The Western Front Association is delighted to be hosting the London Pride Conference on 15 June. The event aims to provide a thorough exploration of the history and influence of the London Territorials during the years 1908 to 1921. The London Pride Conference provides an opportunity for the authors of an edited volume of the same name, due to be published by Helion & Co in 2025, to share some of the initial research from their chapters.

Book places on the London Pride Conference 2024 events page.

We are delighted that the conference is also sponsored by Helion & Co.

AGENDA

09.30

Doors open. Registration

10.00-10.3

Welcome and Keynote.  Professor Gary Sheffield, President of The Western Front Association

‘London Pride Revisited?: Territorials in the Two World Wars’ – Continuity and Change.

10.30-11.30

Session 1

 

Panel 1A. Operations and Tactic Chair: Richard Hendry

Mark Jones

Resurrecting the Rangers: Attrition, Adaptation and Innovation in 12/Londons from the Frezenberg Ridge to the Gommecourt Salient

Tom Smith

London’s Slag Heap Victory: Reclaiming tactical success at Loos

Colin Taylor

‘The fighting spirit and endurance of both officers and men was beyond all praise.’ The ‘blooding’ of 173rd Brigade (58th (London) Division) on the Western Front May-June 1917

 

Panel 1B. The London Territorials in ‘side shows’. Chair: Charles Fair

Adam Prime

Amritsar, Afghanistan and Cholera: The 1/25th County of London Cyclists in India 1916-1919

Clive Harris

London Territorials in Gallipoli

Jake Gasson

But we had been bored – bored stiff': The 60th (2/2nd London) Division and the Psychological Demands of Soldiering on the Macedonian Front, December 1916 – June 1917

11.30-11.50

Coffee

11.50-13.05

Session 2

 

Panel 2A. Performance and the Learning Process Chair: TBC

Richard Hendry

One more push? The 47th Division in battle on the Western Front, 1915-1918 - performance, development and reputation

Tom Thorpe

The learning process at the unit level: enhancing operational efficiency as suggested by the raiding performance of infantry battalions within the 56th (London) Division during the Great War.

Glyn Taylor

58th Division’s performance in the March Retreat 1918

Dennis Williams

Battlegroup on the Western Front: 90 Brigade and combined arms operations in the 100 Days

 

Panel 2B. London Territorials and the Changing Face of War Chair: TBC

John Peaty

London Electrical Engineers during the Great War

Charles Fair

The Changing Character of the London Territorial Force 1914-18: The case of the 19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (St. Pancras)

Jon Davy

London Regiment and the RFC

Stephen Sandford

The London Irish at Peace and War 1908-1915

13.05-14.00

Lunch

14.00-15.15                                    

Session 3

 

Panel 3A – Medicine, Ministering and Morale Chair: Tom Thorpe

Bradford Waters                        

Medical Challenges of the 60th (2/2nd London) Division

Stephanie Linden

Psychological casualties of the London Regiment/Shell Shock in the London Regiment  

Peter Howson

Chaplains to the Soldiers of London

Stephen Manning

Theatre of War: An examination of the role of Concert Parties in the London Territorials

 

Panel 3B – London Territorials and Society Chair: Charles Fair

Tim Halstead                              

The London TF and London Schools in the Great War

Sarah Paterson

The Hazeley Wail, Fusilier Whispers and Bleatings: An examination of the periodical publications produced by units of the London Territorial Force

Harry Potter

Alexander Paterson and the Bermondsey Battalion

Michael Orr

The men who sailed in the Australind: A Study of the 1st Battalion 28th London Regiment (Artists Rifles)

15.15-15.35

Tea

15.35-16.30

Plenary session: Q&A

 

   

Please note

This conference schedule may be subject to change.

Additional event details and how to book is available on the London Pride Conference 2024 events page.