The Bradford WW1 Group meets on the 4th Wednesday morning of each month, from 10.00am to 12 noon on the 2nd floor of the Mechanics Institute, 76 Kirkgate, We are a convivial and friendly group and you will be made very welcome indeed.  Membership is not required, all we ask is for a small admission fee to cover our meeting expenses. Our wide and varied programme of speakers cover a wide range of topics related to WW1.

2026 Programme

28 Jan –  Chris Ludlam: Postcards Reunited

story of 19 postcards sent from EgyptThe  and Palestine to Yorkshire   

25 Feb – Jude Wright: 110th Anniversary of conscription  

Jude is fascinated by the conflicts which have arisen following the introduction of conscription in 1916. Jude works at Bradford’s Peace Museum and has researched two Bradford brothers: one fought but not the other. One mights almost ask, which brother had the more difficult war and post – war life?

25 Mar –  Alastair Frazer: Death in the Heidenkopt: two German soldiers of the Great War

Using service records, regimental histories, documents and photographs supplied by families, this talk details the careers of two men of the 121st (German) Reserve Infantry Regiment. At the time of their death in June 1915 they were spending time in the front line fighting the French and had no contact with the British. Alastair was involved in the discovery of their remains nearly 100 years later

22 Apr –   Andrea Hetherington: British widows of the first World War- the forgotten legion

The story of Britain’s First World War widows remain largely untold. This talk, based on my book of the same name, explains their important place in history and looks at their experiences as they came to terms with bereavement and poverty.    

27 May –   Howard Middleton: Jutland (31 May – 1 June 1916)

 Imagine being a young sailor on the eve of this famous sea battle. Men from Bradford were involved to provid local newspapers with accounts. Howard will give us the full story of the battle.    

24 Jun –  Nigel Holden: Germany and defeat: the bitter embrace  

We are pleased to welcome back Nigel Holden who has spoken to us before about the profound post-war changes to the map of Eastern Europe. This new talk sees the world of 1918 – 1921 from the German perspective, including the “Unthinkable Defeat”, the Armistice and Treaty of Versailles, The German Revolution (1918-1919) and the creation of the Weimar Republic, the rise of post-war nationism, and the emergence of Adolf Hitler. 

22 Jul    –  Bill Smith: Bradford men serving with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

Another welcome returner ! Bill based his previous talk on stories from the date of his presentation across 4 years of the war. Having retired from teaching, Bill is now attached to the Dukes’ Museum in Halifax: a dream place for a researcher?      

26 Aug    Members’ Morning:  Bring and Tell   

This is an opportunity for Group members and friends to bring badges, artifacts, documents, books, family photos and stories to show the group, to be discussed and ‘chewed-over’ and even for identification. An informal and often fun session

23 Sept –  Fraser Skirrow: Officer Training and Tactics

By 1917 it was clear that the rule books needed re-writing. Fraser provides examples of the new tactics taught in training were put into practice by the new breed of young officers     

28 Oct –  Ronnie Walsh: A factory in the North of England

Three years after the explosion in 1916, an official report publicly named Barnbow for the first time. In addition to the 35 women who died, the report mentioned that “the injured were conveyed to the Leeds General Infirmary and splendid service was rendered by the Factory Medical and Surgical Staff, nurses and other helpers”. Ronnie’s research reveals the suffering and courage of those survivors who in Haigh’s words demonstred “the spirit animating British women who are working with us for the common cause”.

25 Nov: –  Nick Hooper:   Iwuy: almost the end of our Territorials

 Several members of the Group walked this battlefield in 2019. Further research by Nick has revealed more maps, more details and a greater understanding of Bradford’s 6th Battalion as their war approached 11 Nov 1918     

16 Dec    Members’ Morning:  Bring and Tell 

  This is an opportunity for Group members and friends to bring badges, artifacts, documents, books, family photos and stories to show the group, to be discussed and ‘chewed-over’ and even for identification. An informal and often fun session