Talks / Presentations

The presentations that Sheryl offers vary in length from an hour on some topics, or for longer events they can be split into two 45 minute sessions with a 30 minute break in-between.

The theme of each talk varies and those currently available are listed below. Three bespoke talks in French are also available.

Further titles are under preparation and will be added soon, please watch this space!

Longer talks

Conflict, Conspiracy, Collaboration and Culpability

Looking at how conflict between different intelligence agencies affected the secret war, at some of the conspiracy theories from that period, interpretations of collaboration and who might be considered the most culpable parties.

Brothers in Arms

The dramatic and almost incredible story of two sets of brothers who served in the Special Operations Executive and how ultimately their paths would cross with serious consequences.

Tangmere's Special Duties Pilots and their Secret Agent Joes

As the title suggests. There is a shorter version available with less on the background context of the agents’ experience of adapting to life in Occupied France - see below.

The war's greatest air partnership

The thrilling and moving story of the life and death of Group Captain ‘Pick’ Pickard and his loyal navigator, John Alan Broadley, including the truth behind the famous ‘Jericho Raid’ on Amiens Prison.

One-hour talks

The Special Duties Squadrons and Intelligence Services of World War Two

An introduction to the rivalling Intelligence agencies and their use of 138 and 161 Squadrons, to infiltrate and exfiltrate agents as well as furnishing supplies to resistance networks.

Women from around the world who worked as secret agents for the Allies during World War Two

Originally linked to International Women’s Day, this takes up the story of six women of different nationalities and backgrounds who consciously chose to train and act as agents, fully aware of the dangers they would face.

Various versions of this talk have now been created to accommodate groups who have heard the original talk and wish to invite me to return and to hear about more of these wonderful women. More details on request.

Women pioneers of the CIA: American Agents of the SOE and OSS in World War Two

Ideally linked either with the above talk as a follow-on or perhaps a great title around the 4th July. Similar content but also traces the evolution of the Intelligence Services in the USA and introduces some of its outstanding female agents.

Who was the 'Real' James Bond?

Not a study of Ian Fleming’s James Bond stories but a close look at his role and experiences in Naval Intelligence and the real-life characters he met or got to hear of during the War, who might have been the inspiration for this most iconic of all secret agents.

Talks in French

Tangmere et la Résistance française

Pendant la 2e Guerre Mondiale, deux escadrilles secrètes (dites «Special Duties» ) ont infiltré et exfiltré des agents des services secrets français et britanniques, partant de l’aérodrome de Tangmere en pleine nuit. Ce discours explique comment se passaient ces missions et fait connaître certains des pilotes et des agents.

Deux grands héros français de la Résistance

Un compte rendu émouvant de la vie et la disparition de deux grands hommes de la Résistance: des hommes cultivés, d’une grande intelligence et d’un courage incroyable qui ont renoncé à la soumission de la France aux pouvoirs Nazis.

Les bien connues, les peu connues et les méconnues

Un discours sur quelques Françaises qui ont lutté pour la libération de la France du joug nazi. Certaines ont survécu malgré leurs souffrances pendant que d’autres ont disparu sous des circonstances atroces. Elles ont toutes fait face aux mêmes risques mais depuis on ne les a pas reconnues de la même façon. Cet exposé sert à nous rappeller la contribution de ces femmes formidables qui, une fois rencontrées, ne quitteront plus jamais notre mémoire.