Spencer Jones

Dr. Spencer Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Armed Forces and War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, within the Faculty of Arts, Business, and Social Sciences and the Department of History, Politics and War Studies. He is a leading historian specializing in the British Army during the Anglo-Boer War and the First World War, particularly the years 1914–1915. He also serves as the Regimental Historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, highlighting his deep institutional engagement with British military heritage.

His research interests focus on:

• Military history of the British Army in the 20th century
• Tactical reform between the Boer War and World War I
• Military leadership and command
• Combat effectiveness and battlefield adaptation
• Colonial warfare influences on European conflict

Dr. Jones's extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on British military performance, leadership, and tactical evolution during the early years of World War I and the preceding Boer War. His works analyze primary sources, official records, and personal correspondence to reassess historical narratives. The articles span themes such as artillery use, infantry formations, marksmanship, leadership under pressure, and the adaptation of colonial experiences to continental warfare. A recurring thread is the examination of how the British Army learned—or failed to learn—from past conflicts.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Douglas Haig Fellow (2018–2019), awarded for significant contributions to First World War studies
• Runner-up for the Templer Medal (2014) for his book Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914

Dr. Jones actively supervises doctoral and research-based degree students, with completed projects covering topics such as manpower, conscription, brigade command, and the influence of the American Civil War on British military thinking. He has secured competitive research grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) under the Connected Communities program, supporting public engagement with military history. Additionally, he co-hosts the popular podcast Not So Quiet on the Western Front and has contributed to major television documentaries, including those by the BBC and Channel 4, enhancing public understanding of military history.

He is associated with the Royal Artillery Historical Society and serves as Guild President of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, reflecting his commitment to both scholarly and public-facing military history.