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Personal Canberra stories

Australians could hardly have imagined the scale of what they were about to embark upon when war was declared in 1914. Their involvement would affect almost every person in the country and leave 60,000 dead from a population of just 4.5 million.

When a second, more formidable conflict loomed, Australians were again not found wanting as once more they volunteered to fight in the nation’s navy, army and air force. Their personal experiences were both triumphant and tragic, and they left lasting effects of pride, loss and grief for them and their families.

Here is a selection of stories from members of the Canberra community.

The Eddison brothers

Collection Item C964790

Accession Number: P03469.001

Tom, Jack and Keith Eddison grew up in the 1920s and 1930s on their family farm “Yamba” in Canberra’s Woden Valley.
Read more about the Eddison family...

Rear Admiral John Crace

Collection Item C257328

Accession Number: 305285

In 1942 Rear Admiral John Crace was the first Australian to command a joint Australian–American task force during the Second World War.
Read more about Rear Admiral John Crace...

Private John Saunders

Collection Item C1255575

Accession Number: P09264.001

On 27 January 1953, Joan Saunders received a letter at her home in Strzelecki Crescent, Narrabundah, from her husband, John.
Read more about Private John Saunders...

Southwell family

Collection Item C256678

Accession Number: P01702.007

One of the earliest pioneers in the Canberra district, English-born Thomas Southwell arrived at Ginninderra Creek in 1840 and established the property “Parkwood” in 1854.
Read more about the Southwell family.

Flying Officer Jean Starling

Collection Item C999041

Accession Number: P03985.001

Jean Starling arrived in Canberra from Melbourne as a teenager in 1928 and lived with her family in Forrest.
Read more about Flying Officer Jean Starling...

Ernest Murray

Collection Item C979598

Accession Number: P03656.001

Thought to be the first Canberran to land on Gallipoli, Ernest Murray had settled in the newly named national capital just a few years earlier, when he took up a position as a mechanic’s assistant at Duntroon.
Read more about Ernest Murray...

Learn More About Canberra's Military History
Back to Salute: Canberra's Military Heritage

Last updated: 18 October 2019

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

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Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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