died in Streatham in 1916. Grave in W. Norwood Cem.

Saturday Park run. Made it round as youth and geriatrics raced past me. I deserve a medal!

Excellent interview yesterday with Brian Gervat for The WFA's Mentioned in Dispatches pod on her book There Will Come Soft Rains about her journey across the Western Front. Due out later this year. www.theperegrinepilgrim.com

Top afternoon at the The Tank Museum last week. Absolute beasts of machines, loads of history and a proper good wander round. Worth it just to stand next to them and feel tiny. #TankMuseum #Bovington #History

Looking forward to presenting on the London TF on Sunday (noon) at the @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social conference.

My review of Linden Macintyre's excellent An Accidental Villain: Sir Hugh Tudor, Churchill’s Enforcer in Revolutionary Ireland (Newbridge, Co. Kildare: Merrion Press, 2025) in Stand To! 141 (March 2026).

Upcoming/out on WFA's Mentioned in Dispatches: Ep380 Henry Tudor in Ireland (11 Apr); 381 Britain, oil & Baku 1918 (15 Apr); 382 Three Sons for the Kaiser (1 May); 383 Smith-Dorrien saves army (15 May); 384 Saxons in Flanders (1 Jun); 385 Barnbow Disaster (15 Jun); more in Jul-Aug.

Latest two podcasts out on The WFA's Dispatches podcasts: Ep381 – Britain, oil and Baku in 1918 – Nick Higham kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep38... Ep380 – Henry Tudor in Ireland – Linden MacIntyre kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep38...

Put in cold and blustery Belfast doing a trek of the Falls and Shankil. Lovely group from minnesotta.

Put in cold and blustery Belfast doing a trek of the Falls and Shankil. Lovely group from minnesotta.

Out at the Dub Park Run. Very much with the slow horses today.

Delighted to be part of GWG online Conf on 26.4.26. Talking about Cockneys in the Trenches in the London TF, 1914–18 based on the volume London Pride that I edited with @parhistory.bsky.social & Charles Fair. Book conf here: greatwargroup.com/product/onli... London Pride tinyurl.com/54ex98e3

The next Studio Symphony Orchestra concert will be held on Saturday 21st March in the Common Hall at RBAI (Inst). Join us for an evening of wonderful classical music. Elgar - Froissart overture Mozart - Clarinet concerto Amy Beach - Gaelic Symphony Tickets www.studiosymphony.org.uk/dbpage.php?p...

Out today in Belfast talking about Belfast's facinating history of slavery and abolitionism with students from Georgia in the USA.

Talking about London Pride with @parhistory.bsky.social and Charles Fair at @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social on 26.6.26 at noon. We talk about the formation, composition and wartime contribution of the London Territorial Force. Tickets here www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/lon...

Talking about London Pride with @parhistory.bsky.social and Charles Fair at @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social on 26.6.26 at noon. We talk about the formation, composition and wartime contribution of the London Territorial Force. Tickets here www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/lon...

Visited the @nationaltrust.org.uk Argory over the w/e. Built in the 1820s for the MacGeough Bond family. It is an understated Neo-classical house constructed from Caledon stone with Navan limestone details, whose largely unchanged interior reflects the family’s eclectic tastes. Well worth a visit!

Talk at PRONI on The London Irish and London Pride: Identity, Memory and the Citizen Soldier with Dr Stephen Sandford. Public Record Office of Northern IrelandBelfast, Northern Ireland Thursday, May 21 from 1 pm to 2 pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-london...

In this episode of the WFA's MiD pod David Griffith discusses his new book The Guards 1915–17: An Elite Division at War. The book is the first major history of the Guards Division in nearly a century. Published by Helion & Co. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

Link to it on the Podcast website and show notes!

Did a great Redcoast History Podcast on Sat on London Pride, the book I edited with Charles Fair and @parhistory.bsky.social. The book examines the London Territorial Force before and during the GW. YouTube stream - www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkRb... Audio is here: open.spotify.com/episode/5kSZ...

On Redcoat History Podcast tomorrow with @parhistory.bsky.social to talk about London Pride, TF and the Great War. Link is here; www.youtube.com/live/qkRb4n2...

We couldn't have said it better, Heather! Read more on Framing the First World War: How Divergent Views Shaped A Global Conflict here: kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700640560/. @mpmfinch.bsky.social @draefox.bsky.social @dmorganowen.bsky.social #WorldWarI #modernwarstudies #militaryhistory #upkansas

In this ep of The WFA's MiD pod Mike Jackson tells the story of his great-uncle, Lance Corporal John Street, who fell in 1917 and was finally buried 10 April 2025. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

Ep374 – Angel Down – Daniel Kraus. In this ep of the WFA's Mentioned in Dispatches pod, author Daniel Kraus discusses his novel Angel Down — a haunting, formally ambitious reimagining of the FWW told through a single, continuous sentence. Pub by Simon&Schuster kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

London Pride Vol 1 has now has been printed! It examines the vital yet often overlooked contributions of London’s Territorial Force from 1908-21, exploring its unique structure, socio-economic composition, military operations during the GW and enduring legacy. Order: tinyurl.com/33d9zwj7

It was great to be back on the Western Front Association’s Mentioned in Dispatches podcast with Dr Tom Thorpe @kensingtons.bsky.social to talk about my latest book, For King and Country: The Role of Patriotism in Mobilisation in the First World War: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

On this week's MiD pod from the WFA, @richardbatten.bsky.social discusses his excellent new book For King and Country: The Role of Patriotism in Mobilisation in the First World War, published by Pen&SwordListen on your favourite platform or here: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

Visited the Danish museum frigate Peder Skram (F352) in Copenhagen in October. Built in 1960s and modernised with missiles in the 1970s. Lots of access throughout and a window on the cold war navy in the Baltic.

More images of the Cenotaph.

Amazing ceremony at Cenotaph in Westminster to mark the 107th anniversary of the 1918 armistice.

Volume 1 of London Pride is on its way! It examines London’s Territorial Force (TF) from 1908-21, exploring its unique structure, socio-economic composition, military operations during the GW. Ideal for office & home use & Xmas presents. Reg interest: tinyurl.com/25tty85e @parhistory.bsky.social

Ep371 – Walking the Western Way – Nick and Fiona Jenkins In this week’s episode of the Western Front Association’s Mentioned in Dispatches, Nick and Fiona Jenkins discuss their remarkable journey along the entire Western Front. Listen: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

You're welcome!

Cannon ball from Royal Navy’s three-day bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 aimed to seize the neutral Danish fleet before Napoleon could. Projectile placed in the building after the attack.

The WFA is offering grants of up to £2,500 to support PhD researchers in advancing original First World War studies. Applications close on Monday 1 December 2025. Info: tinyurl.com/2ue2582h @primeadam.bsky.social @profgsheffield.bsky.social

Brass Put and Take Spinning Top Dice - Horse Racing Gambling Game. The game started in Victorian times & became more popular during WW1 when soldiers could file their bullets into game pieces. The game was played until about the 1950's when its popularity declined.

Calling FWW geeks! Got this gaming piece for my b'day. Apparently, from the GW. Do people know what game this would have been used for?

Just interviewed Nick Higham about his book Mavericks for the WFA's podcast. Coming out early next year.

Leeds War Memorial stands on Victoria Square in Leeds, England. It was erected to honour those who fell in the FWW Designed by sculptor Henry Charles Fehr (1867–1940), it was unveiled on 14.10.1922 by Viscount Lascelles. The monument remains a focal point for remembrance services in the city today.

The York City War Memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, commemorates the city’s First World War dead and stands on Leeman Road, York. Unveiled in 1925 by the Duke of York, it features a 33-foot stone cross and is now a grade II* listed building. Image taken in early Oct 2025.

On this week’s MiD podcast journo @natehendley.bsky.social joins the podcast to explore one of the most shocking war crimes of the FWW—the sinking of the Canadian hospital ship Llandovery Castle by a German U-boat in 1918. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep37...

My review of @richardbatten.bsky.social excellent For King and Country: The Role of Patriotism in Mobilisation in the First World War (Pen & Sword, 2025). Published in Stand To! No.199 (September 2025).

Visit to soggy Yorkshire Air Museum on Friday. Lots of interesting exhibits and some great Cold War era stuff. Well wroth a visit.

Ep369 – Army Pay Services – Dr John Black This week on MiD, Dr John Black, military historian and former pay sergeant, delves into the often-neglected history of the British Army Pay Services during the First World War. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep36...