Love and War
Love touches us all. During times of conflict it has played, and continues to play, an important role in the lives of our servicemen and women, and those they left behind.
For Valentine's Day we have curated a selection of photos, love letters and stories to celebrate all forms of love that exist in times of war.
Recorded Letters
In Episode 17 of Collected, Louise Maher hears the story of the Lanser disc and other recorded letters and messages which enabled families on the home front to hear the voices of their loved ones serving overseas.
See collection item
A tale of two dresses
How do you preserve fragile items of clothing that tell remarkable stories? Maud’s satin wedding gown was packed away for three years while she waited to be reunited with her American fiancé. In Episode 23 of Collected Louise Maher finds out how Maud's precious dress is being cared for at the Memorial.
Of Love and War
The Memorial’s exhibition Of love and war, was on display at the Memorial from 3 December 2009 until 5 May 2010. It explored themes of love, separation, the future and returning home.
See collection item
Sealed with a Kiss
IMAGES OF LOVE FROM THE MEMORIAL'S COLLECTION
A member of the WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force) kissing a policeman the VP Day (Victory in the Pacific) celebrations in the city of Melbourne.
Lieutenant Colonel Fergus MacAdie (left) uses a ceremonial sword to cut the wedding cake at his wedding reception party. Japan, 12-06-1948.
The RAN guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart has arrived back at Garden Island, NSW, after completing its second deployment to Vietnam. Electrical Mechanic Weapons Electronics (EMWE) Allen Peter Kirkman greets his wife, and holds and kisses his four week old daughter for the first time. 11-10-1968
A female from the crowd kisses a member of the 9th Australian Division during the unit march through the city streets of Melbourne Victoria.
Driver Alfred George Floate, 9th Division, receiving a hearty welcome kiss from his wife on his return home from the Middle East. His son Jack is more interested in the photographer. 23-03-1943.
Private (Pte) Albert George Denovan, a former prisoner of war (POW) is reunited with relatives at the showground. He is kissing and holding his son Albert George Denovan in the centre, his wife Mrs Rosetta Denovan is on his right and his mother and brother are to his left. 19-11-1944
Hand made anniversary card made from cardboard wrapped in hessian.
Captain Richard (Dickie) Williams and his bride Constance Esther Williams (nee Griffiths) leaving St Michael's Congregational Church in Collins Street under a guard of honour following their marriage.
Thank you kiss for Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Allan Robert Elliott from Brisbane singer Lyn Fletcher after she had given her final show for Australian troops at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 1966.
Return of the 9th Australian Division from the Middle East. Fremantle, WA, 18-02-1943
A soldier welcomed home by a loved one. Sydney, NSW.
Family portrait of four siblings of the Malcolm family of Melbourne, Victoria, all of whom served during the First World War and returned home to Australia. Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) Norman Harty Malcolm, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, enlisted on 20 May 1916 and returned to Australia on 4 June 1918; Sister Stella Agnes Blythe Malcolm, Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), enlisted 6 December 1916 and returned to Australia on 7 May 1919; Lt Eric Hamilton Malcolm, 3rd Divisional Artillery, enlisted on 11 July 1916 and returned to Australia on 4 July 1919; Staff Nurse Edith Eileen Malcolm, AANS, enlisted 12 June 1917 and returned to Australia 30 August 1918.
Two unidentified Australian sailors are reunited with loved ones at a homecoming ceremony for HMAS ANZAC and HMAS Darwin at Victoria Quay, Fremantle, WA. 17-05-2003
Portrait of Maud Josephine Hebert (nee Tyrrell) posing with two koalas. Hand written on the back of the image is "Do you like the little Koalas and me too, of course?".
Maud met Clovis ‘Cliff’ Hebert while he was serving as a Cook in the 197th Regiment of the United States Army. Cliff arrived in Townsville in August 1942, working as a camp cook in his garrison. Cliff and Maud began dating under the supervision of family members. Their courtship included fresh donuts on Sunday, which had been cooked by Cliff in the garrison kitchens. Cliff proposed to Maud in 1945, but was reposted to New Guinea before their planned wedding.
When the Second World War concluded, Maud applied to travel to the United States of America to join Cliff. There were around 15,000 women who left Australia to live overseas with their spouses, with more than two thirds moving to the United States of America. Maud departed Sydney on 14 April 1947, aboard the ‘Bride Boat’ SS Marine Phoenix. She was reunited with Cliff and married on 28 June 1947 in Laconia, New Hampshire.
With Love
STORIES OF LOVE FROM THE MEMORIAL'S COLLECTION
For Valentine’s Day - The airman who married the general’s daughter
The story of the airman who married the General’s daughter.
Valentine’s Day Love Letter
Read about a beautifully decorated love letter in the Memorials collection and how you can help identify the author and recipient
Love Letter Update
With the help of an enthusiastic member of the public, and her wonderfully helpful relative in France, we have since found a few more details about Marthe and her letter.
Love letters from Bomber Command
“I received the two most wonderful letters. I wonder whether the post office people ever realise what precious documents they handle."
Love letters
Lieutenant Colin Douglas Simper of the 2/48 Australian Infantry Battalion met Irene at a dance in South Australian and were married at short notice at her family home in Blackwood on 12 December 1941.
‘He is always in my heart’
Merle Hare was in a daze. It was early March 1945, and her twin brother, Sergeant Donald Kelway Storrie, was missing, presumed dead. His plane had disappeared while laying mines in the South China Sea and she would never hear from him again.
A wedding beneath the pyramids
On 17 January 1915 an Australian soldier at Mena Camp in Egypt, Private Arthur Adams, noted in his diary: “Wedding in camp. Private of 10th marries a S.A. girl, who comes via England.” But who were the bride and groom?
A Mother's Love
Memorial gold brooch presented to John Freeth’s mother, Ethel. The portrait photograph in the pendant was a hand coloured copy of one taken in Piccadilly, London in 1943. Finely engraved on the reverse side of this gold and glass brooch are the words "To dear John Freeth’s Mother, With regard from his friends at Angus Coote. 1944."
“We were just madly in love”
Bonnie Carey fainted when she read the telegram. It was 1944, and her fiancé, 19-year-old Flight Sergeant Raymond Yabsley, was missing. His plane had disappeared over the North Sea and she would never see him again.
All my Love
ITEMS OF LOVE FROM THE MEMORIAL'S COLLECTION
This ivory cotton lace wedding dress, with a small floral pattern, was worn by Miss Golda Jean Ellis on the day of her marriage to Lieutenant Oliver Zachariah Neall, of 2/8 Battalion, on 23 October 1943. Golda met Oliver 'Ozzie' Neall, then a sergeant, after he returned from service in North Africa and Greece, where he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry at Tobruk in January 1941. While on leave he called on her parents, who were friends of his parents, and was asked to call Golda to join them at afternoon tea. She recalled that he found her scrubbing the bathroom floor and that 'it was love at first sight'. The couple became engaged but Neall was posted to the Northern Territory. Granted leave unexpectedly he gave Golda just ten days in which to prepare for their wedding.
"Jessie"
A colourful portrait of a glamorous young woman staring wistfully towards the viewer seated at a table resting on her arms. In her right hand she holds a letter she has just finished reading or re-reading from her husband.
Sapper Charles McHugh and his brother Jack McHugh sent this embroidery home to their mother.
Marriage certificate of Clarice Jessie Daley and Ernest Alfred Lawrence. Clarice and Ernest were married on 21 October 1915 at Church Camp, Infantry Base Details (MEF), West Mudros, on the Island of Lemnos. The certificate is hand drawn and written, but is duly stamped with a one penny duty stamp attached.
Embroidered silk postcard made in France during the First World War. Of envelope design, this postcard features pink roses and blue flowers under the rays of the sun. A small card insert features the message "My best Kisses", illustrated with a woman holding a flower and a heart next to a basket of flowers.
Gunner Alan GLover and his wife Violet presented each of their guests with a piece of wedding cake in a small box. You can read about them here.
Sergeant James Williams wrote this one to his "Darling Wifie" Edith as he sailed to France in 1917. The message reads "To my darling wifie, God be with you and protect yours and mine till we meet again. From Hubby J Williams at seas going to somewhere in France"
This silver brooch, engraved with the words ‘Beryl’ and ‘Tarakan’, was found in a charity shop and donated to the Australian War Memorial. Nothing is known of either its maker or its owner.