Mobilisation 1914

Phil joined the 9/12 Lancers in 1976 and was commissioned from the ranks in 1988. After various staff appointments, he returned to regimental duty to command Headquarters Squadron. He left the 9/12 Lancers in 2012 after 35 years-service and was appointed Assistant Regimental Secretary, a mainly welfare role.

He is an adult volunteer with Lincolnshire ACF, after completing three years as the commandant for Leicestershire, Northampton, and Rutland. He is also Chair of SSAFA Leicestershire and Rutland.

Currently he is completing his master's at Wolverhampton University under Prof Gary Sheffield and Dr Spencer Jones. His main research interest is the regiment's last two mounted lance actions (during the Retreat from Mons). Both are examined in his books, "The Last Charges", published by the regimental trustees in 2016, and "Audregnies: The Flank Guard Action and the First Cavalry Charge of the Great War", published by Helion in 2019.

From the declaration of war to deployment, the critical phase was the mobilisation, and the production of the WF Plan or the War Book, which for the most part has been credited to General Henry Wilson. The talk is a detailed look at the BEF's mobilisation and the truth behind the men who wrote the War Book, and the names that have been forgotten by history.

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.