User:Nicky Bird 1/SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH

The Society for Army Historical Research

The Society for Army Historical Research was founded in 1921 to foster interest in the history and traditions of British and Commonwealth armies, and to encourage research in these fields. It is the oldest society of its kind. Past Presidents include notable Field Marshals, including Wavell, Auchinleck and Templer. Current Vice Presidents include the distinguished historians Major The Most Hon. The Marquess of Anglesey and Professor B.T. Holden Reid of Kings College, London.

The Society's interests, and those of its 1000 or so members worldwide, embrace both Army and Regimental history, military antiquities and pictures, uniforms, badges and medals, arms and equipment and the history of land warfare in general. The study of campaigns, commanders and the political aspects of war are covered from the sixteenth century to the 1960s. The Society is run by an elected Council.

The Society's main activity is the publication of a quarterly Journal (mostly written by the members themselves), an academic balance between the history and development of armies and how they fought - and how they looked i.e. their facings, buttons and epaulettes etc. It is avaliable to members only, being perhaps a trifle arcane for a general readership. It is widely recognized as being at the forefront of British military studies, and is internationally renowned for its consistent scholarship. In addition, over the years, the Society has produced a number of special issues: monographs on dress distinctions, bibliographical or regimental research aids and bibliographies as well as previously unpublished soldiers' letters or diaries. Field Marshal Sir John Chapple (Commander-in-Chief UK Land Forces in 1987, Chief of the General Staff 1989 to 1992) is the current President of the Society and Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts (who commanded the Household Division 2003-2007) is Chairman of Council. The SAHR also organises lectures, events and tours. Each year, the Templer Medal is presented, by SAHR’s Patron HRH The Duke of Kent, to the author of (in the opinion of SAHR’s Templer Medal Committee) the most impressive or significant book relating to the British, Commonwealth or Dominion armies published in the preceding year. It was founded in 1982 to commemorate the life and achievements of Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer KG, GCB, GCMG, KBE, best known for his defeat of the guerrilla rebels in Malaya between 1952 and 1954. He was President of the SAHR from 1965 to 1979.

The Society for Army Historical Research

Patron HRH The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC (P)

President Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, GCB, CBE, DL, MA, FZS, FRGS, FSA, FRSA

Chairman of Council Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts, KCVO, OBE, MA

Hon. Treasurer and Membership Secretary Col. Guy Sayle, OBE, MA [current membership is £30 per annum for UK residents, $66 for US and Canadian residents]

Address c/o The National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT, UK Website  www.sahr.co.uk

The SAHR’s Council meetings, and both its AGM and Templer Medal presentations, currently take place at the Cavalry and Guards Club, 127 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7PX, UK

Sources: SAHR Journals; SAHR website; Minutes of SAHR Council; Heathcote, T.A. The British Field Marshals 1736-1997, Pen & Sword Books (1999).