Dr Gary Willis
@garywenvhist.bsky.social
Focus: environmental impact of warfare. Academic/Environmental Rep, National Archives' User Advisory Group; writing book on the military-industrial enclosure of Britain's countryside in the 2nd World War for Bloomsbury. Accepts commissions. Views my own.
Must go to see the British Library's 'Secret Maps' exhibition before it closes in mid-January @britishlibrary.bsky.social events.bl.uk/exhibitions/...
Secret Maps | British Library
Step into the shadows at Secret Maps, a major new exhibition revealing the stories hidden in some of history’s most mysterious maps.
events.bl.uk
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Must go to see the British Library's 'Secret Maps' exhibition before it closes in mid-January @britishlibrary.bsky.social events.bl.uk/exhibitions/...
Fight back against illegal Israeli colonizers of Palestine's West Bank, who are trying to destroy the Palestinian olive harvest. Buy Palestinian olive oil from Zaytoun: zaytoun.uk
Zaytoun - Ethically Sourced Fine Foods from Palestine
Ethically sourced olive oil and fine foods from Palestine. Medjoul dates, za'atar & other award winning products from Palestinian producers.
zaytoun.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Fight back against illegal Israeli colonizers of Palestine's West Bank, who are trying to destroy the Palestinian olive harvest. Buy Palestinian olive oil from Zaytoun: zaytoun.uk
The conference on 7 November is now available to go to online via Microsoft Teams; email Lars Cook (below) or it might be available if you register for the 'Bannocks & Bombs' event on Eventbrite.
Looking forward to presenting my paper: 'High, Open, Bleak and Boggy: How Scotland's Environment Shaped Its Involvement In The Second World War' at the 'Scotland and World War Two' conference at Perth UHI on Friday 7 November, 9am to 3pm. Contact Lars Cook at Lars.Cook.Perth@uni.ac.uk for more info.
November 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The conference on 7 November is now available to go to online via Microsoft Teams; email Lars Cook (below) or it might be available if you register for the 'Bannocks & Bombs' event on Eventbrite.
Have just been round it- fantastic as always. Still another hour of it if you're anywhere near Senate House, Bloomsbury and want to drop in
The enthusiasm for #History at this year's #HistDay25 is considerable and palpable.
History's popularity and appeal is an asset we must work with to better demonstrate the personal, professional, civic and social value of historical knowledge and understanding.
@ihr.bsky.social #Skystorians
History's popularity and appeal is an asset we must work with to better demonstrate the personal, professional, civic and social value of historical knowledge and understanding.
@ihr.bsky.social #Skystorians
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Have just been round it- fantastic as always. Still another hour of it if you're anywhere near Senate House, Bloomsbury and want to drop in
It's also on Eventbrite. Search for 'Bannocks & Bombs! Scotland & World War Two
This coming Friday 7th November; am presenting my paper (below) at UHI Perth's 'Bannocks and Bombs' conference. Free and in-person @uhiperth.bsky.social
Looking forward to presenting my paper: 'High, Open, Bleak and Boggy: How Scotland's Environment Shaped Its Involvement In The Second World War' at the 'Scotland and World War Two' conference at Perth UHI on Friday 7 November, 9am to 3pm. Contact Lars Cook at Lars.Cook.Perth@uni.ac.uk for more info.
November 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It's also on Eventbrite. Search for 'Bannocks & Bombs! Scotland & World War Two
This coming Friday 7th November; am presenting my paper (below) at UHI Perth's 'Bannocks and Bombs' conference. Free and in-person @uhiperth.bsky.social
Looking forward to presenting my paper: 'High, Open, Bleak and Boggy: How Scotland's Environment Shaped Its Involvement In The Second World War' at the 'Scotland and World War Two' conference at Perth UHI on Friday 7 November, 9am to 3pm. Contact Lars Cook at Lars.Cook.Perth@uni.ac.uk for more info.
November 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
This coming Friday 7th November; am presenting my paper (below) at UHI Perth's 'Bannocks and Bombs' conference. Free and in-person @uhiperth.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Gary Willis
During the #SecondWorldWar the government’s efforts to obscure Britain’s skies put it at odds with the National Smoke Abatement Society.
🔒 Gary Willis’ article from the November issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
🔒 Gary Willis’ article from the November issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
The Smog of War: The Battle for Britain’s Clean Air
www.historytoday.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:02 AM
During the #SecondWorldWar the government’s efforts to obscure Britain’s skies put it at odds with the National Smoke Abatement Society.
🔒 Gary Willis’ article from the November issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
🔒 Gary Willis’ article from the November issue is now in the archive
www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...
An excellent event for finding out about various archives
1 week to go until History Day - don't forget to sign up! Read about why History Day is such a fantastic event in this blog by Claire Langhamer: buff.ly/ySfBuWR
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
An excellent event for finding out about various archives
Reposted by Dr Gary Willis
Talking Records: Pollution in the Archive is now open for registration! 🏭🌊
In person symposium at The National Archives on 4th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
Afternoon of online talks on 5th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
#envhum #envhist
In person symposium at The National Archives on 4th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
Afternoon of online talks on 5th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
#envhum #envhist
Talking Records: Pollution in the Archive (in person)
Explore histories of pollution, contamination, and environmental damage in the archive at this one-day symposium at The National Archives.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Talking Records: Pollution in the Archive is now open for registration! 🏭🌊
In person symposium at The National Archives on 4th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
Afternoon of online talks on 5th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
#envhum #envhist
In person symposium at The National Archives on 4th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
Afternoon of online talks on 5th December: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-re...
#envhum #envhist
My article in History Today is now out, about the Government's programme of deliberate smoke production during the Second World War to try to obscure industrial targets from the Luftwaffe. @pastpreservers.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
My article in History Today is now out, about the Government's programme of deliberate smoke production during the Second World War to try to obscure industrial targets from the Luftwaffe. @pastpreservers.bsky.social
HA....HA.........HA: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government loses bid to block appeal against Palestine Action ban
Palestine Action's co-founder said the government's attempt to avoid judicial scrutiny had 'backfired spectacularly'.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
HA....HA.........HA: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Book your ticket now for Dr Henry Irving's late afternoon talk on 10 December at The London Archives @thelondonarchives.bsky.social on recycling in London during the Second World World www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/fro...
From Bones to Books to Blitz Scrap
Learn about the history of wartime recycling (then called ‘salvage’) in this illustrated talk by Dr Henry Irving at The London Archives.
www.thelondonarchives.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Book your ticket now for Dr Henry Irving's late afternoon talk on 10 December at The London Archives @thelondonarchives.bsky.social on recycling in London during the Second World World www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/fro...
Looking forward to presenting my paper: 'High, Open, Bleak and Boggy: How Scotland's Environment Shaped Its Involvement In The Second World War' at the 'Scotland and World War Two' conference at Perth UHI on Friday 7 November, 9am to 3pm. Contact Lars Cook at Lars.Cook.Perth@uni.ac.uk for more info.
October 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Looking forward to presenting my paper: 'High, Open, Bleak and Boggy: How Scotland's Environment Shaped Its Involvement In The Second World War' at the 'Scotland and World War Two' conference at Perth UHI on Friday 7 November, 9am to 3pm. Contact Lars Cook at Lars.Cook.Perth@uni.ac.uk for more info.
Interesting looking exhibition on at The Wellcome Collection in London at the moment: wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
Thirst: In Search of Freshwater
Our new exhibition explores humanity’s vital connection with freshwater – an essential source of life and pillar of good health for people and planet.
wellcomecollection.org
September 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Interesting looking exhibition on at The Wellcome Collection in London at the moment: wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/...
Just had a city break in Stockholm. Amazing visit to the VasaMuseet. A must for every historian, whatever their specialist period/issue.
August 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Just had a city break in Stockholm. Amazing visit to the VasaMuseet. A must for every historian, whatever their specialist period/issue.
Am rather worried that if I dream of holding up a Support Palestine Action piece of card that Yvette (Labour Friend of Israel) Cooper's thought police will come knocking on my door.
August 13, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Am rather worried that if I dream of holding up a Support Palestine Action piece of card that Yvette (Labour Friend of Israel) Cooper's thought police will come knocking on my door.
Looking forward to presenting my paper on The Dambusters' Raid as an act of environmental warfare, at the RAF Museum's conference on 4th and 5th September @pastpreservers.bsky.social www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats...
New Perspectives in Military Aviation – RAFM Conference 2025
Join the RAF Museum London for a 2-day hybrid conference exploring fresh perspectives on military aviation history, strategy and legacies.
www.rafmuseum.org.uk
August 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Looking forward to presenting my paper on The Dambusters' Raid as an act of environmental warfare, at the RAF Museum's conference on 4th and 5th September @pastpreservers.bsky.social www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats...
Interesting article I'm currently reading: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The Future of (Environmental) History: A Roundtable Discussion | Transactions of the Royal Historical Society | Cambridge Core
The Future of (Environmental) History: A Roundtable Discussion
www.cambridge.org
July 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Interesting article I'm currently reading: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
My latest blog is up, about the Council for the Preservation of Rural England's activities during the Second World War; based on a paper I gave at the Institute of Historical Research in February; @katrinanavickas.bsky.social @dudleymarianna.bsky.social blogs.kent.ac.uk/munitions-of...
‘Prepared To Make a Fine Fuss’: The Council for the Preservation of Rural England’s Long Second World War – Munitions of the Mind
blogs.kent.ac.uk
July 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
My latest blog is up, about the Council for the Preservation of Rural England's activities during the Second World War; based on a paper I gave at the Institute of Historical Research in February; @katrinanavickas.bsky.social @dudleymarianna.bsky.social blogs.kent.ac.uk/munitions-of...
The carbon footprint of the Israeli State and Israeli "Defence" Force's war on Gaza: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Carbon footprint of Israel’s war on Gaza exceeds that of many entire countries
Exclusive: The climate cost is more than than the combined 2023 emissions of Costa Rica and Estonia, study finds
www.theguardian.com
July 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The carbon footprint of the Israeli State and Israeli "Defence" Force's war on Gaza: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
4 years 3 months sentence for destroying a national landmark? A laughable punishment, and they'll be out in two years on parole to add insult to injury. Should have been twice as long a sentence, at least. media.zenfs.com/en/the_indep...
media.zenfs.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
4 years 3 months sentence for destroying a national landmark? A laughable punishment, and they'll be out in two years on parole to add insult to injury. Should have been twice as long a sentence, at least. media.zenfs.com/en/the_indep...
Investigation into environmental pollution by British military bases: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fears that UK military bases may be leaking toxic ‘forever chemicals’ into drinking water
Bases in Norfolk, Devon and Hampshire face MoD investigation over possible leaching of dangerous PFAS into environment
www.theguardian.com
July 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Investigation into environmental pollution by British military bases: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With my National Archives User Advisory Group Academic & Environmental Representative hat on, here's a plug for TNA's Government Web Archive: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/webarchive/
UK Government Web Archive
We capture, preserve, and make accessible UK central government information published on the web from 1996 to present.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
July 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM
With my National Archives User Advisory Group Academic & Environmental Representative hat on, here's a plug for TNA's Government Web Archive: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/webarchive/
Delighted to have been accepted on to the National Archives' Independent Researcher list, covering C20th UK History, general research, British Army and the RAF @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy; www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/irlist/defau...
Independent researchers | The National Archives
Find an independent researcher - search by research specialism
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
June 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Delighted to have been accepted on to the National Archives' Independent Researcher list, covering C20th UK History, general research, British Army and the RAF @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy; www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/irlist/defau...