Four Brothers, one legacy: Uncovering an Indigenous family’s hidden war service

A simple image of a postcard on the Australian War Memorial website sparked an extraordinary journey of discovery for Julie Berents.

Julie uncovered the wartime service of her ancestors. She found out about four Indigenous brothers, including her uncle who served across the army, navy and air force during the Second World War.

Julie’s search led to a donation of her great uncle’s handwritten memoirs. The intimate first-person account that now forms part of the Memorial’s National Collection.

“My great uncle Robert, affectionately known as ‘Uncle Bun’, served in all three military services during the Second World War,” said Julie. “His story is one of adventure, resilience, and remarkable service.”

Carefully transcribed by Julie and her husband, Harald, the memoir reveals Uncle Bun’s military postings as a cook. He was valued for his ability to feed more than 100 people in a matter of hours and his later work repatriating British prisoners of war. The notebook also reflects on his life before and after the war, offering a rare insight into the lived experience of an Indigenous Australian serviceman.

Julie credits Indigenous Liaison Officer Michael Bell with helping to uncover the significance of her family’s story. “Michael helped pull all the threads together. We hadn’t realised just how unusual Uncle Bun’s story was—especially serving across all three services,” she said.

The discovery also led Julie to a broader exploration of her family’s heritage. With the help of her cousin, Michael Shephard, and the Memorial’s Indigenous team, she has identified at least 31 Indigenous family members who served across generations.

“During the Second World War, my grandmother Helena had five servicemen in her family—her husband and four brothers. Remarkably, all four of her brothers returned home,” said Julie.

The story began with a photograph of a Christmas postcard, believed to be from Jack Wallace to his sister, Helena. Found decades later behind a wall or cupboard at Paradise Station in Tingha, NSW, it was the first clue that led Julie to the Memorial.

Thanks to her dedication, the Wallace brothers’ stories are being preserved for future generations.

Michael Bell said the donation is a valuable addition to the Memorial’s collection. “Stories like Uncle Bun’s deepen our understanding of the contributions made by Indigenous Australians, often in the face of extraordinary social and political challenges.”

Handout photos:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C203216