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™
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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
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2 May 2026

The Battle of the Somme "I Was There !" Latest episode 'I Filmed the Somme Advance' by Lt G H Malins

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2 May 2026

U.S. museum returns remains of soldiers from the First World War

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1 May 2026

Another 'digger' identified at Fromelles

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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
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2 May 2026

What happened to the Bond of Sacrifice?

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28 April 2026

Alexander Kazakov – Russia’s greatest fighter ace of the First World War

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21 April 2026

The Lonely Anzac

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Robert Grierson Combe
Remembered
On This Day, 3 May 1917
Robert Grierson Combe was killed in action on this day in 1917

Robert Grierson Combe was born in Aberdeen on 5 August 1880, the youngest of six children of parents James and Elizabeth Combe

Read more about Robert Grierson Combe

Upcoming events

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5 May 2026
Kent (East) branch

Goodbye old man - the artist Fortunino Matania's vision of the Great War

Fortunino Matania's war art.

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5 May 2026
Lancashire (North) branch

Lancaster War Graves Tour

An evening visiting Lancaster War Graves

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Verdun Images De Guerre
5 May 2026
Chesterfield branch

The Battle of Verdun

Battle of Verdun was fought from 21 February to 18 December 1916

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5 May 2026
Norfolk branch

Evolving Meritocracy in the BEF

The development of a skill-based partial meritocracy within infantry battalion command.

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IWM Q 4504
6 May 2026
Cambridgeshire branch

Soldier photographers of the Great War

This talk examines photographs taken by serving British soldiers during the First World War.

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Army Service Corps
7 May 2026
Wiltshire branch

August 1914 - Follow a Supply Column and others through mobilisation and the total chaos of the opening weeks of the Great War

Roy Larkin returns to talk on another aspect of the Army Service Corps

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Queenmary
7 May 2026
Middlesex branch

The Aftermath of Jutland

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05 May 26
8 May 2026
Midlands (East) branch

Comparing the Somme 1916 and the Battle of Arras 1917

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War Hero
8 May 2026
Lancashire and Cheshire branch

The 9th (Service Battalion) The Cheshire Regiment 1914-1920

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