When we think of Russian women during the Great War, the first thing that perhaps comes to mind are the all female combat units. In particular, the 1st Women’s Battalion of Death and its founder Maria Bochkareva, who was the first Russian woman to command a military unit. Maria’s story, though fascinating, has been well … Continue reading Rimma Mikhailovna Ivanova

The horse looms large in our popular memory of the Great War. This is perhaps based more on myth than fact; drawing upon romantic symbolism of the horse that goes back long before 1914, and a raft of more general Great War mythology, but the horse's part in the story is represented nonetheless. Yet whilst … Continue reading ‘A stupid mule is still smarter than a good horse, or a bad man’

With ancestors from South Africa, England, the Arabian Peninsula, Scotland and France, The Waler, although not an official breed, is a type of horse unlike any other. With the speed of a Thoroughbred, endurance of an Arab, intelligence of a Percheron and hardiness of a Timor Pony; the Waler's contribution in the Great War has … Continue reading The Legendary Waler

If you look up to the night sky this week, you may be lucky enough to catch The Lyrid Meteor shower. The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers known to man, first noted in 687 B.C in China as stars 'falling like rain', they have fascinated people for generations. Yet this spectacular … Continue reading ‘An army stands behind her, Lyra’

Even in times of great difficulty, hope and beauty can be found. Cliche? sure, but the idea is over used not for lack of original thought, rather because it is simply a common occurrence. Anyone who has been through trauma can attest to this, to finding comfort and light in the smallest of things and … Continue reading ‘Patience is the virtue of donkeys’

For months I have seen the film '1917' criticised on Twitter. Almost as soon as the film was announced, people were gathering like a pack of scholarly wolves on the scent of an Alan Clark shaped deer. When the trailer was released the baying began... *howl* the uniforms look incorrect in this 2 millisecond clip … Continue reading 1917

It's been a very busy few months, hence my unusual lack of posts but I hope to show my blog some love again soon! In the meantime, if you're in or near Manchester at the end of January, pop along to the 2nd Modern Conflict Research Symposium at IWM North where I will be giving … Continue reading Modern Conflict Research 2020

A new paper published in the ‘Aftermath’ special edition of Stand To! The Journal of the Western Front Association offers a comparative perspective on the wounding and healing of soldiers and of the plants which surrounded them on battlefields of the First World War.  A lot of pieces of metal were hurled in reciprocal anger during the Great War.  A … Continue reading Guest post – James Wearn & Jenny Martin ‘Considering the Great War’s cartography of wounds’

It's that time of year again, remembrance season is upon us and it seems to me that the politics of remembrance this year is almost as ghastly as that in Westminster. Debates are raging daily between left and right, old and young, academics and non-academics over a variety of issues from the politicisation of the … Continue reading The intolerance of our remembrance