Jonathan Hicks, Phil Carradice

In this one hundredth anniversary year of the Battle of the Somme, local historians Jonathan Hicks and Phil Carradice discuss two of the great battles of that year: Mametz Wood and Jutland, and their significance in the overall course of the war.

This event will be hosted by Penarth resident Rhys Taylor, who is a family law barrister with a strong interest in military history.

Dr Jonathan Hicks was born in Barry where he still lives with his family. At university he studied English and History before beginning a career as an English teacher and now headteacher. A military historian, he is a member of the Royal Historical Society, Great War Society and Western Front Association and has won awards for two of his military history books. He gives regular lectures on military history throughout South Wales. Jonathan’s latest book is The Welsh at Mametz Wood.

Phil Carradice, himself a former headteacher, is a poet, short story writer, novelist, historian and editor who has had more than fifty books published. Phil regularly delivers guest lectures and leads writing workshops. He is known for his pictorial accounts of each year of the First and Second World Wars, including the book 1916: The Year of Jutland which will be a particular focus of this discussion.