Caption: Why did hundreds of thousands of rational men and women place their faith in spiritualism during and after the war? How did individual mediums convince them of the possibility of opening a channel of communication with loved ones lost in the trenches, the air or the seas of conflict?
About the talk: Is communing with the dead today confined to the pages of pulp teenage fiction or low-budget horror movies? Or could we once more turn to spiritualism in our hundreds of thousands as our Great War grandparents and great-grandparents did before us? Could mediums have convinced us to talk to loved ones lost in the trenches, the air or the skies of the conflict? Why did so many place their faith in spiritualism and how did the establishment respond? What caused Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to become such an enthusiast? What persuaded Harry Houdini to become such an implacable exposer of fraud? Was it the simple need for solace, or something deeper? Suzie Grogan investigates - in an engrossing story of celebrity, misogyny, class and convictions - and wonders whether, in our era of fake news and conspiracy theories, a similar phenomenon could again arise?
The speaker: Suzie Grogan
About the speaker: Suzie is a professional non-fiction writer, published by Pen and Sword and in numerous national magazines and blogs. Her best-seller first published in 2014 - Shell Shocked Britain: The First World War's legacy for Britain's mental health - is now in paperback. She has given numerous talks and radio broadcasts particularly on the legacy of the Great War, including shell shock and its lasting effect on soldiers, families and society well into the 21st century.
This online talk: opens at 19:20 for a 19:30 start, ending at about 20:30. Participating is quick and easy. The only equipment you need is a computer, or a tablet, or a smart phone. Simply email wfa.nwkent@gmail.com for your link and the passcode. These will be sent out on 10th April - Easter Monday - the day before the talk takes place. We'll also automatically add you to the mailing list to keep you updated with future events.