Society for Army Historical Research
Encyclopedia
The Society for Army Historical Research (SAHR) 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 one of the oldest societies of its kind. Past members include notable British Field Marshals Wavell, Auchinleck and Templer
. The current president is Field Marshal Sir John Chapple
and Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts
is Chairman of its Council.
The Society's interests 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.
Since 1982, the society awards the Templer Medal to the author of the most impressive or significant book relating to the British, Commonwealth or Dominion armies published in the preceding year. This prize was founded to commemorate the life and achievements of Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, 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 most recent Medal was awarded in April 2010 to W. Philpott for his book Bloody Victory: Sacrifice on the Somme and the Making of the Twentieth Century. It was presented following the Annual General meeting of the Society by its Patron HRH the Duke of Kent
.
The society also awards research grants to graduate students and maintains an essay prize for undergraduates and sixth-form pupils. Other activities include the organization of lectures, discussion events and tours.
During its existence the Society was based in various stages at the Royal United Services Institute
and the National Army Museum
. SAHR’s Council meetings, and both its AGM and Templer Medal presentations, currently take place at the Cavalry and Guards Club
, London.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
armies, and to encourage research in these fields." It is one of the oldest societies of its kind. Past members include notable British Field Marshals Wavell, Auchinleck and Templer
Gerald Templer
Field Marshal Sir Gerald Walter Robert Templer KG, GCB, GCMG, KBE was a British military commander. He is best known for his defeat of the guerrilla rebels in Malaya between 1952 and 1954...
. The current president is Field Marshal Sir John Chapple
John Chapple
Field Marshal Sir John Lyon Chapple, GCB, CBE was a career British Army officer in the second half of the 20th century. He served as Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, from 1989 to 1992.-Army career:...
and Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts
Sebastian Roberts
Major-General Sir Sebastian John Lechmere Roberts KCVO OBE was the Senior Army Representative at the Royal College of Defence Studies.-Military career:...
is Chairman of its Council.
The Society's interests 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.
Activities
The Society's main activity is the publication of a peer-reviewed quarterly Journal reflecting its members' interests. Typically, each issue will contain 4-5 articles as well as a review section of relevant literature. Not all articles are dryly academic however; there are often interesting or amusing anecdotal forays into historical nooks, or revealing examinations of unjustly forgotten soldiers. In addition, over the years, the Society has produced a number of special issues: monographs on dress distinctions and bibliographical or regimental research aids, as well as previously unpublished soldiers' letters or diaries.Since 1982, the society awards the Templer Medal to the author of the most impressive or significant book relating to the British, Commonwealth or Dominion armies published in the preceding year. This prize was founded to commemorate the life and achievements of Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, 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 most recent Medal was awarded in April 2010 to W. Philpott for his book Bloody Victory: Sacrifice on the Somme and the Making of the Twentieth Century. It was presented following the Annual General meeting of the Society by its Patron HRH the Duke of Kent
Duke of Kent
Duke of Kent is a title which has been created various times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of George V.-Pre-history:...
.
The society also awards research grants to graduate students and maintains an essay prize for undergraduates and sixth-form pupils. Other activities include the organization of lectures, discussion events and tours.
During its existence the Society was based in various stages at the Royal United Services Institute
Royal United Services Institute
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies , officially still known by its old name, the Royal United Services Institution, is a British defence and security think tank. It was founded in 1831 by The Duke of Wellington.RUSI describes itself asIt won Prospect Magazine's...
and the National Army Museum
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum is the British Army's central museum. It is located in the Chelsea district of central London, England adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the "Chelsea Pensioners". The National Army Museum is open to the public every day of the year from 10.00am to 5.30pm,...
. SAHR’s Council meetings, and both its AGM and Templer Medal presentations, currently take place at the Cavalry and Guards Club
Cavalry and Guards Club
The Cavalry and Guards Club is a London gentlemen's club, at 127 Piccadilly, situated next to the RAF Club. It has three foundation dates:*1810, the foundation date of the Guards' Club, which was based in Pall Mall....
, London.
Past presidents
- 1921-1932 Harold Dillon, 17th Viscount DillonHarold Dillon, 17th Viscount DillonHarold Arthur Lee-Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon CH FBA was an English antiquary and a leading authority on the history of arms and armour and medieval costume....
- 1932-1947 Colonel Thomas Fremantle, 3rd Baron CottesloeThomas Fremantle, 3rd Baron CottesloeThomas Francis Fremantle, 3rd Baron Cottesloe, 4th Baron Fremantle was a Baron in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and an Austrian nobleman...
- 1947-1950 Field Marshal Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
- 1950-1961 George Cambridge, 2nd Marquees of Cambridge
- 1961-1965 Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck
- 1965-1979 Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templar
- 1980-1993 General Sir David William FraserDavid William FraserGeneral Sir David William Fraser, GCB, OBE is a retired British Army officer who became Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies.-Military career:...