Francis van Berkel
@fvanberkel.bsky.social
PhD Candidate. Researching the commemoration of India's contribution to the First World War.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Looking forward ward to travelling to London tomorrow to present some tentative research from the COLVET project on how veterans in the interwar French Empire shifting the contours of citizenship. Come one, come all. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/colonial-v...
Colonial Veterans and Citizenship in the French Empire
Presenting research from the project, Ex-Soldiers of Empire; Towards a Comparative History of Colonial Veterancy in the Interwar Period.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Looking forward ward to travelling to London tomorrow to present some tentative research from the COLVET project on how veterans in the interwar French Empire shifting the contours of citizenship. Come one, come all. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/colonial-v...
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
You can now register for my upcoming WFA webinar
Allenby’s Sepoys: The Indian Army and the EEF in 1918
#fwwhist #ww1 #greatwar
Allenby’s Sepoys: The Indian Army and the EEF in 1918
#fwwhist #ww1 #greatwar
ONLINE: Allenby’s Sepoys: The Indian Army and the EEF in 1918 | The Western Front Association
www.westernfrontassociation.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
This is a bit like reading LOTR and thinking that the Shire Folk missed a trick by not giving the Ring to Boromir after all.
October 29, 2025 at 10:43 AM
This is a bit like reading LOTR and thinking that the Shire Folk missed a trick by not giving the Ring to Boromir after all.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
A great new post on researching the history of former Ascari in Eritrea by our own @camilleriana.bsky.social. colvet.eu/338-2/
Dr Nicola Camilleri, ‘Former Eritrean Soldiers in the Italian Colonial Army: Fragments of Life and Documentation’. | Colvet.eu
colvet.eu
October 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM
A great new post on researching the history of former Ascari in Eritrea by our own @camilleriana.bsky.social. colvet.eu/338-2/
Always enjoy articles from Himal, but found this one on language politics in Bihar especially interesting.
"#Languages rarely vanish by decree alone. Much damage is also done by quieter, subtler, far more insidious forces. If the state begins the purge, it is often shame that finishes the job."
Hugo Ribadeau Dumas writes on the disappearing languages of #Bihar:
Hugo Ribadeau Dumas writes on the disappearing languages of #Bihar:
How Annie Ernaux’s story parallels the struggles of local languages in Bihar
IT MIGHT SEEM cheeky to bring up France when talking about India’s language politics. After all, France went maniacally monolingual after its Revolution. The on
buff.ly
October 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Always enjoy articles from Himal, but found this one on language politics in Bihar especially interesting.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Are you on Instagram? I'm trying to expand The Siècle's social media reach there — a like on the latest reel would be a great way to help boost us in the algorithm: www.instagram.com/p/DPJ9dzpCb2W/
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Are you on Instagram? I'm trying to expand The Siècle's social media reach there — a like on the latest reel would be a great way to help boost us in the algorithm: www.instagram.com/p/DPJ9dzpCb2W/
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Five things we can learn about current English ‘flag wars’ from Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.
New article by Prof Nadine Rossol @universityofessex.bsky.social for the Society's blog: bit.ly/4pqGZqv.
Nadine's is the first in a new occasional RHS blog series on 'History Matters' #Skystorians
New article by Prof Nadine Rossol @universityofessex.bsky.social for the Society's blog: bit.ly/4pqGZqv.
Nadine's is the first in a new occasional RHS blog series on 'History Matters' #Skystorians
September 17, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Five things we can learn about current English ‘flag wars’ from Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.
New article by Prof Nadine Rossol @universityofessex.bsky.social for the Society's blog: bit.ly/4pqGZqv.
Nadine's is the first in a new occasional RHS blog series on 'History Matters' #Skystorians
New article by Prof Nadine Rossol @universityofessex.bsky.social for the Society's blog: bit.ly/4pqGZqv.
Nadine's is the first in a new occasional RHS blog series on 'History Matters' #Skystorians
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Have spent this morning reading @johnsiblon25.bsky.social's wonderful thesis: 'War memory and the construction of hierarchy: representations of African and Caribbean colonial service personnel in the aftermath of the FWW'. It's fascinating and opens for interesting comparisons with other empires.
September 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Have spent this morning reading @johnsiblon25.bsky.social's wonderful thesis: 'War memory and the construction of hierarchy: representations of African and Caribbean colonial service personnel in the aftermath of the FWW'. It's fascinating and opens for interesting comparisons with other empires.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Perhaps, one day, schoolkids will study this squalid little chapter in British terror-panic history. When they do, I hope these two headlines from today are printed side by side, with clear annotation of which individual faced more outrage and condemnation.
August 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Perhaps, one day, schoolkids will study this squalid little chapter in British terror-panic history. When they do, I hope these two headlines from today are printed side by side, with clear annotation of which individual faced more outrage and condemnation.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
@sshmedicine.bsky.social @sochistorywar.bsky.social @vahs.bsky.social @aahmhistmed.bsky.social @eahnursing.bsky.social
Members and Followers, be sure to follow the #milwelfhist tag over the next three days to stay up to date with the wonderful goings-on @uni-graz.at for the 2026 MWHN conference
Members and Followers, be sure to follow the #milwelfhist tag over the next three days to stay up to date with the wonderful goings-on @uni-graz.at for the 2026 MWHN conference
July 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
@sshmedicine.bsky.social @sochistorywar.bsky.social @vahs.bsky.social @aahmhistmed.bsky.social @eahnursing.bsky.social
Members and Followers, be sure to follow the #milwelfhist tag over the next three days to stay up to date with the wonderful goings-on @uni-graz.at for the 2026 MWHN conference
Members and Followers, be sure to follow the #milwelfhist tag over the next three days to stay up to date with the wonderful goings-on @uni-graz.at for the 2026 MWHN conference
Holidaying in Marseille for the week and really pleased I got to start the trip with a visit to Mazargues War Cemetery. Just under 1,000 of those commemorated here were recruited from India, many of them serving in non-combatant roles.
July 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Holidaying in Marseille for the week and really pleased I got to start the trip with a visit to Mazargues War Cemetery. Just under 1,000 of those commemorated here were recruited from India, many of them serving in non-combatant roles.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
From the current issue: “Shaking Hands and the Politics of Touch in Early Modern England”
by John Walter (@phaisessex.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by John Walter (@phaisessex.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
Shaking Hands and the Politics of Touch in Early Modern England*
ABSTRACT. Drawing on work in the social sciences on the handshake, this article examines the role of the handshake as a form of gestural communication and
doi.org
June 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
From the current issue: “Shaking Hands and the Politics of Touch in Early Modern England”
by John Walter (@phaisessex.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
by John Walter (@phaisessex.bsky.social)
#OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1093/past...
Fittingly, I was just reading some service notes on Rajput Regiments when I saw that this article by @donalh.bsky.social was published today.
The 8th Rajputs fought within India's NWFP in 1915, during the Mesopotamian Campaign in 1916, and took part in the suppression of the Iraqi Revolt in 1920.
The 8th Rajputs fought within India's NWFP in 1915, during the Mesopotamian Campaign in 1916, and took part in the suppression of the Iraqi Revolt in 1920.
My first article for the @erc.europa.eu funded COLVET
project has been published Open Access in @conteurohistory.bsky.social. It explores how the Greater War concept might facilitate better engagement with colonial experiences of conflict in the early 20th century www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
project has been published Open Access in @conteurohistory.bsky.social. It explores how the Greater War concept might facilitate better engagement with colonial experiences of conflict in the early 20th century www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Rethinking the Colonial in the Greater War | Contemporary European History | Cambridge Core
Rethinking the Colonial in the Greater War
www.cambridge.org
June 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Fittingly, I was just reading some service notes on Rajput Regiments when I saw that this article by @donalh.bsky.social was published today.
The 8th Rajputs fought within India's NWFP in 1915, during the Mesopotamian Campaign in 1916, and took part in the suppression of the Iraqi Revolt in 1920.
The 8th Rajputs fought within India's NWFP in 1915, during the Mesopotamian Campaign in 1916, and took part in the suppression of the Iraqi Revolt in 1920.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Study in black and white, or, how to make a cleansed church the most fascinating thing on earth. Bavokerk in Haarlem by Saenredam, whose day has been today.
June 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Study in black and white, or, how to make a cleansed church the most fascinating thing on earth. Bavokerk in Haarlem by Saenredam, whose day has been today.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Delighted to share details of the upcoming hybrid workshop 'The Colonial Veteran in the Archive' to be held in Maynooth on June 25. This is part of the COLVET project funded by @erc.europa.eu You will find a draft schedule and details for registration here. Please join us on the day and share widely
June 9, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Delighted to share details of the upcoming hybrid workshop 'The Colonial Veteran in the Archive' to be held in Maynooth on June 25. This is part of the COLVET project funded by @erc.europa.eu You will find a draft schedule and details for registration here. Please join us on the day and share widely
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
"The government's argument sounds plausible. There's just one problem. It doesn't fit the facts. And the government knows it."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There’s only one problem with Labour’s immigration plans: they’re completely untethered from reality | Jonathan Portes
The government’s new policy will take us back to an uglier, more dangerous place – and it’s not even supported by the data, says professor of public policy Jonathan Portes
www.theguardian.com
May 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"The government's argument sounds plausible. There's just one problem. It doesn't fit the facts. And the government knows it."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
'Making the Case for History: A View from the Royal Historical Society': bit.ly/4cRjK37
The Society's President, Lucy Noakes, writes today on the profession and discipline @historywo.bsky.social
#skystorians
The Society's President, Lucy Noakes, writes today on the profession and discipline @historywo.bsky.social
#skystorians
April 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM
'Making the Case for History: A View from the Royal Historical Society': bit.ly/4cRjK37
The Society's President, Lucy Noakes, writes today on the profession and discipline @historywo.bsky.social
#skystorians
The Society's President, Lucy Noakes, writes today on the profession and discipline @historywo.bsky.social
#skystorians
It was great to present this at a really excellent couple of days put on by @milwelfhist.bsky.social!
A really fantastic paper from @fvanberkel.bsky.social on the Indian Soldiers' Boards. Great to see research in this field.
April 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It was great to present this at a really excellent couple of days put on by @milwelfhist.bsky.social!
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Panel 2 still and on to @fvanberkel.bsky.social and his paper on paternalism, welfare and the British Indian Army after the #WW1
April 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Panel 2 still and on to @fvanberkel.bsky.social and his paper on paternalism, welfare and the British Indian Army after the #WW1
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
It's been four years since @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social & I called for pluralizing memory culture in Germany & lifting the taboo on comparison. As this week's cancellation of Omri Boehm's speech at Buchenwald for allegedly "comparing" the Holocaust & Nakba shows, our call remains crucial.
Es ist schon wieder 4 (!) Jahre her, dass @mrothberg.bsky.social und ich für eine inklusivere Erinnerungskultur plädierten. Unser Plädoyer scheint mir immer noch aktuell, eine umfassende Debatte vielleicht nötiger denn je.
www.zeit.de/2021/14/erin...
www.zeit.de/2021/14/erin...
Erinnerungskultur: Enttabuisiert den Vergleich!
Das Bekenntnis zur Einzigartigkeit des Holocausts ist in Deutschland zentral. Doch das Verbot jedes Vergleichs führt zu einer Herauslösung der Schoah aus der Geschichte.
www.zeit.de
April 4, 2025 at 7:36 AM
It's been four years since @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social & I called for pluralizing memory culture in Germany & lifting the taboo on comparison. As this week's cancellation of Omri Boehm's speech at Buchenwald for allegedly "comparing" the Holocaust & Nakba shows, our call remains crucial.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Very excited to announce our first COLVET workshop on April 02. The theme is New Directions in Veteran History and our keynote will be the brilliant Jelena Ɖureinović. This is a hybrid event and all are welcome to attend. Registration required. Please share widely.
March 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Very excited to announce our first COLVET workshop on April 02. The theme is New Directions in Veteran History and our keynote will be the brilliant Jelena Ɖureinović. This is a hybrid event and all are welcome to attend. Registration required. Please share widely.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Russia does not want to end the war, and the Trump administration has shown no ability to induce Russia to end the war. And so, predictably, the Trump administration blames the victim, blames Ukraine.
February 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Russia does not want to end the war, and the Trump administration has shown no ability to induce Russia to end the war. And so, predictably, the Trump administration blames the victim, blames Ukraine.
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
Der Präsident eines Staates, der seit drei Jahren geschunden und zerstört wird und dessen Bevölkerung vergewaltigt wird, muss sich vom US-Präsidenten vor der ganzen Welt anbrüllen lassen. Was für eine Schande
February 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Der Präsident eines Staates, der seit drei Jahren geschunden und zerstört wird und dessen Bevölkerung vergewaltigt wird, muss sich vom US-Präsidenten vor der ganzen Welt anbrüllen lassen. Was für eine Schande
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
🚨New Blog Post🚨 I wrote this for the COLVET
blog on how West African veteran records can help us put a face on the Global Greater War and its impacts outside Europe. It includes ten brief biographies of West African veterans and their wartime experiences around the globe. colvet.eu/tracing-the-...
blog on how West African veteran records can help us put a face on the Global Greater War and its impacts outside Europe. It includes ten brief biographies of West African veterans and their wartime experiences around the globe. colvet.eu/tracing-the-...
Tracing the Global Greater War in the Records of West African Veterans of the French Army | Colvet.eu
colvet.eu
February 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🚨New Blog Post🚨 I wrote this for the COLVET
blog on how West African veteran records can help us put a face on the Global Greater War and its impacts outside Europe. It includes ten brief biographies of West African veterans and their wartime experiences around the globe. colvet.eu/tracing-the-...
blog on how West African veteran records can help us put a face on the Global Greater War and its impacts outside Europe. It includes ten brief biographies of West African veterans and their wartime experiences around the globe. colvet.eu/tracing-the-...
Reposted by Francis van Berkel
“Connect the zinc wire of the first battery / With the copper node of the second / Oh friend! If it is fastened, then both batteries / Undoubtedly will become joined together.” In #AHAPerspectives, read @amandazillo.bsky.social's #EverythingHasAHistory on how Urdu poetry and technology met. 🗃️
Poetic Battery Manuals – AHA
In 19th-century India, some artisans learned the process of electroplating from Urdu-language manuals written in poetic form.
www.historians.org
February 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
“Connect the zinc wire of the first battery / With the copper node of the second / Oh friend! If it is fastened, then both batteries / Undoubtedly will become joined together.” In #AHAPerspectives, read @amandazillo.bsky.social's #EverythingHasAHistory on how Urdu poetry and technology met. 🗃️