WWI Archives - CONTACT magazine

An Australian soldier inspects the barrel of the Amiens Gun located at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story and photo by Private Nicholas Marquis.

Big gun with an even bigger story

03/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 690 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWI

Firing 300kg shells more than 25km, this astonishing piece of hardware is described as the finest trophy captured by any

Australian Army soldier Corporal Jake Bostock talks with Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

ADF People History

Corporal continues family’s Gallipoli legacy

16/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 441 Views 0 Comments Gallipoli Barracks, WWI, WWII

The Australian Defence Force has a rich history of family legacies being carried on through the generations. CAPTION: Australian Army

Australian Army personnel ready to take up the Australian flag from the coffin of Australian WWI soldiers being re-interred in Belgium. The soldiers were finally laid to rest after being thought missing for 90 years. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Corporal Chris Moore.

Australian Lest We Forget News Veterans

Three previously unknown WWI soldiers identified

18/11/202229/11/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 294 Views 0 Comments 8th Brigade, Remembrance Day, WWI

The names of three unknown Australian soldiers, who died during some of the bloodiest fighting of World War 1, were

Leonard McLeod visits a memorial garden at Kokoda Army Barracks. Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

ADF People History Veterans

Return to Canungra evokes memories of service

12/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 592 Views 0 Comments C-47 Dakota, Canungra, WWI, WWII

Despite watching his father die from respiratory problems after being gassed in WW1, a young Leonard McLeod was determined to

Lieutenant Kurt O’Neill and Sergeant Steven Banks, from the School of Armour, present WW2 veteran, 101-year-old Bertram (Bert) Sutton, with an Aussie Hero Quilt at his home in Numurkah, Victoria.

ADF People History Veterans

WW2 veteran honoured with hero quilt

29/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 877 Views 0 Comments Aussie Hero Quilts, School of Armour, WWI, WWII

World War 2 veteran, Private Bertram (Bert) Sutton, has been honoured with the presentation of a hero quilt by the

Lieutenant Colonel Chris McKay at the memorial for the Battle of Semakh, at Kinneret Academic College, Israel. Story by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper. Photo by Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper.

Australian Army History News

Bravery of Light Horse cavalry charge recognised

17/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2189 Views 0 Comments Light Horse Regiment, WWI

How brave must someone be to charge on horseback at night when the ground can’t be seen? A clue to

The unveiled headstone of recently identified First World War Australian Army soldier Driver Albert Nicholson at Adelaide Cemetery in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Captain Sarah Kelly.

Australian Army Europe History News

Headstone unveiled for WWI soldier Albert Nicholson

29/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1836 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

More than 104 years after his death, the grave of 21-year-old WWI soldier, No. 10778 Driver Albert Nicholson is now marked

Musician Francis White sounds the Last Post during the Commonwealth memorial service in Gallipoli, Turkey. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History

Anzac Cove service poignant for bugler

29/04/202208/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 879 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Australia’s Federation Guard, Gallipoli, Turkey, WWI

The haunting tune of a lone bugler sounding the Last Post during the dawn service on Anzac Day is emotive

Australian Army Band musician Corporal Laura Burden holds a photo of her great-uncle, Private Richard Bainbridge Brooker who served at Gallipoli in 1915. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History

Anzac Day 2022: a family connection at Anzac Cove

29/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 964 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Australia’s Federation Guard, Gallipoli, WWI

Standing at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli for the dawn service on Anzac Day is a powerful moment for any Australian.

The medals of No. 252 Private Thomas Lowe, of Mitiamo, Victoria, in front of the 8th Light Horse Regiment panel at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, on Anzac Day. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

ADF People History Veterans

Medals taken to battlefield in family tribute

28/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1028 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Gallipoli, Lone Pine, Turkey, WWI

Anzac Day was particularly significant for Petty Officer Geri Martin as the medals of her great-grandfather were taken to the

AE2 with her crew on board shortly after commissioning in 1914.

Asia History News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

How Defence scientists gave a voice to the ‘silent Anzac’

28/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1029 Views 0 Comments DSTO, Gallipoli, Submarine, Turkey, WWI

Petty Officer Henry Kindler recalls the sad ending to Australia’s first attempt to establish a submarine service. CAPTION: AE2 with

ADF People History

Musician’s touching tribute

23/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 465 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

More than 105 years after his death, the name and legacy of Private No. 5104 Matthew Tubman lives on. CAPTION:

Major Christopher Pitman from Australia's Federation Guard pauses to reflect at the headstone of fallen Australian soldier from the First World War in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. Story by Captain Sarah Kelly. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

ADF People History

Reflections of the past and their lasting impact

23/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 573 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, WWI

In a quiet moment among rehearsals, Australia’s Federation Guard Major officer commanding Christopher Pitman paid his respects to his great

Private Edward Attfield’s great-niece, Beverley Warren, holds a photo featuring Private Attfield, who is believed to be the digger lying down. Photo by Able Seaman Bonny Gassner.

ADF People History

‘AWOL’ Digger’s identity and reputation restored

18/02/202222/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1318 Views 4 Comments 5th, WWI

For more than a century, Private Edward Attfield’s family knew Army had it wrong about their ancestor who fought at