ANZAC Connections: Centenary digitisation project
ANZAC Connections: Centenary digitisation project
The Australian War Memorial is currently undertaking a project to create a comprehensive digital archive of the ANZACs and their deeds, and of the wider Australian experience of war. The collections selected for this project will reflect the experiences of Australian servicemen, nurses and civilians during the First World War, not just well-known personalities. This project will digitally preserve the Memorial’s collections as well as provide full copies for research on the Memorial’s website.
As part of this project the Memorial is seeking contact with relatives of the people listed below. If you have any information about these people, or their descendants, the Memorial would love to talk to you. Please contact Nick Crofts via PubandDig@awm.gov.au.
1901 Sergeant Robert William Wyllie Adam
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1901 Sergeant Robert William Wyllie Adam, 11 Battalion. This collection consists of letters sent by Adam to his mother between 1914 and 1916. The letters describe his daily activities, the places he visited and provide his experience of trench warfare, illness and rationing. Also included are condolence letters from Sergeant Lukin and Lord Birdwood. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Jane Emily Adam of 3 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. Collection number: 1DRL/0003.
78 Private Arthur James Adams
Collection relating to the First World War service of 78 Private Arthur James Adams, 3 Field Ambulance. This collection consists of Adams’ personal diary, written between 1 January 1915 and 8 August 1916. The diary records in detail his movements as part of the 3 Field Ambulance, their operations under enemy fire, general living conditions and also mentions Jack Simpson and his donkey. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mr George Adams of Windsor Street, Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0004.
Lieutenant Wilfred Emmott Addison
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Wilfred Emmott Addison, 18 Battalion. The collection consists of a diary sent in letter form to his mother and extends from his embarkation in 1914 until his death in August 1915. It also describes, at length, his training in Egypt and the Battalion’s preparation for landing at Gallipoli The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs H. B. Addison of 16 Trelawney Street, Eastwood, New South Wales. Collection number: 1DRL/0009.
1059 Sergeant William Alabaster MM
Collection relating to the First World War Service of 1059 Sergeant William Alabaster MM, 45 Battalion. This collection consists of letters sent by Alabaster to his mother throughout 1915 and 1916. Of particular note are letters concerning the landing at Gallipoli and a description defending the front line in France. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Ms Rosina Jane Alabaster of 44 Wellington Avenue, Westcliff-on-sea, Essex, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0016.
2101 Corporal Arthur Gladstone Alderdice
Collection relating to the First World War service of 2101 Corporal Arthur Gladstone Alderdice, 2 Battalion. This collection consists of a notebook covering the period from 23 April 1915 to 30 July 1916. The notebook contains a detailed entry on the landing at Gallipoli and brief entries on his service in France. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Ethel C. Alderdice of Johnson Street, Chatswood, Sydney, New South Wales. Collection number: 1DRL/0018.
1509A Private David Gibson Alexander
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1509A Private David Gibson Alexander, 13 Battalion. Collection contains typewritten copies of letters written by Alexander to his mother throughout 1915. The letters detail his voyage from Australia to Egypt, including stops at Colombo and Suez, and the artillery action his Battalion saw at Gallipoli. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Annie Sophia Alexander of Ballytiglea, Borris, County Carlow, Ireland. Collection number: 1DRL/0020.
871 Sergeant Herbert Alexander Affleck
Collection relating to the First World War service of 871 Sergeant Herbert Alexander Affleck, 1 Artillery Brigade. This collection consists of four diaries recording Affleck’s experiences from 1914 to 1917. The diaries cover a diverse range of subjects, including his training at Broadmeadows in Australia, landing at Gallipoli on the 25th April, his hospitalisation and convalescence in Malta and his experience of the Western Front. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs A. Affleck of Malvern, Victoria. Collection number: 1DRL/0026.
2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Henry Anderson
Collection relating to the First World War service of 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Henry Anderson, 15 Battalion. This collection consists of letters sent by Anderson to his mother and friend, R. W. G. Thomas in Queenstown, Tasmania. The letters describe his experiences of training and feelings prior to embarking for Gallipoli. Also included are several condolence letters sent to Anderson’s mother after his death. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Reverend H. Anderson of ‘The Rectory’, Stanley, Tasmania. Collection number 1DRL/0036.
591 Private John Collingwood Angus
Collection relating to the First World War service of 591 Private John Collingwood Angus, 28 Battalion. This collection consists of copies of three letters sent by Angus to his sister, Nance, between 1915 and 1916. These letters describe the conditions at Gallipoli, the high rate of casualties and the uprising in Ireland. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Jane Angus of 65 Howden Road, North Shields, Northumberland, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0045.
1228 Corporal Robert Edmund Antill
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1228 Corporal Robert Edmund Antill, 14 Battalion. This collection contains over ninety letters, including photographs, postcards and various business cards sent by Antill to his parents. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Alice Antill of 43 Park Road, South Tottenham, London, England. Collection number 1DRL/0047.
Captain Harold Edwin Salisbury Armitage
Collection relating to the First World War service of Captain Harold Edwin Salisbury Armitage, 50 Battalion. This collection includes of three books containing copies of letters written by Armitage throughout the war, until his death in 1917. These books involve detailed accounts of his time training in Egypt, the Gallipoli landing, his thoughts on the conscription plebiscite in Australia and include a number of condolence messages sent to his family. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mr H. J. Armitage of ‘School House’, Lyndoch, South Australia. Collection number: 1DRL/0053.
1311 Private Guy Hartley Arnold
Collection relating to the First World War Service of 1311 Private Guy Hartley Arnold. 2 Battalion. This collection contains a series of letters sent by Arnold to his father discussing his experiences in Egypt and fighting in Gallipoli throughout 1915. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mr Ralph Arnold of Milton on Derby, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0061.
1032 Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Ernest William Baker
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1032 Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Ernest William Baker, 20 Battalion. This collection contains letters sent by Baker to his family describing his time spent with both the Australian Navy and Military Expeditionary Force (AN & MEF) in Rabaul, Gallipoli and Egypt. It also includes a number of condolence letters sent to the family after Baker’s death in 1918. The Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Maria Annette Baker of 6 Dundas Terrace, Dryden Street, Nottingham, England, Collection number: 1DRL/0083.
Captain Charles Albert Barnes
Collection relating to the First World War Service of Captain Charles Albert Barnes, 11 Battalion. This collection contains a large number of letters covering his wartime experiences from 1914 to 1915 and include a letter detailing the Sydney-Emden encounter in November 1914. Another letter describes the build-up to the Gallipoli landing in April 1915. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs Elizabeth Williams Barnes of Guildford, Western Australia. Collection number: 1DRL/0091.
Major Frederick Leslie Biddle DSO
Collection relating to the First World War service of Major Frederick Leslie Biddle DSO, 2 Field Artillery Brigade. This collection consists of a large number of letters sent by Biddle to his family between 1914 and 1917. These letters include a detailed account of his actions at Pozieres that resulted in the award of a Distinguished Service Order. The collection also features a number of official records relating to Biddle’s service in France. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Mr James Biddle of 92 Vale Street, East Melbourne, Victoria. Collection number: 1DRL/0119.
Lieutenant Stephen Philip Boulton
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Stephen Philip Boulton, 2 Field Artillery Brigade. This collection consists of both original and typed copies of letters sent by Boulton to his family in Sydney. In these letters Boulton records his experiences of military service at Gallipoli and in France up until his death in October 1918. Also included are an extensive set of postcards sent from various locations in Australia, Egypt and France and a newspaper article on Roisel Church, where Boulton is buried. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Mrs D. M. Boulton of ‘Coolah’, Ross Street, Gladesville, Sydney, New South Wales. Collection number: 1DRL/0138.
Lieutenant John Joseph Bourke
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant John Joseph Bourke, 2 Company Australian Machine Gun Corps. This collection consists of copies of letters sent by Bourke to his family between 1914 and 1917, in which he describes the landing at Gallipoli, comments on trench life and details Australian actions at Pozieres. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Mr T. Bourke of Post Office, Edi, Victoria. Collection number: 1DRL/0140.
38 Sergeant Albert Victor Bracher MM
Collection relating to the First World War service of 38 Sergeant Albert Victor Bracher MM, 25 Battalion. This collection contains short extracts from Bracher’s letters sent to his family during 1915. The letters describe Bracher’s time fighting at Gallipoli. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mrs A. M. Bracher of 2 Ashley Place, Horsefair Street, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0143.
Lieutenant Henry Francis Briggs
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Henry Francis Briggs, 14 Machine Gun Company. This collection consists of letters sent by Briggs to his family between 1915 and 1916. In these letters he discusses the state of trenches in Gallipoli and France, the number of casualties received by both sides and his impressions on the direction of the war. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Mr William Briggs of 21 Brewen Street, Brighton, England. Collection number: 1DRL/0152.
Lieutenant Francis James Burton
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Francis Burton, 4 Light Horse Regiment. This collection contains copies of letters sent by Burton to his mother, covering the period from 1915 to 1917. Burton describes, in detail, his training in Egypt, his dissatisfaction with the newspaper coverage of fighting on Gallipoli and spending Christmas in hospital. The First World War Embarkation Roll lists his next of kin as Mrs Mary Burton of Nullan, Victoria. Collection number: 1DRL/0168.
Sergeant Alfred Sydney Burvett
Collection relating to the First World War service of Sergeant Alfred Sydney Burvett, 24 Battalion. This collection contains letters sent by Burvett to his family in Melbourne between 1914 and 1916. In the letters, Burvett describes the fighting at Gallipoli, his despair at the loss of his brother and the evacuation of the peninsula in December 1915. The associated Roll of Honour Circular lists his next of kin as Mr Alfred Stephen Burvett of e Mackenzie Street, Melbourne, Victoria. Collection number: 1DRL/0169.