1918: The Last Hundred Days: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the Final Stage of the War

Robert Hesketh


Region:
South West
Notice Period:
Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
Type:
Professional
Fee:
Paid: £45 (£50 after 1/1/19) plus 30p per mile travel each way to venue
Category:
History
Updated:
12th July 2017

Like Armageddon 1914, this talk is based on a close study of Devon newspapers – mainly the Devon and Exeter Daily Gazette and the Western Times. Beginning with the massive Allied attack on August 8th, 1918, it shows how the fortunes of war turned against the Central Powers and especially against Germany, which had made impressive gains on the Western Front during the spring with reinforcements released from the Eastern Front in a last desperate gamble to win the war before the mass arrival of American troops. Through the use of new tactics and the “All Arms Battle” the Allies won an unparalleled series of victories in only a hundred days to force the Armistice of November 11th – but at a terrible cost. Battle reports and editorials reveal the dramatic unfolding of events in what historians later called the Last Hundred Days.

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About Robert Hesketh

Formerly a teacher, I am a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local history (my first degree subject). To date, I have published 70 Devon, Dorset, Cornish and Somerset titles (see www.roberthesketh.co.uk) and written numerous illustrated articles for The Countryman, Dartmoor Magazine, Country Walking and other publications. I also contribute West Country landscape and people photographs to photographic libraries, see www.picfair.com . Since 2002, I have been giving talks to local history clubs, Women’s Institutes, societies, U3A and Probus Clubs on Devon themes

Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a booking. All the talks are illustrated with high resolution digital images and last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on what the audience wants. Questions from the audience are always welcome. I can supply the projector, laptop, projection stand and projection screen. Alternatively, I can offer all my talks on Zoom. To see my profile please visit my website www.roberthesketh.co.uk

Adrienne Hesketh (my better half) is a talented musician who also gives talks and live performance. She plays piano and recorder and her contact details are the same as mine. She also sings and dances and has her own website www.adriennehesekth.com

Charges: £60 plus 40p per mile travel each way from Bovey Tracey. (No mileage charge for Zoom talks).


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