I Was Only Doing My Job – Page 10

The Ballad of the Breaker: Part One: Lt Harry Harbord “Breaker” Morant: the Bushveldt Carbineer

September 18, 2021December 2, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

7-SEPTEMBER-1901. While serving with the Bushveldt Carbineers, a British Irregular Mounted Unit, during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lt Harry Harbord Morant, better known as “Breaker Morant” allegedly ordered the execution of eight Boer Prisoners of War, along with a number of Dutch civilians, and a German Missionary. For this act, Breaker Morant, is one of the … Read More “The Ballad of the Breaker: Part One: Lt Harry Harbord “Breaker” Morant: the Bushveldt Carbineer” »

Forged in Combat: American and Australian Troops at the Battle of Hamel

September 11, 2021July 31, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

Summary I sit down with Preston Stewart of War Stories and we talk about the joint Australian/American Battle of Hamel during the First World War and talk about the life and service of the 1000th Recipient of the Victoria Cross Pte Henry Dalziel, and Cpl Thomas A Pope US Army, a man who until 2015 … Read More “Forged in Combat: American and Australian Troops at the Battle of Hamel” »

Forged in Combat: American and Australian Troops at the Battle of Hamel

September 11, 2021December 2, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

I sit down with Preston Stewart of War Stories and we talk about the joint Australian/American Battle of Hamel during the First World War and talk about the life and service of the 1000th Recipient of the Victoria Cross Pte Henry Dalziel, and Cpl Thomas A Pope US Army, a man who until 2015 was … Read More “Forged in Combat: American and Australian Troops at the Battle of Hamel” »

Pte James Charles Martin: The youngest name on the Roll of Honour

September 4, 2021July 31, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

Summary 25-OCTOBER-1915. While serving with the 21st Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Private James Charles “Jimmy” Martin, landed on the Gallipoli peninsula and would stay until October, when he would die of heart failure at the age of 14 years and 9 months, making him the youngest Australian serviceperson to die in war. — Send … Read More “Pte James Charles Martin: The youngest name on the Roll of Honour” »

“From Schoolboy to Soldier: The Tale of Pte James Charles “Jimmy” Martin”

September 4, 2021December 2, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

25-OCTOBER-1915. While serving with the 21st Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Private James Charles “Jimmy” Martin, landed on the Gallipoli peninsula and would stay until October, when he would die of heart failure at the age of 14 years and 9 months, making him the youngest Australian serviceperson to die in war. — Send in … Read More ““From Schoolboy to Soldier: The Tale of Pte James Charles “Jimmy” Martin”” »

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

August 29, 2021July 31, 2023 Docwinters

I Was Only Doing My Job, Podcast, Transcripts

Summary 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. Photographs were taken, and he … Read More “The Man in the Mud-Stained uniform: Pte George Giles MM” »

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

August 28, 2021December 2, 2023 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

August 26, 2021July 31, 2023 Docwinters

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

August 26, 2021July 31, 2023 Docwinters

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

August 22, 2021July 31, 2023 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.