Royal Albert Hall plans First World War talk

The First World War is at the heart of a large number of events at the moment – which is no surprise given this year is the 100th anniversary of the colossal conflict's beginnings.

One centenary event is being planned for the Royal Albert Hall in London, and will look at the venue's history linked to the war.

Suzanne Keyte and Liz Harper, two archivists for the Hall, are set to talk about the location's part in the conflict, and the effect it had on both the building itself as well as people connected to it.

The event has been arranged for August 4th, and will be happening in the Elgar Room at 1pm.  

The Royal Albert Hall was the location of an early recruitment rally, which 20,000 people attended. It also held a Victory Ball on November 27th 1918.

A cleaner at the hall, Albert Rumbelow, was given a Distinguished Conduct Medal during the conflict, however he died before it came to a close, following injury.

The way the Hall was damaged during the course of 1917 will be one of the other things covered by the talk.

"In many ways the story of the Royal Albert Hall during the Great War is also the story of Britain: from the grand rallies and parades held at the venue to the often harrowing experiences of staff who enlisted as soldiers," commented Hall archive manager, Liz Harper.

She said that the event would highlight a part of the Royal Albert Hall's story which is often overlooked, using artefacts from its archives.

"As a charity, we are always looking for new ways to make this wealth of information as accessible as possible, and this presentation is a perfect opportunity," she added.

People who go to the talk will also be able to pay a little extra for a tour which will be happening afterwards.

The Royal Albert Hall was opened a little over four decades before the beginning of the First World War, in 1871.