Sevenoaks Talk: Bailey: the Bridge and the Man with Martin Stoneham Hon FInstRE MCIPS

The eponymous bridge, from its development at the start of World War 2, earlier military bridges, its successors and its current military and civilian use.

The story of the Bailey bridge and the man responsible for a wartime design that helped the allied armies surge through Europe - “the original flatpack”

Martin Stoneham is a military historian specialising in the work of the Corps of Royal Engineers and its predecessor Corps.

He served in the Corps of Royal Engineers from 1963 until 1970. His interest in military history was sparked by one of his GCE English Literature examination texts: Winston Churchill: My Early Life. On joining the Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Engineers he was immersed in the history of the Corps.

On completion of his regular service engagement he joined the National Health Service taking early retirement from a senior management position in 1995. He then established his own business as a computer specialist working from his home.

He is now working solely on researching, writing and speaking about military history.

Martin is Chairman of the Friends of the Royal Engineers Museum and on the committees of the Royal Engineers Museum and the Royal Engineers Historical Society.

He is a member and Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Royal Engineers, a member of various military history associations and the Cuneo Society.

Until recently he was a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, a Member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Companion of the Institute of Healthcare Management.

Martin is a regular visitor to the Western Front and the Normandy beaches; he has also visited almost all of the major Peninsular War battlefield sites.

He is actively involved with the Cuneo Society, ABF: The Soldiers’ Charity and the Royal British Legion.

In addition to writing for journals he gives illustrated talks on various topics.

Doors open 10.45am, meeting starts 11am.

No booking, just turn up.

The Society is a registered charity and membership fees and donations are an important part of our income. The Talk is free to members but guests and visitors are asked to make a donation towards hall hire and speaker's fee. There will be a donations box at the venue.

There is a large public car park (payment required, 50p for 2 hours, £1 for 3 hours) adjacent to the hall but it can be busy.