Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Australians prepare for an attack near Bullecourt, France, May 1917. [AWM E00454]

An account of one of the many otherwise unheralded acts of courage and the underlying sense of duty that is so evident in so much of the available literature, exhibited from the highest to the lowest ranking soldier.

AWM Image http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_SCREEN/A02022.JPG Australian troops in the Turkish Lone Pine trenches, captured on the afternoon of the 6 August 1915, by the AIF 1st Brigade under Brigadier-General Walker. ID number A02022 Collection Photograph Object type Black & white - Glass original half plate negative Photographer Unknown Place made Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Marmara, Chanak, Gallipoli Peninsula Date made 6 August 1915 Description

Bullecourt church and Slouch Hat memorial. Stevve Larkins collection

A trench at Lone Pine on 8 August 1915. The scene captures something of the savagery of the action. Sergeant Apear de Vine, 4th Battalion, NSW, of Maroubra, Sydney, wrote of the dead: … they are stacked out of the way in any convenient place sometimes thrown up on to the parados so as not to block the trenches, there are more dead than living … [De Vine, quoted in Bill Gammage, The Broken Years, Ringwood, 1990, p 84]

This is a disturbing image of a destroyed German trench. In the foreground the limp bodies of dead German soldiers lie amidst the rubble. It is difficult to distinguish the soldiers from the chaos around them, but three bodies are clearly visible. One man, wearing a helmet, has been pushed forward by the blast and, although dead, appears to crouch forward. The entire scene is a maelstrom of mud, splintered wood and dead bodies. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Messines_-_destroyed_German_trench.jpg

For the first time since Gallipoli, the New Zealanders attacked alongside the Australians at Messines on 7 June 1917. Here New Zealand troops watch British tanks advance towards Messines Ridge. E01417

Arthur Blackburn, VC, arguably Australia's most remarkable citizen soldiers. Among the first ashore at Gallipoli and with another man reached farthest inland, he was later commissioned. He won a Victoria Cross at Pozieres in unrelenting fighting. He had a distinguished career in public life between the wars and commanded with distinction in the Middle East and Dutch East Indies in WWII becoming a POW after commanding 'Blackforce' in Java.

Corporal Phil Davey, VC, MM. He won the 10th Battalion's third Victoria Cross at Merris, northern France, on 28th June 1918. He destroyed a machine gun that that moments before inflicted casualties on other 10th Battalion colleagues in a neighbouring platoon, including Platoon Commander Lieutenant Jack McInerney.

Troops of what is belkieved to be the 10th Battalion on the deck of the battleship Prince of Wales in Mudros Harbour. This ship was part of the fleet which transported Australian troops to the Gallipoli landing at Anzac Cove. The Battalion was embarked on the Prince of Wales before transferring to the fleet small craft that took them ashore at ANZAC to carry out the landing.

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=417784&c=WW2

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=440339&c=WW2

rangeroad.pdf

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in a difficult night operation with great ability. The battalion, having already marched six miles, was ordered to counter attack and retake a village. The ground was strange to every one, and there was no time for reconnaissance, but the approach march and deployment were carried out without a hitch, and the attack was a brilliant success. This officer moved about amongst the men encouraging and directing them, and, finally, established his headquarters in an open trench well forward, which was heavily shelled, but from which he was able to see and control his battalion.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 Date: 4 February 1919

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/720777/BATT,%20ARTHUR%20GEORGE

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1272736&c=VIETNAM#R

A specially modified Lancaster B1 of 617 Squadron overflies the Mohne Dam against which it has just released its 'Upkeep' depth charge bomb. The Mohne Eder and Sorpe dams were all attacked as part of 'Operation Chastise'.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6396132

Adams_Athol_Gladwyn.pdf

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rallied and organized his company at a moment when they were suffering haeavily from a continuous bombardment, leading them through a hostile barrage to a successful assault on the enemy's position. Throughout the night he continued to supervise the consolidation, and it was owing to his determination and energy that by daylight his company was entrenched and prepared to withstand the hostile counter attack.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917

Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. When his company were caught by heavy machine gun fire during an attack, he at once went out in front of the leading wave, and rallied the sections, which had sustained heavy casualties. Though wounded, he led his men to their objective, and continued to direct the fighting until he collapsed. His determination and courage were an inspiration to his men.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: 23 May 1919

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1205196&c=WW2#R

Diary_of_NX16281_John_William_Claud_MOXHAM.docx

https://seapower.navy.gov.au/hmas-stuart-ii

https://seapower.navy.gov.au/hmas-stuart-ii

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3400544

THE STAFF OF THE DENTAL SECTION, 105 CASUALTY CLEARING STATION. IDENTIFIED PERSONNEL ARE:- CPL F. JAMES (1); STAFF SERGEANT C.H. FERRIS (2); CAPT W.J. STONEY (3); PTE C.F.W. SPAR (4).

https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/mornington-peninsula/see-and-do/outdoor-and-adventure/walking-and-hiking/vv-fort-nepean-walk

https://www.fortscratchley.org.au/

https://fortlytton.org.au

https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/the-lonely-anzac

https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/poetry-of-war