Lately my mind has been turning to Papua New Guinea again as we plan an upcoming trip back to Alotau after a mere 41 years. As it does in these circumstances, one thought leads to another and before long I’m off on a tangent. No surprise then that I picked up my copy of The … More Thoughts on The Last Blue Sea
“But the toll of missing is getting smaller. It is not quite the disaster which at first appeared. I would say we lost something between 4000 and 5000”. Such are the relatively dispassionate words entered in the diary of Australia’s military historian, Charles Bean, after the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916.[i] However the … More Fromelles, Lt Col WEH Cass and family collections.
I am participating in the A to Z 2012 blog challenge throughout April. Today’s post is both historical and genealogical, as in Australia and New Zealand we celebrate 25 April as Anzac Day, commemorating the landing at Gallipoli and all the Australian and New Zealand military contributions since then. Tying in the with Trans-Tasman Anzac … More V is for the Valiant of Villers-Bretonneux: Lest we forget
This is Week 16 in my Beyond the Internet series in which I explore the sources of information beyond our computer screens. In honour of Anzac Day coming up this week, the topic is War service records. Once again this week, the topic will be a cross-over between online and offline resources. Please do join … More Beyond the Internet: Week 16 War service records
This is Week 14 in my Beyond the Internet series in which I explore the sources of information beyond our computer screens. This week’s topic is War Diaries, shipping and photos. I’d love it if you wanted to join in with your thoughts on this topic, especially if you live overseas and have a different … More Beyond the Internet Week 14: War diaries, shipping and photographs
Let me explain my plan for the A-Z blogging theme for April. Given that family history is my focus generally, there are a number of paths I could have taken. I’ve opted to use each letter to highlight a place/places of some ancestral significance. Hopefully they’ll also be interesting from a travel point of view. I’ll try … More A is for Ardkinglas in Argyll, and Alotau (Papua New Guinea).
This is Week 13 in my Beyond the Internet series in which I explore the sources of information beyond our computer screens. This week’s topic is War Memorial and Plaques. I’d love it if you wanted to join in with your thoughts on this topic. If possible please provide a link to your post on … More Beyond the Internet Week 13: Lest we forget: War Memorials
It’s not just the weather in Darwin where it never rains but it pours. Over the past week we’ve had a flurry of diverse historical and genealogical talks. Today I’ll focus on the historical talks. On Saturday 18th February the Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory, with support from The Northern Territory Archives, hosted a … More Never rains but it pours: Historical talks in Darwin
Last night we were in the audience for the world premiere screening of the documentary, The Bombing of Darwin, an Awkward Truth. The Darwin Entertainment Centre was filled close to capacity with old servicemen and their families, Darwinites old and new, and visitors. We were rewarded with a very engaging and educational documentary based on … More The Bombing of Darwin: an Awkward Truth
Darwin is in a flurry of activity this week as the city commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942. Although it’s said that the event was little known in Australia’s history perhaps it’s more accurate to say that it was a good example of war-time “spin”…perhaps understandably in the … More The Bombing of Darwin 19 February 1942: the 70th anniversary
Family history across the seas 