Our Wartime Heroes

The Gallipoli landing

A crack shot, Harry saw action as a sniper on Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at Pozières, France. “A straight, honest man and a fearless fighter.”

In 1916 Harry was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for ‘conspicuous gallantry in hand to hand attacks on enemy trenches‘.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image Australian Army Museum of WA

10th Light Horse Regiment

A member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Denis talks about the Bunbury horse stampede where many horses were injured.

Interviewed by Norm Flynn on 8 Sep 1997 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image National Archives of Australia

A runaway to join the Land Army

During WWII, adventurous Marjorie was determined to join the Women’s Land Army. So she ran away from home.

Interviewed by Diana Terry on 21 May 1986 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image supplied M W Higgins

A young lad doing his bit

Ian was just 13 years old when WWII began. He had the job of delivering bad news to Bunbury’s families.

Interviewed by Gail Parker in 1 Aug 1997 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image National Archives of Australia

Lancaster pilot missing over France

A Lancaster pilot during WWII, Kim had crashed while flying over France. Newton Roberts of Australia II fame, searched for his brother’s body.

Interviewed by Lorna Anderson in 1997 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image vwma.org.au

A lucky escape

Formerly the Bunbury Harbour Master, Bob was apprenticed to the British Merchant Navy. He narrowly avoided being captured by the Japanese in Singapore.

Interviewed by Grahame Coves on 29 September 2002 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image National Archives of Australia

The effects of war

Fred was a member of the 7th Field Artillery Brigade during WWI. He was gassed and left shaking in the bombardment.

Researched, written & voiced by Chris Handley
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Chris Handley

Suvla Bay

The 54th Royal Engineers arrived on Gallipoli on the 10th August 1915. Percy was soon to encounter the failings of those in command.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image supplied P Goring

Bombs from the sky

Percy was 100 at the time of recording by the Bunbury Oral History Group. His memory was sharp and clear. Such as the time he realised that bombs no longer came only from land.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Landing at Gabe Tepe 24 Apr 1915 [AWM P00046.026]

Treacle lottery

Food was an issue at Gallipoli for Percy. But he wasn’t all that happy when he won the treacle lottery.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Outside a dugout [AWM G00762]

Mining Hill 60

Percy was a sapper with the Royal Engineers. One day he was sent out to do a ‘nice’ job to help in the mining of Hill 60, a strategic area. Nerves of steel were required.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Wikipedia

Bully Beef and Flies

Bully beef and flies added to the hell of Galipoli.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Stores  at Anzac Cove [AWM H03951]

Snow on Gallipoli

Snowing on Gallipoli and it was no time to be caught without shelter.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Snow on Gallipoli [AWM C00783]

Keep your head down

Percy was an East Ender, a tough upbringing that no doubt helped him survive on Gallipoli. He also knew that there were times that officers shouldn’t be obeyed.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Using a periscope in a Gallipoli trench [AWM01107]

75 years on: Getting back to Gallipoli

As the 75th anniversary of the Anzac landing neared, Percy was determined to attend the ceremony at Gallipoli.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image supplied P Goring

75 years on: The Ceremony

At his age, negotiating the crowds at Gallipoli on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, was always going to be a struggle.

Interviewed by Lyn Adams in 1995 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Ari Burnu Cemetery [CWGC & IWM]

Heavy workloads took a toll

Sister with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Her story is typical of the nurses in the World Wars – heavy workloads and shocking injuries.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Jennifer Kain

Image supplied Valda Paisley (Vera’s niece)

Took part in the Dawn Landing

Stan was one of the first from WA to enlist and one of the first to land on Gallipoli.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image anzacheroes.com.au

Listening to Lord Haw Haw

Rose joined the Australian Army Nursing Service before declaration of war. She had to endure the propaganda of Lord Haw Haw on the way through the Suez Canal.

Interviewed by Audrey Jacques in 1986 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Jennifer Kain

Image National Archives of Australia

A perilous journey

Rose survived a perilous sea voyage to New Guinea. Later she worked at a hospital in Bougainville.

In 1978, Rose was awarded the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) for ‘services to the community‘.

Interviewed by Audrey Jacques in 1986 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Jennifer Kain

Image 2/1st AGH Bougainville 1945 [AWM 078583]

A mother’s determination

A mother’s determination brought home a treasured keepsake.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Rhys Hughes & Sharon Kennedy

Image VWMA

The Sunderland Rescue

HMAS Australia (II) earned a special commendation for the rescue of the Short Sunderland flying boat in dangerous circumstances.

Interviewed by Lorna Anderson on 3 May 2000 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Ron Tait

Image Wikipedia

Meeting Churchill

In 1941, John was aboard HMAS Napier. They had the job of picking up a very important passenger.

Interviewed by Lorna Anderson on 3 May 2000 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Peter Hopkins (John’s son)

Image HMAS Napier [AWM301069]

Finding the Corvette Bunbury

In 1944 Mariner John Hopkins had to find his new ship. Easier said than done.

Interviewed by Lorna Anderson on 3 May 2000 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Peter Hopkins (John’s son)

Image HMAS Bunbury (I) [Allan C Green, State Library Victoria]

Nursed at Lemnos

Elma helped establish the hospital on Lemnos. She nursed large numbers of soldiers wounded on Gallipoli. The conditions were basic and difficult, to say the least.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Ron Tait
Voiced by Adele Peirce

Image vwma.org.au

Mosquito pilot

Former Bunbury Mayor, Dick McKenzie flew Blenheim and Mosquito bombers and survived a nerve-racking war flying low level missions.

In 1949, Dick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for ‘skill and determination, often in the face of intense opposition‘.

Researched & written by Bunbury Oral History Group & Rochelle McKenzie-Stubbs
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Ron Tait & Kris Schillag

Image vwma.org.au

Letter to his students

Jack was a teacher who wrote to his students to prepare them for the dangers to come.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image ancestry.com

Fighting at Pozières

Jack fought in some of the worst engagements of WWI and was wounded at Pozières.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Adele Peirce
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image Shattered gardens of Pozières, 1916 [AWM EZ0097]

Taken prisoner on Crete

“You don’t strike in the Army son”. Norm soon learned this lesson. He fought in Africa and was wounded on Crete, and taken prisoner.

Interviewed by Gail Parker on 8 Nov 2000 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Andrew Robinson

Image Landing at Crete, May 1941 [AWM 07445]

Forced marching near the end of the war

Towards the end of the war, the prisoners were marched from one German camp to another. Their guards were ‘children’ and there was little food.

Interviewed by Gail Parker on 8 Nov 2000 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Andrew Robinson

Image supplied RN Eaton

Evacuation of Gallipoli

In 1915, Matron Jessie Clifton was quickly snapped up by the Australian Army Nursing Service and sent overseas. The nurses’ workload was staggering, including treating the wounded coming from Gallipoli.

In 1950, Jessie was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her ‘service to the WA Returned Nurses Trust Fund‘.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Rhys Hughes
Voiced by Adele Peirce

Image vwma.org.au

HMAS Sydney (II)

Visiting HMAS Sydney (II) as a 13-year-old Sea Scout, Neville was beyond excited to be on board the Sydney when she visited Bunbury in 1941.

Interviewed by Norm Flynn on 6 May 1999 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Michelle Durrant

Image HMAS Sydney (II) [seapower.navy.gov.au 00584]

Reporting spitfires over Bunbury

As a lad during WWII, Neville learned telegraphy. His skills came in use the night the sirens sounded over the town.

Interviewed by Norm Flynn on 6 May 1999 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image NLA South Western Times 8 Sep 1949 p10

Converting cars to gas

Kevin Keeley was too young to join up. He was a mechanic who learned first hand the pitfalls of gas conversions for cars.

Interviewed by Ray Repacholi on 1 Aug 1997 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Michelle Durrant

Image National Archives of Australia

Brothers at war

Tom Shaw was among the first in WA to volunteer to fight in the Boer War. While in South Africa, he had an interesting brush with fate. In 1914, once again, he was the first to volunteer.

Researched & written by Bunbury Oral History Group & Colin Shaw.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Lachlan Kelly

Image C Shaw [supplied to Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre]

Three wars

Tom Shaw survived wounding and illness. Back home, he helped set up an organisation which, in time, became the Returned Soldiers League, the RSL. At the declaration of WWII, Tom was keen to fight again.

Researched & written by Bunbury Oral History Group & Colin Shaw.
Narrated by Jennifer Kain
Voiced by Lachlan Kelly

Image Jeffrey A Peirce

On the Western Front

Having survived wounding then illness by 1918, former dairy hand Tom Harrison was fighting in Franvillers, France

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Ron Tait
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image anzacheroes.com.au

A devastating loss

Olive Jeffrey enlisted in the AANS in 1917. She landed in Egypt where she began treating soldiers suffering shell shock. Despite wanting to keep a professional distance, she fell for a young airman.

Written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Andrew Robinson
Voiced by Michelle Durrant

Image AWM P03624.001

Devotion to Duty

Olive put aside her personal pain and refocused on the physically and mentally draining work, caring for sick and wounded soldiers in Egypt. Post war, Olive continued her career, sometimes in remote places.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Andrew Robinson
Voiced by Michelle Durrant

Image supplied Judith Doig (Olive’s daughter)

Lottery winner

In the 1960s, there was a lottery that no one wanted to win. The lottery chose days of the year. As a 20-year-old, if you were born on that day, your prize was conscription into National Service. You might even be sent to fight in the Vietnam War.

Interviewed by Colin Shaw in April 2024 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Jungle training Canungra, Qld [AWM HAL66012NC]

Minefields

Arriving in Vietnam, Trevor was assigned to a Mobile Training Team, working with the South Vietnamese soldiers. He quickly became acquainted with the conundrum of that war, where was the enemy?

Interviewed by Colin Shaw in April 2024 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image  162 Regional Forces Post, Hoi My, South Vietnam 1968 [AWM P02964.001, photographer Lieutenant JJR Lucaci]

Recuperation

In August 1968, Trevor became ill and was given R&R. He didn’t want to return. However the thought of abandoning the South Vietnamese he had worked with, overcame his reluctance.

Interviewed by Colin Shaw in April 2024 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Australian and South Vietnamese soldiers at Hoi My, South Vietnam, 1968 [AWM P01358.008, photographer Lieutenant JRR Lucaci]

Welcome Home

In 1968, Trevor’s regiment, 3RAR, was recalled to Australia. Trevor didn’t remember anything about the journey home. Vietnam wasn’t so easy to forget. With some trepidation he went to the Welcome Home March. “Tears, beers and reunions” he said.

Interviewed by Colin Shaw in April 2024 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image Long Tan Memorial, South Vietnam, 1966 [AWM P04665.798]

Return to Vietnam

Trevor’s wife Maureen persuaded him to return to Vietnam with her and her Vietnamese friend. He gained new insights into the war.

Interviewed by Colin Shaw in April 2024 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy

Image supplied T Herbert

Lamia, Greece

During WWII, George was aboard a transport near Lamia, Greece when it was strafed. Miraculously, the bullets went around him. His luck ran out later though and was wounded in a bombing raid.

Interviewed by Diana Terry in October 1988 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Jennifer Kain

Image supplied Ian & Stephanie Baxter (George’s son)

POW Germany

Wounded, attacked on a hospital ship, taken prisoner, George was never so happy to hear the sound of tanks approaching. He’ll never forget April Fool’s Day 1945.

Interviewed by Diana Terry in October 1988 for Bunbury Oral History Group & State Library of WA.
Narrated by Jennifer Kain

Image Kokkinia POW Hospital, Athens, Greece 1941 [AWM P01333.006]

Special missions

A crack shot, Dick and his brother Ray trained to become snipers. On Gallipoli, their fame soon spread. They were sent on special missions and placed in peril.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image anzacheroes.com.au

Gallipoli to the Somme

Dick and the 11th Battalion led the charge at Pozières in France. It would turn out to be the bloodiest battle of the Western Front in which Australians fought.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image Cloth Hall, Ypres, Belgium, Oct 1917.  A massive medieval building almost destroyed in WWI, but later faithfully rebuilt. Now houses In Flanders Field Museum.  [AWM P00247.002]

Polygon Wood

Gunshots couldn’t stop him. Dick was wounded again in the fierce fight for Polygon Wood. He longed for a return to his simple life on the farm.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image supplied Robyn Whitfield

Home or back to the front?

A soldier with incredible luck, Dick so far survived several gunshot wounds to the head and body. Then he was picked as the leader for a special mission.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image Amiens Cathedral with bomb damage to its roof, 1918 [AWM E04891]

Will to live

Finally back home to a hero’s welcome, Dick was not about to feel sorry for himself. People were astonished at what he was determined to do.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image St Dunstan’s Hostel, London, where Dick was assisted to a new way of life [AWM P06305.001]

Doing her duty

Kate Bruton was a skilled nurse with her own private hospital in Bunbury. In 1914, she decided to take a holiday. It turned out to be a short rest, as nurses of her calibre were urgently needed.

Researched by Streets of Bunbury
Written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Rhys Hughes
Voiced by Jennifer Kain

Image State Library of WA [150156PD]

At Gallipoli

A career soldier, George enlisted from Bunbury with the 10th Light Horse. When it came to land on Gallipoli, the Light Horsemen were crestfallen to realise that their horses would not be going with them.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Jennifer Kain
Voiced by Ron Tait

Image Cairo [AWM J02779]

Honoured for bravery

In 1917, 10th Light Horseman Captain Rosevear saw action in the Second Battle of Gaza where he received the Military Cross (MC) for gallantry and ‘great coolness under trying circumstances‘.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Ron Tait

Image Australian Army Museum of WA  [enhanced]

Impossible workload, Heliopolis

Beatrice was one of the first nurses to sign up during WWI. She was sent to Heliopolis, Egypt where the wounded began arriving from the Gallipoli arena. Heliopolis was once a palatial hotel. As a hospital, it was entirely unsuitable.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Andrew Robinson
Voiced by Adele Peirce

Image Australian Army Museum of WA

On board troop ships

Early in the Great War, Beatrice joined the Australian Army Nursing Service and was assigned to the troop ships. She vividly described the conditions under which the nurses worked, caring for badly wounded men. The Australian nurses quickly gained a reputation for their skills. Between each voyage, Beatrice was based at Heliopolis.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Andrew Robinson
Voiced by Adele Peirce

Image Hospital ship Gascon [AWM H18949]

Casualty Clearing Station

Beatrice faced incredible calls on her nursing skills as she coped with caring for the wounded at Heliopolis and on the troop ships. She could have been forgiven for hoping for an easier time in her new posting. Instead, she entered a new hell.

In 1919, Beatrice was awarded Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC) for ‘exceptional competency and devotion to duty‘ whilst attached to the British forces in Salonika, Greece.

Leaving the family farm

Percy was an outstanding cadet in the Bunbury military troop and an equally impressive school student. He was known for his writing skills. When WWI broke out, he and his two brothers were determined to enlist, despite being needed on the family farm. In 1916, Sergeant Percy Blythe set sail for Egypt.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image 11th Battalion marching out of Blackboy Hill Camp, Perth, ca Nov 1914 [AWM P08644.002]

Bravery on the Somme

Percy wrote expressive letters back home to his wife and mother. After training in Egypt, he was embroiled in the bloody battle for Pozières where he was wounded. Later on, in a second battle, his bravery was awarded a Military Medal. Some felt that he deserved a higher honour.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image vwma.org.au

Wounded on the Somme

Now a Lieutenant, Percy was in the thick of things on the Somme, where he was wounded on two occasions. While recouperating, he wanted nothing more than to rejoin his mates in the 28th.

In August 1916, Percy was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for maintaining communication with surviving officers and attending to the wounded, whilst under heavy fire at Pozières Ridge, on the night of 28/29th July 1916.

Researched & written by Jeffrey Peirce
Narrated by Sharon Kennedy
Voiced by Rhys Hughes

Image Morlancourt, France, Aug 1918 [AWM H15936]

Centenary

Marking the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Bunbury War Memorial on Remembrance Day, 11 November 1924, this final episode reflects on Bunbury’s enduring commitment to serving Australia and honours the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation.

Researched & written by Bunbury Oral History Group
Voiced by John Gelmi, Jeannie Douglas-McPaul, Jennifer Kain

Image Bunbury War Memorial [State Library WA b6554209_04]