Welcome to the Kent (North West) branch of the Western Front Association.
We operate two programmes of talks: one taking place at in-person meetings at Petts Wood; the other online via zoom.

 

Online meetings via zoom:  Jan-Dec 2023

Online talks: Zoom meetings normally take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except this November and December when it's the third Tuesday), going online at 19:20 for a 19:30 start and ending about 75 minutes later. Participating is quick and easy. All you need is a computer, or a tablet, or a smart phone. Simply email us - wfa.nwkent@gmail.com - and we'll send the links and passcodes needed to attend. You will also be automatically added to the NW Kent mailing list to keep you updated about future zoom events.

 Jan 10  'The Myths of Audregnies' by Phil Watson
 Feb 14  'Peril in Paradise: Asia and the Pacific during the Great War' by Rob Fleming
 Mar 14  'Germans on the Run: From Tsingtao to Skipton' by Anne Buckley
 Apr 11  'Contacting the Dead: Spiritualism and the Great War' by Suzie Grogan
 May 9  'Ludendorff Offensives (Mar-Jul 1918)' by Prof David Stevenson  
 Jun 13  'Mountaineers in the Great War' by Anne Pedley
 Jul 11  'Canadian Nurses: The First Contingent' by Dr Andrea McKenzie
 Aug 8   Summer break
 Sep 12  'Fire & Ice in the High Alps: The Italian Front & Britain's Role in the Great War in Italy' by Rob Fleming
 Oct 10  'Conscientious Objectors' by Prof Lois Bibbings
 Nov 21  'Morris Meredith Williams, an Artist on the Western Front' by Phyllida Shaw
 Dec 19  [Christmas special] 'Not so silent nights: the 1914 Christmas Truce' by Prof Mark Connolly

 

In-Person meetings at Petts Wood: Jan-Dec 2023

Where we meet: We meet upstairs at the Royal British Legion Club, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1DH. Meetings are held on the on the last Thursday of each month (except August and December, when no meeting is held). The club and bar opens at 18:30. We ask people to turn up by 19:20, so the talk can start at 19:30. We do not charge entrance fees but do welcome donations of £5 or more towards our costs.

Getting there: The club is next to Morrison's supermarket and Petts Wood railway station. Parking at the rear of the club is free but you need to type your car registration into the machine (on the left as you enter the club). Not entering your car's registration can lead to a £50 fine. Alternatively, there's easy free parking in adjacent side streets. 

 Mar 30  'Riding the Zone Rouge' by Tom Isitt
 Apr 27  'Gallipoli chaplains crossing the divide' by Carole Hope
 May 25  'Children in the Great War: what was done to us was wrong’ by Dr Viv Newman
 Jun 29  'Verdun, August 1917: The French hit back' by Christine Holstein
 Jul 27  'Valour or Myth? Great War Air VCs' by John Gilder
 Aug 31   Summer break
 Sep 28  'Shell Shock: understanding psychological casualties from the battlefield' by Prof Edgar Jones
 Oct 26  'Filling in the gaps - the London Ambulance Column' by Dr Emily Mayhew
 Nov 30  'Laugh or Fly: Chocks away with the Royal Flying Corps 1914-18' by Peter Hart / Gary Bain
 Dec 28   Winter break

 

Upcoming Branch Events

See Bulletin, or the Branch Facebook Page or website for forthcoming event details.