| Well I have only one direct realative alive, old enough to remember WWII, and she for some reason, absolutly hates the military and won't talk about it.
Literally all knowledge I have about my direct realatives in WWI and WWII, come from the Australian War Memorial or the National Archives.
However I have been told stories from realatives who passed away before I was born. I have had many great uncles in WWII. One was captured in Greece as a Commando, another was in the 8th Division in Singapore and spent most of the war in Changi. My Pop was a Machine Gunner with the CMF in the Torres Straight, but got an early discharge in May 1945, due to a shortage of coal truck drivers. My grandfather was an Sapper in New Guinea, who spent more time AWOL than on leave.
They were told to me by my dad. However by searching the AWM and
NAA I discovered I am the Great Grandson of a Military Medal Recipient.
Driver Ruben F. Arnold, 5th Australian Machinegun Battalion.
He was wounded in March 1918, on the second day of Operation St Michael and was RTA. We cannot find a copy of his citation, but on the A.I.F. Nominal Roll, and his Discharge papers his name carries the post nominals "MM". We are still looking for the Citation. That was on my fathers side.
On my mothers side, I found my Great Grandfathers Brother, was awarded the Military Medal after the fighting in Peronne in 1918.
LCPL Charles G. Burslem, 53rd Battalion A.I.F. He captured several German machineguns with his Lewis Gun, and he and his section throughout the operation captured several german Prisoners.
So, basically if we did not search the AWM and the Archives, I would not have known I am related to two Australian War Hero's
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"Even if I wished to surrender to you - and I don't - I am commanding Australian's who would cut my throat if I accepted your Terms" Colonel C Hore, Siege of Elands River, 1900
If You want to See the Future, Read a History Book
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