One hundred years ago Australians woke to the news that the Britain had declared war on Germany. In 2014 it’s difficult to appreciate how enmeshed Australia’s politics and life was with Britain’s, but the summary on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald gives us a retrospective glimpse: “An unparalleled scene in the history … More 100 years ago: Declaration of War
We first met Frederick Charles Fisher in my previous post for the Trans-Tasman Anzac Day Blog Challenge. Fred was a handsome, imposing young man, tall and strong, and no doubt cut a fine figure in his uniform. While he was serving with the 19th Battalion during the War, Fred obviously had an impact on this young lady. Was … More Postcards to the Front 1917
In the early months of 1915, two young brothers enlisted to serve their country in the First World War. It’s unlikely they felt they were going to fight to defend “home” and the “motherland” as their grandparents and uncles were German-born, not unlike my own Kunkel relatives. Perhaps they felt they needed to defend their … More Two brothers go to war: Les and Fred Fisher
For Remembrance Day 2013, I’m going to share with you the brief story of a man who has no family connection to me whatsoever. He made himself known through a photograph found in my cousin’s extensive photo collection. My 4th cousin in Sydney is one of those people who has myriad photographs stored in suitcases … More Remembrance Day 2013: Erle Victor Weiss
This week is the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay. Far less known to the average Aussie than Kokoda in the annals of our military history, it was a vitally important victory against the Japanese Forces. You can read what I wrote about it for last Remembrance Day, not long after we returned … More Anniversary of Battle of Milne Bay
I have incorporated my response to this challenge into my A to Z theme for 2013. You can see my response over here on my Tropical Territory blog.
This week’s Sepia Saturday theme is about work, ideally it would include an image of a woman working but that seems to be so uneventful and ordinary that no one photographs it. Instead I’m including three photos which came to me as part of my aunt’s photographic archive. The photos all feature Army bakers probably … More Sepia Saturday 166: Army bakers
As you know we’ve just returned from Papua New Guinea, and in particular Milne Bay where we spent most of our time. We had lived there for a couple of years after our marriage but Mr Cassmob had also spent his teenage years in the district, when home from boarding school, and he regards it … More Lest We Forget: the Battle of Milne Bay
We all know the joys and benefits of blogging but just how effective it can be is brought home from time to time. Among my comments recently was this one from Claire, representing the Blacktown (Sydney) Computer Pals, a group of people who are learning IT skills by doing a project which their tutor Mick … More Boys of the Old Brigade Feb 1918: help requested
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
Family history across the seas 