Christmas Meeting

Well, another year has shot by; hope it's been a good one for you. At the Branch we've once again welcomed a string of fine speakers throughout the year, such as Mark Connelly, Andy Stuart, Nigel Crompton and Pip Gregory talking on subjects ranging from Edwin Lutyens architecture to the Fire Brigade at war and wartime cartoons.

We've managed a couple of trips as well, visiting Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in July, and a tour to Arras led by our great friend, Mark Smith in August.

There has also been “regime change” in the branch – not a beer hall putsch, or a night of the long knives, but rather a passing of the torch, as after twelve years of creating and then running the London (East) Branch, Neil and Sally Pearce have fled the country! Well, at least they have emigrated to Australia. They intend to pop back to the UK early in the New Year, so if the stars align, we may see them at the January 2027 meeting to say a final farewell.

That means that you're stuck with the new 'Triumvirate' – myself as Chair, my better (and more financially reliable) half, Joy as Treasurer and Louisa Pawsey as Secretary (Thinks? Doesn't have quite the same ring as Pompey, Caesar and Crassus, but hopefully we'll come to a better end?).

We're sticking with our tried and tested format for this year's Christmas meeting, which is to say that there will be a quiz (provided by the legend that is Chris Daughters), a small buffet (which of course, includes the obligatory slice of Christmas cake), and a short talk by me – you won't be surprised to learn that it will be “A Walthamstow Story from the Great War”, but don't let that put you off! Oh, and of course, the obligatory raffle!

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.

Main Image: Christmas at Beaumont Hamel, 1916 (IWM Q 64568)

Chris Hunt