Author: Docwinters

The Man in the Mud-Stained uniform: Pte George Giles MM

Posted on By Docwinters
I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

This Episode was re-recorded on 5/10/2023 29-JULY-1918. While serving with the 29th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Private George Giles, participated in the attack on German positions at Morlancourt. After which, he was instructed to proceed to the headquarters of the 8th Brigade, and surrender his uniform and equipment to the Australian War Records Section. … Read More “The Man in the Mud-Stained uniform: Pte George Giles MM” »

“The Scout of All Leanes” Sgt David Twining MC, MM, CdG, MID

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I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

7-AUGUST-1916. Serving in the 48th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Sgt David Twining would participate in the Battle of Pozieres; during the second phase of the First Battle of the Somme. Following horrific German counterattacks, a wounded man would enter the 48th Battalion Headquarters with a simple message: “I’m the only one left, do you still want me to hold this position?” That message came from David Twining, and would start a monumental military career that would span Australia’s involvement in the Great War on the Western Front, but would sadly end with Captain David Twining taking his own life in 1931. His most known act, the defence of the Windmill at Pozieres was immortalised in the Pozieres Diorama at the Australian War Memorial. Sadly, the diorama has become more well known than the man depicted in it.

“The Sole Survivor” Lt Col Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED

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I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

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.

Who was the man behind the Owen Gun? Meet Pte Evelyn Owen

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I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

27-SEPTEMBER-1917. Serving in the 45th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, The Souvenir King of the AIF. Pte John Hines, would participate in the Battle of Polygon Wood; during the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. it was during this battle where Frank Hurley, Australian War Photographer snapped arguably his most photo. He had a ferocity to him and a preference for using Mills Bombs over rifle and bayonet, but his number one hobby was the collection of German equipment off German soldiers, either dead, wounded or prisoners of war. This ferocity was mirrored by truly abhorrent behaviour which cost him over a hundred days in pay, weeks in detention and any chance of him receiving any awards or decorations. After the war, he faded to obscurity, his photo survived to the point where more people knew his face than his name.

The Man With the Owen Gun. Pte Evelyn Owen

Posted on By Docwinters
I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

This episode was re-recorded and uploaded 17/07/2023 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 as part of the Central Inventions Board by inventing one of the weirdest, … Read More “The Man With the Owen Gun. Pte Evelyn Owen” »

“The Scout of All-Leans” Capt David Twining MC, MM, CdG, MID

Posted on By Docwinters
I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

This episode was re-recorded and re-edited on 12/04/2023 7-AUGUST-1916. Serving in the 48th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Sgt David Twining would participate in the Battle of Pozieres; during the second phase of the First Battle of the Somme. Following horrific German counterattacks, a wounded man would enter the 48th Battalion Headquarters with a simple … Read More ““The Scout of All-Leans” Capt David Twining MC, MM, CdG, MID” »

Who was the Souvenir King of the AIF? Meet John “Barney” Hines

Posted on By Docwinters
I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

27-SEPTEMBER-1917. Serving in the 45th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, The Souvenir King of the AIF. Pte John Hines, would participate in the Battle of Polygon Wood; during the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. it was during this battle where Frank Hurley, Australian War Photographer snapped arguably his most photo. He had a ferocity to him and a preference for using Mills Bombs over rifle and bayonet, but his number one hobby was the collection of German equipment off German soldiers, either dead, wounded or prisoners of war. This ferocity was mirrored by truly abhorrent behaviour which cost him over a hundred days in pay, weeks in detention and any chance of him receiving any awards or decorations. After the war, he faded to obscurity, his photo survived to the point where more people knew his face than his name.

“There and Back Again” Corporal Leslie Charles”Bull” Allen MM USS (D-2/5Btn 2AIF) 30-JULY-1943

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I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

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 of his gallant deeds during the Second World War, this Gentle Giant would simply say. “I was only doing my job.”

The Sole Survivor: Lt Col Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED

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I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

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 at 5:16 to 8:06 Audio Re-recorded and uploaded 14/12/2021 16-FEBRUARY-1942. … Read More “The Sole Survivor: Lt Col Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED” »

Who was the Souvenir King of the AIF? Meet John “Barney” Hines

Posted on By Docwinters
I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

This episode was re-recorded and re-uploaded on 7-10-2021 27-SEPTEMBER-1917. Serving in the 45th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, The Souvenir King of the AIF. Pte John Hines, would participate in the Battle of Polygon Wood; during the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres.it was during this battle where Frank Hurley, Australian War Photographer … Read More “Who was the Souvenir King of the AIF? Meet John “Barney” Hines” »