Gas! Protection against chemical weapons during the Great War

Speaker: Simon Jones
Unbekannt Early Gas Masks First World War 1915 1935 (Meisterdrucke 774633)

From 1915 – 1918, scientists were engaged in a gripping arms race to protect their troops against constantly developing chemical agents. Focusing mostly on British protection, this talk will explain the main developments during the war and how thousands of lives were saved by the scientists who developed gas masks, in some cases at the cost of own lives.

Simon Jones has had a lifelong fascination with the First World War and is the author of books on gas warfare and underground warfare. He was formerly curator at the Royal Engineers and King’s Regiment Museums. He has lectured at Liverpool and Lancaster Universities and led battlefield tours to many destinations around the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

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

Event organiser: Heart of England branch
11 February 2026 19:30 to 11 February 2026 21:15
The Dormer Place Conference Centre, Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5AA
Branch contacts
Peter Huxford
(Branch Chairman)
Email Peter Huxford
Brian Pryke
(Branch Membership Secretary)
Email Brian Pryke

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