The Western Cape Military History Society

Join us every 3rd Thursday

Welcome to The WCMHS

The WCMHS is a vibrant, non-profit, subscription-based community dedicated to studying, honouring, and preserving military heritage. Based at the historic SA Legion Rosedale Complex in Rosebank, the Society brings together enthusiasts, researchers, veterans, and collectors who share a passion for military history and the stories that shaped not only our nation, but the world.

The Cape of Good Hope Coat of Arms

Assegaai Submarine Museum – Simon’s Town One of the many museums and sites of special interest visited by WCMHS members.

Recent Speaker

20 August 2026 Mission Improbable – The South African Pre-1994 negotiations

Richard Rosenthal shared his experiences involving two years of “secret diplomacy” in the late 1980s, while attempting to bridge the gap between the government of the time and the ANC, during a tumultuous time in South Africa’s history.

Upcoming Speakers

Learn more

A small sampling of our

Past Speakers

Professor Heiz Rhode

Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Surgery, University of Cape Town and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, explored Hitler’s addiction and offered rare insights into the decisive influence thereof on the outcome of WWII. A fascinating subject, ironically explored by very few authors over the years.

David Shaw

David Shaw is a retired High School Principal and published a book titled The Italian Campaign, as experienced through the eyes of his father, Captain Edward Shaw, who served as an Information Officer with the Witwatersrand Rifles/De la Rey Regiment WR/DLR. David traced the footsteps of the Italian Campaign and shared then-and-now photographs.

Elsabe Brits

Prominent, award-winning South African science and medical journalist and author Elsabe Brits, a member of the Emily Hobhouse Museum in Cornwall, UK, wrote a book titled Emily Hobhouse, Beloved Traitor. Elsabe explored Emily’s life’s work both inside the concentration camps during the Boer War and during WWI. As a pacifist and a feminist, Emily was called a traitor. She also gave insight into the Cornwall museum and its genesis.

Associate Professor Lance Mitchel

Lance Mitchel, specialist in anaesthesia and critical care medicine, Emeritus Associate Professor in the Division of Critical Care at UCT, and retired former Head of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Groote Schuur, became a WWI aficionado after he retired. His talk focused on medical care during WWI and gave insights into the positive impacts of disease prevention through vaccination.

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