WW1 Exhibitions, Conferences, Lectures & Commemorative Events

Last Post Exhibition

9 December 2009 until 19 February 2010

Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey, UK

Part of a touring exhibition by the British Postal Museum & Archive. This exhibition explores the vital role that the Post Office played during the First World War, delivering mail and providing communications technology on the battlefield and the Home Front. For a list of other places the exhibition will be touring see the exhibitions page.

War Horse

Mon Wed Fri 19:30, Tues 19:00, Thu Sat 14:30 & 19:30 Booking up to 23 October 2010

New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London, UK

Tickets £15.00 to £49.50

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.

Photographer: Simon Annand

Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE 2010

26th-28th February 2010

Olympia, London, UK

The countdown has begun to the country’s biggest and most comprehensive family history event! Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE, sponsored by Ancestry.co.uk and powered by Times Archive is now going into its fourth year and returns to Olympia, London.

Rory Bremner, Kate Humble and Esther Rantzen will be taking to the stage to bring the TV show to life with an exclusive peek behind the scenes – hear about Rory’s military ancestry, Kate’s fascinating links to the Great Escape, and the incredible stories which link Esther’s family to tragedy and diamonds.

New for 2010, there is also the brand new Truprint Photography Gallery, where you will be able to have your photos dated, identified, digitised or restored. Also new for this year is the One Day Conference taking place on Sunday 28th February – the Conference Ticket includes 3 exclusive seminars with esteemed speakers including Julian Litten and Nick Barratt.

All the fantastic event features from previous years will be returning: -

• The 18th annual Society of Genealogists Family History Show supported by TheGenealogist.co.uk – will once again be providing unrivalled local expertise, the Workshop Programme features over 100 workshops and seminars to help you with your research
• The DNA Workshop supported by Family Tree DNA will show you how science can confirm links and advance your research
• The Military Pavilion will aid you in discovering your military ancestors.
• The Military Memorabilia Checkpoint returns to help you identify your artefacts
• Family history enthusiast Tony Robinson will be appearing on Friday 26th February to give his unique and inimitable take on history

2 FOR 1 TICKET Special Offer!

Get two adult tickets for £22 – saving £22.* To claim two tickets for the price of one, call the ticket hotline on 0871 230 5596 or visit www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.co.uk and quote GREAT241

*£2 transaction fee applies. 2 for 1 offer ends 19th February 2010. On-door standard entry tickets priced at £22 each. Workshop tickets available free on-site, or in advance at a cost of £2. This is not a BBC event.

Journey's End

19:45 Wed 17th to Sat 20th March 2010

Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park arts centre, Bracknell, UK

Tickets £14.00

by R.C. Sherriff

Talented and war-weary Captain Stanhope is confronted with the fresh face of his past as an old schoolmate joins his platoon.

As the offensive looms ever closer, Stanhope must inspire his men to make the ultimate sacrifice for a war he no longer understands and for a cause he no longer remembers.

This classic play based on the author's own experience in the trenches shows humour and courage in the face of certain tragedy.

All staged within Stanhope's claustrophobic dugout, time creeps to a standstill as soldiers await their orders before racing to its heart wrenching climax as these young men face their ‘Journey's End’.

From the companies behind Othello and Vincent in Brixton and starring Graham Seed (The Archers, Midsomer Murders) and Adam Best (Holby City, Waking The Dead).

Photographer: Jack Ladenburg

Seminar: ‘Aspects of The Great War’

09:00 to 16:30 Saturday 12 June 2010

The Tank Museum, Bovington

Tickets £27.50

The Dorset & South Wiltshire branch of the Western Front Association are holding their regional seminar. Speakers include: -

• Martin Middlebrook - The Somme and its Origins
• Prof Peter Simkins MBE FRHists - Haig and his Army Commanders
• David Fletcher - Tanks and Trenches
• Taff Gillingham - The Development of the Uniform and Equipment of the British Infantryman in WW1

The price includes the following: -

• Day entry to the seminar
• 1 year membership to Bovington Tank Museum
• Morning coffee
• Afternoon tea
• Buffet lunch

Besides the talks there will be stands and the Khaki Chums will have a display of WW1 equipment.

Tickets are available from: Dorset WFA Events, 3 Bestwall Road, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4HY. (Tel 01929 553060) (Email cambrai@eastcote.go-plus.net)