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The American Civil War (1861-1865) is sometimes described as the last “old” war, or the first “modern” war. It was really a transition between the “old” way of fighting and modern industrial “total” war. It has been said that armies seldom learn from the mistakes of other armies but rather must learn from their own mistakes. Despite the Civil War being studied extensively by European armies they were destined to repeat many of the errors that had beset mid-19th Century North America.

The American Civil War provides a number of lessons in warfare, many of them relevant even to this day. Tactics, strategy, logistics, communication, medical services, propaganda, and relationship between Heads of Government and Military Commanders. The Civil War has important lessons in all of these areas.

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John Morrison is a graduate of the University of Queensland with a Bachelor’s degree and a PhD in Biomedical Science and qualifications in Health Economics. He has worked as a Research Scientist at the University of Queensland and at CSIRO, and has also served as a Scientific Officer with the Australian Army Medical Corps − conducting both pre-clinical research as well as field trials of anti-malarial drugs in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

In 1989 he joined the Australian biomedical products industry and has extensive clinical trials and research management experience gained over more than 20 years in various Industry positions − from small local consultancies to large multi-national Pharmaceutical Companies and several start-up and Biotechnology Companies, with responsibility for clinical development plans. He has also worked as a Trainer in clinical trial conduct and Research Governance with the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and is an adjunct academic with the University of Queensland School of Biomedical Science and Queensland University of Technology School of Biomedical Science.

He has served with the Australian Army Medical Corps as a reservist for 25 years, his most recent position being as a Staff Officer Grade II and I responsible for helping co-ordinate the evaluation and approval of Human Performance Research projects. He was jointly responsible for establishing a system of evaluation of the suitability of Defence research submissions. John’s pastimes include ballroom dancing, public speaking and military history. He is an avid traveller and enjoys nothing more than visiting historical battlefields and studying old military campaigns − his particular areas of interest being the American Civil War and the ANZAC campaigns of the First and Second World War.

Saturday, 6 September 2025, 10:30AM-11:30AM, 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.

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 10:30AM sharp.