Caption: White Russian gunners, trained by British expeditionary NCOs
About the talk: This talk looks at the low known events that followed the Russian Revolution and examines its impact on the Allies in the Great War.It is a fascinating and chaotic period largely forgotten/ignored by the general public, military historians and politicians. What factors led Churchill and the Americans to commit British soldiers to Russia? Who led the 'invasion'? Who went? What happened to Dyer's Battalion, with a mutiny and officer disobedience? What was General 'Tiny' Ironside's tactical failure? What was behing Col. Kelly's letters and what happened at his Court Martial in London? This talk also focusses on the the North Russian Front during the intervention and the unusual events around Murmansk, Archangel and the Dvina River.
About the speaker: A former army officer (artillery), Andy is an Economics graduate with a master's degree. But he has also been an international bank and financial markets director as well as a technology entrepreneur, family historian and novelist. This talk derives from his research for his novel Churchill's Intervention: A tale of escape from the Russian Civil War.
Where we meet: We meet at the Royal British Legion Club, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1DH. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month (except June, July, August and December). Talks start at 19:30, with the doors (and the bar) opening at 18:30. No entrance fees but we do welcome donations of £5 or more towards our costs.
How to get there: The club is next to Morrison's supermarket and Petts Wood railway station (trains from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and Victoria). Parking at the rear of the club is free but you need to enter your car registration into the machine (on the left as you enter the club). Failure to enter your registration can lead to a £50 fine. There's easy free parking in adjacent side streets.