Upcoming Events

Commemoration of the Portsmouth Blitz (Sunday)

An English Heritage and Pompey Pals Charity event remembering Portsmouth's military heritage  

Members' Afternoon

Welcome to the members afternoon of short talks 

The Law of Unintended Consequences: The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand involving political motivations, a failed first attempt, and a fatal wrong turn. The background tensions that led to the event are rooted in events like the Congress of Berlin (1878), which created the political instability in the Balkans that the assassins exploited. The final, fatal moment was the result of a wrong turn taken by the driver, which was a direct result of a previous, failed assassination attempt and a decision to try a new route.  

From Flers to Cambrai: tanks and tactics on the Western Front, 1916-1917

Tommy's Trench Humour in the Great War

The Belgian Coast in World War I – an exploration by train, tram, foot and frites

Join us to hear more about Peter's inspired journey along the Belgian Coast. 

The Eastern Front

A overview of the Eastern Front from 1914 to 1917  

Total War and Women Footballers – The Dagenham Invincibles of World War 1

The story of the top women's football team in the First World War, a perfect start to this World Cup year 

The German Raid on Scarborough

Kevin’s talk covers the controversial German raid on Scarborough, 16th December 1914 

A Sailor in the Great War

For many young men, the military was an escape from an austere existence. 

A day of magnificent achievement

Seven days after the start of the German Spring Offensive on 21 March, the enemy launched another major assault on the fronts of Third and First Armies. Sometimes overlooked by British historians as being merely an extension of Operation Michael 

A Wood Too Far? – Bourlon Wood, November 1917.

Was Bourlon Wood a Wood too Far? 

The Quintinshill Disaster

The forgotten Railway Disaster of the Great War 

Redipuglia Memorial to Italian 3rd Army

With family coming for the area of the Isonzo region, James is the perfect guide to explain the many Battles of Isonzo 

The Devons on 1st July 1916: The man who predicted where he would be killed

Ross will burst a few myths about the attack by the Devons