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
Noel Phelan on the Japanese Mini-Submarine Attack on Sydney Harbour
The Military History Society of New South Wales Incorporated presents [...]
Mike Carlton on the cruiser HMAS Australia II and the Pacific War on Japan
The Military History Society of NSW presents Mike Carlton on The cruiser HMAS Australia II and the Pacific War on Japan. In 1924 the grand old battle cruiser HMAS Australia I, once the pride of the nation, was sunk off Sydney Heads. She had saved Australia from a German attack in the Pacific in World War I, but after the war she was a victim in the race to disarm.
Robert Muscat on The Great Siege of Malta 1565 – “the clash of sword and scimitar”
The Military History Society of NSW presents Robert Muscat on The Great Siege of Malta 1565 - "the clash of sword and scimitar". The speaker is Robert Muscat, recent Council member of the Society and secondary school principal with over thirty years in the education field.
Lieutenant Colonel David Deasey RFD on Australian involvement in the Guerrilla War Phase of the Boer War
The Military History Society of NSW presents Lieutenant Colonel David Deasey RFD (Retd) on Australian involvement in the Guerrilla War Phase of the Boer War.
Mr Clinton Reilly on The Longbow and the Gunpowder Revolution
The Military History Society of New South Wales Incorporated presents [...]
Dr. Kevin Smith on The Sinking of the Corvette HMAS ARMIDALE on 1st December, 1942
The Military History Society of New South Wales Incorporated presents [...]