Lecture Double Feature
FIRST LECTURE by Virginia Handel starting 10:30AM: Three George Cross Heroines of the WW2 Special Operations Executive
The secret organisation the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was formed by the British Government in 1940 to “coordinate, inspire, control and assist the nationals of the oppressed countries who must themselves be the direct participants”.
Thirty-nine women of the SOE did extraordinary things in the course of duty. Three of these women were awarded the highest civilian gallantry honour, the George Cross. They each displayed extreme courage and sacrifice in non-combatant roles as couriers and wireless operators in enemy occupied France: their names were Violette Szabó, Odette Hallowes and Noor Inayat Khan.
This talk will present the history of the George Cross and the stories of these extraordinary women.
SECOND LECTURE by Major Paul Handel RFD (retd) starting 11:20AM: The AustralianCruiser Tank – Sentinel
During WW2 the Australian Army was unable to obtain armoured vehicles from the United Kingdom because of losses sustained in France. Factories were engaged at capacity in producing vehicles for the British Army. Australia had already started to build light armoured vehicles, but tanks had never been manufactured here.
The design and manufacture of the Sentinel Tank was thus a great industrial feat; the only time Australia has produced a tank.
This presentation will look at the design, manufacture and service use of the Sentinel Tank.
Lecture Time & Venue
Saturday, 1 August 2026, 10:30AM-12:30PM, Auditorium, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, corner Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Admission is free of charge but a donation would be appreciated. For further information call 0419 698 783 or email: president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au.
Our Venue – Anzac Memorial Hyde Park
The current venue for The Military History Society of New South Wales lecture program will be the Auditorium at the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Numerous bus services stop at the location and Museum railway station is only 160 metres away. The venue will be opening its doors at around 10:00AM.
Our Recent Lectures
Monash at The Battle of Hamel: a brilliant pupil outshines his master by Robert Muscat
The Military History Society of New South Wales Incorporated presents [...]
How Australia’s signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War by David Duffy
The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau tells the story of the country's significant code-breaking and signals-intelligence achievements during the Second World War.
The Malayan Emergency, 1948-60, by Seumas Tan
The Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) marks one of the bleakest period in the history of Malaya (now known as Malaysia). This lecture traces the emergence of the Communist Insurgents and explores the events that led to the declaration of the Emergency.
Peter Sweeney – Battle of the Coral Sea, 4-8 May 1942
The Battle of the Coral Sea was off the north-east coast of Australia between 4 and 8 May 1942 fought by US and Australian forces against the Japanese. It was the first aircraft carrier battle ever fought.
The Battle of Lake Tanganyika by Dennis Weatherall, Councillor of the Society
Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world, but one of the strangest battles of WWI took place on its placid waters. Hear Battlefield Guide Dennis Weatherall's detailed account of this feat of arms.
49th Annual General Meeting and Lecture
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Military History Society of NSW, Major General the Honourable Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD will give a lecture on Lieutenant General James Gordon Legge CB, CMG, MA, LLB.