The talk challenges the tenacious myth that the Great War liberated women, suggesting instead that many were instead preoccupied with mundane, but heroic struggles, to maintain their homes and families on limited budgets.
As the conflict wore on and submarine warfare escalated and food shortages became more severe, so did attempts to reduce waste and feed the nation more economically. Food preparation and preservation became issues of national importance.
Housewives faced a plethora of advice, guidance and surveillance even potential fines for wasting bread. As housewives struggled to cope, there were however often subject to criticism, not sympathy. The conflict entered the home in ways never seen before.

Tony Bray’s talk will cover the evolution of human flight, from birds to helicopters. He will explain the fundamental flight principles and celebrated aviation pioneers. The journey will highlight pivotal moments like the Sikorski VS300’s 1939 flight and pose questions about early vertical lift-off attempts, and current developments of both helicopters and drones.

The iconic vision of Spitfires and Hurricanes battling to preserve our freedoms as they swept into action against German aircraft in the skies above southern England is an accurate one.

The Battle of Britain took place between July and October 1940 and the Germans began by attacking coastal targets and shipping in the Channel.

This presentation examines the aircraft, pilots and tactics used to ensure victory in the skies. It offers a unique insight into the RAF, and how the outcome was almost very different.

Unfortunately Geoffrey Vesey Holt is unable to give his talk to BMMHS on The Last One Hundred Days – The Battle of Amiens to the Hindenburg Line (8 Aug-26 Sep 1918) in March 2027. Fortunately Tony Bray has kindly stepped into the fray and will deliver his talk on The Fall of Fortress Eben Emael instead. We look forward to welcoming Tony back to Woodcote.

On Sunday 14 February 1942, Lt Gen Percival GOC Malaya Command travelled from is underground headquarters to an abandoned car factory. He was ushered into a meeting room where he met General Yamashita from the Imperial Japanese Army. 70 days previously 30,000 Japanese had landed on the east coast of Malaya and Siam and fought a blistering campaign against 85,000 Indian, Gurkha, Malay, Chinese, British and Australian troops. That afternoon, Percival would agree to surrender. Join Mike Tickner to learn more about the greatest and most humiliating defeat British Army’s history.

While much popular attention has been given to the Battle of Isandlwana and the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, the events of the final engagement of the Zulu War, at King Cetshwayo’s capital of Ulundi, are often overlooked.

Despite earlier victories in the conflict, the Zulu army was ultimately defeated on 4 July 1879 at the Battle of Ulundi. This resulted in the fall of the famous dynasty, the division of this part of Africa, and widespread heartbreak for years to come.

In this revealing talk, Michael Nicholas will focus on the events leading up to and including the Battle of Ulundi, as well as its tragic aftermath.

North Russia was the entry point for supplies from the Allies throughout WW1. The Revolution in 1917 changed everything. Peace in the east would release enemy troops for the Western Front. Bolshevism might change the world. Churchill wanted to stop both. Tired, desk bound officers, second rate conscripts, released prisoners and several mutinies. This talk covers the politics, the motivation, the local plan and conditions, and why it was allowed to fade from memory.