Lest We Forget at Surrey History Centre

The 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War took place on Tuesday November 11 and Surrey History Centre, in Woking, is staging a month of events to commemorate the occasion.

More than a million people across the British Empire died in the Great War, with over 13,000 from Surrey’s regiments alone. Surrey battalions fought in some of the war’s most famous encounters and received twelve Victoria Crosses for bravery. The exhibition, Lest we forget will include a series of talks and events throughout November focusing on Surrey and the Great War.

“These events and talks are not just of interest for military historians,� said Helyn Clack, Surrey County Council’s executive member for safer and stronger communities. “There is something for everyone in the programme, including discovering the roles your ancestors played in the war.�

Highlights of the events programme include: 

• A keynote lecture from renowned military expert, author and television presenter, Professor Richard Holmes. 
• Talks and insights about Surrey’s role in the war from leading speakers including Ian Chatfield, Curator at the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regimental Museum, Andy Robertshaw from the History and Discovery Channel's' 'Digging the Trenches'. 
• Exclusive book signings from authors William Spencer and writer and television producer Richard van Emden. 
• Expert help for those looking to trace their military ancestors in the style of the BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are? 
• Opportunities to meet a First World War soldier and officer face to face as part of a special re-enactment.

Lest we forget will run every Thursday and Saturday throughout the month from Saturday November 8 at Surrey History Centre, in Woking. For more information on the programme, and how to book, please visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistorycentre or call 01483 518737.

Surrey’s role in the First World War... 

• The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment raised twenty-five battalions, lost 8,000 men and won five Victoria Crosses. 
• The East Surrey Regiment raised eighteen battalions, lost over 6,000 men and won seven Victoria Crosses. 
• Both regiments fought on the Western Front, and it was men of the East Surrey Regiment who famously dribbled four footballs across No Man’s Land on the first day of the Somme in 1916. 
• In 1915, the 1st Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment won three Victoria Crosses in just 24 hours while defending Hill 60 south east of Ypres. 
• The Queen’s Regiment fought in many of the most famous actions on the Western Front winning battle honours in the retreat from Mons, on the Marne, at Ypres, Loos, the Somme, Albert and Cambrai. The 2nd battalion also served at Vittorio Veneto and along the Piave river in Italy.

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