Following the conclusion of the First World War Centenary how were commemorations marked in Britain, France, and America?
Bringing together leading scholars from the field of First World War studies, and offering the opportunity to view special collections material of the conflict held by the University of Kent, this event will examine how the final three victorious allies marked the centenary of the conflict.
It will then be followed by a launch event for the newly published book British, French and American Relations on the Western Front, 1914–1918 by Dr Chris Kempshall including an illustrated talk on relations between allied soldiers during the First World War.
Book your free place here.
This event will be split between the University of Kent’s Special Collections & Archives rooms in the Templeman Library and the Grimond Building Lecture Theatre 3.
Part One - Special Collections & Archives Reading Room, Templeman Library
2pm-3:30pm: Special Collections & Archives Material
Come and explore the WW1-related world of material held within the University of Kent’s Special Collections & Archives. Visitors will be able to see items from David Lloyd George’s personal library, war art from the British Cartoon Archive, first editions of poetry, home front theatre, and much more. Staff will be on hand to discuss how you can use the collections for research, teaching - or fun.
The Special Collections & Archives Reading Room can hold up to 20 visitors at any one time, so if there are more attendees than this visits will be staggered across time slots. There will also be a chance to view the newest exhibition in the Templeman Gallery, ‘Kent, Its Regiments, and the First World War’ which features material from the Queen’s Own Buffs, the Royal Kent Regiment Collection. First World War adventures for all!
To view these materials simply ask at the Templeman Library reception for directions to the Special Collections & Archives Reading Room.
Part Two - Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
3:30pm-4pm: Registration Grimond Building Foyer
4pm-5:30pm: Centenary Reflections in the Entente Alliance Panel.
Chaired by Dr Emma Hanna this panel will examine centenary commemorations in Britain, France, and America. It will include a 30 minute audience Q&A
France: Julia Ribeiro Thomaz, Université Paris Nanterre and École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales
Britain: Natasha Silk, University of Kent
United States of America: Dr Jessica Meyer, University of Leeds
Gateways to the First World War: Professor Mark Connelly, University of Kent
Part Three - Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
6pm-7:00pm: British, French and American Relations on the Western Front, 1914–1918 launch event
To launch his recently published book British, French and American Relations on the Western Front, 1914–1918, Dr Chris Kempshall will give a talk on relations between allied soldiers during the First World War followed by an audience Q&A chaired by Dr Jessica Meyer.
There will also be a stall available in the foyer to purchase copies of the book discounted to £39.99.
7pm-7:30pm: Close
Parking information:
This event is taking place during term time which means that parking on campus may be limited and we recommend that you use public transport to reach the venue. Directions and advice on getting to the campus can be found here.
You may register for a parking permit when booking but we cannot guarantee that parking spaces will be available. The closest public car park to both the Templeman Library and Grimmond Lecture Theatre 3 is the Central Pay & Display next to the Gulbenkian Theatre (no.11 on the parking map), on the left as one drives down Library Road.
If you have any questions about this event please contact gateways@kent.ac.uk.
