'The impact of it is just starting to kick in now'

Donna Dixon never met her uncle, Ken, or great-grand uncle, Peter. But both men hold a special place in her heart.

This weekend, she and her family will commemorate the two men in separate Last Post Ceremonies at the Australian War Memorial.

Donna grew up hearing stories of her uncle Ken from her father. Ken joined the Australian Army in 1941, lying about his age to avoid asking for a letter of parental consent. At the age of 19, he announced his enlistment to the family by standing at the front door and throwing his army hat into the hallway.

Trooper Kenneth Goodliffe served with what became known as the 2/7th Cavalry Commando Squadron in Australia and New Guinea. Ken was 22 years old when he was killed in action near Aitape in New Guinea in December 1944.

“As I got older, I appreciated the effect his loss had on his family. My grandfather never got over it”, Donna explained. Ken’s father, Norman, attended 2/7th Commando Reunions for the rest of his life. It was a way to stay close to his eldest son and the men he had served alongside.

Letters written by Kenneth and Arnold during the Second World War were found by a relative years later; another donated a copy of a hand-drawn map of the area around Aitape and Wewak where Ken was killed. The original drawing had been stowed away in an attic for several years.

The copies of Kenneth’s letters and the mystery map give insights into a young man whose life was cut tragically short by the bitter fighting of the war in the Pacific.

These items joined Donna’s collection of material relating to her family’s service. Many other items in the collection relate to the First World War service of her great grand-uncle, Peter.

As a 21-year old, Donna travelled to Scotland to meet her extended family and was given photographs, letters, and stories relating to Peter.

Over the years, return trips resulted in more revelations, including a photo album put together by her grandfather, Norman, which contains pictures of Peter.

Born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, Peter served with the Seaforth Highlanders in the South African War, before emigrating to Australia in 1911 to seek his fortune on the Western Australian goldfields around Kalgoorlie. He enlisted in the First World War in February 1916, and by the end of the year was back in Scotland visiting his family on Christmas leave.

By April 1917, Peter was fighting on the Somme. The night before the First Battle of Bullecourt, he met with his younger brother, Roderick, who had been fighting with British forces near Arras.

Private Peter Maclean was killed in action the next day.

Roderick spent all night searching field hospitals and casualty clearing stations, hoping to find his missing brother. He never did.

For Donna, returning to Scotland revealed the impact of Peter’s war service. “His name is everywhere”, she said. Earlier this year, she visited the Western Front, and found Peter’s name on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

“There are so many families in Australia who have stories just like mine.” Donna explained. “I want the younger kids to understand that this history is really important.”

Peter and Kenneth’s stories will be told at the Australian War Memorial this weekend: Peter’s on 30 November, Kenneth’s on 1 December: “80 years to the day since Uncle Ken was shot”.

For Donna, the Last Post Ceremonies are the culmination of almost three years of patience. “The impact of it is just starting to kick in now. I’ve waited two and a half years to do this. It’s going to be like going to two funerals, one after the other. It’s really hard to express in words, it’s going to be special and amazing, but at the same time incredibly sad. Hopefully it will help bring some closure to all family members, here in Australia and in Scotland.”

Private Peter Maclean and Trooper Kenneth Goodliffe’s ceremonies will be streamed on the Memorial’s Last Post Ceremony YouTube channel.