The SOE was formed in July 1940 by Winston Churchill to “set Europe ablaze” by conducting espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe. The organization recruited a diverse group of individuals, and it was the only Allied organisation in which women were given a combat role. They worked as couriers, wireless operators and saboteurs, often risking their lives to gather intelligence, support resistance movements and carry out sabotage missions.
Mark Baldwin – The Women of the SOE
Meeting: July 16, 2027
Meetings & Events
John Vigar – Murder Sex and Mayhem in English Churches
Meeting: February 20, 2026
Like most people I enjoy the peace and serenity offered by our parish churches, but having visited and recorded over 12,000 of them I have found they also contain countless images of Murder, Sex and Mayhem. Medieval murals and stained glass depict the martyrdom of saints from home and abroad, and the grisliest of dooms.…
Andrea Hetherington – British Widows of the First World War – the Forgotten Legion
Meeting: March 20, 2026
Based on my book, a general talk outlining the experiences of war widows and their battle for state support.
Jenny Malin – Five Generations of a British Raj Family
Meeting: April 17, 2026
A complete insight how five generations of a family lived as Domiciled Anglo Indians with British ancestry on both sides of the family for almost two hundred years in India during the British Raj. We discover the early ancestors’ story of military battles in the 18th century and how future generations were involved in professions…