Templer Lecture 2023: Dr Huw Davies and The Wandering Army
Tuesday 31st October 2023
Tuesday 31 October saw Society members and their guests gather at London's Army and Navy Club for the Autumn highlight of our calendar, the Templer Lecture. This year's speaker was 2022 Templer Medal winner Dr Huw Davies, who spoke about some of the themes covered in his book The Wandering Army (Yale). The volume covers the evolution of British military thought from the war of the Austrian Succession to the Crimean War. Huw also gave us a taste of his current research, reporting on a recent visit to New Zealand where he had been able to explore the remains of fortifications built by the Maori as part of their resistance to British settlement.
The occasion of the lecture also gave the Society the ideal opportunity to recognise the long and distinguished service to the Society of Dr John Peaty, who was obliged at short notice to stand down as Chair of the Templer Medal Subcommittee at this year's AGM. Thankfully, the health problems that obliged John to vacate a post that he had filled for the past decade have proven to be less severe than was feared, and after a successful operation he is now well on the road to recovery. On behalf of the Society, our President Lt Gen. Sir Barney White-Spunner was able to present John with the certificate marking the award of a Fellowship, making him the 11th person to be so honoured.
Following the lecture, members enjoyed an excellent dinner of three courses, during which the debate and discussion that had taken place after the lecture was able to continue in a more convivial and relaxed environment.
