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.
Treatment of Vellum Certificate
Treatment of Vellum certificate appointing Benjamin Rhodes as First Lieutenant in the Reserve of Officers from 3 October 1896.
Australian Prisoners of the Germans and Italians
Most Australians have heard of the shocking stories of Australian prisoners of war of the Japanese during the Second World War. But few will be aware that some 7,000 Australian soldiers became prisoners of war of the Germans and Italians.
‘An artist draws with his head, not his hands’
Artist Napier Waller lost his right arm after being wounded in the fighting at Bullecourt in 1917, but he never lost his love of art. Today, Napier Waller is also remembered at the Memorial through a $15,000 art prize named in his honour.
Post 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq
Following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, US President George W. Bush declared a “war on terror”.
"a good and constant account"
“Having seen the result of three years of well kept diaries by Lt Wilkinson of C Coy I was filled and fired by a desire to emulate his good example …"
50th Anniversary of the Battle of Nui Le: 21 September 1971
21 September 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the battle of Nui Le in Vietnam.
Second World War posters from Russia
Among the Australian War Memorial’s holdings is a little-known collection of Second World War posters from the USSR.
Air Force Sailors: The Wet Section of the Royal Australian Air Force
The origins of the RAAF Marine Section can be traced to the beginning of the air force, when the first pulling boats (row boats) were approved for purchase on 1 March 1921 – a month before the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Twenty years on: 11 September 2001
Indelibly etched into our personal and collective memory, anyone old enough to remember the attacks has asked – or been asked – where were you when it happened?