The Western Front Association was formed to maintain interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War. It does not seek to glorify war, and is non-political.
For a modest annual subscription, our members receive a wide range of benefits. In particular, belonging to the WFA provides the opportunity of meeting like-minded people to learn, share and exchange information in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. You will also receive our regular, high-quality publications in total six times a year.
Publications
'Stand To', the WFA's prestige journal, is posted to all members three times a year. Its editorial policy increases our knowledge and understanding of the Great War. Articles include:
- previously unpublished accounts of the Great War
- original research and previously unpublished photographs
- regular features include book reviews and a correspondence column.
The Bulletin is also published three times a year. It carries reports on the Association's activities and future events. It gives details of meetings at national and local level.
Remembrance
In order to remember those who died in the Great War, the Association:
- meets in Whitehall at 11 o'clock on Armistice Day for wreaths to be laid at the Cenotaph
- lays wreaths on memorials at home and abroad
- encourages people to tour the battlefields
- has an active education and research function
- has a wide range of branded commodities available to buy both online and through the Bulletin
- participates in the Royal British Legion Parade on Remembrance Day.
Regional Seminars
All Day Seminars are held around the country, often with internationally-renowned speakers.
Local Branches
The Association supports a wide range of local WFA Branches in the United Kingdom, in other European countries, in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Many of our Branches produce their own local newsletters; many arrange tours to the battlefields at reasonable prices, and all welcome new members warmly. Please see the Events section of the website to find out more about what is happening at a Branch near you.
Trench Maps
The Western Front Association, together with the Imperial War Museum
(IWM) in London, is involved in a joint project to produce a series of
DVDs of trench maps and aerial photographs from the IWM archives. This
project, called Mapping the Front, aims to create a set of themed DVDs
of Great War maps and photographs covering significant and interesting
aspects of The Great War. The quality of the maps will allow high
resolution and colour depth images as good as the originals. The DVDs
will be themed by area with maps of different scales detailing the
changes to landscape over months and years.
Locations will include the Somme, Ypres, Arras, Lens & Loos, Gallipoli, etc. Other themes will also include Cemeteries on the Western Front, Haig's personal maps, cartography, transport, tanks, artillery, light railways and many others.
Each themed DVD will contain:
a) Maps.b) Aerial photographs (where available).
c) A standard set of index maps.
d) Help on how to read the military maps of the period.
e) Other contemporary and modern documents of relevance or interest such as the ‘Report on Survey on the Western front, 1914-1918’
The first six DVDs are available and they are sold at a discount rate to WFA Members.
Help with your research
Our Historical Information Officer tries to answer members’ queries, and links from our website may prove helpful. Our new Forum, the Front Forum, also has an active Research area.
The Internet & Online Shop
The WFA is alive to the value of the Internet and it has an ever-expanding website, which offers numerous ways to research the Great War. There is also an online shop selling branded WFA goods, back issues and collected volumes of our publications.
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