An Evening with the Director of the Churchill Archives – How Churchill Waged War

Union, University & Schools Club, 25 Bent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Churchill College alumni are warmly invited to a special evening at the Union, Universities & Schools Club, one of Sydney’s most distinguished private members’ clubs, on Tuesday 12 May 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Sydney Time) This event is presented in association with The Cambridge Society of NSW.

Join Allen Packwood OBE, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College, Cambridge, for his talk How Churchill Waged War, drawing on the private papers of Sir Winston Churchill to reveal how one of history’s most remarkable leaders made decisions under pressure—and what those decisions cost, From the catastrophe of the Dardanelles to the fall of Singapore, the archive reveals a Churchill far more complex than the legend. Given the world we find ourselves in right now, we suspect the evening will feel rather timely.

Allen is not just a keeper of these papers — he has spent his career interpreting them. His book How Churchill Waged War was published in 2018, and his most recent work, Churchill’s D-Day, co-authored with General Lord Dannatt, was published for the eightieth anniversary of Operation Overlord in 2024. He was awarded an OBE for services to archives and scholarship in 2016.

The Churchill Archives Centre holds the papers of Churchill, Thatcher, Major and almost 700 of their contemporaries. Allen likes to point out that it is the equivalent of four American Presidential Libraries. Expect some remarkable material.

This elegant yet relaxed gathering is a rare opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and engage directly with the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre. Places are limited—don’t miss out!

Dress code stipulated by the Club: Jacket mandatory, tie preferred but not required.

To book please use the link below and note that tickets are $55 or $35 for aged U35 & include drinks & canapes on arrival.

Book now!