East Kent Western Front Association

16/11/2025

Today was the last chance to see the Cavell Van at the Dover Cruise Terminal. A number of our branch have been over the past couple of weeks. The last time the van was here was when it carried the unknown warrior to Victoria station ready for his burial at Westminster Abbey. If you wish to see the van but missed out, it will be back on public display from Easter at Bodiam Station, part of the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

16/11/2025

This years The Western Front Association armistice parade at the cenotaph was well attended, including 5 members from the East Kent Western Front Association. With our Chairman Hazel Basford laying the wreath this year on behalf of our branch.

09/11/2025

There is still time for you to go see this piece of unique history close up and personal.

A unique opportunity to visit the historic Cavell Van at the Port of Dover ✨

📅 When: 7th-9th & 14th-16th November

🕐 Time: Visits will be available daily between 10:00am – 16:00pm

📍 Where: Cruise Terminal 1

The 19th century passenger luggage train van, built by the South Eastern Railway and Chatham Railway, is returning to Dover’s historic Cruise Terminal 1 (former Marine Station) for the first time since its poignant journeys to London in 1919/1920.

The Cavell Van, which was fully restored in 2010, famously carried the bodies of Edith Cavell, Charles Fryatt and the Unknown Warrior when they were repatriated to Britain following World War 1.

The van is displayed on a real track, built by Network Rail, with assistance from Allelys Heavy Haulage.

Entry is free, but a one-hour slot must be booked in advance.

Please, visit our website to book your tickets: https://www.portofdover.com/discover/events/cavell-van/

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see Cavell Van back here in the Port and learn more about its historical importance!

**Please note that entry is allowed only with a valid ticket for the selected date and time. Tickets are not available at the main gate.

26/10/2025

With the remembrance season upon us, local communities are beginning to set up their own tributes to honour those who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

Here is a beautiful piece in Eastry Church, honouring the names on the war memorial.

If you know of any others, we'd love for you to share them with us.

25/10/2025

Here supporting the Cambridgeshire branch of the WFA with the launch of their temporary exhibition on the Old Contempibles Association.

21/09/2025

Hello Friends. Along with our talk about the 1/1 Bucks at Pozieres and Thiepval by John Tanner on the 7th October. We will also be holding a book sale. All proceeds like always go to charity. This year the branch has chosen Armed Forces Bikers Veterans Charity UK (Supporters page). Please come along and show your support and also give some books a new home. We look forward to seeing you there.

08/07/2025

Attending the burial ceremony for CQMS Charles Monro Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders KIA 21st October 1914

01/07/2025

Don’t forget, no meeting tonight. You need to wait another week before our next meeting on The Kaiser.

03/06/2025

Tonight we had the pleasure of a talk from the The Western Front Association Chairman, Tony Bolton. During this meeting he and Valmai Holt presented one of our longtime members with the Western Front Association Hero Award. James Brazier is one of the founding members of the association, for 10 years holding the Chairman position, then for a further 9 years the editor of the bulletin magazine. Since Covid James has been the editor of our branches ‘Between The Lines’ newsletter. James has given the branch serval interesting talks over the years, and we are looking forward to more. Thank you James.