A Woman In A Thousand

A Woman In A Thousand: Lady Marie Galway, South Australia and the Great War. Susan Neuhaus.

In August 1913, in a quiet London chapel, Marie Blennerhassett — widowed Baroness d’Erlanger, daughter of an Anglo-Irish father and a German mother — married the highly decorated Sir Henry Galway. Days later came his appointment as the incoming Governor of South Australia, and they sailed to the other side of the world. Within months, Australia was at war.

As vice-regal consort, Marie found herself navigating one of the most turbulent times in South Australia’s history — the public face of a marriage, a faith and an Empire. Her credentials as a daughter of the Empire were impeccable, yet beneath lay complexities she could not escape: her German heritage, her Catholic faith and a detectable accent.

Drawing on Marie’s memoirs and extensive archival research, A Woman in a Thousand reveals a woman whose quiet navigation of divided loyalties offers a fresh perspective on identity, belonging and loyalty in a world divided by war.

Praise for A Woman In A Thousand

‘Lady Marie Galway was a remarkable individual: intelligent, independent, energetic, compassionate, and accomplished… While part of the British establishment, she was also an outsider.’
— Dr Karl James, Head of Military History, Australian War Memorial

‘…Captivated from start to finish.’
— Dr Lainie Anderson OAM

‘Lady Galway’s legacy is a voice from the past that echoes today.’
— Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia [Extract from foreword]

‘Susan Neuhaus beautifully captures her intellect, intelligence, oratorical skills and empathetic spirit.’
— The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Chairman, Australian War Memorial

They served anyway

For over a century, Australian women have served in uniform — often without recognition, sometimes without permission. Explore their stories across three defining eras.

World War I — doctors on the front line

“There really was nothing that a woman doctor could not do in a war zone.” — Leah Leneman, Medical Women at War 1914–1918

Australia refused to enlist female doctors — so they went anyway. At least 14 women served as surgeons, pathologists and physicians across England, Egypt, France and the Balkans. Two became prisoners of war. Several were decorated by foreign militaries. Their own country gave them nothing.

World War II — legitimacy, at last

“For the thousandth time did I curse the Australian military authorities whose refusal to accept a woman doctor had forced me across the world.” — Major Mary Kent-Hughes, Matilda Waltzes with the Tommies, 1943

In 1940, Australia commissioned its first female army doctor. Women served as surgeons, researchers, physiotherapists and pathologists — some in New Guinea, the Middle East and post-war Japan. The old barriers were cracking, even if the frustration hadn’t fully faded.

Post World War II — walking in their footsteps

“Is it any wonder I ask: ‘Wither women next?'” — Dame Constance Darcy, Deputy Chancellor of Sydney University, 1946

The barriers didn’t fall overnight. Women who pioneered life-saving research were passed over for honours simply for being female.

But across Vietnam, Rwanda, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, Australian women kept serving — and in 2012, Australia finally removed all gender restrictions from combat roles.