Our Wartime Heroes: firsthand stories from men and women who were there

Sharon Kennedy, Jeffrey Peirce, Bunbury Oral History Group
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From meeting Kitchener in the Boer War at the end of the 19thC, to clearing mines in Vietnam, this is wartime history recounted by those who were there. These remarkable stories are told by the men and women from Bunbury Western Australia, in their own words and sometimes in their own voices. Listen to little told stories of the nurses who tended the wounded and dying men in WWI. Listen as Percy Goring talks of escaping a frozen death in a snowstorm on Gallipoli. Hear about the time that HMAS Australia gave Churchill a lift. You will cry, laugh and above all be in awe of the ability of ordinary men and women to face the extraordinary.

Episodes

  1. Frederick Henry Allen Johnson: gassed and shaking

    2d ago

    Frederick Henry Allen Johnson: gassed and shaking

    Fred was a gunner in WWI in Belgium. He vividly describes what it was like to face the constant noise and bombardment on the battlefield. After the war, Fred continued his fine teaching career. Narration Sharon Kennedy. Written and voiced by Chris Handley.

    4 min
  2. Capt Robert Allsop: merchant navy convoys

    5d ago

    Capt Robert Allsop: merchant navy convoys

    Captain Bob Allsop was part of the British Merchant Navy during WWII. He'd already been toughened up by the English education system. He dodged death in some of the most dangerous convoys of the war and narrowly avoided capture by the Japanese when transporting Australians to Singapore. He greatly admired the Australians whom he met on board.

    3 min
  3. Kim Roberts: herioc pilot missing over France

    Jul 4

    Kim Roberts: herioc pilot missing over France

    During WWII, Lancaster bomber Kim Roberts flew as part of the D Day invasion. He crashed in France, The family had never given up hope of finding his body. Then, 50 years on, his brother Newton received a phone call. He tells the story. Narration Sharon Kennedy.

    4 min
  4. Ian McCaughan: a youngster who did his bit

    Jul 4

    Ian McCaughan: a youngster who did his bit

    Ian was just a 13 you old lad when WWII began. He had the job of delivering bad news to Bunbury families.

    3 min
  5. Majorie Higgins: runaway to the Land Army

    Jul 4

    Majorie Higgins: runaway to the Land Army

    During WWII, adventurous young Marjorie was determined to join the Women's Land Army despite her parents refusal.. So she ran away from home. The uniform made her laugh, but the work was serious. Narration Sharon Kennedy.

    2 min
  6. Dennis Beauglehole: 10th Light Horse stampede

    Jul 4

    Dennis Beauglehole: 10th Light Horse stampede

    In 1939, Dennis signed up for the famed Australia 10th Light Horse, He explains what caused the horses to stampede through the middle of the Bunbury town.

    2 min
  7. Henry George Buswell: first landings at Gallipoli

    Jul 4

    Henry George Buswell: first landings at Gallipoli

    Harry was among the first to land on Gallipoli in WWI, He was an acclaimed sniper and, also, in demand for his broad shoulders. The Gallipoli campaign was the foundation of the ANZAC legend. Listen to his letters home which detail the conditions on the peninsula.

    3 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

From meeting Kitchener in the Boer War at the end of the 19thC, to clearing mines in Vietnam, this is wartime history recounted by those who were there. These remarkable stories are told by the men and women from Bunbury Western Australia, in their own words and sometimes in their own voices. Listen to little told stories of the nurses who tended the wounded and dying men in WWI. Listen as Percy Goring talks of escaping a frozen death in a snowstorm on Gallipoli. Hear about the time that HMAS Australia gave Churchill a lift. You will cry, laugh and above all be in awe of the ability of ordinary men and women to face the extraordinary.

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