Exciting new BMMHS talks – put the dates in your calendar We are delighted to...
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Welcome to the British Modern Military History Society.
We organise monthly talks for anyone interested in military history over the last 200 years from Nelson’s times to the present day.
With top quality talks given by writers, academics, former military personnel, and experts in their field with a wide variety of topics, we are based in Woodcote Village Hall RG8 0QY (near Wallingford) in South Oxfordshire. We can accommodate up to 100 people in pleasant surroundings, offering a warm and welcoming evening out.
BMMHS NEWS
Next BMMHS Event
Tuesday 7th May 7:30pm
BMMHS Zoom Talk
Forbidden Art of the Third Reich
Speaker: Kathy Quinlan-Flatter
This talk deals with the attitudes prevailing among the German public regarding works of art produced during the period following the First World War and the era of the Third Reich which, in the public perception, reflect National Socialist ideology.
Since the Second World War, the German public prefers not to identify with its recent history, resulting in an almost automatic rejection of any works produced by artists who can be perceived as Nazi sympathisers.
In the case of paintings, the works of those branded as Nazi artists are today often removed from public exhibition areas or concealed in the basements and storerooms of museums. Where memorials (such as First World War memorials) or sculptures are concerned, these are frequently defaced by members of the public or even removed altogether by the authorities from the public view. In many individual cases, explanatory placards or notices are set up next to public memorials to clarify their significance within the context of their creation.
In other cases, the works of artists whose history during the Third Reich era has been forgotten over time are not subject to controversy and they have enjoyed popular renown for works produced in the period following the Second World War.
Kathy will be looking in particular at painters and sculptors in South Germany, including Fritz Bayerlein, Hans-Adolf Bühler, Emil Sutor and Hugo Knittel. She will be showing photos of their works, many of which she has taken as part of her research.
About the speaker – Kathy Quinlan-Flatter
Kathy was born in Calcutta in post-British India and grew up in England. Following studies in German, French and International Relations she moved to Germany where she worked for around 30 years as a software consultant and technical author. Today, she is active as a journalist and historian and works for various newspapers and institutions in Germany and Britain. She holds German and British nationality.
Zoom talk - Payment and registration
Contact us on info@bmmhs.org to register for these Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk. A donation of £5 is requested for each talk to cover things such as speaker costs, licence fees and donation to military charity.
Wednesday 15th May 7:30pm
Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY
Disaster & Bravery at Dieppe
Speaker: Chris Leworthy
Although the Dieppe raid, Operation Jubilee, has been acknowledged by most as a disaster, it is a fantastic story of bravery in a desperate situation. The talk will cover:-
- the situation in 1942, leading up to the Operation
- the objectives – political, operational and intelligence
- Combined Operations
- the resources committed – Navy, Airforce and Army
- the defences
- what happened – the lead up, the channel crossing, the landings and the withdrawal
- the failures and any successes
- the supreme acts of bravery
- the lessons learned for D Day
About the Speaker – Chris Leworthy
After retiring, Chris decided to further his knowledge and develop his interest in Military History, by visiting, reading and, in particular, volunteering at a number of historic sites. After spending some time at the Churchill War Rooms in London, he qualified as a Guide at the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge, from where the defence of London and the South East was directed in 1940, giving regular lectures to visitors to this historic site. Additionally he now delivers a large number of external talks covering key episodes in WW2, including the Battle of Britain, the Dambusters’ Raid, and Operation Jubilee.
He is married, with two adult children, and lives in Berkshire. His other activities include dog walking, gardening, rugby watching, theatre and attempting to avoid reading the news.
BMMHS Event Registration
Contact us on info@bmmhs.org to register for BMMHS Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk.
BMMHS Village Hall Meeting Tickets
Entry cost is just £8, which includes your entry ticket to the talk, a Q & A, and refreshments (beer, wine, soft drinks). We ask for payment in advance. If you are unable to pay in advance there will be a facility to pay by cash or card on the door.
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Read MoreWhat you are saying about BMMHS
"It was a lovely evening and fantastic atmosphere in the room. Very happy to come back in 2021 to speak on my (then) new book on MI9 escape and evasion."
"For anyone interested in Military History, the BMMHS is a must. The monthly meetings cover a wide range of topics, with high quality speakers giving thought-provoking talks. In addition, the quality of facility and refreshments is exceptional, and the audience interesting and welcoming. Highly recommended."
“Just wanted to say how impressed I was by the talk last night and indeed by the meeting itself – the first I’ve been able to attend. An excellent speaker and a well organised meeting!”
"…. We’re very impressed with the line-up of talks arranged for the next year and will endeavour to attend as many as possible ….
We found the ‘Arnhem’ talk most interesting – a very different ‘take’ on the topic from the usual battle on the ground analysis.
Congratulations to you, Nigel, Linda and the team, you’re doing a great job."
"If I may say so, the BMMHS's first few months have been most impressive and a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm the four of you have put in. Everything on Wednesday went well, turnout, seating, notice-boards, drinks and especially the food!
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"…I would like to thank you and your team for another great evening. The talk was brilliant… looking forward to the next one…"
"MANY THANKS for Wednesday night most enjoyable, met some nice chaps, have new dates on the calendar, looking forward to the next talk"
"As with the first BMMHS meeting I attended.... I really enjoyed last night’s presentation. You and your pals have done a great job in getting the BMMHS set up and running smoothly & efficiently, including an excellent website plus arranging for some really interesting presenters and subjects every month."
"A most amazing lecture. To say it was interesting is understating it - it was mind-blowing to think of the courage of those women, who agreed to be SOE agents, despite knowing what awaited them if they were found out. It was fascinating to hear what training they went through, and to learn what some of them did and how they ended up. Many thanks for another brilliant lecture"
“ If you are like me, and you enjoy the study of a wide range of military history topics, with a bit if a twist, then BMMHS will be right up your street. With its informative panel of expert speakers and on occasion quirky topics, there is something for everyone interested in learning more of their military past. I can thoroughly recommend the BMMHS zoom talk experience. You won’t be disappointed!”
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Village Hall FAQs
Venue Address
Woodcote Village Hall
South Oxfordshire
RG8 0QY
Glimpses of War
A compilation of military stories and eyewitness accounts to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK.
Click above to order your copies
“I am delighted that the BMMHS has taken this initiative to record eyewitness accounts during the Lockdowns. For historians, first hand accounts are the building blocks of good story telling and to do so with fund-raising for BVUK in mind is doubly pleasing.”
“Highly recommended... from across the different wars of the 20th century comes this unique collection of inspirational narratives of human endurance, daring exploits, fighting spirit and sheer heroism”
An inspired and fascinating historical collection. Powerful first-hand accounts of individuals’ courage and tenacity in the face of conflict over the decades.
‘I am deeply honoured that my great grandfather Percy Statton, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915, is remembered in Glimpses of War and for such a great cause. I hope this volume and the subsequent ones raise lots of money for BVUK.’
“BMMHS are to be congratulated on the timely publication of this first volume of Glimpses of War. It was a pleasure and privilege to be involved in this fascinating project, together with one of our former patients and to support the valuable work of Blind Veterans UK.”
‘The breadth and range of this volume convey, as few others have, the comprehensive awfulness of war across the generations, and the effects it has on those directly involved, indirectly involved and on its periphery.’
‘What a marvellous time — during the many privations of ‘lockdown’ — to ask us all to turn out our family archives and contribute to the BMMHS’s first publication. And no better charity than Blind Veterans UK to receive any profit from this great initiative.’
“The BMMHS has found a splendid way of supporting BVUK by making readily available memories and research that might otherwise have disappeared.”
“The International Guild is delighted to support this venture by BMMHS as a contribution to the preservation and sharing of historical knowledge.”
‘Those of us who study, and maybe write about, military history deal with reports, statistics, dates, strategies and outcomes. It is, however, the human story, such as those we have here in Glimpses of War, that give flesh to the bones of our research. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this current volume. It is made all the more appropriate that proceeds will be directed to Blind Veterans UK since I too am a blind person.’
"This is a fascinating selection of material which covers many facets of war and military service - and it is published for such a good cause. Congratulations all round."
This is a great read ..can't wait for the next in the series...
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