Events List Navigation
August 2020
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be The Battle of Ortona, December 1943. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members - to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback sessions…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Objective Hillman: 1st Battalion The Suffolk Regiment, D-Day and the race to Caen. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members - to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must…
Find out more »September 2020
East Anglia Regional Event – WW2 Aviation History at Ridgewell Airfield, Essex
The Ridgewell Roam - A day out walking in East Anglia. If you are an East Anglian based member of the GBG and you are desperate to get out and soak up some history, why not come along to Ridgewell Airfield in Essex. Mike Peters and Paul Bingley have organised a great day out on 11 September 2020. The day will include a guided walk around what was the only USAAF Heavy Bomber field in Essex, access to the Museum,…
Find out more »Thermopylae and Artemisium Recce – CANCELLED
Due to numbers, this recce has been cancelled this year. The recce would have covered the Four Battles which decided the fate of fledgling democracy in the Greco-Persian War of 480BC. The recce follows the route of the Persian invasion, beginning on the Island of Skiathos before crossing the Straits of Artemisium to Thermopylae. The next day's touring takes in the battles of Plataea and Salamis before returning via Athens airport. It is hoped that this recce can be rearranged…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade at the Battle of Messines 1917. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be The Second Battle of Ramadi, Mesopotamia, 1917. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback…
Find out more »October 2020
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Counter-Stroke at Arras, 21 May 1940. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback sessions separately in…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation (postponed)
This Event has been postponed from 10 October; the new date has yet to be confirmed. This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be The Alabamas at Croix Rouge Farm. July 25-27 1918.
Find out more »Portsmouth Weekend, 16-18 October 2020 (postponed)
A ‘traditional’ Guild weekend with a quiz, a wide range of subject matter (not just nautical, although Portsmouth is billed as "the home of the Royal Navy"!) and sites, and plenty of opportunity to socialise. Travel during the event will be self-drive. Some walking is involved, none of it strenuous! A number of themes and topics will be outlined for possible inclusion into UK tours or preliminary to trips to France by Tim Stoneman and others. Due to current and…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation (postponed)
This Event has been postponed until 2021. This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Operation Mercury: Maleme 20 May 1941.
Find out more »November 2020
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be 55th (West Lancashire) Division during the Third Battle of Ypres. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be The Battle for Seelow Heights, April 1945. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be 44 Commando at the Battle of Hill 170. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and…
Find out more »January 2021
AGM 2021, Online
Given that the Covid 19 and travel restrictions, it has been agreed to hold the Annual General Meeting online. It is hoped that under these arrangements those who normally attend will do so as well as many more who, for whatever reason, are not able to make the travel arrangements to do so. We have capacity for all of our members to attend, so let's make it a record attendance! The normal Annual Conference has been cancelled but we will…
Find out more »Awards and Badge Presentation, Online
The Guild Awards presentation and presentation of badges to newly-accredited guides will take place shortly after the Annual General Meeting (exact starting time will be announced at the end of the AGM). Registration details can be found in the Membership area of the Guild website under "2021 AGM and Awards Ceremony".
Find out more »February 2021
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be The Battle of Crete 1941. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback sessions separately in…
Find out more »May 2021
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be Exercise Tiger 22-28 April 1944. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and feedback sessions separately…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild member candidate’s presentation will be The Battle of Raate Road, 1-7 January 1940. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Members – to register your interest in joining the audience, click here Note that you must register for both assignment and…
Find out more »July 2021
Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be 8 Division’s attack to the east of Bouchavesnes – 4 March 1917. Further details about how to join the audience for this event will be published in the Guild Weekly Update email about a week before the event. Members wishing to attend must register their interest in attending by using the links which will be provided in the Members area of this website under Accreditation…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Le Chêne Tondu and the Iron Division (28th AEF): late September/early October 1918. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Further details about how to join the audience for this event will be published in the…
Find out more »September 2021
Special Forces in the UK
The Guild Special Forces recce will take place on the 11th and 12th September 2021 in the Poole area. The theme of the recce is the development of Special Forces capabilities during WW2 and will study the Special Operations Executive, The Auxiliary Units, the Special Raiding Force, Special Forces Communications, Air support to SF operations, MI9, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, the COPPs and Operation Frankton. This promises to be a packed weekend with lots of historical info and a…
Find out more »November 2021
Somme Recce
Taking a Guild recce format with participating Guild members passing on their knowledge of the battlefield and tour tips based on experience. Participants will be invited to share their knowledge with the group as we visit possible "stands" around the battlefields. Newcomers to the Guild and battlefield guiding on the Western Front need not be concerned that your knowledge may not match that of experienced members. That is the whole point of recces to gain information and you will be…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Battle for Kustrin – The Farcical Fortress, February 1945. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Further details about how to join the audience for this event will be published in the Guild Weekly Update email…
Find out more »December 2021
Guild Christmas Lunch 2021
A great opportunity to catch up at the end of a difficult year for many; the Guild’s annual Christmas lunch will be held at the Union Jack Club, Sandell St, London SE1 8UJ on Friday 3 December. The bar opens at 11.00 a.m. and members are asked to assemble for 12.30 for lunch at 12.45 when a three course lunch (with coffee, mince pies and crackers!) will be served. The event is informal (lounge suits and equivalent for female members…
Find out more »March 2022
Guild Portuguese Peninsular War Recce – Rescheduled Dates
This Recce had been scheduled to take place in April 2020 but was postponed as Europe went into Covid 19 lock-down which prevented all but non-essential travel. The recce has now been provisionally rescheduled to 2-7 March 2022 Please contact the organiser if you are interested in going if you were not down to go on the original recce dates as there may be spaces available. This 6 day Guild Recce visits the battlefield of Bussaco where Wellington’s strategic genius…
Find out more »Annual General Meeting 2022
As in 2021, our Annual General Meeting, and the Awards Ceremony which follows it, will be conducted virtually. Links to both events have been published in the Members area of the Guild website (under the "2022 AGM" tab of the Governance page), and also circulated by email. Annual General Meeting Last minute registration for the AGM will always be possible but, in order to help the Membership Secretary (who must ensure that only paid-up members of the Guild are attending,…
Find out more »Guild Awards Ceremony
As in 2021, the Awards Ceremony, which will follow our Annual General Meeting, will be conducted virtually. The link to join this event has been published in the Members area of the Guild website (under the “2022 AGM” tab of the Governance page), and also circulated by email. The Awards Ceremony The ceremony will begin thirty minutes after the end of the AGM; however, the room will open immediately after the AGM itself has finished. On entry into the 'room'…
Find out more »Assignment 1 Validation
This is an online Assignment 1 Validation Event. The Guild Member candidate’s presentation will be Battle for Kustrin, February 1945. All Guild members are welcome to join the audience, particularly those who have been accepted on the Accreditation Programme but have not yet seen a live validation, and those who have yet to begin the process. Further details about how to join the audience for this event will be published in the Guild Weekly Update email about a week before…
Find out more »April 2022
EOD, Malta
The Guild recce to Malta will take place in April 2022. The theme of the recce is the defence of Malta during WW2, with the emphasis being on the Explosive Ordnance Disposal capability of the islands. To provide background and context, it will also cover air and sea campaigns, the experience of the Maltese population and the Axis plans to invade the islands. There will also be a presentation on the siege of Malta in 1565. Despite being the most…
Find out more »“From Stringbags to Spitfires!”
A car tour around four sites associated with Castle Bromwich airfield, North Birmingham looking at its history telling the story of the development of military and civil aviation from 1910 to 1950. Today mostly associated with the building and development of Spitfires in WW2 there is a whole, almost unknown, Great War and interwar years history here, one of the first RFC training airfields for pilots. We'll visit three local cemeteries to hear the stories of casualties killed flying there,…
Find out more »May 2022
The Richard Holmes Memorial Lecture
The Battlefields Trust, British Commission for Military History and International Guild of Battlefield Guides are pleased to announce that the Richard Holmes Memorial Lecture will take place on Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 19:00 hrs. This will be a virtual lecture by Professor Anne Curry, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History, University of Southampton, entitled: "The Battle of Baugé 22 March 1421 – A Franco-Scottish Agincourt?" To register please go to – https://my.demio.com/ref/ZXG4VooY6EzFWsbb.
Find out more »July 2022
Tewkesbury Core Event
Based in the historic town of Tewkesbury the outline plan for the weekend is: Friday & Saturday night - hotel in Tewkesbury: With a significant number of locals the numbers currently staying for the weekend are insufficient to get any hotel "deal", especially approaching High Season. Therefore, we are leaving finding accommodation up to individuals, but are suggesting people use the Tewkesbury Premier Inn, on Shannon Way, GL20 8ND. The price obtained there, in March, for Friday and Saturday nights,…
Find out more »September 2022
Commando and Ranger Event
This event will study the creation and reformation of the WW2 Commando and Ranger units and their notable missions from WW2 to their role today. Based in scenic Scotland at Achnacarry, it will also study the SOE paramilitary training at Arisaig House (and surrounding estates) and will feature the usual dinner and quiz night, pertinent memento and plenty of 'hands on' for those that want to, on demolitions, booby traps, survival, camouflage and concealment, elimination of sentries and weapon handling. …
Find out more »October 2022
Visit to the Tower of London
The evening starts at 1925 when everyone meets at the main gate (West Gate) of the Tower where I will meet you. I will then take you on a tour of the Tower which will last an hour before retiring to the Yeoman Warders Bar, The Keys, for refreshment. I normally conduct a raffle but this is up to you, it’s certainly not compulsory. At 2130 we go back outside for me to brief you on the ancient Ceremony of The Keys…
Find out more »November 2022
Accredited Guides’ Annual Dinner
The Queen Elizabeth II – Badged Guides Dinner will be held in London on 18 November. Further details from Graeme Cooper in due course.
Find out more »Webinar: DEMYSTIFYING ASSIGNMENT 1 – Observations and Advice for Candidates.
The Accreditation Director (Chris Finn) will be running a webinar on Demio at 1900 on Tuesday 22 November, which is primarily designed for those members, in particular new ones, who are planning, or considering, undertaking Assignment 1 at the Annual Conference in January 2023, or on-line. The Demio registration link is https://my.demio.com/ref/s67M1Z3aWq83l29s.
Find out more »December 2022
Guild Christmas Lunch 2022
A great opportunity to catch up at the end of the year; the Guild’s annual Christmas lunch will be held at the Union Jack Club, Sandell St, London SE1 8UJ (which is adjacent to Waterloo Station) on Friday 2 December. The bar opens at 11.00 a.m. and members are asked to assemble for 12.30 for lunch at 12.45 when a three course lunch will be served. The event is informal (lounge suits and equivalent for female members and guests) and…
Find out more »January 2023
Annual Conference & AGM 2023
Our Annual Conference and AGM weekend will be held in the Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn), Milton Keynes. We will include the usual mix of activities - validation opportunities, Guild AGM (Saturday afternoon), Guild Awards Dinner, a quiz, bring-and-buy stall, and a range of speakers. An overview of the event is here. Those Members who had applied to attend the January 2022 Conference (which had to be postponed), and have already paid, need do no more, unless their accommodation…
Find out more »Pre-Conference Visit to Bletchley Park
The pre-Annual Conference visit to Bletchley Park will take place on the afternoon of Friday 27 January. We will arrive lunchtime / approx. midday, and start with sandwich / cake and drink. There will be an organised tour 13.00 – 14.00; we will then have two hours to explore before the site closes at 16.00 and we make our way to Milton Keynes to check in at the Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn, rebranded in November 2022) for the Annual…
Find out more »March 2023
Guild Recce: “Wellington’s Way” – Peninsular War
‘Wellington’s Way’ “I am going to take a little sleep. Watch with your glass. You see that large stone? Call me when the head of the French column reaches that point.” Wellington to Lord Fitzroy Somerset prior to his great victory at Salamanca, 22 July 1812 Recce Overview: The intent of this eight-day reconnaissance is to familiarise ‘Guild mates’ with the ground, battle sequences, briefing stands and walking route options on Wellington’s battlefields. We will also consider the administrative…
Find out more »