Steps To Glory Book Launch. Volume 1 covering 1660 to July 1914 is being launched at a talk and reception ‘An Evening in Conversation' on 22 July 2026 in the Indian Army Memorial Room in Old College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey. Click to see the full details The...
Read MoreA not-for profit society raising funds for military charities
Welcome to the British Modern Military History Society.
We organise monthly talks for anyone interested in military history over the last 200 years from Nelson’s times to the present day.
With top quality talks given by writers, academics, former military personnel, and experts in their field with a wide variety of topics, we are based in Woodcote Village Hall RG8 0QY (near Wallingford) in South Oxfordshire. We can accommodate up to 100 people in pleasant surroundings, offering a warm and welcoming evening out. BMMHS is not a membership society so please feel free to join our talks and for Village Hall Meetings – just pay on the door.
BMMHS NEWS
Search
Upcoming Zoom Talks and Village Hall Meetings
Tuesday 7th July 7:30pm
Arnhem and the Cambridge Spies
Revealing the hidden role of the Cambridge Spies during this Allied defeat, The Traitor of Arnhem relates for the first time the startling betrayal that changed the course of World War II.
The end of World War II is in sight.
Following the overwhelming victory on D-Day, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin all seek to shape the future to their own ends by winning the race to Berlin.
The British launch Operation Market Garden, the greatest airborne operation the world has ever seen. It is a bold roll of the dice that, if successful, will end the war in weeks. But behind the scenes spies are working their craft, the Allies’ plans are betrayed, the operation fails—and thousands of our soldiers die.
The Traitor of Arnhem tells the never-before-told story of this famed operation and of the spies working to cause the catastrophic defeat. One traitor is a terrifying giant of a man, a supposed hero of the resistance who sends hundreds of fellow freedom fighters to torture and death; the other is an aristocrat and an English gentleman, working from inside the heart of the Allied war effort in London. Both of them are working for the Russians.
Drawn from newly released archives and shedding fresh light on the spies responsible for its failure, The Traitor of Arnhem is the remarkable account of the battle that would transform the conclusion of the European campaign and set the stage for the Cold War.
About the speaker – Robert Verkaik
Robert is an author and award-winning journalist. He was the home affairs editor of the Independent and the security editor of the Mail on Sunday. Robert is the author of a number of history books published in Britain, but The Traitor of Arnhem is his first book to be published in America. He lives in Surrey, England.
Zoom talk - Payment and registration
Contact us on [email protected] to register for these Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk. A donation of £5 is requested for each talk to cover things such as speaker costs, licence fees and donation to military charity.
Wednesday 15th July 7:30pm
Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY
The Borneo Confrontation
Described at its conclusion by Denis Healey as “as one of the most efficient uses of military force in the history of the world”, this talk on the Confrontation with Indonesia will cover the geopolitical context to the conflict, it’s origins, key events, the leading personalities on both sides, each side’s tactics and equipment/weapons, the factors that brought it to a successful conclusion in August 1966 and the subsequent British military withdrawal from east of Suez.
About the speaker – Rupert Hague-Holmes
Rupert was educated at The Oratory School and Durham University, where he read Law with Politics. After qualifying as a solicitor, he practised in London for 11 years before moving to the Channel Islands to work in the wealth management industry. An avid military historian, and son of an Army officer, Rupert lectures regularly to clubs and societies, with a particular interest in post WW2 British counterinsurgency campaigns. His first book, “The Soldiers General”, the biography of Lieutenant General Sir George Lea (Director of Operations in Borneo 1965-6), was published in 2025.
BMMHS Event Registration
Contact us on [email protected] to register for BMMHS Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk.
BMMHS Village Hall Meeting Tickets
Entry cost is just £8, which includes your entry ticket to the talk, a Q & A, and refreshments (beer, wine, soft drinks). We ask for payment in advance. If you are unable to pay in advance there will be a facility to pay by cash or card on the door.
Entrance to village hall talks for students and under 21s is now free of charge.
Latest News
Book Review: A Fighter Pilot’s War
Peter Brooker, an RAF officer, served in pivotal WWII roles including the Battle of Britain, Singapore's defense, and post-D-Day operations. Awarded the DFC and DSO, he vanished without a trace on April 16, 1945. His mysterious disappearance and valor are explored in a detailed biography.
Read More
Book Review: The End of the Rope: The Ripcord Campaign and American Disengagement in Vietnam
The 1970 Firebase Ripcord campaign, the last major American offensive in the Vietnam War, failed due to strong enemy resistance, resource scarcity, and command issues. Despite multiple attempts and a weak American position, the North Vietnamese intensified attacks. The ineffective command rotations and inexperienced leaders compounded the campaign’s challenges.
Read More
New Article – Developing the Database of The Few
Geoff Simpson's article describes the creation and expansion of the Database of The Few, who are the Allied airmen of the Battle of Britain, detailing their biographies and service records. Originating from Kenneth G Wynn's book, the work involved transferring rights and publication efforts with support from the Battle of...
Read MoreWhat you are saying about BMMHS
"It was a lovely evening and fantastic atmosphere in the room. Very happy to come back in 2021 to speak on my (then) new book on MI9 escape and evasion."
"For anyone interested in Military History, the BMMHS is a must. The monthly meetings cover a wide range of topics, with high quality speakers giving thought-provoking talks. In addition, the quality of facility and refreshments is exceptional, and the audience interesting and welcoming. Highly recommended."
“Just wanted to say how impressed I was by the talk last night and indeed by the meeting itself – the first I’ve been able to attend. An excellent speaker and a well organised meeting!”
"…. We’re very impressed with the line-up of talks arranged for the next year and will endeavour to attend as many as possible ….
We found the ‘Arnhem’ talk most interesting – a very different ‘take’ on the topic from the usual battle on the ground analysis.
Congratulations to you, Nigel, Linda and the team, you’re doing a great job."
"If I may say so, the BMMHS's first few months have been most impressive and a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm the four of you have put in. Everything on Wednesday went well, turnout, seating, notice-boards, drinks and especially the food!
"
"…I would like to thank you and your team for another great evening. The talk was brilliant… looking forward to the next one…"
"MANY THANKS for Wednesday night most enjoyable, met some nice chaps, have new dates on the calendar, looking forward to the next talk"
"As with the first BMMHS meeting I attended.... I really enjoyed last night’s presentation. You and your pals have done a great job in getting the BMMHS set up and running smoothly & efficiently, including an excellent website plus arranging for some really interesting presenters and subjects every month."
"A most amazing lecture. To say it was interesting is understating it - it was mind-blowing to think of the courage of those women, who agreed to be SOE agents, despite knowing what awaited them if they were found out. It was fascinating to hear what training they went through, and to learn what some of them did and how they ended up.
Many thanks for another brilliant lecture"
“ If you are like me, and you enjoy the study of a wide range of military history topics, with a bit if a twist, then BMMHS will be right up your street. With its informative panel of expert speakers and on occasion quirky topics, there is something for everyone interested in learning more of their military past. I can thoroughly recommend the BMMHS zoom talk experience. You won’t be disappointed!”
Village Hall FAQs
Venue Address
Woodcote Village Hall
Reading Road
South Oxfordshire
RG8 0QY
BMMHS Publications on Amazon
Proceeds from the Sale of Articles of War and the Glimpses of War Series go to Charities Supporting Military Veterans.
Click above to order your copies
Useful links
Copyright © 2026 bmmhs.org – All Rights Reserved
Images © IWM & NAM