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24.01.2022 Community contributions welcomed - the Veterans Branch and Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier & Cabinet, have launched a joint project... that aims to uncover the history of Victorian Aboriginal WWI service. It is known that over one hundred Aboriginal men enlisted in the AIF in Victoria, and the number continues to grow as new names are found. While a few of these mens stories are well known, most have not been told. The project will involve historical research and community engagement to seek information relating to this history. Learn more and contribute to this project http://bit.ly/1fY4vXx Pictured - 234 Private (Pte) Walter Christopher (Chris) George Saunders, of Warrnambool VIC. See more

24.01.2022 Victoria Cross hero - Lance Corporal Bernard Sidney Gordon VC, MM. Today in Australian military history - 27th August, 1918 - Lance Corporal Bernard Sidney Gord...on, 41st Battalion, Victoria Cross action near Bray, France. Sidney "Bernie" Gordon was born at Launceston, Tasmania, and enlisted in the AIF in September 1915. He soon showed that he had considerable courage and initiative, although he was not always a model soldier when out of the line. He was first wounded in France in October 1917, and in August 1918 his conduct beyond Le Hamel earned him the Military Medal. Less than three weeks later, 26 27 August 1918, came the action for which he received the Victoria Cross. During an attack to advance the Australian line towards Fargny Wood, Gordon assaulted an enemy machine-gun post, then cleaned up a trench, capturing 29 prisoners and two more machine-guns. In further actions he cleared other trenches, in all capturing 63 of the enemy and six machine-guns. He provided "a wonderful example of fearless initiative". Gordon was wounded a few days later, and the award of the Victoria Cross was announced while he was in hospital. Returning to Australia, he became a Queensland dairy farmer and father of nine children. He died at Torquay, Queensland, at the age of 72. Gordon was awarded the Victoria Cross, Military Medal, service medals for the First World War and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. VC Citation: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 26th-27th August, 1918, east of Bray. He led his section through heavy shell fire to the objective, which he consolidated. Single handed, he attacked an enemy machine gun which was enfilading the company on his right, killed the man on the gun, and capturing the post, which contained one officer and ten men. He then cleared up a trench, capturing twenty nine prisoners and two machine guns. In clearing up further trenches he captured twenty two prisoners, including one officer, and three machine guns. Practically unaided, he captured, in the course of these operations, two officers and sixty one other ranks, together with six machine guns, and displayed throughout a wonderful example of fearless initiative. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 61 Date: 23 May 1919 MM Citation: On the 8th August, 1918, during the attack east of HAMEL, Private GORDON single handed attacked a machine gun crew which was holding up his section. He killed the crew and captured the gun. Later on in the day he stalked and killed an enemy sniper. Throughout the operation he displayed much bravery and devotion to duty. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 61 Date: 23 May 1919

24.01.2022 Australians of the 21st Battalion standing in the entrance to the `Big Caterpillar, near Ville-sur-Ancre - 20th May, 1918. The `Big and `Little Caterpillars,... so called from their marking on the maps, were strongly held sunken roads near Ville-sur-Ancre, which troops of the 6th Infantry Brigade took after sharp fighting in the capture of Ville-sur-Ancre on 19 May 1918. The Boche (Germans) had the sides of this cutting honeycombed with small dugouts and bivvies. The attack on the position was launched in the dark (2 a.m.) and the enemy completely surprised. Many were killed in their dugouts. It was in this caterpillar that Sergeant (Sgt) William Ruthven, 22nd Battalion, performed the series of remarkable feats that gained him the Victoria Cross. Sgt Ruthven was one of the first into the caterpillar and not only killed many Germans but captured over thirty prisoners. When the barrage advanced from this objective the `waves which, had been reorganising under cover of the cutting, pushed on again and Sgt Ruthven mopped up a troublesome machine gun post. In the caterpillar are the graves of several men of the Brigade.

23.01.2022 A very different view of the beach. War artist Norman Wilkinson covered the landings at Suvla Bay - this is what he saw. The words are from journalist Keith Murdochs fact-finding mission. http://bit.ly/1V8ug5q #AnzacLive

22.01.2022 Victoria Cross heroes of Peronne and Mont St Quentin. Today in Australian military history - 1st September, 1918 - Several Australians were awarded the Victoria... Cross for their actions at Peronne and Mont St Quentin Corporal Alexander Henry Buckley VC Alex Buckley (1891-1918) was born at Warren, New South Wales. He was a 24-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the AIF in February 1916. He joined the 54th Battalion on the Somme in November. The following year he fought at Bullecourt and in the battle of Polygon Wood. In April 1918 his battalion moved back to the Somme and took part in the allied counter-offensive which began in August. Buckley was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross following his battalions operation at Pronne. The 54th was to take the ground between the town and the river, then move into Pronne "if not too strongly opposed". They moved forward in drizzle and cleared the first line of German trenches, but were then held up by a nest of machine-guns. Buckley charged forward, shot four of the posts occupants and took 22 prisoners. He was killed by machine-gun fire while attempting to cross a footbridge into the town. Buckleys citation praised his "great initiative, resource and courage", as well as his "self-sacrificing devotion to duty". He was buried in the war cemetery at Pronne. Private William Matthew Currey VC William Currey was born at Wallsend, New South Wales, and worked in Sydney as a wireworker. After attempts to enlist while under-age, he was accepted in 1916. Initially in a light trench mortar battery, he transferred to the 53rd Battalion in 1917. He fought in the battle of Polygon Wood. In the attack on Pronne, 1 September 1918, Curreys company was taking casualties from a field gun at close range. He ran forward under fire, captured the gun and killed the crew. Later, when the advance was checked by an enemy strongpoint, Currey moved around the flank with a Lewis gun, inflicting casualties and dispersing the enemy. Early next morning he volunteered to relay orders to an isolated unit: proceeding into no mans land, he called out, drawing enemy fire. Despite being gassed and having his respirator holed, he returned safely. After the war Currey was involved in politics and in 1941 became the first Victoria Cross recipient in the New South Wales parliament, retaining his seat until his death. Sergeant Albert David Lowerson VC Alby Lowerson (1896-945) was born at Myrtleford, Victoria, and had been dredging for gold at Adelong, New South Wales, before enlisting in July 1915. He was wounded at Pozires, where his bravery was noted. He was wounded again at Bullecourt in May 1917. At Mont St Quentin Lowerson was cited for his "conspicuous bravery and tactical skill". His bold actions included bombing a German strongpoint which was holding up the attack. With a small team he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured 12 machine-guns and 30 prisoners. Badly wounded in the thigh, he refused to leave his position until the prisoners had been sent to the rear, and the post had been consolidated. Lowerson was wounded on a fourth occasion in October and finally invalided home. He served again in Australia during the Second World War. After his discharge he returned to Myrtleford, where he died. Private Robert Mactier VC Robert Mactier (1890-1918) was born at Tatura, Victoria, and worked on his parents property. Enlisting in March 1917, he joined his battalion on the Western Front in late 1917. Next year he fought in the battle of Hamel and in the August offensive. In his last letter home he wrote: "if our side only keep going I think the war [will] be over by next spring". Mactier won the only Victoria Cross for his battalion, but made the ultimate sacrifice. Moving into position for the assault on Mont St Quentin, the 23rd was stopped by enemy machine-gun fire. As a company runner, Mactier was sent to investigate. Armed with a revolver and bombs, he attacked, throwing a bomb, climbing through the wire, and tossing the machine-gun out of the trench. When his comrades came forward, they found the crew dead and saw Mactier attacking the next post. He then charged a third post, killing the occupants. Finding yet another obstacle, he ran into the open for his fourth attack. He was killed by fire from his flank. Major Edgar Thomas Towner VC Edgar Towner (1890-1972) enlisted in 1915 and soon established himself as an outstanding soldier. Fighting in France, he was commissioned, won the Military Cross and was twice Mentioned in Despatches before receiving the Victoria Cross for the attack on Mont St Quentin. In the battle, constantly under fire, he undertook dangerous reconnaissance and bravely led his machine-gunners. At one point he personally captured a machine-gun and turned it on the enemy. After 30 hours fighting he was evacuated, wounded and exhausted. After the war Towner returned to rural Queensland, but served again in the Second World War. A pastoralist at home in the bush, he was a life-long bachelor. Lieutenant Arthur Charles Hall VC Arthur Hall was born at Granville, Sydney, and was working as an overseer on his fathers properties near Nyngan, New South Wales, when he enlisted on 3 April 1916. He joined the 54th Battalion in France in February 1917 and was wounded shortly afterwards. During his battalions attack on Pronne, 1 2 September 1918, Hall rushed a machine-gun post holding up the advance, shot four of the occupants, and captured nine others, along with two machine-guns. He provided excellent covering support to his company, and while in advance of the main attack located enemy posts and led parties to deal with them. Next day he rescued a wounded comrade. Throughout all this, he "showed utter disregard [for the enemy] and inspired confidence in all". During the Second World War he served as a lieutenant in a garrison battalion before returning to his sheep and cattle property, near Coolabah, New South Wales. He died at Nyngan in 1978.

21.01.2022 Today is the 98th anniversary of the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge, part of the 1917 Ypres offensive of the First World War. This was a large operation I and II... Anzac Corps were allocated principal roles at the centre of the line, supported by simultaneous advances by eight British Divisions. While the Allied forces were eventually able to achieve all their objectives and capture Broodseinde Ridge, this came at great cost. Of the more than 16,700 casualties, Australia suffered more than 6400; New Zealand more than 1600. Lest We Forget. Read more: http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp. IMAGE: 24th Battalion in trenches near Flinte Farm during the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge. AWM E00918.

17.01.2022 The entrance to the General Staff Office at the Headquarters of the 3rd Australian Division in the Ramparts, at Ypres, during the Broodseinde and Passchendaele operations - 21st Ocober, 1917.

17.01.2022 I am afraid it must be admitted than Ian Hamiltons plan in its entirety has so far failed to achieve the main objective and this has tended to overshadow the m...any minor successes and the brilliant achievements of the Australian troops and the New Zealanders. It is the old story - insufficient troops, inadequate munitions, attempting more than was possible with the means available. We colloquially talk of our present location as our "winter quarters" altho I do not seriously believe yet that they are going to keep us here inactive in the actual winter. What we really mean is the expectation of the early arrival of the rainy season and I am now busy making what preparations we can with the limited means available for the wet weather. No doubt things will be very disagreeable indeed and we shall all be mud and clay from head to foot. See more

16.01.2022 Pioneers of the 5th Division filling in mine craters at the main cross roads. The explosion of these craters was part of the German effort to delay the advance ...of allied troops - 8th September, 1918. Identified: Private (Pte) W Woolard (1); Pte A E Vernon (2); Pte P OKeefe (3); Pte R Smith (4); Corporal (Cpl) A Swinton DCM (5); Pte D Hardesty (6); Pte Rushton (7); Pte Westbury (8); Sergeant (Sgt) Beale (9); Lieutenant Hare (10); Pte W Hitchen (11); Pte Sachman (12); Pte Atterton (13); Pte Gibson (14); Pte J Toumelin (15); Lance Corporal J Massey (16); Cpl Harrison (17); Cpl Setter (18); Pte Sapthorne (19); Sgt Gray (20).

16.01.2022 The Turkish losses have been enormous - I should say at least 50,000 dead and wounded but our losses have been heavy too - so heavy that we can now do no more t...han hang on to what we have gained and wait for reinforcements. As an index of our losses, I marched out of Reserve Gully on August 6th with 3350. My parade state today is 1037. #AnzacLive See more

16.01.2022 Today we turn our thoughts to all those who were on board the Southland, which was torpedoed on 2 September 1915 in the Aegean Sea, near Lemnos, on its way to Gallipoli. 36 servicemen lost their lives in the incident. Lest We Forget.

14.01.2022 if you have any photos from loved ones who have served in the military please post as we would love to see.

14.01.2022 Major General Chaytor, who commanded the Anzac Mounted Division, with Ali Bey Wahaby, the commander of the 4th Turkish Army, who was captured by the Anzacs - 29th September, 1918.

13.01.2022 The 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Light Horse Brigade marching through Sheikh Jarrah, on the way to Mount Scopus, Jerusalem Oct. 12th, 1918 (Source - Library of Congress)

13.01.2022 A memorial to fallen mates! Men and officers gathered in a cemetery follow the chaplain as he reads the service at the unveiling of the memorial to fallen membe...rs of the 1st Australian Division. Visible in the centre are the graves of 5714 Private T McWilliam of the 1/7 Gordons, killed in action December 1916; 2375 James Lough Borthwick of D Company, 51st Battalion, died of wounds 3 April 1917; 5619 Private John Banks Hughes of the 21st Battalion, died of wounds 20 March 1917.

11.01.2022 Unidentified officers of the 23rd Battalion, some conversing, outside the Anzac pillbox (reinforced concrete defence post), which served as headquarters for the... battalion in the period leading up to the battle of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October 1917. The 18th Battalion had captured the pillbox from the 15 strong German garrison (armed with two machine guns) on 20 September. Note the mud, which led the Germans to resort to these strongly fortified pillboxes rather than trenches.

11.01.2022 Ottoman troops waiting by trains leaving for the Galicia Front. c. 1917. Amidst intense criticism coming from both Ottoman officers and the German Advisory Mis...sion, Enver Pasha insisted on sending Ottoman troops to the European theatre. This was a welcome decision for Germany and Austro-Hungary, which were trying hard to compensate for the huge casualties inflicted by the Brusilov Offensive of June 1916. The best divisions of the empire, the heroic 19th and 20th Divisions, reinforced with picked officers and soldiers, were sent to Galicia in August 1916 and remained there until September 1917. After another urgent request from the German General Staff, the VI Army Corps (the elite 15th and 25th Divisions) was assigned to help joint operations against Romania between September 1916 and May 1918. Similarly, the XX Army Corps (46th and 50th Divisions) was sent to relieve the hard-pressed Bulgarians on the Salonika front in October 1916 and remained there until March 1917. (weaponsandwarfare.com) (Colorised by Frdric Duriez from France) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Histoire-de-Couleurs/695886770496139

11.01.2022 Officers of the 58th Australian Infantry Battalion, near Swan Chateau, in the reserve area just prior to the Battalion moving up to the line at Broodseinde Ridg...e, in the Ypres Sector - 25th October, 1917. Left to right, back row, sitting: Private (Pte) A Byers; Pte P Jinnette (Commanding Officers batman); Pte W Rookley (Headquarters officers cook); Pte J M ODea (Headquarters officers cook). Middle row: Lieutenant (Lt) Herbert Ernst Baensch (killed in action 22 June 1918); Lt A R Thompson; Lt W Sheils MC; Lt Robert Kidd (killed in action 25 October 1917) (partially obscured). Front row: Lt G E McKenzie; Captain (Capt) A H Best, Quartermaster; Lt A Robertson (behind Best); Lt F B McWhannell MC, Adjutant; Lt R Hooper MC; Lt E J Ryan (slightly back); Lieutenant Colonel Charles Aloysius Denehy DSO, Commanding Officer (with hands behind back and moustache); Capt H D G Ferres DSO MC; Lt E W Tasker; Lt L Davis; Capt J Tait; Lt J Syder.

11.01.2022 "Your fears have been justified." With this frank admission, the catastrophe of Gallipoli was exposed - from inferior British troops and snobbish officers with ...life-squandering tactics, to the looming horrors of winter war. You can read Keith Murdochs uncompromising account here: http://bit.ly/1V8ug5q #AnzacLive See more

10.01.2022 Major-General Sir William Throsby Bridges, who was killed at Gallipoli in May and first buried in Egypt, was 100 years ago interred again at Royal Military Coll...ege, Duntroon, where he was formerly the commandant. He was the only fatality to be brought home during the war - and his horse, Sandy, the only Aussie mount to return at all. #AnzacLive See more

08.01.2022 At Lemnos the watchword for everything and everybody is inefficiency and muddle. I only wish I dared to write without reserve about this and many other things. ...There are some things which dont get into dispatches and perhaps not into history but it is an undoubted fact that during the first 48 hours after the landing at Suvla while there was an open road to the Dardanelles, and no opposition worth talking about, a whole Army Corps sat down on the beach while its leaders were quarreling about questions of seniority and precedence. This was just this delay of 48 hours when enabled the Turks to bring up their last Strategic Reserve and render futile the whole of that landing which was to protect the left flank of the Anzac advance. #AnzacLive See more

08.01.2022 Hi all I found this photo some time ago by browsing The Internet. It was taken around 1917-18 in Jerusalem. Could somebody help me either to find the photo owner or somebody that you may recognize in the picture?

07.01.2022 The real cause of the failure is the poor quality of the British troops. Over and over again they have allowed themselves to be driven out of positions which ha...ve been hard won by the Australian and New Zealand troops and had been handed over to them to hold while we were taken away to make a push in another part of the line. I have had numbers of them under my personal command at various times - The Kings Own, the London Territorials, the Essex, the Northamptons, the South Wales Borderers, etc, etc and altho some are better than others, they cant soldier for sour apples. They have no grit, no stamina or endurance, poor physique, no gumption and they muddle along and allow themselves to be shot down because they dont even know how to take cover. #AnzacLive See more

07.01.2022 Whatever happened to....... The SS River Clyde was a British collier built by Russell & Co of Port Glasgow on the Firth of Clyde and completed in March 1905. R...equisitioned by the Admiralty, openings were cut in her steel hull as sally ports from which troops would emerge onto gangways and then to a bridge of smaller boats from the ship to the beach. The landing on April 25th didnt quite go according to plan. 6 V.Cs were awarded to crew members that day which tells you the kind of shit storm they endured. She was carrying 2,000 soldiers; mostly from the 86th Brigade, of the 29th Division: the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers and men from the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers. So decimated were they that day they were ranked together and were known as the Dubsters. During the campaign she was a constant target for shelling. On a personal note, my great uncle arrived at Helles via those sally ports in June. After the Helles beach-head was established, V Beach became the base for the French contingent and the River Clyde remained beached as a quay and breakwater. Her condensers provided fresh water and her holds became a field dressing station. In 1919, the SS River Clyde was refloated, repaired at Malta and sold to civilian Spanish owners. They operated her as a tramp steamer in the Mediterranean, renaming her first Angela and then Maruja y Aurora. In 1965 there was an attempt to buy and preserve River Clyde but in 1966 her owners sold her for scrap and she was broken up at Avils, Spain. If ever there was a boat that should have been saved as a memorial. Attempts had been made. As early as 18th December 1919 questions had been asked, in Parliament : " Major Earl Winterton asked the Prime Minister if the "River Clyde" steamship can be brought home from Cape Helles, Gallipoli, and moored permanently in the Thames? The Prime Minister: The vessel is lying at Malta very badly damaged, and the Ministry of Shipping have decided that they would not be justified in incurring the expense involved in bringing the vessel to the -United Kingdom and repairing her. Arrangements are, therefore, being made to sell her as she lies. Lt. Comdr. Kenworthy: Can the right Hon. Gentleman give any approximation of the expense? Is he aware of the great sentiment among both naval and military men who were in the Dardanelles in regard to this vessel, and, in view of that, cannot the decision he reconsidered? The Prime Minister: There is no doubt great sentiment in favour of bringing this vessel back; if it could be done at anything like reasonable figures we should do it. Let me give an illustration. It would mean 20,000 for towing the vessel alone, but in addition she is so very badly damaged that I am told the cost of repairing her would be enormous, and could not be justified in the present condition of public funds. Lt. Comdr. Kenworthy: Would it not be possible to preserve her at Malta as a great national relic? There would be no additional expense in keeping her there. The Prime Minister: That may be worth considering. I quite realise the great sentiment that centres round this vessel, and I will further consider the matter. The Prime Minister was David Lloyd George. And he didnt further consider the matter. Lt. Comdr. Kenworthy was Joseph Montague Kenworthy, 10th Baron Strabolgi, a Liberal MP, an ex War Office Admiralty staffer. He cared not much for Lloyd George and when DLG took over party leadership in 1926 he resigned and joined the Labour Party. The mighty River Clyde was scrapped on 15th March 1966. See more

07.01.2022 The enemy! Five unidentified members of a German machine gun crew, all of whom were shot by Lieutenant John Kohn of the 22nd Battalion at Zonnebeke, Belgium, on... 4 October 1917, with an LMG 08/15 light machine gun. There is an ammunition box at each end of the group. Running from the gun to the left and behind the gunner on the far left is a condenser hose for cooling the gun. In front of the second gunner from the left is a clineometer containing range finding equipment. The photograph was taken from one of the five Germans.

06.01.2022 The Headquarters of the 24th Battalion, established in a dugout on Broodseinde Ridge, the day following the capture of the Ridge - 5th October, 1917. Troops of... the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions took a conspicuous part in the operations. Identified: Signaller (Sig) C. Bice, 24th Battalion (1); Lieutenant (Lt) E. S. Baldock MC, 24th Battalion (2); Sig R. Mills, 24th Battalion (3); Private Whitbread, runner, 24th Battalion (4); Corporal (Cpl) C. Mitchell DCM MM, 24th Battalion (5); unidentified 19th Battalion runner (6); Sig V. Wallis, 24th Battalion (7); ?Lt, 19th Battalion Signals Officer (8); 82 Cpl Joseph F. Calcutt, 24th Battalion (9). See E04513K for position of those named in this caption. See more

05.01.2022 LEGACY WEEK 30th AUG 2015 to 5th SEP 2015-09-01 I know a post reminding us of the importance of Legacy week has already been posted; however I feel it necessa...ry to send out another reminder. There are few charities which I support for a variety of reasons, Legacy on the other hand is one of those charities that I have no hesitation in putting my hand into my pocket and supporting 100% and I am sure most Australians would be of the same view. Today I made a regular donation which was collected by two diggers from 2 Combat Engineers Regiment based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland. Not only will a donation help support Legacy, it will also provide you with the opportunity to thank members of the ADF for the valuable work they do. Thank you to all the volunteers of Legacy and the valuable assistance that this organisation does to help the ADF family. Glenn. See more

04.01.2022 "Between 31 August and 2 September 1918, Australias Second Division attacked and captured the German stronghold of Mont St Quentin, the key to the strategic to...wn of Pronne on the Somme River. Tired and under strength, units such as the 21st Battalion skilfully drove the enemy from their well-established positions, and for his courage and leadership during the battle Sergeant Albert Lowerson, 21st Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross. It was a costly action: twenty-three men of the battalion lost their lives that day. Today the Second Australian Divisions Memorial stands at Mont St Quentin, the scene of one of the divisions greatest victories." Courtesy Australians on the Western Front - http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/mont-st-quentin/index.php See more

03.01.2022 Why is it that Great Britain always embarks on her military enterprises with inadequate means at first and only makes up the needed deficiencies after losses du...e to such inadequacy? I am more than ever satisfied that after the destruction of the regular army in France, no other troops at the Empires disposal could have got and held a footing on Gallipoli, except the Australians and New Zealanders. #AnzacLive See more

03.01.2022 Today in Australian military history - 30th September, 1918 - Lance Corporal Ernest Albert Corey, awarded third bar to Military Medal. Lance-Corporal E A Corey..., a stretcher bearer with the 55th Battalion, awarded a third bar to his Military Medal, the first for actions on 5 May 1917. Four Military Medals is a unique feat in military history. Ernest Albert Corey was born near Cooma, New South Wales on 20 December 1891. Educated at Thubergal Lake Public School, Corey was a 24 year old labourer when he joined the Men from Snowy River recruitment march and enlisted in the AIF at Nimmitabel on 13 January 1916. Posted to 55th Battalion as private 2143, Corey embarked on 4 September and joined his battalion near Guillemont, France on 8 February 1917. His first front line action was on 2 April in fighting around Doignies. A few weeks later Corey was involved in the action for which he was awarded the first or four Military Medals that he would receive during the course of the war. On the first occasion near Queant in May, Corey volunteered to act as a stretcher bearer and spent 17 hours retrieving the wounded and was instrumental in the saving of many mens lives. The award was given with immediate effect. A second Military Medal was awarded for his courage under fire near Polygon Wood in September 1917. A third Military Medal was awarded for his courage and inspiration under heavy fire near Peronne in September 1918. The final action for which Corey received his fourth Military Medal occurred while the battalion was taking part in an attack on the Hindenburg Line on 30 September 1918, nine days after he had been promoted to corporal. In the fighting Corey was seriously wounded in the leg and saw no further action. He returned to Australia in May 1919 and settled in Cooma for a couple of years before moving to Canberra. During the Second World War he served in the 13th Garrison Battalion at Port Kembla. Corey died on 25 August 1972 at Queanbeyan and was buried with full military honours. 1st MM Citation: During the enemy attack on front line facing QUEANT on 15th May 1917, Private Corey, whilst acting as a stretcher bearer, showed great courage and devotion to duty. Although under direct enemy observation, he carried out his duties continuously for 17 hours without rest, and in a manner worthy of the highest commendation. Although an untrained stretcher bearer, he, together with the rest of the bearing party, saved by first aid the lives of seriously wounded men. The commander of the 54th Battalion wrote an appreciative letter for the help given, and specially mentioned the stretcher bearing party for their good work. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 189 Date: 8 November 1917 2nd MM Citation: This stretcher bearer showed great courage, devotion to duty and untiring energy during the attack on Polygon Wood on the 26th September 1917. The greatest danger did not deter this man from doing his duty when his services were required, and he tended the wounded and carried them to places of safety continuously throughout the engagement, often under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Throughout the whole operations he set a fine example of bravery and coolness to all ranks. Source: Commonwealth Gazette Date: 23 May 1918 3rd MM Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at PERONNE on 1st and 2nd September 1918. This man, who is a stretcher bearer, dressed and carried wounded of several units throughout the whole operation. Although the enemy artillery and Machine Gun fire was exceptionally heavy this did not debar Private COREY from carrying on. He worked continuously and arduously and was the means of saving the lives of many wounded. He was most unselfish throughout and cheerful at all times and under all circumstances. His conduct was a great example to all his comrades. His careful handling of the wounded and his knowledge of first-aid helped greatly to relieve their sufferings. His was a fine example of courage, coolness and devotion to duty under heavy fire. Source: Commonwealth Gazette Date: 17 June 1919 4th MM Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as HCO in charge of Battalion Stretcher-Bearers during an attack on the Hindenburg Line north of Bellicourt on 30 September 1918. Although the enemy machine guns and shell fire were intense, this gallant N.C.O. directed the operations of the Battalion stretcher bearers with the utmost skill and bravery. Regardless of personal danger, he, on numerous occasions although the enemy were firing upon him and other bearer parties, attended to men and carried them from the utmost positions. His efforts were untiring and he set a splendid example to all ranks until he was severely wounded. It was mainly due to his magnificent work that the wounded were safely removed from the danger zone. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 115 Date: 10 October 1919

03.01.2022 Victoria Cross Hero - Private George Cartwright VC. Today in Australian military history - 31st August, 1918 - Private George Cartwright, 33rd Battalion, Victor...ia Cross action at Rood Wood near Peronne. George Cartwright (1894-1978) was born in London and later came to Australia. He worked as a labourer near Inverell, New South Wales, before enlisting in December 1915. His battalion went to France in November 1916, and the following year he was wounded while taking part in its first major battle; he was also gassed in early 1918. At Road Wood, south-west of Bouchavesnes near Pronne, as the 3rd Division sought to secure the north of the Somme River, Cartwright attacked an enemy machine-gun post that was holding up the advance. "His gallant deed had a most inspiring effect on the whole line, which immediately rushed forward." Cartwright was badly wounded a few weeks later and returned to Australia, where he settled in Sydney. He served as a training officer in the Second World War. VC Citation: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of the 31st August, 1918, during the attack on Road Wood, south west of Bouchavesnes, near Peronne. When two companies were held up by machine gun fire, from the south western edge of the wood, without hesitation, Private Cartwright moved against the gun in a most deliberate manner under intense fire. He shot three of the team, and, having bombed the post, captured the gun and nine enemy. This gallant deed had a most inspiring effect on the whole line, which immediately rushed forward. Throughout the operation Private Cartwright displayed wonderful dash, grim determination, and courage of the highest order. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 61 Date: 23 May 1919

02.01.2022 Today in Australian military history - 30th August, 1968 - Death of C.E.W. Bean. Charles Bean did more than any other individual to establish the Australian Wa...r Memorial. Australias official war correspondent during the First World War, Bean wrote six volumes of the Official History of Australia in the war of 19141918 and edited the remaining volumes. Charles Bean is perhaps best remembered for the official histories of Australia in the First World War, of which he wrote six volumes and edited the remainder. Before this, however, he was Australias official correspondent to the war. He was also the driving force behind the establishment of the Australian War Memorial. Bean was born on 18 November 1879 at Bathurst, New South Wales and his family moved to England when he was ten. He completed his education there, eventually studying classics and law at Oxford. Bean returned to Australia in 1904 and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar. He travelled widely in New South Wales as a barristers assistant and, struck by the outback way of life, wrote and illustrated a book, The impressions of a new chum. The book was never published but in mid-1907 much of its content appeared in a series of Sydney Morning Herald articles under the by-line CW. In these articles Bean introduced a view of Australia, particularly its men, which foreshadowed much of what he would write about the AIF. Having dabbled in journalism, Bean joined the Sydney Morning Herald as a junior reporter in January 1908. He published several books before being posted to London in 1910. In 1913 he returned to Sydney as the Heralds leader writer. When the First World War began, Bean won an Australian Journalists Association ballot and became official correspondent to the AIF. He accompanied the first convoy to Egypt, landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and began to make his name as a tireless, thorough and brave correspondent. He was wounded in August but remained on Gallipoli for most of the campaign, leaving just a few days before the last troops. He then reported on the Australians on the Western Front where his admiration of the AIF crystallised into a desire to memorialise their sacrifice and achievements. In addition to his journalism, Bean filled hundreds of diaries and notebooks, all with a view to writing a history of the AIF when the war ended. In early 1919 he led a historical mission to Gallipoli before returning to Australia and beginning work on the official history series that would consume the next two decades of his life. Along with his written work, Bean worked tirelessly on creating the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. He was present when the building opened on 11 November 1941 and became Chairman of the Memorials board in 1952. He maintained a close association with the institution for the rest of his life. During the Second World War, Bean liaised between the Chiefs of Staff and the press for the Department of Information. He became Chairman of the Commonwealth Archives Committee and was instrumental in creating the Commonwealth Archives. Between 1947 and 1958 he was Chairman of the Promotion Appeals Board of the Australian Broadcasting Commission and continued to write - a history of Australias independent schools and finally a book on two senior AIF figures, Two men I knew. Bean received a number of honorary degrees and declined a knighthood. He had married Ethel Young in 1921 and the couple adopted a daughter. Bean, one of the most admired Australians of his generation, died after a long illness in Concord Repatriation Hospital in 1968.

02.01.2022 September 11, 1916 Somme: On this day, British artillery caused fires in the opposing ammunition depot, near Pozieres, WW1