FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 FOR THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH 'j921.1 The Society for Army Historical Research Regislered Charity No. 247844 Page 1 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 Page Report of the Trustees 3-10 Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 12 Notes to the Financial Statements 13-15 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 Independent Examiner's Report 17 Page 2 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES st FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Trustees present their Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Patron Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Kent KG. GCMG, GCVO, ADC(P) President Lieutenant-General Sir Edward sm￿￿-osb0urne, KCVO, CBE Vice Presidents Rev. Dr P Howson, B.Sc, MA, MBA, PhD, FCMI, FRHistS Professor B T Reid, MA, PhD, FRHistS, FRGS, FRUSI, FKC, FRSA Lt-col. D Saunders Major General A E G Truluck, C8, CBE, BA REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Principal Address The Society for Army Historical Research Vincent's Yard 23 Alphabet Mews London SW9 OFN Trustees A Bamford, MA, PhD (Secretary. resigned 22 April 2024 (AGMI) Professor l F W Beckett, BA, PhD. FRHislS, FSAHR ffempler Medal Sub-committee Chairman) R D M Butcher, BA, MA (Student Member) A Cormack, BA, PhD, FSA, FRHistS (Editor) C E D Divall, MA, FINS (Schools) F W Hyde (Events, appointed 18 March 2024) N Martin, PhD, FHEA (Grants) Z Micic, MA (Essays) E O'Keeffe, DPhil (Digital and Social Media Manager) C D Palmer, Bsc, ARSM (Membership Secretary, resigned 2024 AGMI R R Saravaiiamuttu, BSC, MA, FCA ff reasurer) C R F E Street, FCCA, FSAHR (Membership Secretary. appointed 26 March 2024) A Simpson, BA, PhD, FRHislS (Book Reviews Editor, appointed 29 January 2024) P K Swabey, BA, FCG (Secretary) Major-General A E G Truluck, CB, CBE, BA (Chairman) Investment Sub-committee C D Palmer, BSC, ARSM R R Saravanamuttu BSC. MA, FCA (Chair) Major-General A E G Truluck, CB, CBE, BA Bankers Natwesl Business Banking, PO Box 16204, Birmingham, DEPO 005, B2 2WP Independent Examiner SRG LLP, 10 Bolt Couri, London, EC4A 3DA Page 3 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Structure The Society, which was founded in 1921 , is an unincorporated charily, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (regislration number 247844). Governing Document The governing document is the Society's constitution which was amended and approved by the membership at the 2022 AGM. It is available lo view on the Society's website (www.sahr.org.uk). Objects The objects of the Society are the encouragement and development of Army Hislorical Research and the promotion and maintenance of regimental and military traditions by means of a charitable characler, including.. (a) Research into all aspects of the British Army or ils predecessors. and of the Land Forces of the Empire and Commonwealth. (b) Publication of a Journal to be called T17e Joiiri7al of tl?e SoGiety for Ariny Historical Researcli, containing original articles, extracts from rare and not easily accessible old military works and manuscripts. pictures, drawings, notes, questions and answers (c) Advice and encouragement to those responsible for regimental and other military museums. (d) Arrangement of lectures and meelings on matlers relating to the Society's objects. Patron, President, Honorary Officers and Trustees (extract of the Constitution) The Society shall have the following honorary positions the holders of which shall not be officers of the Society.. a) A PATRON b) A PRESIDENT who shall be chosen by Council. He or she shall nol, at the time of seleclion or aftenvards, be an approved member of Council and need not, until after selection, be a member of the Sociely. He or she shall be proposed lo the membership at the next Annual General Meeting and shall be approvedlendorsed al that meeting. He or she shall be eligible for re-selection for further terms of five years consecutively until helshe shall declare his/her wish to retire. (c) VICE-PRESIDENTS who shall be elected for life at an Annual General Meeting. And the following functionaries who shall be Officers of the Society.. (d) An HONORARY SECRETARY, HONORARY EDITOR, HONORARY TREASURER AND HONORARY MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY and such other Honorary Officers as may be deemed necessary, who shall be nominated by the Council, and elected to serve for one year at each Annual General Meeting. Any vacancy that may occur during the year shall be filled by Council. Council (extracl of Ihe Conslitution) (a) The managemenl of the Society shall be vesled in a Council of not more than thirteen members of the Society. Each Member of Council will serve as a Truslee of the Society. A minimum of five Members shall form a quorLIm. Each Member of Council will normally be responsible for an area of the governance of the Society. The area of responsibility shall be indicaled on any election paper. Where a Member possesses more general qualilies Ihal may be useful to the Society, and a portfolio is not required, they shall be annotated as 'without portfolio. (b) All Members of the Council shall relire at each Annual General Meeting, They shall be eligible for re-eleclion. (c) Ordinary members may nominate fully paid-up members of the Society for election to Council. In the event of there being only one candidate for each post, the eleclion of Council shall be laken en bloc. In the event of a nomination for a particular posl being received by the announced date and a vote being required, the Secretary shall inform Ihe membership prior to Ihe Annual General Meeting. Statements froin candidates giviiig their reasons for wishing io stand and their qualifications for the post in question shall be circulated by the Secretary. A vote will be held al the Annual General Meeting using a secret ballot and the person with Ihe most votes will be declared as elected. {d) Council shall have Ihe power to co-opt additional Members of the Society to fill vacant portfolios. It may also co- opt additional persons, who need not be individual members, to assist with its work. As with Trustees any such appointments shall be until Ihe next Annual General Meeting Such Members will not be able to administer or disburse Society funds. Any non-members shall be non-voting Members. Co-opled non-members will not be required to serve as Trustees of the Society. Page 4 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES sl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (e) Council shall, in addition, find from amongst the membership a member who is willing and able to serve as Chair. Council will recommend the person for election at the Annual General Meeting for immediate appointment. On election the Chair shall serve normally for a maximum period of five years. Council may recommend a single extension of a further period of up to two years. (f) Trustees wishing to resign from Council shall be taken lo have done so as from the date of their letter of resignation. Resignation from Council does not absolve the former Truslee from accounting for his or her conduct during the period of hislher trusteeship in the event of investigations by the charity authorilies in re12tion to the Society during the period when the former Trustee was a member of Council. (g) In the event of more than thirteen Society members offering ihemselves as Truslees in any one year, the Honorary Secretary shall endeavour lo negotiate a reduction in the number offering themselves for Council. In the event of failure to achieve this, all of those offering Ihemselves shall supply statements of the reason for their candidature eight weeks before the AGM which shall be circulated to all individual members of the Society by post with a voting form for return lo an independent examiner before the date of the AGM. The elected candidates will then be offered to the AGM for approval. Committees (a) Council may delegate responsibility to specialist committees, who shall choose their own officers, keep minutes and report to Council regularly through an Officer or an approved member of Council. (b) All Committee decisions are subjed to the approval of Council and a Committee shall not exceed the level of expenditure allocaled to it by Council. The Society currently has an Investment Sub-commitlee and a Templer Judges Sub-commiltee. FULLFILLMENT OF OBJECTIVES The Trustees have had a regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the Society's aims and objectives and planning future activities. The activities which show that the Society has fulfilled its objects are discussed in the following Chairman's and Officers, reports. Page 5 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 Chairman's Report This will be my last annual report on completion of a decade as Chairman andlor Vice President of SAHR. It is supplemented by detailed reports from the Society Officers which l entirely endorse. The results of last year's Strategic Review are now bearing fruit and our relationship with Ihe National Army Museum continues to flourish. The Society's bedrock 'deliver2bles' (vis the Society Journal, Templer Book Competition, and Research Granis) remain as strong as ever. Our social progr2mme of dinners and leciures are growing in popularity - as are battlefield walks as & when members are able to conduct them. And with a new influx of younger members on Council, we look forward to a rejuvenation of our student programme - of which the recent Research Symposium in Leeds was a fine example. Having delayed it as long as possible, the recent increase in subscriptions has taken the pressure off Society finances and I thank the membership at large for their underslanding and support in this respect. Although we inevitably lost a few members as a result of revisiting Standing Orders, our membership numbers remain impressive for a specialist society. All this would not be possible without the dedicalion of the Officers and portfolio members sitting on SAHR Council ta whom I, and the membership as a whole, owe a huge debt of gratitude for their time, diligence and expertise. Thanks to Iheir support, l am confident that l am handing over (for the second timel) a Society in fine fettle and with an assu red future ahead of it. Ashley Truluck Chairman January 2025 Honorary Secretary's Report The year 2024 began with a number of vacancies or upcoming vacancies on the Society's Council, Ihere being no- one in post as Events Officer or Book Reviews Co-ordinator, and measures were put in place to fill these vacancies as well as those posts due to become vacanl as oflhe 2024 AGM. Dr Andy Simpson was co-opted to Council in January 2024 to fill the role of Book Reviews Editor and Freddie Hyde and Charles Street were co-opted to Council in March 2024 to fill the role of Events Officer and Honorary Membership Secretary respectively. The Society's AGM took place at the National Army Museum on Monday 22 April. Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Smyth-osbourne was elected to replace Lieulenant-General Sir Barney White-spunner as President, who stood down as President after twelve years, service, Mr Hyde, Dr Simpson and Mr Street were duly elected, and Peter Swabey, co-opted in November 2023, was elected lo replace Dr Andrew Bamford as Honorary Secretary. The Chair of the Society, Major General Ashley Truluck, thanked Sir Barney and Dr Bamford for their services to the Sociely. The AGM was followed by a most interesting lecture from Professor Tony Pollard of Glasgow University, who spoke about the archaeology of the Bsttle of Waterloo, including the recent findings from work carried oul by the INaterloo Uncovered project. After Professor Pollard's lecture, the Sociely was honoured to be joined by our Royal Patron, Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Kent, who was received by Ihe President and the Director, National Army Museum. His Royal Highness presented certificates for ten new Fellowships of the Society and the Chapple Prize for Best First Book lo Lieulenant-colonel Richard Farrimond for Birdie.. More t17ai) tl?e Soiil of ANZAC.. Field Marslial Lord Birdwood of ANZAC and Totnes 1865-1957 (Helion). We were delighted to be joined by members of the family of the late Field Marshal Sir John Chapple (former SAHR Chairman and President). The Templer Medal for 2024 was won by Dr Adam Marks for Eiiglai?d ai?d tlie Tliirty Years War (Brill) bul he was unfortunately unable to join us at the AGM. Page 6 THE SOCIEry FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 The evening concluded with a drinks reception generously sponsored by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang. As well as the AGM and associated activities, members also had the opportunity lo attend other events during the course of the year, Ihe highlight being the Templer lecture on 20 November at the historic East I ndia Club, attended by some 70 members, given by Dr Adam Marks, at which he received the Templer Medal from the President. Forty members opted to stay on for an excellent dinner in the elegant Clive Room followed by an informal get-together in the Bar. Other events included a guided walk around sites of Military Historical interesl in Central London, led by our Honorary Treasurer, Rohan Saravanamuttu, on 12 October. The Society's prog ramme of online events continued, with lectures taking place throughout the yea r, on subjects ranging from Bonnie Prince Charlie on the 8attlefield and the Commissarial Department in Flanders, 1793-95 to the Battle of Alam Halfa, 1942 and British Defence Policy in the Cold War, with other subjects including The Long istory of Women in Combat and the army on stage. For 2024. grants were awarded as foiiows.. One Major Grant of £1,000 to Elisabelh Rivard, University of Virginia. Elisabeih's PhD Ihesis is tilled "Let him learn the Art of Design.. The Promise of Professional Drawing in mid-Eighteenlh Century Britain The granl will support research al the Royal Engineers Museum, Kent, and Sandhurst Collection C8mberley to allow Elisabelh to conduct a comprehensive survey of army draftsmanship in the eighteenth century. Two Minor Grants of £500 each to Mick McTiernan, Roy21 Holloway, University of London and lo Ellie Grigsby, Reading University. Mick has been awarded a grant lo support archival research and research assistance at several Cretan archives. Mick's PhD seeks to explore British military involvement in the European intervention in Crele between 1897 and 1913 and to consider the implications of this peacekeeping role on the British army. Ellie's PhD considers 'the face of war,: facial disfigurement of soldiers in World War One. The grant will assist Ellie to undertake research at several UK archives to investigate what life was like for facially-disfigured men - and the nursing support they received. There were no Independent Research Grants made this year. The Society gratefully acknowledges the kind support of the National Army Museum in sharing the costs of the grants and book prizes with the Society. Peter Swabey Honorary Secretary January 2025 Page 7 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 Honorary Editor's Report Contributions to the Journal during 2024 have again come from far and wide and have covered the usual, highly diverse subjects which, I hope, keep the membership interested in our publication. Ranging from corruption in Queen Elizabeth I's army in I reland, through the Marlborough wars, to the anthropological collecling aGlivities of an officer in garrison amongst the First Nations (I ndiansl on the frontier of Canada, lo the surgery of the First World War and the efforts of a misfitling conscript of Ihe Second World War to find a niche for his skills, these articles should satisfy "red" readers as well as "khaki" readers. The Hon. Editor is most grateful to all those - members and non-members - who have expended much time an(J effort in producing high qualily material for the Journal. l also take this last opportunity to mention the death of 2 most delightful and co-operative contributor, René Chartrand, who will be sorely missed. Dr Andy Simpson, the new Reviews Edilor, has quickly settled himself into his role and has supplied ample book reviews for Ihe Journal. The Hon. Editor is most grateful for his enthusiastic co-operation and records his grateful thanks for the service rendered. Andrew Cormack Honorary Editor January 2025 Honorary Membership Secretary's Report Membership declined during the year from 751 to the year end figure of 730. During Ihe year the Society gained 60 new members, losing 81, for a net loss of 21. During the year an effort was made lo increase the reporting funclion of the membership management system (which has always been a powerful tool for the Society). Obviously, l am unable to provide comparative figures for the previous year, but the geographic membership split is as follows - United Kingdom 516 (710/0), United States 111 (15 %), Canada 32 {4 %), Australia 15 (2%), Rest ofthe World 56 (8010). Because the amount received for the UK Student subscriptions did not cover the annual cost of the journals, the decision was taken at the 2024 AGM thal their subscriptions should be digital from Jan 2025. The net result was that 40 student subscriptions converted to digital. The result is Ihat we now have 84 digital subscribers. Charles Street Honorary Membership Secretary January 2025 Page 8 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2024 Honorary Treasurer's Report The Sociely had a modesl operating surplus of £835 in 2024 which was partly the result of some expenses being deferred to 2025 and not paying out the full budgeted amount of research grants. The expense base i-emains subjecl to inflationary pressures, such as increases in postage costs, but the financial position is expected to be stable in 2025 because of the increase in UK subscription rates that were voted Ihrough al the 2024 AGM. The Society has a policy of holding a minimum amount of reserves to protect its aclivities against potential eventualities and to provide working capital, and to hold an additional amount to provide grealer resilience and generate more investment income to support the Society's activities. At its annual review of the Reserves Policy, the Council evaluated the risks and the effect of inflation and decided to increase the minimum requirement from £32,000 to £35,000. 11 decided to maintain ils target of building up additional reserves of £15,000 in excess of the minimum over four years. The position at the year end was as follows.. 2024 2023 Actual eligible reserves Minimum requirement Surplus over minimum 44,175 35.000 9.175 40,924 32 000 Rohan Saravanamuttu Honorary Treasurer January 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW There was a net increase in funds in the year of £2,730 (2023.. a reduction of £5,127). This was made up of an operating surplus of £835 (2023.. deficit of £3,305), and investment gains of £1,895 {2023'. losses of £1,822). There were no exceptional events in 2024. Investment markets were generally benign in 2024 and that is reflected in the result. The Society incurred costs of £5,459 on governance (2023.. £6,948). Expenditure on the Society's charitable activities amounted to 890/0 of total expenditure for the year (2023.. 87 % ). Restricted funds Restricted funds at 31 December 2024 amounted to nil {2023.' nil). Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds at 31 December 2024 amounted to £46,071 (2023.. £43,341). These funds represent the resources available to meet Ihe Society's day-to-day operating costs. Page 9 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Trustees, Responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements Legal regulations require the trustees to prepare financial slalemeiits for each financial year which give a Irue and fair view of the charity's financial activities for the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., stale whether applicable accounling standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial stalements comply with the Charities Act 1993 and 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. By order of the Council Major-General A E G Truluck, CB, CBE, 8A (Chairman) Date.. 17 March 2025 Page 10 THE SOCIETY FOR ARMY HISTORICAL RESEARCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Total Funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes INCOMING RESOIIRCES FROM: Voluntary income 15,456 15,456 14,685 Investment income 1,242 1,242 845 Cliai'ilable activities Subscriptions Sale of journals and books Advertising in the journal Cateringlevents Other 30.669 254 30,669 254 29,959 435 75 2,142 887 1,449 1,552 1,449 1,552 Tolal iii coi)i iiig I'esoii i'ces 50,622 50,622 49,028 RESOIIRCES E,XPENDED C'liai'itable