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 curious case of John Brenell: The only known Jewish Aboriginal Australian First World War soldier?
There is only one identified Aboriginal Australian soldier buried among the hundreds of Commonwealth First World War graves at Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension.

Honouring Private Miller Mack
Miller Mack was one of 21 Ngarrindjeri men from the Point McLeay Mission (now known as Raukkan) and the surrounding region to enlist for service in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.

Strange serendipity
Tangential links and strange coincidences spanning two oceans over several years created a legacy for the Bagley-class destroyer USS Mugford that is represented in the National Collection today.

International Nurses Day
On the 12th of May we celebrate International Nurses Day, recognising the invaluable contribution nurses have made to our society.

From Anguish To Art
Veteran, war widow, mother, advocate and artist are some of the titles Kathryn (Kat) Rae holds. Beyond these labels she exemplifies courage, resilience and determination.

New in the First World War Galleries
On your next visit to the Australian War Memorial you may notice some different items in Australia in the Great War, the Memorial’s First World War galleries.

Private McCorkell’s South African War
Private John McCorkell's diary, which was donated to the Memorial, records his experiences serving with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles in the Boer War, 1899–1902.

The Road to La Dolce Vita
While most of us are familiar with the harrowing experiences of Australian prisoners of war abroad, knowledge of those held in prisoner of war camps in Australia is far less common.

The Loss of Lark Force
At its closest point, New Guinea is 160 km from the Australian mainland. During the Second World War, it was of strategic importance to Australian security.