Welcome to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Branch
The branch meet at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at The Ed Shed, The Folk of Gloucester Centre, 2 Quay St, Gloucester, GL1 2PG.
Entrance is via the rear on Quay Street opposite the Council Carpark barrier.
There is ample free parking here after 7:00 pm when the barrier is raised.
Location via "What3Words" is "hooked.stage.mass"
All are welcome
The Cheltenham and Gloucester Branch is very active with regular attendance of over 40 people at our monthly meeting meetings.
As well as regular speakers we have film and documentary showings and organised trips both in this country and to the Western Front.
A donation of £5.00 (£2.00 for students) would be greatly appreciated
Forthcoming Meetings
Tuesday 8 April 2025
Musical Box, 1918 and 2024
Andy Moody
On 8 August 1918, the Medium A Whippet tank called Musical Box took part in the opening phase of the battle of Amiens, tasked with supporting Australian infantry and cooperating with the cavalry.
The tank, commanded by Lieutenant Clem Arnold and crewed by Driver Willie Carney and Gunner Chris Ribbans went on a ten hour rampage behind German lines, completely unsupported, causing mayhem until it was finally knocked out in the late afternoon. This action has become part of the tank regiment folklore and is rightly celebrated to this day. In November 2019 Tony Cook and Kevin Jepson started work on a full scale working replica, building the world's only functioning Whippet tank from scratch using basic hand tools. The speaker joined the team in November 2021 and in July 2024 Musical Box appeared at Bovington Tankfest to a rapturous reception, including from decedents of the original crew.
Tuesday 13 May 2025
Le Moncel - Lance versus Lance
Phil Watson
On 7 September 1914, the 9th Lancers (2nd Cavalry Brigade) conducted the last lance versus lance charge on the Western Front. It took place at Le Moncel, just outside Paris, on what would become the end of the Retreat and the beginning of the Battle of the Marne. The commanding officer, and two troops of ‘B’ Squadron charged a squadron from 1st Garde Dragoner. The story was depicted in paintings, which misrepresented the action. Likewise, the regimental history only recorded that which supported the cavalry narrative. Phil’s presentation seeks to represent an accurate portrayal from both German and British sources.
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Lessons of the Hundred Days – Amiens to the Armistice
Dr Simon Peaple
Simon reviews the lessons learned during the Last Hundred Days Campaign during the Advance from the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, the taking of the Hindenburg Line and then to the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
Tuesday 8 July 2025
There Were No Neutrals in the Trenches
Michael O’Brien
In this talk Michael will give an account of those American citizens who died fighting in the British Army during the Somme Campaign from July to November 1916.
Tuesday 12 August 2025
Where the Money Went
Roy Larkin
This fully illustrated talk takes a look at where the money was spent during the Great War. Intended to awaken the imagination and look at aspects of the war rarely, if ever, considered. Not so much about the battles, but the everyday expenditure that everybody needs. Sometimes it is the size of the number, other times it is a minimal amount but there is a nice back story.
Tuesday 9 September 2025
The Battle of the Sambre, 4 November 1918
Dr Derek Clayton
This talk is based on Dr Clayton’s PhD Thesis (University of Birmingham 2015). The Third and Fourth Armies deliver the final knock-out blow to the German Army as they assault the Forest of Mormal and force the crossing of the Sambre.
Tuesday 14 October 2025
The Palestine Campaign
Dr John Peaty
Following three battles to break into Palestine at Gaza, the capture of Jerusalem and a spectacular victory at Megiddo (Armageddon) which finally broke the enemy forces, the Holy Land was freed from Turkish rule.
Tuesday 11 November 2025
Kitchener’s Army revisited
Professor Peter Simkins MBE FRHistS
In this talk our Branch President Peter Simkins will look at revisions to the ideas which he originally put forward in the 1980s.
Tuesday 9 December 2025
Members’ Evening
For our December meeting, we draw on the wide and varied expertise and knowledge of our branch members. We will have a small selection of ten-minute length presentations on a Great War related subject of their choice.
Find out more from our website: The Western Front Association https://www.cgwfa.co.uk/
Facebook: Cheltenham & Gloucestershire Branch of the Western Front Association.
Upcoming Branch Events
See Bulletin, or the Branch Facebook Page or website for forthcoming event details.