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.
Category: Podcast
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.”
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” »
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” »
This episode was re-recorded and re-uploaded on 04/03/2023 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, … Read More ““There and Back Again”, the Story of Leslie “Bull” Allen MM USS” »
Welcome to I Was Only Doing My Job, the new podcast from Ross Manuel. Each week, I talk about Australian Military History by looking into the life, service, and historical impact of individual Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses, not all of who recieved the proper recognition. Find more stories from Ross @docwinters on TikTok … Read More “I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast Trailer” »
Summary “I Was Only Doing My Job” is a fortnightly (Bi-weekly) Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia’s Military History through the individual stories of those who served; where they grew up, what they did, and invariably what happened to … Read More “I Was Only Doing My Job Trailer” »
This is the introductory episode to cover what I hope to achieve with this podcast. “I Was Only Doing My Job” is a fortnightly (Bi-weekly) Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia’s Military History through the individual stories of those … Read More “I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia’s Military History” »