Royal Fusiliers’

Annual Memorial Lecture

 The Royal Fusiliers Annual Memorial Lecture, held at Holy Sepulchre London—The home of the regimental chapel of the Royal Fusiliers, stands as a yearly bridge between the City’s professionals and military service. The annual lecture series has brought together serving and retired military leaders, academic scholars, and national security figures to reflect on strategic lessons, historical episodes, and contemporary defence challenges. With each speaker drawing on deep experienc, from frontline operations to intelligence analysis, policy formulation to academic research, the series offers City professionals and military audiences alike an opportunity to engage with timely reflections on strategy, leadership, and the evolving character of conflict.

11th Annual Lecture - May 2026

Details to be announced

10th Annual Lecture - May 2025

“Why Clever People Make Bad Strategy” - Mr Ben Short, Head of SONAC

Former senior Russia analyst; lead architect of UK 2022 Defence Strategy and 2021 Integrated Review; has received Vice Chief’s Commendation twice, reflects on the today’s defence challenges.

9th Annual Lecture - May 2024

“The Fusiliers in Italy 1943–45: Conventional War or War Amongst the Peoples” - Capt Darren Burt (5RRF)

8th Annual Lecture - May 2023

"What parallels could be drawn from the Korean conflict for today’s Fusiliers?" - Dr Jack Watling and Lt Barney Walker (1RRF)

7th Annual Lecture - May 2022

“Fusiliers in Ukraine 1990–2020” - Lt Col Keith Kiddie, Lt Col James Sayer, Capt Nathan Morley

Three Fusiliers reflecting on decades of involvement in Ukraine

6th Annual Lecture - May 2021

“1685: England in Crisis” - The Rt. Hon. & Rt. Revd. Lord Chartres GCVO DD FSA

5th Annual Lecture - May 2020

cancelled due to covid

4th Annual Lecture - May 2019

“Our Duty to our Soldiers: How are we doing” - General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE DL, Chief of the General Staff, 2010-14

3rd Annual Lecture - May 2018

“The Morality and Tradition of the Just War” - Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie GCB LVO OBE DL, Chief of the Defence Staff, 1994-97

2nd Annual Lecture - May 2017

“The Law, Morality and Armed Conflict” - General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, Constable of H.M. Tower of London, 2009-16

1st Annual Lecture - May 2016

“Future Wars in Europe” - Mr. Christopher Donnelly CMG TD from the Institute for Statecraft