Military History Evening

Thursday, 1 October 2026

The American War 1812-1815

Guest Speaker: Colonel Annette Summers AO RFD (Rtd) DSJ

On 18^th June 1812, America declared war on Great Britain. The reasons for this were multifaceted, however America maintained it was for Britain’s impressment of men for the Royal Navy and America’s problem with free trade. Nevertheless, the underlying motives were the United States’ desire to expand into Canada, it’s issues with the native population on the borders with Canada, and President Maddison’s political problems. This talk, by Colonel Annette Summers, gives an overview of this largely forgotten and unrecognised war between the United States and Great Britain.

Time: 1830 lecture begins; 1930 dinner