The Western Front Association

Preserving the memory of World War I

The Western Front Association is a UK-based registered charity dedicated to preserving the memory, courage and comradeship of those on all sides who served their countries during the First World War.

Our WWI digital resources
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TrenchMapper™

Study thousands of trench maps from the First World War. These maps are accurately geolocated onto modern mapping and it is possible to search for specific WW1 trench names. To benefit from the full capabilities of this, WFA members can go to the members' area to see the best detail.

Visit TrenchMapper™
Pension Record Cards Web V1.1

Pension Records

The Western Front Association's Pension Records page offers access to over six million digitised records from World War I, providing detailed information on soldiers who served, including service details, medical assessments, and family information.

Explore WFA Pension Records
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Searchable Magazine Archive

With thousands of articles across hundreds of magazines it has previously been impossible to locate keywords or phrases. Using this portal, members can search for anything from ‘Abacus’ to ‘Zulu’.

Delve into our digitised magazines
Latest news
Upscaled Enhanced Colourisediwt 15 Lo Res FULL Page 30 Image 0001 Firefly Upscaler 2X Scale
18 January 2026

I Was There! - 1916 accounts have commenced

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Clifton Hotel
18 January 2026

Wilfred Owen hotel given a Grade II listing

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Dr Spencer Jones
9 January 2026

Introducing our new President, Dr Spencer Jones

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Key benefits of membership

Becoming a member of The Western Front Association offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's an overview of some of the numerous benefits:

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Stand To!

Receive four issues annually of this prestigious journal, featuring deeply researched articles, book reviews and historical analysis.

Magazine
Historical Magazines

Read post-WW1 era magazines, such as 'Twenty Years After', 'WW1 A Pictured History' and 'I Was There!' plus others.

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Your local WFA branch

With around 50 branches, there may be one near you. The branch meetings are open to all.

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Subscribe to the WFA's YouTube channel

The WFA's YouTube channel features hundreds of videos of lectures given by experts on particular aspects of WW1.

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I Was There!

Featured on the WFA's YouTube channel are modern day re-interpretations of the inter-war magazine 'I Was There!' which recount the memories of soldiers who 'were there'.

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Online webinars

The WFA regularly makes available webinars which can be viewed 'live' from home. These feature expert speakers talking about a particular aspect of the Great War.

World War I articles
02 Worcestershire Regiment Officers
13 January 2026

From Birkenhead to Bazentin

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Square 25
11 January 2026

1000 Yards, 1000 Bodies - WW1 In A Single Field

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The Rush To Arms In 1914
5 January 2026

The Rush to Arms in 1914

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Gordon Strachey Shephard
Remembered
On This Day, 19 January 1918
Gordon Strachey Shephard was accidentally killed on this day in 1918

Gordon Strachey Shephard was born 9 July 1885 in India, where his father Sir Horatio Shephard was a High Court Judge in Madras.

Read more about Gordon Strachey Shephard

Upcoming events

Jan 2026.1.1
19 January 2026
Leicestershire & Rutland branch

The Quintinshill Disaster

The forgotten Railway Disaster of the Great War

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IMG 0848
19 January 2026
Tyneside branch

Lost Mines of the Somme

This talk explores the intense underground fighting in the months prior to the battle of the Somme in July 1916.

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Images 19
19 January 2026
Southend on Sea branch

Redipuglia Memorial to Italian 3rd Army

With family coming for the area of the Isonzo region, James is the perfect guide to explain the many Battles of Isonzo

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Gotha IWM (Q 67219)
21 January 2026
Surrey branch

Gotha Terror by Ian Castle

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Isandhlwana
22 January 2026
Spalding and South Lincs branch

General Horace Smith-Dorrien, his two defining battles: Isandlwana 1879 and Le Cateau 1914

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Robert Barton Headstone
24 January 2026
Cork branch

Stories from the stones: Irishmen in War and Revolution

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Online
Mametz 1St July 1916
26 January 2026

The Devons on 1st July 1916: The man who predicted where he would be killed

Ross will burst a few myths about the attack by the Devons

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3 Fluxys Steenstraat Franco Belgian Trench Copyright Thv Mrg
27 January 2026
Lancashire (East) branch

Archaeology of the Great War

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Victory Parade
29 January 2026
Thames Valley branch

The Dominion of Fear: Morale, motivation and effectiveness on the battlefields of the two World Wars

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