World War I Articles | The Western Front Association

Articles on every aspect of the First World War written by experts in their field. Some were first published in Stand To! or Bulletin, others have been researched and written for the web. If you would like to contribute an article please get in touch.

Chilwell – the VC factory explosion 1 July 1918

In 1914 the British armaments industry was primarily geared to supplying the needs of the Royal N...

The Censuring of Lieutenant Colonel John MacCarthy-O’Leary

In February 1918, 55th (West Lancashire) Division took over trenches in the Givenchy sector. The...

The Curious Case of Thomas Brown who served as Thomas Smith and the Dews...

In 2014 a group by the name of Dewsbury Sacrifices was formed with the primary intention of rese...

Courage and devotion to duty: 62357 Sgt. Ernest Bashford, 199 Siege Battery

Family history research revealed at least five relatives who served in the Royal Garrison Artille...

From the Suvla Plain to Victory: William Ralph Peel

On the 16 November 1918, Lt Col William Ralph Peel and the men in his 10/Manchester Regiment were...

Ivor Gurney: Composer, Poet, Soldier

Ivor Gurney was born at 3 Queen Street, Gloucester, in 1890, as the second of four surviving chil...

Capt James Donaldson Boswall: Boer War to Great War

James Donaldson Boswall was born in Madras, India in November 1870, the only son of Major-General...

‘Two years in the making. Ten minutes in the destroying’ – A Sheffield s...

John Harris’s 1961 book, ‘Covenant with Death’, is a well-known ‘fictionary’ account of the Sheff...

Howitzers, wounds and a pension

“The war of 1914-18 was an artillery war: artillery was the battle winner, artillery was what cau...

General Sir Henry Wilson and the Disaster at Vimy - The German attack on...

If anyone who has an interest in the Great War is asked name an event associated with Vimy Ridge,...

One Man’s Lifelong Link to Vimy - Donald Wood's Story

In July 1936, the impressive Canadian National Vimy Memorial was unveiled by King Edward VIII in...

Remembering Grandad’s war : Sergeant James Fleming

For many people interested in the First World War, initial enthusiasm can often be traced back to...