Double Lecture: Heroines of the SOE and Sentinel Tank

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 Australian Cruiser 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.