British Modern Military History Society

A not-for profit society raising funds for military charities

Who are we ?

The British Modern Military History Society (BMMHS) was formed in early 2019 between brothers Andy and Jerry Cockeram, and Nigel and Linda Parker, all with a passion for military history. Our aim was to pass on this interest and to organise monthly live talks to fellow lovers of modern military history.   In a short time from the very first talk in Nigel and Linda’s living room, such was the demand that we swiftly moved to Woodcote Village Hall and in months were attracting audiences of 100 people.  Speakers ranged from authors, historians and former military personnel.

Royal British Legion
BMMHS Has raised over £5000 for military charities
BVUK Logo

The BMMHS is a ‘not for profit’ society

The BMMHS is a ‘not for profit’ society, which allows us to keep costs (speakers, room hire etc) to a minimum for all participants and attendees. Entry cost is just £8, payable on the door,  and will include the talk and a Q & A, drinks, light snacks (sandwiches etc.) and a contribution to a military charity. Car parking is available on site.  To December 2022, over £5000 has been raised for military charities.

What changed with COVID-19?

As with much of the rest of the world, the world of BMMHS changed overnight when COVID-19 arrived and lockdowns forced us to suspend live talks, BMMHS saw this as an opportunity to alter our direction and expand.  We introduced twice monthly Zoom talks enabling a much wider audience to listen to our talks, including several from overseas, and giving a much broader range of topics and speakers too. 

In addition, we requested our supporters to send in their own and family accounts of wartime experiences – any war, any role, military or civilian. Such was the response that we published Glimpses of War Volume 1 in April 2021, over 500 pages of moving accounts of heroism, tragedy, hardship and resilience.   All profits are donated to the charity Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s). Glimpses of War Volume 2 was published in October 2021 and Glimpses of the Falklands War was published in June 2022 in time for the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands.  The reviews of Glimpses of War have been outstanding from all quarters.

BMMHS Zoom Talks Logo

BMMHS Events

BMMHS Village Hall Meetings Logo
Chris Parry VH 1
Rear-Admiral Chris Parry on his talk on SAS rescue on South Georgia

With the return to monthly live meetings, in addition, we have decided to continue with a monthly Zoom talk throughout 2024. A full schedule of live meetings and is already booked until the end of 2024 and we still have slots for available for speakers to hold Zoom talks  for us in 2024. If you would like to speak via Zoom then please contact us on info@bmmhs.org

We continue to grow and flourish as a history society of just over four and a half years. We have a vibrant set of supporters both time and abroad, and have developed string relationships with Blind Veterans UK, and various other organisations such as the National Army Museum, the Fleet Air Arm Museum and several others, as well as a whole range of speakers, authors, historians and military personnel. We have a much admired website and a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter.

We would welcome anyone who wishes to get involved in the society and to help with the promotion or organisation of talks, please get in touch on info@bmmhs.org

What do we do ?

We offer an interesting range of talks and trips/events covering 20th and 21st Century military events and conflicts to like-minded enthusiasts.

Talks will be given by writers, academics, former military personnel, post graduate students  and will cover a wide variety of topics and events – hopefully an interesting cocktail to encourage you to join us.

We will look to link our trips to topical events and anniversaries mainly predominantly within the UK, and through contacts and collaboration with other organisations, we will be able to access some unusual or largely inaccessible military establishments. 

Battle of Britain Duxford

Who would be interested

We feel our talks and events will appeal to anyone who has an interest in 20th and 21st Century history.  This can be amateur enthusiasts, former or currently serving military personnel, history students, as well as people who had friends or family with military connections or have served in conflicts past.  Everyone who attends one of our talks or events will be given a warm welcome.

We would be very happy to post on the website reminiscences or ‘the story’ of family or friends who have served. For more information, contact us on  info@bmmhs.org

Interested in joining us at our talks and trips ?

If you are interested  in our any of our events or wish to find out more, please contact us on info@bmmhs.org.   Let us know who you are, your contact details and we will come back to you as soon as we can.

Also spread the word to your friends and family who may be interested in BMMHS activities, and ask them to check out our website www.bmmhs.org

We will post details of all forthcoming events on this website.

Flight deck scene as Royal Marines of 41 Commando embark in a Wessex helicopter.

Interested in being a speaker, or do you know someone who might be happy to speak to us

The Falklands Conflict, Ian McDonald, the Deputy Chief of Public Relations at the MOD

If you wish to speak at one of our talks, or know someone who might be happy to,  please contact  us on info@bmmhs.org  giving your own details and the topic you (or they) would be interested in speaking on.   

Normally,  we would expect talks to last about an hour with an opportunity for a Q&A afterwards.   A projector to show slides/photos etc will be available.  

Do you have a story to tell ?

So many of us have a story to tell about themselves, and family or friends who have served in military conflicts over the last century.  We would love to hear about it.  If you have photos and documents, you would be willing to share with us, even better. 

If you think we might be interested, let us know and we will be happy to include their story on the website.  Contact us on info@bmmhs.org and we will come back to you shortly.

Images on this page © Courtesy of IWM

What you are saying about BMMHS

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Contact us at info@bmmhs.org

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