Australian Women At War

A World War I Battlefield Hospital Run Entirely by Women: Australia’s links to ‘The Surgeon of Royaumont’

A World War I Battlefield Hospital Run Entirely by Women: Australia’s links to ‘The Surgeon of Royaumont’

** This book has been listed by HarperCollins Australia as one of the ‘best of 2025’, and you can buy the ebook/Kindle edition of…
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Keep Your Tail Up: Major Mary Thornton (Mrs Kent-Hughes) Remarkable Journey

Keep Your Tail Up: Major Mary Thornton (Mrs Kent-Hughes) Remarkable Journey

By Dr. Susan J. Neuhaus When Dr. Mary Thornton emblazoned her military tin helmet with a hand-drawn kangaroo and the personal motto “Keep your…
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Millicent Armstrong and the Women of Royaumont

From Heroism to Disillusionment: Millicent Armstrong and the Women of Royaumont

By Dr. Susan J. Neuhaus In January 1915, a 700-year-old medieval abbey nestled in the French countryside underwent a remarkable transformation. The ancient stones…
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Anzac Day – a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of women

Anzac Day – A Time To Reflect On The Service And Sacrifice Of Women

In the lead up to Anzac Day, often the stories of the service and sacrifice of women are overlooked. They have served with distinction…
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War Reaches Australia: Bombing of Darwin 1942

Amongst the exhibits in the Australian War Memorial is a beige cotton working dress with links to the bombing of Darwin in 1942. The…
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Dr James Barry: The first woman General in the British Army

Dr James Barry: The first woman General in the British Army

On the morning of 25th July 1865, a secret was unveiled at Cavendish Square, London that would scandalise Victorian Society – the claim that…
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From Lilian Violet Cooper to Australia’s other pioneering female military surgeons of World War I. Image: Fig. 1. Cooper and Bedford outside their tent in Serbia. Photo courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library New Zealand.

From Lilian Violet Cooper to Australia’s other pioneering female military surgeons of World War I

The war service of Lilian Violet Cooper, the first female surgeon of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, is well recognized. Not so well…
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Dr Phoebe Chapple MM: A WWI Australian Doctor On The Western Front. Left: Figure 1. Dr Phoebe Chappel, Graduation photograph (courtesy of the State Library of South Australia). Right: Figure 2. Dr Phoebe Chappel’s Medals including the Military Medal (courtesy of the Australian War Memorial).

Dr Phoebe Chapple MM: A WWI Australian Doctor On The Western Front

Dr Phoebe Chapple was one of 15 Australian women doctors who undertook overseas military service during World War I and became the first Australian,…
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Contact Susan

Would you like to contact Susan with enquiries about her books or research, engage her to speak at an event, or contact her for media comment, please use the contact form on this page.

NOTE: If you are trying to research a family member, please start with the War Memorial in Canberra or your state or territory.

Contact Susan