Southwick Speaks
A SERIES OF GUEST SPEAKERS
Southwick Speaks will be a series of talks held in the D Day Memorial Hall.
Doors open at 6:30pm, with the speaker starting at 7:00pm. The talk will last 45 minutes with a chance for questions at the end of the session followed by the opportunity for tea or coffee.
The Enigma Machine and the World of WWII Cryptography
Join us for an insightful exploration into the Enigma machine’s role in history and the complexities of its decryption during World War II.
While the British breakthrough in deciphering Enigma is renowned, the narrative is far from straightforward. This talk will delve deeper into the Enigma’s design, compare it to contemporary cipher machines from around the world, and discuss its operational use and eventual decryption.
You’ll also have the chance to view several machines on display including an original 3-rotor Enigma machine, a Swiss NEMA, a Swedish Hagelin, and a Russian Fialka, along with a selection of documents.
Alan Watson OBE is a former Merchant Navy electronics Officer and part of his duties at sea and part of his training and duties included the coding and decoding of messages from the UK government and Royal Navy. This sparked a lifelong interest in cipher systems and security. Alan is now retired but spends much of his time with the WW2 ship, HMS Medusa, for which he is captain.
Henry Montgomory, tales from the life of his grandfather (Monty)
We are beyond excited to welcome back our close friend and esteemed guest, Viscount Henry Montgomery – 3rd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein – to Southwick Speaks!
Henry joined us at the 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary event, taking part in the historic “world first” panel, where descendants of the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces gathered for the very first time. It was a moment of immense significance, and we’re honored to have him as part of it.
In his upcoming talk, Henry will share personal memories of his legendary grandfather, Field Marshal Montgomery, famously known as “Monty.” He will also offer insights into his own important role as Honorary President of the Spirit of Normandy Trust.
. Established in 1994 by the late General Peter Martin CBE, the charity honors the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Campaign with two key missions: supporting veterans and their families through SSAFA, and educating the public—especially younger generations—about the pivotal events of World War II, including the Normandy Landings.
As Henry recently shared, “I simply love spending time with the veterans,” and we’re eager to hear more about his work, his passion for the cause, and tales from his Grandfathers remarkable life. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
James Holland
Historian, Author and Broadcaster
Cassino: The Italian Campaign – The Forgotten Army
James Holland is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. As the author of several best-selling histories—including Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, Battle of Britain, Dam Busters, and most recently The War in the West—Holland has earned a reputation for bringing the past vividly to life. In addition to his nonfiction, he has also penned nine highly praised works of historical fiction, most notably the Jack Tanner novels. His expertise extends beyond writing: Holland has presented and written numerous television programs and series, and co-hosts the popular WWII-focused podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk! alongside comedian Al Murray.
In recognition of his contributions to historical scholarship, Holland serves as Chair of the Chalke Valley History Festival, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and holds a Research Fellowship at Swansea University. This February, we are honored to welcome him as he presents his latest work, Cassino ’44: The Bloodiest Battle of the Italian Campaign.
John C. McManus, a leading historian himself, has praised Holland’s work, stating: “James Holland is now our foremost authority on the Italian campaign. He knows the ground intimately and expertly. In this gripping, beautifully written book, Holland breathes fresh life into the grim story of Cassino. Told from the perspectives of all the participants, packed with new insights and quality scholarship, Cassino 1944 makes a major contribution to our understanding of the fighting in Italy.”