The story of Rev Robert Keable’s time in France as a chaplain to the appallingly treated men of the South African Native Labour Corps. It also records the writing, publication, and reaction to his scandalous semi-autobiographical bestselling war novel ‘Simon Called Peter’. What happened in France to lead a rising star in the Church of England to leave the church, his wife, and to run away to Tahiti to live in Paul Gauguin’s house with his mistress?
Our lecturer, Simon, is Robert Keable’s grandson. He has been researching Robert Keable’s life and work for the last thirty years. He has been in contact with several academics in South Africa, and around the world, and has an excellent knowledge of the story of the SANLC during the war. In July 2021 he took early retirement following 25 years as a secondary school politics teacher and now works as a full-time writer and lecturer. He is a member of the Western Front Association.
The meeting will take place at our usual venue, The Allotment Social Club, West Allotments, and will commence at 7.45 pm for an 8.00 pm start.
Please note: Entrance to the meeting is by donation of £5, there will be a raffle, and we no longer provide a buffet.