Visiting Fort Nelson in November 2025, visitors were greeted by the eerie sight of silhouette figures representing those who lost their lives on D-Day. The Giants stood tall, paying homage to their fallen comrades. The visit was a sombre reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
Finland’s decision to join NATO in 2023 marked a significant shift in its long-held policy of neutrality. This decision was influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and bitter memories of Stalin’s invasion of Finland in 1939. The Winter Wars of 1939-1940 and the Continuation War with Russia from 1941-1944 had lasting impacts on Finland’s history and geopolitics, ultimately leading to Finland’s alliance with Nazi Germany and significant territorial concessions to the Soviets. These conflicts shaped Finland’s post-World War II history and influenced its role in the Western world.
The book discusses the formation and actions of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade during the Korean War. Comprised of troops from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and India, they fought bravely against North Korean and Chinese forces. The book highlights key battles, including the friendly fire incident at Hill 282 and the pivotal battle at Kapyong. It emphasizes the unity and effectiveness of the Commonwealth forces as a whole in achieving success in the conflict.
North Russia was the entry point for supplies from the Allies throughout WW1. The Revolution in 1917 changed everything. Peace in the east would release enemy troops for the Western Front. Bolshevism might change the world. Churchill wanted to stop both. Tired, desk bound officers, second rate conscripts, released prisoners and several mutinies. This talk covers the politics, the motivation, the local plan and conditions, and why it was allowed to fade from memory.
Spencer Jones has kindly agreed to return in 2027 to give BMMHS another Zoom talk this time on the U-Boat War 1914-1918
LRDG Pirates of the Desert will focus on the units formation, its key personal and some of the units operations in the Western Desert. Jerry will also cover the LRDG’s role of a taxi service for the SAS.
We welcome back historian James Goulty, to give another talk on the Korean War. in this talk James will focus on the air war in that conflict including operations by the USAF, Commonwealth and Fleet Air Arm.
The author’s family boasts an extraordinary lineage of nine Royal Air Force pilots, spanning from the First World War to the present day.
This afternoon talk took place on Tuesday 23rd June. Jerry Cockeram opened with an update on BMMHS during the lockdown and also the progress of Operation Bookworm.
Then Linda Parker gave an interesting talk on Airborne Padres in the Second World War which was well received by the audience of 27 people. It was nice to see some familiar faces and some new ones too and there was also an interesting Q&A session at the end. The talk went well with only a few minor technical glitches, which we are working to overcome. Feedback from members on the “Zoom” was enthusiastic and appreciative, with most people willing to make a donation or contribution towards the cost of future Zoom talks.
Ice Stations to Action Stations by Linda Parker.
This talk tells the story of the “curious little war” that took place on the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard 1941-1945. The island of Spitsbergen was the site of confrontation between the allies and Germany as the weather stations both sides attempted to maintain there were strategically important for the course of the war in Europe, Including D day.
The men involved on both sides had been prominent polar explorers in the interwar years, and Alexander ‘Sandy’ Glen in particular used the skills he had acquired in his pre-war exploration of the archipelago in the game of cat and mouse that took place as each side sought to obtain the advantage of obtaining regular weather forecasts and knowledge of Atlantic and Arctic conditions.
The BMMHS had a successful visit yesterday to the Battle of Britain Bunker the former underground operations room used by No 11 Group Fighter Command RAF during WW2. Fighter aircraft operations were controlled from here throughout the war but most noteably during the Battle of Britain and on D-Day. There is also a new visitors centre opened in March 2018. The tour guide Chris Leworthy was excellent and the day was enjoyed by all. A highly recommended place to visit.
The Main Hall, will be redecorated at the time of this April talk by Gary Sheffield. Gary’s talk will go ahead in the next door Function Room. However this has halved our capacity to 50 people for this one talk and all seats have now been reserved. Apologies to those who had hoped to attend. Normal service in the refurbished Main Hall will resume in May for all future talks.
BMMHS is pleased to announce that we have appointed Linda Parker as our Schools Liaison Officer. Linda’s role now includes a focus on establishing links with local schools and colleges with a view to broadening our audiences into a younger generation.
Please if you can provide us with contacts and advice in this area then contact us via [email protected]
Our previous talks have been sold out but thanks to the help from both Jenny & the Yoga team, we are now moving into the Larger Main Hall, in Woodcote Village Hall.
In order to secure a seat for future events, please contact us on [email protected] and we will confirm availability.
On Monday 14th October 2019, Wantage held Two Services of Remembrance commemorating the first casualties of the Second World War from the town .
Watch this space!
An excellent talk followed by a book signing by naval author, Philip K Allan, author of the Alexander Clay series. Following a lifetime’s love of the wooden warships of the Napoleonic era, Philip took a packed house through a fascinating presentation of what it was like to live and work in the navies of the day.
Last night saw the first event of the BMMHS, with a fascinating talk by local historian Bill King, assisted by his wife Flora, on how Britain intended to repel a German invasion in 1940 through the use of ‘underground’ resistance fighters.
Click on Unit Badge for meeting details
Thank you to Barbara Taylor of The Western Front Association for kindly announcing the formation of the British Modern Military History Society to members at the Thames Valley Branch meeting on Thursday 28th March 2019.
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