Diary of an ANZAC: National curriculum and lesson ideas

How to use this resource

The diary of H.V. Reynolds is part of the Australian War Memorial’s private records collection. The Memorial holds over 9,500 private record collections going back to our earliest conflicts.

Each diary entry is an interpretive tool that can unlock the story of the Gallipoli campaign by telling it through the eyes of an everyday ANZAC who experienced the realities of the campaign.

The diaries can be used as a classroom resource source and will complement your unit on the Gallipoli campaign or the ANZACs.

Entries are accompanied by supplementary information, including links to the Memorial’s extensive collection, further information, and external sites. Stimulus questions are also included in most entries.

Links to National Curriculum

This website has been designed to align with the Australian Curriculum: History. The “Diary of an ANZAC” project will provide students with a historical understanding of the Gallipoli campaign while creating an overview of broader themes such as our national identity, local history, commemoration days, and Australia’s relationship with England and the world during the First World War.

Students can study this primary source using historical inquiry methods or as a depth study.

Lesson suggestions

These lesson suggestions are intended for an upper primary audience and are supplemented by teacher notes. Over the coming months more activities will be posted.

Glossary

A glossary of terms has been compiled to supplement the diary entries.