Lecture Theatre, National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road Chelsea, London. Saturday 15 March 1997

This is the programme for what promises to be an interesting and varied meeting. Admission (to both the museum and the conference) is free to all enthusiasts of the period, whether members of the Napoleonic Association or not. If you are not a member, then take the opportunity to visit one of our popular events and discover what the Association can offer you. The museum has a cafeteria and book shop.

Timetable

10.00 Museum opens. Members may set up displays in the Lecture Theatre.

11.00 Introduction by Paul Chamberlain.

11.10 Galloping at Everything by Ian Fletcher.

During the Napoleonic Wars the British cavalry had a reputation for galloping at everything and being uncontrollable once launched against the enemy; the affair of the Union and Household Brigades at Waterloo being an example. This talk will show that the British cavalry were not as hopeless as the popular image would have us believe.

12.10 Napoleonic Newsdesk.

12.30 Lunch

2.00 Introduction to afternoon session.

2.05 The Battle of Salamanca by John Salmon.

This is a brief look at one of Wellington's more famous victories during the Peninsular War, examining the battlefield is it is today.

The French Invasion of Fishguard by Mike Freeman.

The year 1997 sees the 200th anniversary of this invasion, and the town authorities in Fishguard have a programme of events planned, culminating in a re-enactment of the invasion by the Napoleonic Association in August. This talk will describe what will be taking place.

Los Amigos de Sir John Moore by Mark and Victoria Dennis.

In January 1997 a ceremony will be held at Corunna to commemorate the battle that took place there on 16 January 1809. A memorial will be unveiled at the spot where Sir John Moore fell. This presentation will describe the ceremony and future events here.

French Prisoners and the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street by Paul Chamberlain.

In 1797 the Bank of England issued £1 and £2 banknotes to reduce the drain on it's bullion reserves. The early banknotes were easy to forge, a fact that French prisoners of war were not slow to realise. This talk will look at how these prisoners forged the notes, and who helped them.

3.05 Tea

3.30 Napoleon and His British Jailers

by Paul Brunyee.

This lecture will outline the significant events that occured during Napoleon's detention and demise on the island of St. Helena. It will combine slides taken during a recent visit to the island, with period pictures and extracts from the more reliable memoirs.

4.30 Closing remarks.

5.00 Museum closes.

If you require further information please contact: Paul Chamberlain, 14 Overfield Road, Stopsley, Luton, Beds, LU2 9JU Tel: 01582 616674

More Napoleonic Newsdesk Items:

Endeavor
Association of Friends of Waterloo
Conference on French Emigres
Replica British Bateau
Highland Brigade

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