Not For Glory

Not for Glory: A century of service by medical women to the Australian Army and its Allies. Dr Susan J Neuhaus & Dr Sharon Mascall-Dare.

Second edition 2021

From the trenches of the Western Front to the ricefields and jungles of South-east Asia, Australian women have served as doctors and medical specialists from World War I until the present day. This book tells their stories of adventure, courage, sacrifice and determination as they fought to serve their country… and won.

Book available here

Audiobook available here

Praise for Not for Glory

“In a remarkable book spanning a century of service, Susan Neuhaus and Sharon Mascall-Dare capture the lives of women too long forgotten to history. Detailed archival research, searching oral history, and vibrant participant observation shape a narrative that is bound to captivate the reader and throw new light on women’s experience of war.”

Professor Bruce Scates, Chair of the Military and Cultural History Panel, Anzac Centenary Advisory Board

“Not for Glory’ has done a magnificent job in reminding us that bravery, skill and compassion exist not only in the history books, but also in the current generation of female medical professionals who serve Australia here at home and wherever our soldiers deploy”

Lieutenant-General David Morrison, Chief of Army 2014

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.