Heart of England Branch WFA

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Heart of England Branch WFA, Nonprofit Organization, Dormer Place Conference Centre Adj To St Peters Church, Royal Leamington Spa.

The Heart of England Branch of the Western Front Association aims to provide a focal point for all those in our area who have an interest in the Great War of 1914-18
Meetings are open to WFA Members & non-members. £5 donation to include raffle ticket.

02/11/2026

If you are in London on 11th November, please look out for this very special tribute event.

17/10/2026

On the morning of 17 October 1915, the staff of General Headquarters on Imbros turned out to see their commander off.

The day before, a cable from Kitchener had recalled General Sir Ian Hamilton to London. Six months after the landings the campaign had stalled, sickness was thinning the ranks, and Hamilton had told the War Office that evacuation was unthinkable. London wanted a fresh opinion. His successor, General Sir Charles Monro, would recommend withdrawal within days of arriving.

Captain Orlo Williams, GHQ’s cipher officer, recorded the farewell in his diary:

‘At 12.30, Sir Ian, CGS and ADCs, and Pollen came over to say goodbye to us – a rather painful business. We all turned out in belts to shake hands with them. The general shook me warmly by the hand and said “goodbye cipher, we have done a lot of work together”. To us all he said “goodbye to you all. Do as good work for my successor as you have for me”.’

Hamilton sailed that afternoon. He never held another command.

Read the diary of the man Hamilton called ‘cipher’ – Inside GHQ: The Gallipoli Diary of Captain Orlo Williams
https://littlegully.com/books/inside-ghq-the-gallipoli-diary-of-captain-orlo-williams/

Orlo Williams - Gallipoli Cipher

Image: Sir Ian Hamilton and his staff at Kephalos, Imbros, on the morning of his departure, 17 October 1915. (Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, King’s College London, HAMILTON 7/12)

12/10/2026

A plaque to look out for.

New plaque in Leamington park pays tribute to equine animals killed in First World War

16/09/2026

15/08/2026

OUTLINE LAUNCH CONFERENCE
GOOD HEAVENS!
Private Wilfred Heavens in the Great War
Edited by Warren Smith
LETTERS FROM GALLIPOLI
Lieutenant Patrick Campbell MC, Ayrshire Yeomanry
Edited by Peter Hart & Warren Smith
When?
18.00 — Friday 25 September 2026
Where?
The Constitutional Club
9 The Walks, London N2 8DE
Talks include:
Warren Smith & Paul Hildyards — Good Heavens!
Peter Hart & Gary Bain — Patrick Campbell
Special Guest Artiste: Alex Churchill speaking on her acclaimed book 'Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War'.
How?
Pre‑booking just £25
Includes a FREE copy of both books. Couples get only one set of books but only pay £30 entrance together.
You cannot miss this!
PAYING IN ADVANCE
PLEASE PAY £25 BY BANK TRANSFER:
Outline Publishing Limited Sort code: 51-70-15 A/C No: 85845477
Or £25 BY PAYPAL using the FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPTION to
[email protected]
In either case make your names the reference so we know you are coming along!
Please note all ‘tickets’ are non-refundable - but we will post you signed copies of both books if you cannot attend.
Are you disorganised?
IF PAYING ON THE NIGHT then £30 by cash or Credit Card on arrival at the venue!
For more info contact [email protected]

04/06/2026

Next meeting is on Wednesday 10th June at 7.30pm
“The Russian Army in World War 1”
Presented by Dr Sofya Anisimova

This talk is an overview on the organization and structure of the Russian Army from the start of the Great War to the revolution, assessing the quality of its performance and its impact on the, often overlooked, Eastern Front.......................................................................
The Branch requests a donation of £5 for the meeting.

This will include one raffle ticket.
Additional raffle tickets will also be available.......................................................................
Non-members of the WFA are most welcome at our meetings.

20/05/2026

Another interesting event for you.

19/05/2026

This looks an interesting talk to attend in Warwick.

A fascinating slice of history. Tickets still available for this Saturday’s talk at the museum
https://bit.ly/WW1LandArmy

08/05/2026

Members’ evening is on Wednesday 13th May and our knowledgeable members will tell us all about the following subjects:

Martin Harrison – “Man O’Milverton”

Clive Dunn – “The Royal Dutch Shell Group in the Great War”

Paul Jaques and Dave Vaux - "’By God they can fight’ - the story of two officers of the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment killed on
the first day of the Battle of the Somme"

All welcome.

Address

Dormer Place Conference Centre Adj To St Peters Church
Leamington Spa
CV325AA

Website

http://www.wfaheartofengland.org.uk/

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