Remembering Bungo: An appreciation of the life and career of Field Marshal Lord Byng of Vimy.
Speaker: William Franklin.
Lord Byng lived the last 20 years of his life, on and off, at Thorpe-le-Soken, a village in NE Essex. Thorpe is located next to the village of Great Holland, where I grew up and hence my special interest in him. Maybe some of your members will be interested in the Essex connection.
Historian John Terraine called Julian Byng 'a lovely man and a fine general.' This talk will assess his failures and successes as a corps and army commander on the Western Front. It will also appraise his career as a most conscientious public servant after the Great War. The talk won't overlook his character which contributed to his many friendships beyond the army, the good deeds he did for the people of NE Essex and being a devoted husband to Evelyn, Lady Byng.
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.
Event organiser: Southend on Sea branch
16 March 2026 20:00 to 16 March 2026 22:00
Royal Naval Association (Southend) , 73-79 East St, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6LQ
Branch contacts
Alistair Hollington
(Branch Chairman)
(Branch Chairman)
