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.