WW1 Exhibitions, Conferences, Lectures & Commemorative Events
This page provides links to pages on this website for listings of the varied events taking place on the old Western Front battlefields of 1914-1918 and WW1 related public events taking place in the United Kingdom.
- Events on the WW1 Battlefields of the Western Front
- WW1 Related Events in the United Kingdom
- Lecture Programmes on WW1 Military History
Do you have any Great War related events?
Send us an email to webmaster@greatwar.co.uk giving us the date, location, contact details and description of your event.
Events on the WW1 Battlefields of the Western Front
Some events take place on a regular basis on the battlefields of the Western Front, for example, the daily playing of Last Post at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres (Ieper), Belgium. Dependent on dates and anniversary years, official and private events may be open to the public to attend for the commemoration of battle anniversaries, unveiling of new or refurbished memorials, the opening of a new cemetery, exhibitions and lectures. See our relevant pages for further details about What's On on the battlefields:
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Artois and French Flanders Events
WW1 Related Events in the United Kingdom
War Horse: Fact and Fiction
to August 2012
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT, UK
Admission Free
A Tale of Friendship - Stories from History: This major special exhibition at the National Army Museum in London was opened on 19th October by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, President of the Brooke, and joined at the launch by author Michael Morpurgo, supporters of The National Army Museum and supporters of the Brooke.
War Horse: Fact and Fiction is an interactive exhibition suitable for all the family. It is based on the popular novel by Michael Morpurgo called “War Horse”. The exhibition focuses on the story in the novel and on real-life events and stories about horses on the battlefields in wartime.
The exhibition explores nine key themes:
- Inspiration
- Requisition, Transport and Care
- Training and Sport
- Roles
- Charge
- No-Mans-Land
- Legacy
- Horse Heroes
- Kit and Equipment
Displays feature material from the War Horse novel, from the highly acclaimed stage production at the National Theatre (see below) and from the major new film directed by Steven Spielberg released in the UK in January 2012.
For detailed information about this exhibition, for a short video about the War Horse puppets behind the scenes, related workshops and late evening openings visit the National Army Museum website at:
Exhibition photographs by kind permission of the National Army Museum. Copyright James McCauley
War Horse
Performances extended to 16 February 2013
New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London, UK
Tickets from £15.00
The award-winning smash hit War Horse is now playing at the New London Theatre. Based on a story by Michael Morpurgo.
The First World War is the backdrop for this tale of bravery, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse. Actors, working with astonishing life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company, take audiences on an unforgettable journey through history.
At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France.
He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land.
But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home.
The book on which the play is based came about after Michael Morpurgo had a chance conversation in his local pub nearly 30 years ago with an old soldier who had been to the First World War as a 17 year old ‘with ‘orses’ as he said. He discovered that over a million horses died in that dreadful war – and that was just on the British side – and that most of them that survived were sold off after the war was over, to butchers in France.
For ticket prices, availability, information about the show and shop go to the website at:
Website: New London Theatre, Drury Lane
Photographer: Simon Annand
Lecture Programmes on WW1 Military History
The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
Free and paid lectures, events and tours to see behind the scenes at the archives and find out more on how to research family history using the archive collections. For more information and a calendar of events go to the National Archives' website at The National Archives: What's On?
The National Army Museum, London
The museum offers a programme of lunchtime lectures, conferences and study days. Led by experts, the programme aims to increase an understanding of history, the arts, science, and the world we live in today - through the exploration of military history. The programme is aimed at ages 16 and above. Some events are related to school and college programmes of study. Booking is advised. For more information go to the National Army Museum's website at www.nam.ac.uk.
The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset
The Tank Museum provides lectures as part of its events programme. For further information go to The Tank Museum Diary of Events at The Tank Museum: Events Diary.
The Western Front Association (W.F.A.)
Lectures, seminars and conferences are held at regular monthly Branch meetings and at a national level around the United Kingdom and internationally. Speakers include well-known military historians and WFA members with expertise in a wide variety of topics related to the First World War. For further information and a calendar of forthcoming events visit the WFA website at WFA National Events and Conferences.
University of Birmingham Centre for First World War Studies
The Centre for First World War Studies is part of the School of History and Cultures at Birmingham University. The Centre holds regular events including seminars, lectures and conferences. For information on the events programme visit the Centre for First World War Studies' website at Centre for First World War Studies: Events.
Related Reading
War Horse
by Michael Morpurgo
This book is about Joey, a farm horse requisitioned by the British Army for service in the First World War on the Western Front. The reader experiences the horrors of war and the compassion of the animals and humans in the story through the eyes of the horse. Written about 25 years ago as a result of Michael Morpurgo's conversations with First World War veterans, the story has taken on a new life as a highly acclaimed play and has been adapted into a major film by Steven Spielberg. Published by Egmont Books Ltd; Film tie-in ed edition (7 Nov 2011), ISBN-10: 1405259418 and ISBN-13: 978-1405259415
The War Horses: The Tragic Fate of a Million Horses Sacrificed in the First World War
by Simon Butler
The War Horses focuses on the horses, mules and donkeys that were requisitioned by the British Army to carry rations, pull guns and wagons full of munitions. The book is has received excellent reviews. It is illustrated with more than 200 photographs, includes eye witness accounts and reveals the great bond between the men and the animals they cared for in such difficult circumstances. Published by Halsgrove, 2nd edition (27 Sep 2011), ISBN-10: 0857040847 and ISBN-13: 978-0857040848
Warrior: The Amazing Story of a Real War Horse
by General Jack Seely
Warrior was a thoroughbred horse which went to France with Jack Seely in 1914. With Jack the horse survived on The Western Front for five years, both of them cheating death from bombs and bullets, and leading a cavalry charge by the Canadians in 1918. This republished edition is introduced by General Jack Seely's grandson, the well-known racing broadcaster and journalist Brough Scott. Published by Racing Post Books (10 Oct 2011). ISBN-10: 1908216107 and ISBN-13: 978-1908216106.