Memorial Articles
The Memorial boasts a staff of subject specialists in all aspects of military history and museum practice.
Our articles and our Encyclopedia allow subject specialists to share their knowledge on Australian military history.
They also provide a way for us to take a closer look at the people and the stories behind the history and our museum collection.
The Australian War Theatres
Australian airmen served overseas from the earliest days of the First World War. Two pilots were sent to New Guinea in 1914, but were not needed. The following year a group, to become known as the Mesopotamian half-flight, went to the Middle East and were absorbed into the Royal Flying Corps. Here, in a disastrous campaign for the British against the Turks, the Australian Flying Corps suffered its first casualties and some of the men were taken prisoner.
Captain E. J. McCloughry DSO, DFC*, MID, No. 4 Squadron, AFC
On 21 February 1919 Captain Edgar J. McCloughry wrote a review of his experiences in France whilst serving with No. 4 Squadron AFC. This review, in the form of a thirteen page letter, covered the period from June-September 1918 and was written in response to a request from the Officer in Command of the Australian War Records Section.
The flag on Anzac House by Joe Maxwell
The Flag: Anzac House by Joe Maxwell, The Reveille, June 1930, p 11.'A few minutes after we had captured our objective on September 20, 1917, Corps Headquarters was informed: “Objective reached. Australian flag flying on Anzac House.”
The Bartram Boys: lost during 1917
With the continual heavy battles and the entire AIF involved, 1917 was the worst year of the war for Australian casualties. It is not surprising therefore to find numerous relatives or even sets of brothers all killed in a relatively short period.
One who fell at Ypres: Private Pegram's story
The successful taking of Polygon Wood and the Butte was a proud moment in the division’s history. Success, however, came at a price.
The Seabrook brothers: all three killed at Passchendaele
As haunting as any image of the ghosts of Passchendaele is this studio portrait photo of the Seabrook brothers, the sons of William and Fanny Seabrook of Five Dock in Sydney NSW.
The charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba
The battle of Beersheba took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade.
Pillbox Fighting in the Ypres Salient
A key feature of the battlefield between Ypres and Passchendaele in 1917 was the pillbox. Along with the dreadful conditions and intense artillery bombardments, pillboxes forced a particularly grim situation upon the combatants that led to very bitter and costly fighting.