1 August 2023
This morning, the Australian War Memorial unveiled the statue dedicated to Matron Vivian Bullwinkel on its grounds.
It stands not just as a sculpture of Vivian Bullwinkel, but all Australian nurses who have lost their lives, survived atrocities made sacrifices in the service of their country.
It also includes 22 stainless steel discs to reflect the 22 victims of the Bangka Island Massacre arranged as a reflection of the stars as seen the night of 16 February 1942
Lest we forget
Places of Pride
Statue
Second World War
Australian Capital Territory
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12 December 2021
<div><p>The trail head is located in Remembrance Park at the rear of the Australian War Memorial and contains excellent interpretation material on its New Guinea name sake including a 3D bronze relief providing background. </p></div>
Places of Pride
Walkway
Second World War
Australian Capital Territory
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19 August 2021
<p>25-MAY-1940. While only serving in the 2/17th Infantry Battalion Second Australian Imperial Force for a little over a month, Pte Evelyn Ernest Owen would contribute to the Australian War effort in the Second World War by inventing one of the weirdest, but most reliable machine carbines built during the Second World War, a weapon that would serve as part of the arsenal of the Australian Army for over twenty years, it would sadly outlive its creator, but cement itself in the pantheon of Australian small arms.</p>
Shownotes
Second World War
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6 August 2021
CW: Sexual Assault- This episode contains a discussion of the murder of women and allegations of sexual assault in war. The sexual assault is isolated to the end of the episode, with a warning just prior. the discussion of the Bangka Island Massacre will begin from 5:16 to 8:06
Audio Re-recorded and uploaded 14/12/2021
16-FEBRUARY-1942. Serving as a Staff Nurse in the 2/13th Australian General Hospital, Second Australian Imperial Force, Sister Vivian Bullwinkel would be the sole survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army. She would go on to be a Prisoner of War for three and a half years, but would never abandon her courage or resolve. Her career didn’t end in captivity, and she would go on to serve until 1947 when she would resume her nursing duties, up until the Vietnam War, when she would once again enter the battlespace to help the disadvantaged. She would receive honours and decorations for her service to the cause of nursing and would uphold those tenents until her death in 2000. She did more than just her job, and for that, we are immensely proud of her. To Donate to the Vivian Bullwinkel Project go here https://foundation.acn.edu.au/Foundation/Donate/The_Vivian_Bullwinkel_Project_2021.aspx
Shownotes
Second World War
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20 July 2021
This episode was re-recorded and re-uploaded on 29-9-2021
30-JULY-1943 Serving as a Stretcher Bearer in the 2/5th Infantry Battalion Second Australian Imperial Force, Cpl Leslie “Bull” Allen would participate in the Battle of Mount Tambu and assist forces of the 1st Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, US Army. with casualties rising, and both US medics killed, Bull Allen would voluntarily walk into the battlespace and recover between ten and seventeen wounded American soldiers.
He would carry them one after another on his back, only stopping when he physically couldn’t continue, and for his actions, he would receive the United States Silver Star, the third-highest medal of Bravery, and the highest that could be awarded to a non-US citizen.
When asked about his gallant deeds during the Second World War, this Gentle Giant would simply say. “I was only doing my job.”
Shownotes
Second World War
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25 October 2018
Sitting alone at the entrance to Eastgrove Park is a pair of gates, if there ever was a connecting fence it is long gone. On it is inscribed three names of men from the area on a simple bronze plaque.
Places of Pride
Plaque
Second World War
New South Wales
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