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World War Two (1939-1945)

Danger-signals from Australia [2 January 1942]

2 January 2023 · Leave a Comment

The Spectator, front cover, 2 January 1942

[Editor: This article, written in response to John Curtin’s article “The task ahead” (27 December 1941), was published in The Spectator (London, England), 2 January 1942 (during the Second World War, 1939-1945).] Danger-signals from Australia It would be a grave mistake … [Read more...] about Danger-signals from Australia [2 January 1942]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: 500x500, Australia and British Empire relationship, Australia and USA relationship, foreign relations, John Curtin (1885-1945) (subject), SourceMisc, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

The task ahead [by John Curtin, 27 December 1941]

27 December 2022 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This article by Prime Minister John Curtin was published in The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 December 1941. It was written during the Second World War (1939-1945), almost three weeks after Japan entered the war against the Allies, with its attacks on Pearl Harbour, Hong … [Read more...] about The task ahead [by John Curtin, 27 December 1941]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: 500x500, Australia and British Empire relationship, Australia and USA relationship, foreign relations, John Curtin (1885-1945) (author), SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1941

External Affairs Minister defines Australia’s place in new Pacific: Must be “World” Atlantic Charter [19 December 1942]

12 July 2022 · Leave a Comment

H. V. Evatt (Pix, 19 December 1942)

[Editor: This article, about Australia’s relationship with the countries of the Asia-Pacific, was published in Pix (Sydney, NSW), 19 December 1942.] External Affairs Minister defines Australia’s place in new Pacific Must be “World” Atlantic Charter Australia, now … [Read more...] about External Affairs Minister defines Australia’s place in new Pacific: Must be “World” Atlantic Charter [19 December 1942]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: @ graphics added, 500x500, Australia and international relationships, Herbert Vere Evatt (1894-1965) (subject), Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, publication Pix (Sydney), SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

Australian sailor, portrait photo [Second World War (1939-1945)]

27 March 2022 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This photo, of an Australian sailor, is believed to be from the era of the Second World War (1939-1945). The photo is undated.] Australian sailor [A sailor of the Royal Australian Navy, wearing a sailor’s cap with the initials “H.M.A.S.”] Source: Original … [Read more...] about Australian sailor, portrait photo [Second World War (1939-1945)]

Filed Under: ephemera Tagged With: Australian navy, ESU funding, IAC Ephemera Collection, military ephemera, photograph, photographs WW2, Royal Australian Navy, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), YearEraWW2 (1939-1945)

Certificate of Discharge, for Henry Dayrell Herdson, 1943 [Second World War military document]

27 March 2022 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This Certificate of Discharge, for Henry Dayrell Herdson (1898-1978), is dated 3 March 1943, during the Second World War (1939-1945). In order to enlist in the Australian Army in the Second World War, Herdson understated his age (he was born in 1898, but claimed to have … [Read more...] about Certificate of Discharge, for Henry Dayrell Herdson, 1943 [Second World War military document]

Filed Under: ephemera Tagged With: ESU funding, HTML tables (side) div style, IAC Ephemera Collection, military documents, military ephemera, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, 1942 [Second World War military document]

27 March 2022 · 2 Comments

[Editor: This Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, is dated 5 June 1942, during the Second World War (1939-1945).] Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, 1942 [Front of certificate] [Handwritten and stamped text, in … [Read more...] about Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, 1942 [Second World War military document]

Filed Under: ephemera Tagged With: ESU funding, HTML tables (side) div style, IAC Ephemera Collection, military documents, military ephemera, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

HMAS Canberra, Christmas card [circa 1929-1941]

14 March 2022 · 4 Comments

HMAS Canberra Christmas card

[Editor: This Christmas card, with a photo of HMAS Canberra, and bearing the HMAS Canberra badge, includes the British flag (Union Jack) and the Australian flag (blue ensign). The card is undated, but was presumably printed between 1929-1941.] [HMAS Canberra, Christmas … [Read more...] about HMAS Canberra, Christmas card [circa 1929-1941]

Filed Under: ephemera Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas card, ESU funding, HMAS Canberra (1928-1942), HTML tables (side) div style, IAC Ephemera Collection, military ephemera, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), YearEraWW2 (1939-1945)

Surrender souvenir leaflet [9 September 1945, Second World War]

14 March 2022 · Leave a Comment

Leaflet distributed to commemorate the surrender of the Second Japanese Army on 9 September 1945, during the Second World War (1939-1945)

[Editor: This single-sided leaflet was distributed to Allied military personnel to commemorate the surrender of the Second Japanese Army on 9 September 1945, during the Second World War (1939-1945).] [Surrender souvenir leaflet] Commander in Chief Australian Military … [Read more...] about Surrender souvenir leaflet [9 September 1945, Second World War]

Filed Under: ephemera Tagged With: Australian army, ESU funding, IAC Ephemera Collection, Japanese Army, leaflet, military ephemera, military surrender, SourceIACLibrary, Thomas Albert Blamey (1884-1951) (author), World War Two (1939-1945), year1945

Light Horseman [Second World War photo, of an Australian soldier]

8 March 2022 · Leave a Comment

Photo of an Australian Light Horseman (World War Two)

[Editor: This photo, of an Australian Light Horseman, is from the era of the Second World War (1939-1945). The photo is undated.] Light Horseman [Portrait photo of an Australian Light Horseman.] [The manufacturer’s details are written in the bottom right corner of … [Read more...] about Light Horseman [Second World War photo, of an Australian soldier]

Filed Under: ephemera, photos Tagged With: ESU funding, IAC Ephemera Collection, Light Horsemen, military ephemera, photograph, photographs WW2, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), YearEraWW2 (1939-1945)

Lots of love [photo of a female member of the Australian military, Second World War]

8 March 2022 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This photo, of a female member of the Australian military, is from the era of the Second World War (1939-1945). The photo is undated.] Lots of love [Front of photo] [Photo of a female member of the Australian military.] [Handwritten text] To … [Read more...] about Lots of love [photo of a female member of the Australian military, Second World War]

Filed Under: ephemera, photos Tagged With: Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS), ESU funding, HTML tables (side) div style, IAC Ephemera Collection, military ephemera, photograph, photographs WW2, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), YearEraWW2 (1939-1945)

Desert Madness [poem by F. H. Legg, 12 September 1942]

18 April 2021 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This poem by F. H. Legg was published in The ABC Weekly (Sydney, NSW), 12 September 1942 (during the Second World War).] Desert Madness A skit on the various pronunciation of Libyan place-names. The writer, a sergeant in the A.I.F., is well-known to listeners as … [Read more...] about Desert Madness [poem by F. H. Legg, 12 September 1942]

Filed Under: poetry Tagged With: poem, SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

Rommel’s comments on Australian soldiers [1941-1942]

7 February 2020 · 13 Comments

Following are some excerpts from The Rommel Papers (1953), which reproduces some letters from Rommel to his wife, in three of which he mentions Australian soldiers. Erwin Rommel was the German field marshal who led the German and Italian forces in North Africa during the Second … [Read more...] about Rommel’s comments on Australian soldiers [1941-1942]

Filed Under: correspondence Tagged With: Australian military, Erwin Rommel, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), year1941, year1942, year1953

Rats of Tobruk: Remembrance Day Service [7 April 1949]

25 September 2015 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: An article about the Australian and British defenders of Tobruk (Libya) during the Second World War. Published in The Townsville Daily Bulletin, 7 April 1949.] Rats of Tobruk Remembrance Day Service (Contributed) A day truly of remembrance is Sunday, April … [Read more...] about Rats of Tobruk: Remembrance Day Service [7 April 1949]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: SourceTrove, Tobruk, World War Two (1939-1945), year1949

No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest [poem by Mary Gilmore, 29 June 1940]

4 May 2015 · 8 Comments

Mary Gilmore, 1927, photo

[Editor: This poem by Mary Gilmore was published in The Australian Women’s Weekly, 29 June 1940, during the Second World War (1939-1945).] No foe shall gather our harvest Sons of the mountains of Scotland, Clansmen from correi and kyle, Bred of the moors of … [Read more...] about No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest [poem by Mary Gilmore, 29 June 1940]

Filed Under: poetry Tagged With: Mary Gilmore (1865-1962) (author), poem, recommended poetry, SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1940

Anzac Day

25 April 2015 · Leave a Comment

Articles, letters, and poems regarding Anzac Day, the Anzacs, the Gallipoli landings, and the Dardanelles campaign. Heroes of the Dardanelles [6 June 1915] Extracts of letters from several Australian soldiers. Australians at work: Brisk battles fought: Heavy losses … [Read more...] about Anzac Day

Filed Under: featured items, IAC significant events, topics Tagged With: @ featured, Anzac Day (25 April), Anzacs, Gallipoli campaign, significant events and commemorative dates, World War One (1914-1918), World War Two (1939-1945)

The late Cpl. Roberts: Poem to his children [article and poem, 25 November 1941]

21 October 2014 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: Published in The Braidwood Review and District Advocate, 25 November 1941.] The late Cpl. Roberts Poem to his children Details contained in a letter from Vic Young to his parents in Braidwood describe how the late “Barney” Roberts died in the fighting at … [Read more...] about The late Cpl. Roberts: Poem to his children [article and poem, 25 November 1941]

Filed Under: articles, poetry Tagged With: poem, SourceTrove, Tobruk, World War Two (1939-1945), year1941

50 Jap dead for each captive [27 March 1945]

15 September 2013 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: An article outlining the problems the Allies faced with the Japanese military’s “No Surrender” creed during World War Two. Published in The Argus, Tuesday 27 March 1945.] 50 Jap dead for each captive From J. B. Davies, Special Correspondent of The Argus in New … [Read more...] about 50 Jap dead for each captive [27 March 1945]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1945

Worse than infantry [15 November 1945]

18 December 2012 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: A medical orderly tells of his experiences in New Guinea during World War Two. Published in The Western Mail, 15 November 1945.] You can always find some blighter worse off than yourself Worse than infantry by A.M. Beck You hear that you’re to “go in” again … [Read more...] about Worse than infantry [15 November 1945]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: Australian army, SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1945

Nationality [poem by Mary Gilmore, 12 May 1942]

16 October 2012 · 4 Comments

Australian Poetry 1942 (front cover)

[Editor: This poem by Mary Gilmore was published in Australian Poetry 1942 (1942), during the Second World War (1939-1945).] Nationality I have grown past hate and bitterness, I see the world as one; Yet, though I can no longer hate, My son is still my … [Read more...] about Nationality [poem by Mary Gilmore, 12 May 1942]

Filed Under: poetry Tagged With: Australian nationalism, HTML tables (side) div style, Mary Gilmore (1865-1962) (author), poem, recommended poetry, SourceIACLibrary, World War Two (1939-1945), year1942

Ned Kelly was a Gentleman [poem, 1940s]

7 July 2012 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: A poem regarding Ned Kelly. Believed to have been written during the Second World War, when Australia was at war with the Japanese (1941-1945); possibly composed around the time of the battle of Milne Bay (August-September 1942).] Ned Kelly was a Gentleman Ned … [Read more...] about Ned Kelly was a Gentleman [poem, 1940s]

Filed Under: poetry Tagged With: @ original source unknown, @ yearTBA, Ned Kelly (1854-1880) (subject), poem, SourceVarious, World War Two (1939-1945)

Fallen heroes: Love of country: Dr Prendiville’s Tribute [10 May 1945]

29 May 2012 · Leave a Comment

Fallen heroes. Love of country. Dr Prendiville’s Tribute. In St Mary’s Cathedral yesterday during his address at the V-E Day thanksgiving service the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth (Dr Prendiville) paid a tribute to the dead. “This is indeed a day of joy,” he … [Read more...] about Fallen heroes: Love of country: Dr Prendiville’s Tribute [10 May 1945]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1945

Australians capture Sattelberg [27 November 1943]

29 May 2012 · Leave a Comment

Australians capture Sattelberg From a “Mail” War Correspondent Somewhere in Australia. — Australian troops yesterday fought their way up the final slopes of a 2,500-ft. ridge, and captured Sattelberg, the main Japanese base in the Cape Huon Peninsula area of New … [Read more...] about Australians capture Sattelberg [27 November 1943]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1943

MacArthur’s report [27 November 1943]

29 May 2012 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: A report from General Douglas MacArthur, who held the position of Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, overseeing US, Australian, and other Allied forces.] MacArthur’s report The communique today says: — NORTH-EAST SECTOR NEW … [Read more...] about MacArthur’s report [27 November 1943]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: General Douglas MacArthur, SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1943

[John Curtin: Men and women of Australia, we are at war with Japan] [8 December 1941]

29 May 2012 · Leave a Comment

[Editor: This is the text of a radio speech made by Prime Minister John Curtin on 8 December 1941 – the day after the Japanese attacked the USA’s naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, thereby entering the Second World War against the USA and its allies, including … [Read more...] about [John Curtin: Men and women of Australia, we are at war with Japan] [8 December 1941]

Filed Under: articles Tagged With: John Curtin (1885-1945) (author), SourceTrove, World War Two (1939-1945), year1941

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No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest [poem by Mary Gilmore, 29 June 1940]
Our pipes [short story by Henry Lawson]
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