Category: Uncategorized

Summary 17-AUGUST-1917. While serving as one of the Australian Official War Photographers, Honorary Captain James Francis “Frank” Hurley OBE was an Australian photographer and adventurer. He participated in a number of expeditions to Antarctica, under Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton and served as an official photographer with Australian forces during both world wars. … Read More “The man worth a thousand words: Hon Capt James Francis “Frank” Hurley OBE” »

Summary I sat down with Preston Stewart and Seyer Payne of War Stories to talk about Australia’s involvement in the Pacific Campaign of the Second World War. This was recorded over Zoom, and the video version of this episode is available on the I Was Only Doing My Job Youtube Channel.  The conversation starts with … Read More “Forged in Combat: Australia in the Pacific Campaign: Second World War” »

Summary 7-MAY-1915. While serving as an engineer with the 3rd Field Company Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, Captain Edward Bage was instructed to map out new trench locations on Gallipoli, and as a result would be killed 14 days after landing on the Pennisula, but his legacy is not one of the battlefield, but of Antarctic … Read More “The Antarctic Gallipolian: Capt Edward Frederick Robert Bage” »

Summary 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 This is a Special reupload … Read More “80th Anniversary Banjka Island Massacre: Lt Col Vivian Bullwinkel” »

Summary 17-AUGUST-1915. While serving as a soldier with the 17th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Lieutenant Leslie George Fussell, unimpressed with the quality of the bomb-throwing of the men under his command, took a tin of Bully Beef and threw it into the Turkish Trenches. This act resulted in a temporary cease-fire on Gallipoli. … Read More “The Bully Beef Bomber: Maj Leslie George Fussell MC” »

Summary 2-NOVEMBER-1932.  While serving as a professional soldier in the post-war Permanent  Military Force of the Commonwealth Military Forces Honourary Brigadier  General Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith served for 47 years  continuously, and in doing so served in the Permanent Military Force,  the First World War, the Second War and the Korean War, but he is … Read More “The Great Conclusion: H/Brig Gen Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith Part Three” »

Summary 2-NOVEMBER-1932.  While serving as a professional soldier in the post-war Permanent  Military Force of the Commonwealth Military Forces Honourary Brigadier  General Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith served for 47 years  continuously, and in doing so served in the Permanent Military Force,  the First World War, the Second War and the Korean War, but he is … Read More “The ‘Great’ Emu War: H/Brig Gen Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith Part Two” »

Summary 2-NOVEMBER-1932. While serving as a professional soldier in the post-war Permanent Military Force of the Commonwealth Military Forces Honourary Brigadier General Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith served for 47 years continuously, and in doing so served in the Permanent Military Force, the First World War, the Second War and the Korean War, but he is … Read More “The Fortress Gunner: H/Brig Gen Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith Part One” »

Summary 19-NOVEMBER-1941, While serving in the Royal Australian Navy as a submarine detector, Able Seamen Thomas Welsby Clark served aboard the Light Cruiser HMAS Sydney II in the Second World War, when the Sydney was sunk by the German commerce raider HSK Kormoran with the loss of all hands. three months later, the unidentified remains … Read More “The (Formerly) Unknown Australian Sailor AB Thomas Welsby Clark” »

Summary 18-AUGUST-1917. While serving in the Serbian Army as an Ambulance Driver, Sgt Olive May Kelso King, regularly exposed herself to danger and enemy fire while carrying out her duties to help deliver supplies and retrieve wounded in the dangerous Salonika Front in an ambulance nicknamed Ella, that she purchased herself for the cause.  For … Read More “A Pioneer and her Ella-fant: Sgt Olive May Kelso King” »