‘Mephisto’ has now left the Australian War Memorial and been returned to the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Queensland, where it has been for nearly 100 years. The tank is still worthy a review lest you visit Queensland too. Continue reading “Mephisto – The Devil’s Chariot”
With such an amazing collection of war relics, artwork and other memorabilia the majority of which evoke, in the visitor, sad and dark memories from wars and conflicts (though many simultaneously create a sense of hope) it is hard to single out a favourite item at the Australian War Memorial. If I were forced to do so, this painting may indeed be it. Continue reading “Menin Gate at Midnight”
It is rare that one finds medieval art or sculptures in Australia and probably the last place on would expect to encounter such would be in the Australian War Memorial, built in 1936 to commemorate the sacrifice of Australians who have died in war (essentially since the mid 1800s). Continue reading “Menin Gate Lions”
For me, the Australian War Memorial’s WWI dioramas are one of the highlights of a visit to the Memorial and, indeed, so successful have they been with visitors that the Memorial has commissioned additional dioramas on other campaigns including two on the Korean War. Continue reading “World War One Dioramas”
Pride of place in the Australian War Memorial’s beautiful and tranquil Hall of Memory goes to the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.
The idea to entomb an unknown soldier in Australia was first put forward in the 1920s after Britain had interred its unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey and the French had done likewise at the Arc de Triomphe. The idea did not come to fruition until 1993 when the remains of an unknown Australian solder were brought home to this, his final resting place. Continue reading “Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier”
On 4 August 1914, the British Empire declared war on Germany and her allies and with that an enthusiastic Australia was at war. Within days white Australians were enlisting. Aboriginals were specifically barred from joining the newly federated Australia’s military forces though around 1,000 including Charles Blackman (picture 2) did mange to enlist. Continue reading “World War I at the Australian War Memorial”
The centrepiece of the Australian War Memorial is the absolutely stunning and evocative Hall of Memory, containing the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. It is located at the far end of the commemorative courtyard, past the Pool of Reflection. Walk straight ahead when you enter the War Memorial. Continue reading “Hall of Memory”
This memorial, located about 100m from the National Carillon and next to the HMAS Canberra Memorial at the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, commemorates the contribution of the Merchant Navy during World Wars I and II. Continue reading “Merchant Navy Memorial – Fitting Waterside Tribute”
This ornate four sided trachyte stone World War One memorial commemorates the 750 men from the Pyrmont – Ultimo district who enlisted in the Australian Expeditionary Forces during the Great War. All are named on the base of the memorial. Of the 750 enlistees, 150 lost their lives during the war and many more were wounded. Continue reading “Pyrmont War Memorial”
Until 1967 Indigenous Australians did not have the right to vote and were not included in Australia’s census counts.
This effective non-recognition of Indigenous people as Australian citizens was particularly troublesome for the authorities when it came to them serving, or not, in the armed services. Continue reading “Yininmadyemi – Thou Didst Let Fall”
The Rambling Wombat 