I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History

Ross Manuel

5.0 (3)
HISTORY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

"I Was Only Doing My Job" is a fortnightly (Bi-weekly) Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia's Military History through the individual stories of those who served; where they grew up, what they did, and invariably what happened to them.

SEP 22

Acting Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade DSO DFC USBS: From Bourke to Bomber Command

15-JULY-1944. While serving as a pilot in the Royal Air Force's Path Finder Force. Acting Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade, Commander of Lancaster Bomber N Nuts, en route to a raid on Hamburg, was struck by anti-aircraft fire, was able to recover the aircraft sufficiently to continue the attack, drop his bombs and return home with 48 square foot piece of the port wing missing and with limited controls, managed to bring the plane in for a "successful" landing. this was his 59th operational flight over enemy territory. In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade, from his early days as a young migrant in Australia to his post-war life in Boorowa, where he became a respected community figure. With firsthand accounts from those who remember his presence, This episode uncovers the remarkable yet humble legacy of a man who, both in the air and on the ground, was defined by his unwavering sense of duty. Huge thanks to Helen McGrath of the Boorowa Historical Society, Shane Casey Senior Curator and Dr Lachlan Grant Senior Historian at the Australian War Memorial for their assistance in this episode. --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/. Access to the Discord Server Visit https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM Find the Podcast on https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ/, https://twitter.com/iwodmj/, https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj/, https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSibhtovM96eBi0Fcg5BRA/

32 min
AUG 24

Private Claude Herbert Roberts: "Dear Maudie..."

30-AUGUST-1942. While serving as a soldier in the 2/14th Australian Imperial Force as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, Private Claude Herbert Roberts served from the sands of Egypt and Palestine to the mountainous slopes of Kokoda. This episode was requested by his great-niece Christine and was made possible thanks to recently discovered letters sent home during the war. If there is someone that you think needs to have their story told, drop the podcast an email at podcast@thedocnetwork.net Thanks to Seth for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch. Get yours now at Our Ko-Fi Shop --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

37 min
AUG 3

From Duty to Dishonour: Lieutenant Harry Harbord "The Breaker" Morant

7-SEPTEMBER-1901. While serving with the Bushveldt Carbineers, a British Irregular Mounted Unit, during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lt Harry Harbord Morant, better known as "Breaker Morant" allegedly ordered the execution of eight Boer Prisoners of War, along with several Dutch civilians, and a German Missionary. For this act, Breaker Morant is one of the first British Subjects, charged, tried and convicted for War Crimes. And while he claimed to be following orders, at what point does just doing your job constitute unlawful killings of non-combatants? From Duty to Dishonour is a backer-exclusive podcast that tells the story of those service personnel who didn't live up to the societal expectations of what an Australian Service person represents, but their story still deserves to be told. --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi ⁠https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast ⁠ Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ --- Linktree https://linktr.ee/iwodmj For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net Access to the Discord Server ⁠https://discord.gg/v3Vpb9Fhsj⁠ Find the Podcast on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ⁠ Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/iwodmj⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj⁠ Mastodon ⁠https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/⁠ YouTube ⁠https://youtube.com/@iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast

37 min
JUL 18

Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood and the 2nd Mountain Battery: Tragedy at Katika

16-DECEMBER-1943. While serving as part of the 2nd Mountain Battery of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood, a professional soldier within the Permanent Military Force, served from before the Second World War in Garrison Artillery postings before serving as part of Wren Force in Nauru. His first offensive deployment was part of a Specialised Mountainous Artillery Battery trained and equipped to bring fire support to Allied personnel high in the mountains of New Guinea. Thanks to Karen, Linda, Mitch and Paul for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch. Get yours now at Our Ko-Fi Shop --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

27 min
JUN 22

Sub Lieutenant Richard Michael Pirrie MiD: A Hawk’s Normandy Flight (History Guild Episode Six)

6-JUNE-1944. While serving as part of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve assigned to the Royal Navy, Sub Lieutenant Richard "Dick" Michael Pirrie, gave up a promising VFL career with the Hawthorn VFL Team. to serve in the Second World War attached to the Royal Navy. Initially serving on escort duty on Destroyers escorting convoys to Russia and Malta. Upon receiving his commission as a Sub-Lieutenant he transferred to landing craft and served as the commander of a Landing Craft Support (Medium) vessel which served as a floating observation platform for naval and army artillery spotters. This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. ' This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of five Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honour them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.' --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

28 min
JUN 8

Squadron Leader Adrian Phillip Goldsmith DFC DFM: Wings Over Malta (History Guild Episode Five)

15-JUNE-1942. While serving as a Fighter Pilot in 126 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Pilot Officer Adrian Phillip Goldsmith received the Distinguished Flying Medal for shooting down six Axis planes over Malta, this was followed up with the Distinguished Flying Cross a month later and in doing so became the second highest fighter ace in the RAAF This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. ' This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of five Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honor them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.' --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

28 min
MAY 25

Sergeant Henry Armstrong Lacey Snr BEM MM: Soldier of Three Wars (History Guild Episode Four)

20-JUNE-1940. While serving as an Orderly in the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade during the Second World War. Sergeant Henry Armstrong Lacey Snr received the British Empire Medal for exemplary service and dedication to his duties, which is understandable, as he wasn't a 35-year-old fresh soldier, but a 53-year-old veteran of both the Second Anglo-Boer War and the First World War. in a military career that spanned three two continents and the length and breadth of Australia's involvement in the conflicts of the early 20th Century, in particular Gallipoli, the Western Front, North Africa and the disastrous campaign in Greece before becoming a Prisoner of War. In this episode we show the experiences of enlisted soldiers in captivity, in particular those that had been captured during the failed rearguard operation in Greece. This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. ' This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of five Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honour them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.' --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

47 min
MAY 11

Matron Colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best OBE: Courage Under Fire (History Guild Episode Three)

23-April-1941. While serving as Matron of the 2/5th Australian General Hospital during the Second World War. Matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best was the youngest Matron in the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the disastrous campaign in Greece and her decision to stay behind when the chance of capture was great. In this episode, we focus on the nursing involvement of the Australian Imperial Force during Operation Lusture, the Failed Rearguard Operation to Defend Greece from the German Invasion. This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. 'This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of four Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honor them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.' --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

31 min

See All (75)

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Great history pod!

Feb 10

Mxsandy12

Informative and interesting!!!

"I Was Only Doing My Job" is a fortnightly (Bi-weekly) Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia's Military History through the individual stories of those who served; where they grew up, what they did, and invariably what happened to them.

Creator

Ross Manuel
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

75
Rating

Clean
Show Website

I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History

I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History

Acting Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade DSO DFC USBS: From Bourke to Bomber Command

Private Claude Herbert Roberts: "Dear Maudie..."

From Duty to Dishonour: Lieutenant Harry Harbord "The Breaker" Morant

Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood and the 2nd Mountain Battery: Tragedy at Katika

Sub Lieutenant Richard Michael Pirrie MiD: A Hawk’s Normandy Flight (History Guild Episode Six)

Squadron Leader Adrian Phillip Goldsmith DFC DFM: Wings Over Malta (History Guild Episode Five)

Sergeant Henry Armstrong Lacey Snr BEM MM: Soldier of Three Wars (History Guild Episode Four)

Matron Colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best OBE: Courage Under Fire (History Guild Episode Three)

Trailers

My Silent Hero Trailer

I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast Trailer