Office Holders and Executive Committee

John Giles developed the idea for an association on the First World War with its emphasis on the Western Front. He was driven to form The Western Front Association as a result of the creation of such groups as 'The Gallipoli Association' which had been established in 1969, and, in the early 1970s the 'Waterloo Association' which had been set up to save the old battlefield.  The definitive article 'The' was also stipulated. And thus, in November 1980, The Western Front Association was established.

• Professor Sir Hew Strachan CVO FBA FRS
• Professor Peter Simkins MBE FRHistS

• Professor Gary Sheffield MA PhD FRHistS FRSA FSAHR

• Professor John Bourne BA PhD FRHistS
• Dr Jack Sheldon MA PhD FRGS
• Dr Roger Lee PhD
• Major-General ((Ret'd) Mungo Melvin CB OBE
• Colonel (Ret'd) Patrick Dennis OMM CD
• Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Christopher Pugsley ONZM DPhil FRHistS
• Dr Spencer Jones MPhil PhD FRHistS
• Lady Lucy French OBE
• The Rt. Hon. Lord Astor of Hever, PC, DL
• The Burgomaster of Ypres
• The Mayor of Albert

Tony joined Holst and Company as a trainee design draughtsman in 1967, retiring after nearly 43 years as Regional Director of Civil Engineering Division of Vinci UK.

He has been a member of The Western Front Association almost from its inception in 1980. Tony is currently Chair of the Chesterfield Branch. He has contributed to BBC Radio Sheffield’s Centenary programme and presented talks to many external groups on First World War subjects.

Tony completed his Masters degree in British First World War History with Distinction at Birmingham in 2014. His dissertation on the Resignation Of Austen Chamberlain and the Mesopotamia Commission also received a Distinction.

David can date his interest in the First World War to a specific event – the year was 1990 and he was persuaded to read First Day on the Somme by Martin Middlebrook. So impressed was he that upon finishing the book, he immediately read it again.

The following year, accompanied by his brother, he holidayed in France. This was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, and although it was late July, the area around Albert was still awash with visitors.

Returning home, little realising the significance of his action, he looked at the war memorial in his local church in Ravensthorpe, near Dewsbury. This small action started a process of research into this memorial which culminated in 2000 in the publication of his book (A Village Goes to War). David undertook a Masters Degree at the University of Birmingham (2004-2006) which resulted in his dissertation 'Divisional Usage in the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front 1916-1918' which analysed the elitism (or otherwise) of British Divisions via a statistical approach to various factors.

David joined The Western Front Association in 1992, and became Treasurer of the Yorkshire branch of the WFA in 2002 and volunteered as a trustee of the WFA in 2009. His wish is to strengthen the association to ensure it can continue its objectives for decades to come.

Jill has been interested in the First World War since her schooldays and first visited the battlefields in the early 1980s returning many times since then. In 2007 she began to research those named on war memorials in her home area of Moray. Retiring from a career in local government in Autumn 2014 she immediately embarked on a project with the local weekly newspaper, together with the Chairman of the North of Scotland Branch of The Western Front Association, to provide weekly articles during the course of the centenary commemorations. During this time, she worked with local schools and community groups and published two local interest books on the impact of WW1 on Moray. She has worked as a volunteer in The Highlanders Museum at Fort George since 2014, assisting in the staging of temporary exhibitions and research. Latterly she has volunteered on Project Alias and Hometown.

Jon’s interest in the First World War started with conversations with his grandfather, who had lost two brothers in the war. One was killed on 25 April 1915 on the first day of the Gallipoli landings and buried at V Beach. The other was on 21 March 1918 the first day of the German Spring Offensive (the "Kaiserschlacht”) with no known grave but commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial near Albert. The second brother was also present at the Battle of Jutland.

Although based in the UK Jon was born and raised in South Africa and thus has an interest in aspects of Southern African history.

He has published a book on the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Jon is a retired Chartered Accountant and is treasurer of a few charities including the local hospice.

Rich has been a member of The Western Front member for more than 25 years, joining the WFA Executive Committee in 2010 as the legal trustee.

He has a long-standing interest in military history, and the First World War in particular, and has been a regular visitor to France, Belgium and Gallipoli for over 25 years.

He studied law at Brasenose College, Oxford (Haig's old college) and qualified as a solicitor in 1987. He is a partner at a major City law firm. In 2014 he completed a history degree in British Great War studies at Birmingham University.

The modern world is so complicated that many aspects of the Association's work have a legal dimension so he gets involved in a wide range of matters including risk management, inappropriate use of social media, contract, insurance, media law, intellectual property and litigation. He has helped the Association with the legal aspects of many of the challenges we have faced in recent years such as the pension records cards, and the introduction of GDPR.

He is one of the organisers of our annual Cenotaph commemoration and arranges the annual service at the Guards' Chapel.

Rich is also the legal adviser to the Council of the National Army Museum.

• MA (Oxon)(Jurisprudence)
• MA Modern History (British Great War Studies)(Birmingham University)

Eve was a teacher in East London comprehensive schools for forty years, including fifteen as Headteacher of Willowfield Humanities College, specialising in English, History and Citizenship.

History has always been important in her private life too. Her husband, Malcolm Doolin, was a historian by training and by passion and, having spent many holidays exploring the Western Front, his interest in the Great War inevitably rubbed off on her.

They were both co-opted onto WFA East London’s management committee and Eve manages social media for the branch. She supported Malcolm’s organisation of several special events during the centenary including, in 2017, an ambitious World War One Day: a partnership event with many local groups including schools. When Malcolm died in March 2018, his preparations for a similar event that September were already well advanced and Eve took over the organisation of the day which attracted 700 visitors.

They were also involved in the University of Kent’s “Great War Theatre” project. Having assisted with research, they arranged rehearsed readings of plays by branch members, one of which featured in a Dan Snow documentary. Eve recently gave a presentation about this at the WFA Chairs’ Briefing.

Eve represents the branch at local Remembrance Day commemorations and, in 2019, was honoured to support the Chinese Labour Corps delegation at the WFA cenotaph Service of Remembrance.

Eve believes that young people need a sense of the past to understand their present world and have the confidence to control their future. She believes the WFA can contribute to this.

A native of the Staffordshire Moorlands, Adam graduated from the University of Salford in 2011 with a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Military and International History. He followed that with an MA in Military History from the University of Chester.

In 2013, he was awarded a PhD studentship from the University of Leicester, his thesis was entitled ‘The Indian Army’s British Officer Corps, 1861-1921’. The thesis considered traditional military history elements such as leadership, morale, and discipline alongside officers’ social and sporting experience on the subcontinent.

In 2012, Adam became a founding member of the North Staffordshire South Cheshire Branch of the WFA, acting as speaker coordinator until 2016.

After undertaking some teaching responsibilities at Leicester alongside his PhD, in September 2016 Adam began teaching at the University of Salford. Between 2016 and 2020, Adam taught a range of subjects at Salford namely military or international history, or security studies, including a third year module devoted to the First World War.

He has published book chapters on the Indian Army’s defence of the Suez Canal in the early stages of the Great War and on the make up of the Indian Officer Corps in the late Victorian period. He has also provided comment on BBC News and made guest appearances on several podcasts and blogs.

Tom is a public historian, podcaster, Belfast City tour guide, and an aspiring academic. His academic curiosity centres around combatant morale in 20th-century conflicts, delving into how societies, contexts, organizational cultures, and personal experiences shape the motivation of individuals to engage in armed conflicts.

With a specific interest in the Great War, Tom focuses on the service of his grandfather's unit, the 1/13 Battalion, London Regiment (Kensingtons). He was Chair of the London Western Front Association (WFA) Branch and his current position as the Secretary of the Antrim and Down WFA branch.

Tom holds a Ph.D. from King's College London in Defence Studies, where his research examined small group cohesion in the 56th Division during the Great War.

Beyond academia, he wears multiple hats as the host, editor, and executive producer of two podcasts. The first, Mentioned in Dispatches, is the WFA's weekly podcast that comprehensively explores all aspects of the First World War. Additionally, Tom runs the Combat Morale Podcast, a new venture aimed at unraveling the factors that drive combatants to fight (or not) in armed conflicts.

Colin’s interest in the First World War began when he watched the BBC Great War series (1964) with his grandfather, a veteran.

He taught History and Politics in South London for 36 years (32 as middle/senior manager). In his professional capacity he organised over 60 school journeys.

Has been secretary of numerous sporting clubs and a referee of soccer/rugby and a cricket umpire. He was Chair of Governors of a Special Needs school in East London and is currently Chair of Ingleside Estates Ltd. and the Dulwich Wine Society.

Within The Western Front Association, Colin been Chair of a Branch for 15 years and, as a member of the Executive Committee, organizes many WFA Conferences.

He is a member of the Cenotaph Committee and was Chair of the Centenary Committee.

Gerry is a founding member and chair of the Cork Branch since 2010.

He served forty-three years in the Irish Defence Forces and retired in 2017.

During his military service he had the honour of representing Ireland at the Centenary Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval in 2016.

He has also published a number of books and articles aspects of Irish military history for the period 1913 to 1923 and lectures on same.

Gerry is currently focused on building the WFA organisation on the island of Ireland.

Mark spent most of his working life in the Ministry of Defence. On taking early retirement in 2003 he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal (ISM). When living in Chesterfield he was a member of Chesterfield and District Caledonian Association and was President for two years.

Mark now lives in Retford (North Nottinghamshire) with his wife Jean.

Mark’s interest in the Great War (which he says is now a dedication and passion) started in September 2010 when he went with a group to visit the Battlefields on the Western Front.

Mark says that he really had his eyes opened. Although he had always been interested in history this was something different and he decided to join The Western Front Association and attends the Chesterfield Branch (of which he is now Vice Chair).

Mark is also a Friend of Lochnagar. And a Trustee of The Western Front Association.

When people remark that he has a great interest in The Great War History, he responds by saying, “Sorry it’s not an interest, it’s an enormous passion.”

Sherri has a lifelong love of history, especially the early 20th century after researching a family member who was awarded the United States Armed Forces Silver Star for Gallantry in the Great War. She tends to dive deeper into the human experience as opposed to battle strategy or politics.

She is thrilled and honored to be a Trustee representing the United States of America. She works with WWI groups and organizations in the United States, such as The National WWI Museum and Memorial, to foster relationships and preserve interests of the Great War. This work not only helps preserve the legacy of the Great War but also reinforces the importance of that preservation. Collaboration which she believes will strengthen the recognition of the Western Front Association as a key international source of knowledge of the Great War.

In addition to working as a liaison between the United States and The Western Front Association, Sherri also assists on various WFA projects as needed.

In Sherri’s professional career, she spent 30 years in the Banking industry and is a lover of a good whodunit!

Gary Haines is an archivist with a career of over twenty-five years. He began working as a volunteer in his local borough archive. He has worked for the V&A, the Mercers’ Company, the Whitechapel Gallery and currently for the RAF Museum.

He is a freelance writer, widely published on a wide variety of social and cultural history topics with work in various magazines and websites including Toy Soldier International Magazine and Art UK website. He is also an experienced public speaker.

Gary’s work can be found in the pages of Stand To! He was first published in his very early research days, Haig: “Tally-Ho” and “Historical Amnesia”: The Great War and Popular Conceptions was published in September 2005 and his next, some 17 year later in 2022 ‘The Scratch of the Surgeon’s Knife’

Roland has had a career spanning 30 years in the food industry in product development and sales.

His interest in The Great War was sparked in the build up to the centenary where he became fascinated by the tactics used and why they fought the way they did.

After Roland’s first battlefield tour, he started to get an interest in the human side of the war and the stories behind the men that died.

Not having a relative who died in the war,with a grandfather turned away in 1914 as a colonial student and his uncle being in the Army medical corps in the Congo, Roland was looking for a personal connection to the war. His grandfather went to Queens College Taunton from 1910-1914. He realized his Grandfather would have known people who were killed and on the school Roll of Honour. Since 2018 Roland has been researching the 68 men who died from and their fascinating stories.

His goal in the WFA is to increase the awareness of the underrepresented participants in the war who answered the call in the colonies and came to fight for the King and empire.

Michèl Admiraal is a retired chartered accountant (RA) who lives in the Netherlands.

He completed his Masters degree in Military History with Distinction at the University of Wolverhampton in March 2024. The title of his dissertation was ‘Naval bombardments against the occupied Belgian coast in the First World War: A comparative study’. He is a part-time PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham since September 2024. The subject of his research is First World War tank development in Britain, France and Germany (A comparative study of military innovation in the First World War).

As European Officer, Michèl is also a member of various First World War related organisations: the Dutch and Belgian WFA, the Friends of the In Flanders Fields Museum (IFFM), the New Ypres League and the French Association Nationale 1914-1918.

Independent of the WFA, he manages a small personal fund for the restoration of British private memorials at the Western Front.

Emrys has been a WFA member for over 30 years. An irregular at Suffolk branch meetings, since retirement and a move back to Cambridgeshire, he has become more actively involved with the Association and is currently the branch Chair.

As a former battlefield guide, he worked with both Anglia Battlefield Tours and Leger, accompanying schools, our military and adult tours. He is a volunteer with the CWGC “Eyes On, Hands On” project, a researcher for Talbot House in Poperinge, and a volunteer with the Royal British Legion.

He values time with his family and his interests include motorcycling, CAMRA, gardening, walking and Peterborough United.

Role Purpose

To coordinate and lead, the activities/business of the Executive Committee in order that the objectives of the Organisation are met in accordance with constitutional responsibilities and, within guidelines as required by the Charities Commission and English Law.

Key Functions

1. Direction and Control of The Western Front Association

Specific Responsibilities

1. Responsible for the strategic direction of the organization by working closely with all national Executive Committee Members.
2. Ensure a clear and consistent approach in the furtherance of the organization's objectives.
3. Day-to-day management of the organization through the National Executive Committee.
4. Provide leadership, help, support, and encouragement to all levels of the organization.
5. Chair Executive Committee meetings ensuring:
• that the agenda is followed
• that decision is made with due regard to the time available within the meeting,
• timely intervention if topics under discussion are failing to progress, and setting a time limit as agreed by majority,
• any breach of the order is raised,
• normal rules of courtesy are applied.
6. Seek and encourage liaison with like-minded organisations through working closely with respective Executive Committee members as appropriate, in order to advance the profile and membership of the organisation.
7. Act as a point of contact in communication with third parties ensuring feedback through established communication channels to keep the national Executive Committee informed.
8. Chair the Annual General Meeting ensuring:
• that the agenda is followed and that decisions are made with due regard to the time available,
• that decision is made with due regard to the time available within the meeting,
• timely intervention if topics under discussion are failing to progress, and setting a time limit as agreed by majority,
• any breach of the order is raised,
• normal rules of courtesy are applied.
9. To ensure that the organisation meets its legal responsibilities within the rules of the Charities Commission and English Law.
10. Overall responsibility for the definition of and adherence to the statement of values and constitution of the organisation.
11. Represent the organisation at national and international events as agreed with the national EC.

Role Purpose

Promote the constitutional aims and objectives of The Western Front Association and support the Chairman and the Board of Trustees in all matters relating to the Association.

Key Functions

As a member of the Board of Trustees work with the Chair and the National Executive Committee, take an active part in co-ordinating developing and leading furtherance of the organisation's objectives. ensuring that the activities/business and development of the association are met in accordance with constitutional responsibilities and, within guidelines as required by the Charities Commission and English Law

Specific Responsibilities

1. Assist and support the Chair in the strategic direction of the organisation by working closely with all National Executive Committee members.
2. Provide leadership, help, support and encouragement to all levels of the organisation by:
   • Supporting and encouraging all members of the National Executive Committee
   • Encouraging keen members of the organisation to take on leadership roles in their branches
   • Encouraging members should they so wish, to seek appointment to the National Executive Committee
3. Promote links between the branches of the organisation and the National Executive Committee.
4. Act as a point of contact in communication with third parties ensuring feedback through established communication channels to keep the National Executive Committee informed. ensuring communication links are set up accordingly.
5. Seek and encourage liaison with like minded organisations through working closely with the Chair and respective Executive Committee members as appropriate, in order to advance the profile and membership of the organisation.
6. In the absence of the Chair, to chair Executive Committee meetings ensuring:
   1. That the agenda is followed
   2. That decisions are made with due regard to the time available within the meeting
   3. Timely intervention if topics under discussion are failing to progress, and setting a time limit as agreed by majority
   4. Any breach of order is raised
   5. Normal rules of courtesy are applied
7. Liaise closely with Press and Education Trustees, plus Head Office for any membership details that require editing, monitoring or sharing.
8. Provide regular reports on development matters to Executive Committee meetings.
9. Provide regular reports/articles for inclusion in The Bulletin/Stand To and website as required.

Role Purpose

To assist the Chair in co-ordinating and leading the activities/business of the Board of Trustees/Executive Committee in order that the objectives of the organisation are met in accordance with constitutional responsibilities and within the guidelines as required by the Charities Commission and English law.

Key Functions

1. To act as Secretary to the board of Trustees/Executive Committee
2. To organise the Spring Conference and AGM
3. To liaise with the Charity Commission as required
4. To process ticket applications for the RBL Remembrance Service

Specific Responsibilities

1. To act as Secretary to the Board of Trustees/Executive Committee.
1. To contribute to Executive Committee work as part of the development of the organisation in line with its objectives and Constitution.
2. To liaise with the Chair and other Trustees in the arrangement of meetings/preparation of agendas etc for Executive Committee meetings.
3. To ensure that agendas and papers for Executive Meetings are circulated.
4. To take minutes of Executive Committee meetings.
5. To ensure circulation of draft Minutes etc.
2. To organise the Spring Conference and AGM (and any EGM)
1. To book appropriate venues as agreed by the Executive Committee.
2. To liaise with the Events Trustee regarding speakers/arrangements for the Spring Conference.
3. To ensure all arrangements are in place for the event.
4. To provide necessary documentation to the Executive Committee, and through the Bulletin, to the WFA membership in liaison with the Editor of the Bulletin, so that the required notification etc is met within the necessary timescale.
5. To process applications for those attending including those requiring lunch.
6. To liaise with the venue on catering requirements for attendees.
7. To assist in the control of attendees mindful of any venue restrictions.
8. To take minutes of the AGM and provide them to the Executive Committee and the Editor of the Bulletin for publication to the wider WFA membership.
9. To be responsible for organising any Extraordinary General Meetings as instructed by the Executive Committee.
3. To act as the nominated contact with the Charity Commission
1. To ensure that details required for the Charity Commission are appropriately and timeously updated.
2. To ensure the submission of the Annual Accounts is made within the required timescales.
3. To ensure that any ‘notifiable events’ are notified to the Charity Commission.

Role purpose

While financial matters are the responsibility of all trustees, the Honorary Treasurer has a particular role in ensuring that the charity is solvent, well-run, and delivering the intended charitable benefits.

Key Function

Financial administration and risk management

Specific Responsibilities

1. Monitoring the financial administration of the charity and reporting to the Executive Committee.
2. Overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process, including monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
3. Overseeing the charity’s investment activities.
4. With regard to accounting matters, liaison and co-ordination of the internal staff, external accountants and external auditors.
5. Ensuring that the annual accounts are prepared and audited within the necessary timescales.
6. Presenting budgets, management accounts and annual accounts to the Executive Committee.

Role purpose

To support the organisation by ensuring ongoing legal compliance in order to meet constitutional responsibilities in line with guidelines as required by the Charities Commission, charity law and other legislation as applicable. Supporting National Executive Committee and other members/branch officers as required on legal matters.

Key Function

Legal Advice and Risk Management

Specific Responsibilities

1. As a member of the Board of Trustees, to give advice and guidance to the organisation in relation to legal and risk matters in line with the objectives and constitution of the organisation and advising the National Executive Committee, members and other officers on legal issues.
2. To ensure that the organisation complies with charity law and all other legislative requirements.
3. To respond to any legal queries raised by Trustees, Executive Committee, Branch officers and members in an appropriate way, ensuring understanding wherever possible.
4. To deal with and respond to any correspondence and other documents as required within the responsibilities of the role.

Role/Purpose

The Branch Co-ordinator is appointed to the Executive Committee and will support the organization by being the immediate means of liaison between the Chairman, the Board of Trustees, and the branch network.

Ensuring effective communication.

To ensure adherence to the WFA’s constitutional and legal responsibilities.

Key Functions

1. Report to Chairman and EC members
2. Attend executive meetings
3. Liaise with branches
4. Update/Amend changes to branch or branch committee members via master spreadsheet

Specific Responsibilities

1. As an elected trustee take a pro-active role in the future development of The WFA, its objectives and constitution.
2. To be the main point of contact with branch members, chairman, trustee’s and the executive committee.
3. Ensure information is passed/shared between the Executive Committee and branches using any and all appropriate media available and in a timely manner.
4. On receiving queries/questions from a branch or member ensure its past to the relevant individual at trustee or EC level best able to respond and ensure a reply is fed back in a timely manner.
5. Build and maintain close working relationships to include personal visits as required.
6. Provide on-going support, advice and guidance to all branches with particular reference placed on any new branch through regular contact/support on the development and progress of the branch from start up to formal acceptance.
7. Monitor the health of the association at branch level via an annual health check and maintaining an up to date master spreadsheet.
8. Be responsible for the organising and chairing of The WFA bi-annual Branch Chairman’s Conference to include encouragement of branch chairman or committee member attendance and any agenda items.
9. To work with branches by way of support to ensure any seminars or similar events are organised and publicised as required using all available media. Advise, support and ensure Branch best practice in managing events / projecting the Association.
10. Encourage branches to submit for publication in ‘The Bulletin’ and in an agreed format with the Bulletin editor reports on branch events/trips and tours.

Role/Purpose

The European Officer is appointed to the Executive Committee and will promote the constitutional aims and objectives of The Western Front Association (WFA), and support the Chair and the Board of Trustees, in all matters relating to the Association’s activities.

Key Function

As European Officer, and Member of the Executive Committee, he/she will take an active part in all aspects of The WFA and contribute to its development and sustainability in accordance with the constitution.

Specific Responsibilities

The European Officer will, where feasible and appropriate:

1. Support the Chair and Board of Trustees by shaping and executing The WFA's European Policy.
2. Actively promote the development of The WFA in Europe.
3. Maintain close liaison with the European Field Officer.
4. Explore opportunities for collaboration, individually and collectively, between The WFA and educational institutions, historical associations, and heritage groups across Europe.
5. Ensure that The WFA is adequately represented at ceremonial events, conferences, and engagements in Europe.
6. Coordinate with the Education Trustee to explore opportunities for education initiatives abroad.
7. Liaise with the Digital Editor and the Bulletin Editor in order to maintain awareness of events and activities taking place in Europe.
8. Undertake all other tasks as directed by the Chair and the Executive Committee.

Role/Purpose

Promoting the constitutional aims and objectives of The Western Front Association on the island of Ireland and supporting all Irish branches and members.

Key Function

As a trustee and member of the executive committee, liaise with and provide support to Irish branch chairmen and members, establish contact with other organisations on the island of Ireland that have an interest in the Great War, represent the association as required and ensure that policies and/or initiatives approved by the executive committee are supported and implemented.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Liaising with other trustees, appointees and office personnel as required and keeping the executive committee informed on association matters in Ireland.
2. Establishing contact with government bodies, museums, educational institutions, local history societies, veteran’s associations and other organisations on the island of Ireland that have an interest in the Great War
3. Representing the association at state and local commemorations on the island of Ireland
4. Coordinating and supporting all Irish branch activities
5. Organising a bi-annual meeting of Irish chairmen and branch education officers.
6. Organising an annual Irish conference.
7. Receiving a regular updated list of Irish members from office personnel.
8. Exploring ways to increase membership and establish new branches.
9. Publishing and circulating an Irish newsletter.

Role/Purpose

The United States Liaison Trustee will represent The Western Front Association (WFA) in matters relating to the Association’s activities in the United States.                            

Key Function

As the U.S. Liaison Trustee, he/she will contribute to maintaining the WFA’s footprint and development of activity in the U.S.A., establish contact with other organizations that have an interest in the Great War, represent the association as required and ensure that policies and/or initiatives approved by the executive committee are supported and implemented.

Specific Responsibilities  

The U.S. Liaison Trustee will, where feasible and appropriate:

• Collaborate, individually and collectively, with museums, educational institutions, local history societies, veteran’s associations and other organizations in the United States of America that have an interest in the Great War.
• To actively support projects/strategies for the advancement of the organization.
  Represent The WFA at ceremonial events, conferences, and engagements in America.
• Continuously look for opportunities to advance the membership of the association.
• Liaise with any potential WFA recognized branch in the United States.

Last updated October 2025

Role/Purpose

Supporting the organisation by shaping The Western Front Association's (the WFA) Education policy to reflect the WFA's objective to ‘educate the public in the history of the Great War, with particular reference to the Western Front', and offer guidance and ideas to the Executive Committee on educational matters.

Key Function

As a member of the Board of Trustees, take an active part in the development of the Association in line with its objectives and constitution and be responsible for educational issues.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Aim to promote the understanding of the Great War both within the Association and amongst the wider public in accordance with the object of the Association.
2. Liaise with the Digital Editor in developing the resources offered on the schools section of the website, and will be available to advise on the educational value of articles across the website.
3. Liaise with the Bulletin Editor in respect of the education matters in the Bulletin.
4. Organise projects, competitions and activities to support teachers and engage young people
5. Be available to offer guidance to Branches on such matters as:
6. a) developing a Branch education policy for all age and interest groups
   b) developing links with local schools
   c) developing Branch school competitions
7. Aim to maintain existing, and develop new, contacts with teachers at all Key Stage levels and with other organisations working on the Great War such as Universities and Colleges, Family History Societies, Museums and Great War interest groups.
8. The Education Trustees will aim to monitor curriculum developments in schools and other educational establishments and advise the Executive Committee as appropriate.

Role/Purpose

To act as the first point of contact for enquiries from all higher education institutes, universities and colleges. To promote the aims and research interests of The Western Front Association (WFA) within the academic community. To actively encourage and promote membership of the WFA to both undergraduate and research students.

Key Functions

1. To assist and facilitate the creation of relationships with universities, colleges and other institutes of higher education.
2. Working with the Branch network to create and maintain strong links with their local universities and colleges.

Specific Responsibilities

1. PhD Scholarship scheme
2. MA awards
3. The creation and maintenance of the data-base of history, war-studies and other related higher education courses of relevance to the WFA.
4. To attend and assist at WFA/university conferences and other events as agreed by the committee.

Last updated June 2023

Role purpose

To take the lead on the Executive Committee (EC) and The Western Front Association (WFA) for equality, diversity, access & inclusion issues.

Key Functions

• Providing strategic oversight on diversity, inclusion, access and equality in all aspects of the WFA’s work.
• Provide leadership by advising and guiding the EC, branches and the wider organisation on the development, delivery and review of the WFA’s policies on inclusion, equity and access.

Specific Responsibilities

• Promote and support inclusion, diversity and access throughout the WFA and its branches.
• Work on monitoring the demography and ethnicity of the WFA’s membership and lead on work to make it more diverse and inclusive.
• Oversight of the processes by which the WFA addresses inclusion, diversity and equity in projects and activities.
• Lead on maintaining, updating and developing the WFA’s Diversity and Safeguarding policies.
• Advising the EC, WFA branches and the wider organisation on developing tangible actions the WFA may take to become more inclusive.
• Assisting fellow Trustees in ensuring an inclusive environment on the EC.

Keeping the EC informed of the WFA’s progress on inclusion, equity and diversity

Last updated June 2023

Role purpose

1. To promote the WFA, its activities, and its purpose to print, digital, and broadcast media in a reactive/proactive manner to achieve its charitable aims and strategic objectives.
2. To host and produce the WFA podcast Mentioned in Dispatches.

Key functions

1. Press Trustee
2. . Podcast host/editor/producer

Specific responsibilities

1. Press Trustee
   
   a) Proactive press relations (working with other EC members)
   Reactive press relations: maintaining press office to respond to media enquiries; responding to interview requests and information.
   
   b) Strategic advice: giving EC counsel on press matters; evaluating and reporting back on media engagement.
   
   c) Membership and branch support: being a point of advice to local branches on media and press issues; providing materials and resources to support local branches/committees engage and work with local media.
   
   d) Media spokesperson: acting as a media spokesperson where appropriate.
   
   
2. Podcast editor/producer
   
   a) Set up interviews: organising, planning, interviewing contributors, editing and producing regular podcasts on aspects of the Great War.
   
   b). Hosting, editing and producing the podcasting: completing interview editing, hosting on the website and marketing.

Last updated December 2023

Role Purpose

To support the organisation by promoting and sales of Branded Goods through all relevant outlets/means wherever possible in order to publicise and raise the profile of the organisation, and to ensure adherence to the organisations constitutional and legal responsibilities.

Key Function

Branded Goods Trustee.

Specific Responsibility

1. As a member of the Board of Trustees, to take an active part in the development of the organisation in line with its objectives and constitution and to be responsible for promotion and sales of Branded Goods for the benefit of the organisation.
2. To manage the Branded Goods of the organisation, maintaining stocks to an absolute minimum requirement and promotion of Branded Goods, in a cost effective manner, in order to raise the profile of the organisation.
3. To sell Branded Goods through all relevant outlets with costs at a minimum including: Annual General Meetings, national and branch seminars, plus through Head Office, the online shop and from orders placed through the bulletin, and any other venue as appropriate where the organisation is represented.
4. To ensure Branded Goods stock figures are available to meet any requirements at any time, keeping stock sheets and finance records up to date at all times, and forwarding these reports monthly to Treasurer and Administrator at the end of each month
5. To explore potential new Branded Goods item ideas.
6. To provide monthly sales figures to the Treasurer and Administrator and to ensure all income from sales is recorded..
7. To provide reports as and when required to the Executive Committee on Branded Goods issues/sales, check that any Royalties are forwarded to WFA (including reports) to Administrator Monthly

Liaison with:

1. Other WFA Trustees
2. Committee Appointees
3. Digital Editor
4. WFA members
5. General public
6. Head Office Administrator
7. Branded Goods Producers/Suppliers

Last updated June 2023

All Roles

The following generic terms shall apply at all times to all those undertaking any role within the Organisation.

• To work within the terms set out in the Constitution & Standing Orders
• To work closely as part of the National Executive Committee for the furtherance of the objectives of the organisation
• Regular attendance at meetings as appropriate to the role held
• To ensure effective communication at all levels and using all relevant media including face to face, telephone and information and communication technology, keeping committee members aware of projects and progress within your sphere of responsibility. All communications must be responded to in a timely fashion.
• To contribute to the setting of overall policy, defining roles, setting targets and evaluating performance to ensure most effective use of skills, knowledge and experience for the benefit of the organisation
• To ensure efficient and effective administration/record keeping within own sphere of responsibility and to provide a report on actions taken/progress made to every national Executive Committee meeting
• To actively support particular projects/strategies for the furtherance of the organisation or for particular events eg the Centenary, being part of working groups as appropriate when required
• Under Standing Order 21, to manage any funds/budgets/other property of the organisation entrusted to you, keeping accurate records, liaising with the Treasurer and reporting to the national Executive Committee on how these resources have been used
• To maintain accurate records of any expenses incurred in undertaking your role and provide receipts as required when submitting claims consistent with the established Expenses Policy. Records to be submitted periodically as part of accounting procedures
• To maintain appropriate standards of conduct and behaviour, maintaining standards of courtesy at all times for the ongoing benefit of the organisation
• With the exception of the three editor positions (Bulletin, Stand To and Website) which attract an honorarium payment, all roles will be voluntary. However, reasonable expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed subject to the production of receipts and approval by the national Executive Committee in line with the agreed financial procedures
• All positions are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting and subject to the terms set out in the constitution.
• Whilst no formal qualifications are essential except for the position of Honorary Treasurer and Legal Officer, it is important that all role holders maintain their knowledge of their areas of responsibility and there is an expectation that those involved in the association will maintain their interest through appropriate reading/learning in order to ensure ongoing development of the association
• At all times to look for opportunities to advance the profile/membership of the association.

Updated June 2023