Through Their Eyes

Australian War Memorial
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In every conflict, there are countless stories. Some preserved in objects, some buried in archives, and many quietly carried in the memories of those who lived through it. This podcast brings them to light. Listen closely as historians, veterans, families, experts, curators and eyewitnesses share perspectives and details often missing from the headlines. From battlefield artefacts to fragile letters, museum collections and recorded histories, we follow the threads that connect individual lives to larger moments around the world. Through honest conversations and carefully researched storytelling, we discover how war shapes people. And how people, in turn, shape the stories we remember. An Australian War Memorial Official podcast. This series is brought to you by Leidos Australia.

Episodes

  1. Jul 14

    03: Life in the Shadows

    Some of the Second World War's greatest victories began with a secret. Join us as we uncover the hidden world of espionage during the Second World War. From occupied France to the jungles of the Pacific, discover the resistance fighters, spies, Coastwatchers and codebreakers whose courage, deception and intelligence helped shape the course of the war. Featuring Nancy Wake, Major Sei Hashida, Michael Veitch's Coastwatchers, and the remarkable women who kept Allied secrets in wartime Canberra, these are the people who fought the war from the shadows. Stories: 00.00-00:51 – Content warning 00:51-03:53 – Nancy Wake: The secret war begins 03:53-09:23 – John Fahey: Australia's first intelligence 09:23-22:45 – The Coastwatchers with Michael Veitch 22:45-41:24 – Nancy Wake, The White Mouse with Ali Sharman 41:24 -48:54 – ULTRA intelligence with Craig Tibbitts 48:54-59:21 – The Cable Girls with Sita Sargeant 59:21-1:12:51 – Major Hashida's Notebook with Craig Collie 1:12:51-1:14:13 – The legacy of espionage in the Second World War Show notes: Want to go deeper into the stories featured in this episode? Discover the people, objects, voices and histories behind these accounts, including collection items and personal records from the Australian War Memorial, and books by our guest authors. Read John Fahey's Australia's First Spies: The Remarkable Story of Australia's Intelligence Operations, 1901–45 Read Craig Collie's  Major Hashida's Notebook. Read Michael Veitch's Australia's Secret Army. Read Ali Sharman's Gestapo's Most Wanted: The White Mouse Explore the full episode online: https://wm.awm.gov.au/podcast/life-shadows  If this episode raises difficult feelings, support is available: Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

    03: Life in the Shadows

  2. Jul 2

    02: She went to war

    Ever wondered what it's actually like to work inside a flying hospital? Or be responsible for some of a warship's most critical systems? Through archival recordings and firsthand accounts, this episode takes you inside more than a century of Australian women's military service. You'll hear stories of split-second decisions, technical challenges, unexpected humour, and life in environments most of us will never experience. From ambulance drivers in the First World War and Australia's first female official war artist, to Vietnam evacuation flights, Navy deployments and helicopter operations in Afghanistan. These are stories of responsibility, resilience and determination in environments few of us will ever experience. Discover what service felt like through the eyes of the women who lived it. This episode is brought to you by Leidos Australia. Timecodes: 00:00-00:53 – Content warning 00:55-03:13 - Vietnam medevac: Nurses in the air 03:13-03:40 – Introduction to women in service 03:40-07:52 – Olive May King: Driving towards the front 07:53-14:34 – Nora Heysen: Painting the war 14:34-32:12 – Felicity Petrie: Life at sea 32:12-40:48 – Patricia Furbank: Bringing the wounded home 40:48-1:01:20- Naomi Shephard: Flying Chinooks in Afghanistan 1:01:20-1:03:17 – Reflections: Over a century of service Show notes: Want to go deeper into the stories featured in this episode? Discover the people, objects, voices and histories behind these accounts, including collection items, photographs and personal records from the Australian War Memorial. Explore the full episode online: https://wm.awm.gov.au/podcast/she-went-war View the RAAF C-130E Hercules aeromedical evacuation aircraft. If this episode raises difficult feelings, support is available: ·       Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au ·       Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au ·       Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au ·       Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

    02: She went to war

  3. Jun 18

    01: Captured

    What would you hold onto if everything was taken from you? In this episode, step inside the lives of Australian prisoners of war and experience captivity through the eyes of those who lived it. From the brutal conditions of the Death Railway to hidden diaries, daring escapes and moments of defiance, these are stories that go far beyond survival. You'll hear how men and women endured hunger, disease and uncertainty, and how they found ways to resist, support each other and stay human in the harshest conditions imaginable. This is not just a story about war. It is about resilience, courage and the choices people make when pushed to their limits. Want to go deeper into the stories featured in this episode? Discover the people, objects, voices and histories behind these accounts, including collection items, photographs and personal records from the Australian War Memorial. Explore the full episode online: https://wm.awm.gov.au/listen/ If this episode raises difficult feelings, support is available: Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au   Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

    01: Captured

  4. Season 1 Trailer

    Welcome to Through Their Eyes

    Behind every object, photograph and record in the Australian War Memorial's collection is a human story. Some are well known. Others have remained hidden in diaries, letters, personal accounts, and memories. Through Their Eyes brings these stories to life through conversations with historians, veterans, families, curators and subject matter experts, revealing the people behind the events that shaped our nation. An official Australian War Memorial podcast. This series is proudly brought to you by Leidos Australia.

    Welcome to Through Their Eyes

Trailer

About

In every conflict, there are countless stories. Some preserved in objects, some buried in archives, and many quietly carried in the memories of those who lived through it. This podcast brings them to light. Listen closely as historians, veterans, families, experts, curators and eyewitnesses share perspectives and details often missing from the headlines. From battlefield artefacts to fragile letters, museum collections and recorded histories, we follow the threads that connect individual lives to larger moments around the world. Through honest conversations and carefully researched storytelling, we discover how war shapes people. And how people, in turn, shape the stories we remember. An Australian War Memorial Official podcast. This series is brought to you by Leidos Australia.

Information

  • Creator
    Australian War Memorial
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Through Their Eyes