Volunteers from the local community have been working with The Fusilier Museum London researching the life of Roland Philipps and the Battle of the Somme. Roland Philipps not only experienced the Somme, the most notable battle in British history, but worked tirelessly for East London’s local community through his passion for Scouting – feeling inspired to share Scouting with boys from less well-to-do backgrounds. His calling was interrupted by the Great War and although his life was cut tragically short it was greatly celebrated and his influence is still felt today.
1st June 2016: Exhibition Opening, 6pm at Barbican Music Library, with a talk, 'The Shadow of the Somme: Understanding the Battle in 1916 and its Legacy' by Prof. Mark Connelly (University of Kent). Book here.
11th August 2016: Closing Event, 6pm at the Tower of London with 'Uniform 1914-1916', a military fashion show by 'Nimy Company' (a living history group) showing how British uniform changed between August 1914 and the Battle of the Somme. There will also be the opportunity to see work produced by the Scouts in response to Philipps' story. Book here.
