'Not Such a Young Woman's War' by Dr Viv Newman
30 May

Caption: Mother Anzac

About the talk: While war is generally associated with the young, this talk focuses on older women’s responses. It tells how many women, despite their age, were determined to serve their country, frequently overseas. The oldest of the cast was in her 80s yet correctly believed that she could “run as fast and work as hard” as many of those who were young enough to be her grandchildren. Ranging across theatres of war and often drawing upon their own writings, this talk focuses upon women from various nations and backgrounds, highlighting the resilience and sheer ‘bloody-mindedness’ of an overlooked group of feisty individuals.

Dr Viv Newman

About the speaker: Viv Newman is a social historian with a particular interest women's service in the First World War. In 2004, she was awarded a PhD for her thesis on women's poetry about the Great War She was selected by the BBC for their 'Expert Women' training and speaks widely about women in WW1 on local radio, at national and international conferences, and for specialist and general interest audiences. She writes for Pen and Sword as well as academic journals and popular magazines. In March 2017, she was invited by HE Guy Trouveroy, the Belgian Ambassador to the UK, to launch the Embassy's Passchendaele commemorations and her talk, 'Passchendaele: A World of Anguish' can be viewed on her website. Her Great War books include:

 

Royal British Legion Club, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1DH
30 May 2024 19:15