Dr Kathryn Spurling
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Stories of courage, injustice and the people history tried to forget.
Historian, author and internationally recognised advocate whose work uncovers hidden military histories, institutional failures and extraordinary lives.
She survived the fire. The Navy buried the truth.
A devastating ship fire. A best friend blamed for the deaths of her own crew. And a cover-up that reaches the highest ranks of the Australian Defence Force.
Most Australians have never been told what really happened that day at sea. I went looking for the truth, and what I found will leave you breathless — a story of corruption, courage, and a woman who refused to let her best friend take the blame for a crime she didn’t commit.
Military History
Stories of service, sacrifice and the human cost of war.
Women Who Changed History
Recognising remarkable women whose contributions have been ignored or forgotten.
Truth and Accountability
Investigating institutional failure, abuse of power and the people who refused to remain silent.
About Kathryn
Dr Kathryn Spurling is an Australian military historian, author and former member of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service. Her work combines rigorous historical research with deeply human storytelling, bringing overlooked experiences of war, service and institutional injustice into public view.
She has lectured internationally on women in the military, peacekeeping and military history, including at NATO Headquarters and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Kathryn is also an experienced media commentator and an engaging speaker for conferences, commemorations, festivals and community events.
My Blog
Private Harry Robertson and postcards home
Private Harry Robertson, official number 2226, was born in Oaks Estate, Queanbeyan, in 1896 the eldest of seven children to Edward and Elizabeth Robertson. He was educated at Queanbeyan Public School and was a member of the St Stephens Presbyterian Church. After a...
British Army Captain Lisa Jade Head
British Army Captain Lisa Jade Head told anyone within hearing distance that she had the ‘best job in the world’. Most of us would add ‘the most dangerous’. The 29-year-old had studied human biology at the University of Huddersfield which may have been either an odd...
Captain Elizabeth Godwin and Princess Charlotte.
Captain Elizabeth Helen Godwin, 28, was a British Army officer in the Household Cavalry. Born in Devon she came from a military family. At school she played field hockey, was an equestrian and a member of the Combined Cadet Force. ‘Lizzie’ was awarded a British Army...
Would you like Kathryn to talk at your next event?
Kathryn Spurling served with the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). She completed an honours degree in History at the Australian National University and a Masters Degree with Honours and a PhD in military history at University of New South Wales (UNSW). Between 1996 and 2011 Kathryn was attached to School of History, and then the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UNSW, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, where she tutored history and strategic studies.
In 1999 she organised the Women in Uniform: Perceptions and Pathways Conference the first of its kind in Australia, and edited the book of the same name.
Subsequently Kathryn was the first Australian invited to speak at NATO headquarters, Brussels, on the subject of women in the military; and the first Australian Summer Military History Fellow at the United States Military Academy (West Point). Kathryn was appointed to the ACT Veterans Council, by the ACT Chief Minister in 2011. At the beginning of 2012 Kathryn was appointed Visiting Scholar, School of History, Australian National University.
She has lectured and published extensively within Australia and internationally on military history, peacekeepers, and women in the military. Her book, Cruel Conflict: The Triumph and Tragedy of HMAS Perth I (New Holland) was dedicated to her late husband Cmdr Nigel Patrick John Spurling (RAN Rtd) and was launched by Minister for Defence onboard HMAS Perth III in October 2008. A Grave Too Far Away: A Tribute to Australians in Bomber Command Europe (New Holland) was released in October 2012, and dedicated to her late father, FO Maxwell Norris, RAAF, a WOP/AG on Halifax bombers during WWII. Her book Inspiring Australian Women will be launched in September 2013 and The Mystery of AE1 and Crew will be published in time for the centennial commemoration of the loss of Australia’s first submarine on 14 November 2014.
Marking Time: Women in the Australian Defence Force and Standing Room Only for Heroes are two future projects.