Kaiser Bill: The Man behind the Image' Kaiser Wilhelm II

Sue Woolmans is a royal historian and writer whose work has appeared in Majesty and Royalty Digest magazines. As well as co-authoring 'The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand', she has contributed to two books on the Russian Imperial family and a book on 'Ena and Bee: Queen Victoria's Spanish Granddaughters'

Wilhelm II - the last emperor of Germany - was pilloried by the British press and castigated for his role in the start of WW1. In this talk, Sue sets out a more rounded view of the man who was the grandson of Queen Victoria, the first cousin of King George V, a British Field Marshal and an Admiral of the Fleet. She explores his love/hate relationship with the British imperial family, looks at his relationships with Europe's other ruling houses, and weighs his ultimate fate.

Our image of the Kaiser is formed by our feelings of enmity towards the Germans in WW1, and also the many cartoons spoofing the Kaiser that appeared in the press of the day depicting him as a dictator trying to dominate the world. Sue Woolmans will give us an overview of the Kaisers life. He was born a grandson of Queen Victoria, spending time at her court and being a favoured member of her family.

Sue will explore the Kaiser's fractured relationship with Britain. He was also born with physical and mental problems. With today's better understanding of these issues, Sue will portray the Kaiser in a more sympathetic light perhaps wringing a little sympathy for him out of her audience. She will look at his role in the build-up to WW1 and then go beyond the war to examine what happened to the Kaiser and his family in later life.

Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts.