Book reviews by Linda Parker & Geoff Simpson Click on the image for the book...
Read MoreA not-for profit society raising funds for military charities
Welcome to the British Modern Military History Society.
We organise monthly talks for anyone interested in military history over the last 200 years from Nelson’s times to the present day.
With top quality talks given by writers, academics, former military personnel, and experts in their field with a wide variety of topics, we are based in Woodcote Village Hall RG8 0QY (near Wallingford) in South Oxfordshire. We can accommodate up to 100 people in pleasant surroundings, offering a warm and welcoming evening out.
BMMHS NEWS
Next BMMHS Event
BMMHS Zoom Talk
Tuesday 3rd October 7:30pm
Operation AVALANCHE, the Salerno Landings, 9-18 September 1943
Rob Deere
Following the Axis defeat in Sicily, the Allies invaded Italy in September 1943. Operation Avalanche, the Salerno landings, were carried out by the US Fifth Army on 9 September 1943. These landings were the Allied main effort and followed the supporting British Eighth Army landing in Calabria 6 days earlier. Allied over-optimism, faulty intelligence assessments, a flawed plan and the German response brought the landings close to disaster.
This talk will outline the political background to the landings, their strategic context, how the battle unfolded and its impact on the subsequent Italian Campaign.
Rob Deere served as a British Army infantry officer for 20 years, seeing service in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Italian Staff College and spent two years on exchange with the Italian Army. He has worked as a battlefield historian and guide since 2014. He leads battlefield studies for the British Army and tours for commercial groups and families across the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Whilst guiding widely, his focus is on the battlefields of the Italian Front of the First and the Italian Campaign of the Second World Wars. He has a Masters degree in Military Strategic Studies and is an accredited member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. The last unit he guided at Salerno was 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY
Wednesday 11th October 7:30pm
The Battle of Jutland
Peter Wilkinson
Peter’s talk will focus on the following key areas:-
- Jutland – One battle; two different strategies
- “There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today”
- The missed opportunities
- So, who won?
About the speaker – Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB, CVO
Peter Wilkinson joined the Royal Navy in 1975 as a University Cadet, studying at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and St David’s College, Lampeter.
On completion of training he joined submarines as soon as he could and served in both diesel and nuclear submarines before being selected to attend the Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1987. After completing the course he commanded HM Submarines Otter, Superb and Vanguard before completing his operational career as Captain of the Second Submarine Squadron based in Devonport.
He then undertook a range of staff appointments in London and Portsmouth, working for both the First and Second Sea Lords and the Chief of the Defence Staff. He retired from the Royal Navy in 2010.
Subsequently, he was Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cooks (a London Livery Company) for 11 years. From 2012-2016 he was National President of the Royal British Legion and he has recently chaired an appeal to build a new submarine memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
BMMHS Event Registration
Contact us on info@bmmhs.org to register for BMMHS Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk.
BMMHS Village Hall Meeting Tickets
Entry cost is just £8, which includes your entry ticket to the talk, a Q & A, and refreshments (beer, wine, soft drinks). We ask for payment in advance. If you are unable to pay in advance there will be a facility to pay by cash or card on the door.
BMMHS Events 2023
Latest News
BMMHS Village Hall Meeting: The Battle of Jutland: Wednesday 11th October 2023 7:30pm
Wednesday 11th October; 7:30pm Meetings – Tickets, Reservations and Venue Directions BMMHS Meeting Venue Woodcote...
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Article: The ‘Hand of Fate’ in the Great War
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Read MoreWhat you are saying about BMMHS
"It was a lovely evening and fantastic atmosphere in the room. Very happy to come back in 2021 to speak on my (then) new book on MI9 escape and evasion."
"For anyone interested in Military History, the BMMHS is a must. The monthly meetings cover a wide range of topics, with high quality speakers giving thought-provoking talks. In addition, the quality of facility and refreshments is exceptional, and the audience interesting and welcoming. Highly recommended."
“Just wanted to say how impressed I was by the talk last night and indeed by the meeting itself – the first I’ve been able to attend. An excellent speaker and a well organised meeting!”
"…. We’re very impressed with the line-up of talks arranged for the next year and will endeavour to attend as many as possible ….
We found the ‘Arnhem’ talk most interesting – a very different ‘take’ on the topic from the usual battle on the ground analysis.
Congratulations to you, Nigel, Linda and the team, you’re doing a great job."
"If I may say so, the BMMHS's first few months have been most impressive and a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm the four of you have put in. Everything on Wednesday went well, turnout, seating, notice-boards, drinks and especially the food!
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"…I would like to thank you and your team for another great evening. The talk was brilliant… looking forward to the next one…"
"MANY THANKS for Wednesday night most enjoyable, met some nice chaps, have new dates on the calendar, looking forward to the next talk"
"As with the first BMMHS meeting I attended.... I really enjoyed last night’s presentation. You and your pals have done a great job in getting the BMMHS set up and running smoothly & efficiently, including an excellent website plus arranging for some really interesting presenters and subjects every month."
"A most amazing lecture. To say it was interesting is understating it - it was mind-blowing to think of the courage of those women, who agreed to be SOE agents, despite knowing what awaited them if they were found out. It was fascinating to hear what training they went through, and to learn what some of them did and how they ended up. Many thanks for another brilliant lecture"
“ If you are like me, and you enjoy the study of a wide range of military history topics, with a bit if a twist, then BMMHS will be right up your street. With its informative panel of expert speakers and on occasion quirky topics, there is something for everyone interested in learning more of their military past. I can thoroughly recommend the BMMHS zoom talk experience. You won’t be disappointed!”
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Village Hall FAQs
Venue Address
Woodcote Village Hall
South Oxfordshire
RG8 0QY
Glimpses of War
A compilation of military stories and eyewitness accounts to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK.
Click above to order your copies
“I am delighted that the BMMHS has taken this initiative to record eyewitness accounts during the Lockdowns. For historians, first hand accounts are the building blocks of good story telling and to do so with fund-raising for BVUK in mind is doubly pleasing.”
“Highly recommended... from across the different wars of the 20th century comes this unique collection of inspirational narratives of human endurance, daring exploits, fighting spirit and sheer heroism”
An inspired and fascinating historical collection. Powerful first-hand accounts of individuals’ courage and tenacity in the face of conflict over the decades.
‘I am deeply honoured that my great grandfather Percy Statton, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915, is remembered in Glimpses of War and for such a great cause. I hope this volume and the subsequent ones raise lots of money for BVUK.’
“BMMHS are to be congratulated on the timely publication of this first volume of Glimpses of War. It was a pleasure and privilege to be involved in this fascinating project, together with one of our former patients and to support the valuable work of Blind Veterans UK.”
‘The breadth and range of this volume convey, as few others have, the comprehensive awfulness of war across the generations, and the effects it has on those directly involved, indirectly involved and on its periphery.’
‘What a marvellous time — during the many privations of ‘lockdown’ — to ask us all to turn out our family archives and contribute to the BMMHS’s first publication. And no better charity than Blind Veterans UK to receive any profit from this great initiative.’
“The BMMHS has found a splendid way of supporting BVUK by making readily available memories and research that might otherwise have disappeared.”
“The International Guild is delighted to support this venture by BMMHS as a contribution to the preservation and sharing of historical knowledge.”
‘Those of us who study, and maybe write about, military history deal with reports, statistics, dates, strategies and outcomes. It is, however, the human story, such as those we have here in Glimpses of War, that give flesh to the bones of our research. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this current volume. It is made all the more appropriate that proceeds will be directed to Blind Veterans UK since I too am a blind person.’
"This is a fascinating selection of material which covers many facets of war and military service - and it is published for such a good cause. Congratulations all round."
This is a great read ..can't wait for the next in the series...
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