This copiously illustrated talk will explain and explore the previously secret annals of the Royal Arsenal, the largest and most important factory in British, Empire and Commonwealth history.

The talk will be presented by Steven Peterson and Ian Bull who were taught that history by the last two generations of people who worked in the Arsenal when it was still Britain’s principle military factory. Steven is the founder of the royal-arsenal-history.com website and Ian was a Committee member of the former Royal Arsenal Woolwich Historical Society which saved the great establishment’s vast archive from certain destruction.

Between them they offer a now unrivalled knowledge of the huge complex and frequently conduct very well-received guided walks around the site. They will be happy to answer questions on any aspect of the Arsenal’s functions.

Very many of the photographs presented will be from the Arsenal’s internal and unpublished archive yet they’ll represent greatly less than 1% of what the Arsenal’s staff saved and which Steven and Ian now wish future generations to savour.