Type 23 Frigate F82 HMS Somerset visiting Belfast over the weekend.

Out yesterday with German guests from the MSC Preziosa. We did the titanic experience and a city tour including the peace wall.

Cameron Telch, a Phd student @ Mount Saint Vincent Uni, discusses the underrepresentation of shell shock in Canadian war museums. His research challenges prevailing narratives and raises important questions about how shell shock is remembered in public history. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep36...

I enjoyed recording a 'Mentioned in Dispatches' podcast this morning with @kensingtons.bsky.social for the Western Front Association on my book 'The Guards 1915-17: An Elite Division at War'. It should be available in the New Year. Meanwhile, an ebook version has been released today by Helion

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

Less than 2 months until the Gallipoli Association/WFA joint conference: Courage without Glory – Gallipoli and the Western Front in 1915 I’m really excited to be speaking alongside some stellar historians! #fwwhist www.westernfrontassociation.com/events/coura...

This autumn I’ll be teaching OLE3039: The Social History of Belfast and its Residents, 1798–1914 at Queen’s University Belfast. Across 10 weekly sessions (Wednesdays, 7.00–9.00 pm, starting 1 October 2025) 👉https://tinyurl.com/2dvu368v

In the latest ep of the WFA’s Mentioned in Dispatches pod @profgsheffield.bsky.social compares & contrasts the experience of the London Territorial Force in the 1st and 2nd WW. This talk was part of the London Pride Conf held in June 2024. Listen here tinyurl.com/5frhubwa or on your chosen platform.

Belfast Lough at 5.30 this morning!

Chirk Castle in Denbighshire was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer as part of Edward I’s border defences. It is one of the few Edwardian castles still inhabited today.

Chirk War Memorial, designed by Eric Gill and unveiled in 1920, stands at the east end of Station Avenue in Chirk, Wrexham. Commissioned by Thomas Scott-Ellis, it commemorates the fallen of both World Wars and was designated Grade II* in 1998.

Birkenhead War Memorial, stands in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England, opposite the Town Hall. The memorial was designed by Lionel Budden, and the sculptor was H. Tyson Smith. Unveiled in 1925 by Lieutenant-General Sir Richard H. K. Butler.

At the end of Jul25, the WFA's Mentioned in Dispatches pod hit 751,410 d/loads since Feb17. I’ve hosted 379 eps many aspects of the GW. I’ve spoken to a heavy metal band about songs inspired by WW1 to academics about widows. It has been a great journey to date: onward! Listen kensingtons.org.uk

Ep365 – Honouring the Fallen Through ‘The Last Post’ On this week’s episode of the WFA's podcast Mentioned in Dispatches, Dr Brad Ulrich, trumpet performer, educator & FWW historian, joins the podcast to discuss his musical tribute to the fallen. Listen here: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep36...

I came across a fascinating and little-known wartime book titled Fear in Battle (1944) by psych John Dollard. Issued during the SSW, this report offers a remarkably honest & psychologically insightful look into how soldiers experience & manage fear in combat. kensingtons.org.uk/understandin...

24th Park Run. More tortoise than hare but I made it round.

Ep364 – Boredom in Salonika – Dr Jake Gasson explores the distinct psychological challenges faced by the men of the 60th (2/2nd London) Division while serving in Salonika between December 1916 and June 1917. Listen here: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep36... or via your favourite platform.

My review of Erich Kern’s Dance of Death. It is a paradoxical memoir by a committed Nazi who, while fighting on the Eastern Front, harshly criticises German occupation policies and racial ideology for undermining the war effort. kensingtons.org.uk/book-review-...

My review of Steve Hammond’s excellent Edgar Loveland (Steve Hammond Ed.), Quarter Bloke, with the Westminsters at War (Privately, 2024) pub in Stand To! 138 (June 2025). Read it here: tinyurl.com/mrxaszx3 Pod w Steve on his research into the QWR: tinyurl.com/36hk35dy

My review of Margaret Ward’s, Rebel Women: Cumann na mBan in Belfast and the Glens of Antrim, 1914-1924 (Dublin: Beyond the Pale, 2024) in Stand To! 137 (2025). Read it here: tinyurl.com/34d5dv5t

On this week’s Mentioned in Dispatches podcast, Clive Harris explores the role of London Territorials in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915–16. kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep36...

What drives a soldier to fight or flee? I explore Elmar Dinter’s Hero or Coward and its lessons for leadership and resilience — read more here: kensingtons.org.uk/book-review-...

Out in stroke city yesterday, lovely weather. Amazing history, buildings and people.

Out doing tour of parliament buildings in stormont. Great tour by evie. Interesting, well worth it.

Call for help! Does anyone know of a good study on the impact of shellshock on infantry units during WW1? Doing some research into the impact of shellshock on morale, motivation and efficiency during the GW and there is little info. All help gratefully received!

Ep359 – The British League of Help – Nick Jenkins MiD this week: Nick Jenkins explores the British League of Help, an org that supported the reconstruction of French towns after the FWW. Listen via your fav platform or: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep35...

A list of the future MiD podcast episodes is out: List is here: kensingtons.org.uk/future-mid-e...

Delighted to see that Vol One of London Pride: The London Territorial Force in Peace & War, 1908-1921 on Helion's forthcoming titles! V1 which looks at the TF in peacetime, society & transition to war. Info: tinyurl.com/4b7mfnc5 Register interest here: tinyurl.com/yu8mmdz6 You know it makes sense!

Review - Edmund Walendowski, Combat Motivation in Polish Forces (London: Macmillan, 1988) Study assesses combat motivation in the Polish armed forces in 1980s when part of the Warsaw Pact. Dated study, bit simplistic but interesting a/ment of the Polish morale in Cold War. tinyurl.com/2dzreabj

Completed a great I/v w journal & author @natehendley.bsky.social Hendley re his new book Atrocity on the Atlantic, pub @dundurnpress.bsky.social. Book recounts the shocking wartime sinking of the Canadian hospital ship Llandovery Castle by a Ger U-boat in 1918 & the war crimes trial that followed.

Ep357 – A WWI Mystery Reunited After 110 Years On this week’s MiD pod, Philipp Cross shares the moving story of uncovering his gt-gt-grandfather Ger Lt Alexander Pfeifer’s FFW trench diary & reconnecting with the fam of Brit soldier Pte Percy Walsh through a long-lost pcard. tinyurl.com/2jjcfna2

Two tours. Out last night with @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social open learning group looking at the Queen's Qtr. Out this morning with two Texans talking about Belfast's Troubles.

A great haul yesterday from Much Books in Much Wenlock. Great bookshop. I am seeking help...

In Middle Earth for R&R.

Neighbourhood tourism is fast becoming a cornerstone of Belfast’s evolving visitor strategy, aiming to share the benefits of tourism more equitably across the city. Read my thoughts on the strategy: tinyurl.com/bdezwfsc

Hi Nate, I host/produce the Western Front Association's podcast Mentioned in Dispatches. Do u fancy doing an i/v on your book? Would make a great episode. DM me if this works for you. More info here: www.westernfrontassociation.com/the-latest-w...

On this week’s WFA Mentioned in Dispatches podcast, John Davy examines the London Regiment’s links with the Royal Flying Corps and RAF during the Great War. Listen can listen on your favourite podcast platform or here: kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep35...

This week on the WFA’s MiD: Ep355 – Harry Potter – Alexander Paterson and the Bermondsey Battalion. Harry talks about interwar penal reformer Paterson’s wartime experience based on his diary and letters, from the front lines to intelligence and recreation work. tinyurl.com/4jsbjkce

🚨 Students and lecturers, there is still time to apply to The Western Front Association’s Masters Grant Scheme! 🚨 If you, or your students, are researching and writing a dissertation relating to the First World War as part of your masters degree then we want to hear from you! #fwwhist

On the WFA’s Mentioned in Dispatch pod this week we have Edgar Loveland and the Queen's Westminsters at War – With Steve Hammond🎖️#WWI #MilitaryHistory

Coming soon on MiD: a chat I had with Terry Whenham from the Tales From The Battlefields Pod to discuss podcasting the Great War and its challenges. Very nerdy but very interesting.

Polishing my halo yesterday giving blood with NI Blood Transfusion Service. 38th donation; Hope my humble brag will encourage others to donate!

🚨 London Pride – Vol 1 Submitted! 🚨 Excited to announce that Volume One of London Pride is now with Helion & Co. A big milestone for a project that shines a light on London’s overlooked Territorial Force during the Great War. Vol 2 coming soon! #LondonPride #MilitaryHistory #WW1 #Helion

Next 9 eps for The Western Front Assoc's Mentioned in Dispatches pod that I edit/host/produce are now ready. To find out what is coming see here: kensingtons.org.uk/future-mid-e...

On the WFA’s Mentioned in Dispatch pod we have The German U-boat Campaign – With Michèl Admiraal🚢⚔️ How did U-boats/strategy evolve duringWWI? Listen now! 🎧#WWI #SubmarineWarfare kensingtons.org.uk/podcast/ep35...

Collection of war memorials in St Albans, Herts (last wk and 2019). Official ones in the High St and Abbey but also community ones on streets remembering residents who fell in the GW.

Collection of war memorials in St Albans, Herts (last wk and 2019). Official ones in the High St and Abbey but also community ones on streets remembering residents who fell in the GW.

Combat Morale and the Will to Fight. Joined Tony Garcia & Max Lauker on Underground Strategy pod to discuss what drives soldiers to fight—and what makes them stop. 🎧 Listen here: shows.acast.com/underground-... 🔍 Learn more: undergroundstrategy.com

🌟 Upcoming Mentioned in Dispatches Eps! 🎧 📌 Ep351 (15 Mar) – Steve Dunn: Royal Navy & invasion fears (1900–18) 📌 Ep352 (1 Apr) – Michèl Admiraal: U-boat tech & doctrine in WWI 📌 Ep353 (15 Apr) – Steve Hammond: Edgar Loveland & Queen’s Westminster Rifles History brought to life! 🔥 #MilitaryHistory

Combat Morale and the Will to Fight. Joined Tony Garcia & Max Lauker on Underground Strategy pod to discuss what drives soldiers to fight—and what makes them stop. 🎧 Listen here: shows.acast.com/underground-... 🔍 Learn more: undergroundstrategy.com