The Wipers Times: humour under fire

Discover the incredible story of the most famous newspaper from the trenches.

In the midst of the First World War, amidst the mud, shells and ruins of Ypres, something extraordinary happened. Soldiers from the Sherwood Foresters found a printing press and decided to produce a newspaper. The result was The Wipers Times: a satirical newspaper full of black humour, absurd advertisements, biting satire and unforgettable stories from life at the front.

From 11 December 2026, Talbot House will bring this remarkable story to life in a brand-new exhibition.

From Wipers to The Better Times

Follow the remarkable journey of the newspaper and its creators. Discover how Captain Frederick Roberts, Jack Pearson and their fellow soldiers managed to produce a newspaper, often literally under fire.

The printing press travelled with them along the Western Front. From the casemates in Ypres to Nieuwkerke, Kemmel, the Somme and on through France and Flanders. Wherever the Sherwood Foresters went, their humour travelled with them.

A unique perspective on war and humour

The Wipers Times tells a different story about the First World War. Not a story without tragedy or loss, but a story about how people tried to remain human in inhuman circumstances.

Through satire and humour, the soldiers poked fun at the army, the enemy, propaganda and, above all, their own daily reality. Humour became a way of coping with fear, boredom and danger.

The Wipers Times comes home

The exhibition not only tells the story of the original newspaper, but also explores its remarkable legacy. From facsimile editions and films to theatre, beer and modern satire: more than a hundred years later, the spirit of The Wipers Times lives on.

In 2025, the original proofs that once belonged to editor-in-chief Frederick Roberts were also given a new home in the Talbot House archive. An exceptional acquisition that formed the starting point for this new exhibition.

Talbot House and The Wipers Times share the same spirit: humour in difficult times, a healthy dose of quirkiness and the determination to remain human, even in wartime.

Come and discover why The Wipers Times was more than just a trench newspaper. It is a story of friendship, creativity, courage and the irresistible power of humour.

The Wipers Times: humour under fire, a new exhibition at Talbot House – from December 2026 for one year.