Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5256458

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1078596

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8016605

National Archives Australia - WWI Service Record

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8015762

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Note on Red Cross File No 920705: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills, 10.10.19.'

3 & 3-14 AUS FD Ambulance - The Unit Guide

3___3-14_AUS_FD_Ambulance__The_Unit_Guide__1939-45__Graham_McKenzie-Smith.pdf

Reports of Radio Message to Family

SKM_C36821011814370.pdf

Pacific Wrecks - aircraft losses in the SW Pacific

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/anson/LT294.html

153 Squadron History - October 1944 - September 1945

History_153_Sqn__Oct_44-Sept_45__1_.pdf

Howard James-Martin and Alec Boxall

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/MSS1514/

A Tale of Two Dernancourts

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.pdf

A Tale of Two Dernacourts

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.docx

A Tale of Two Dernancourts

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.docx

Albert Budd Carter 1877-1918_Graham Carter

Albert_Budd_CARTER_1877-1918_Ver_P2_FINAL_red_nP2.pdf

Personal Diary covering the Gallipoli Campaign_Part 2

SKM_C36822101017280.pdf

Personal Diary covering the Gallipoli Campaign_Part 1

SKM_C36822101017260.pdf

WW1 Service Record

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8377213

Whilst on Malta We (Oxbury and Shipard) served as aircrew with 89 squadron's small detachment of Beaufighter Mk I's. This aircraft was a perfect flying platform for its fearsome armament which included four 20mm cannon and eight wing-mounted .303 machine guns. The punch from this monster could make short work of any enemy unfortunate enough to come within range of its devastating firepower. The Beaufighter's cannon were described by one pilot as being 'like hell's own hammers crashing upon some huge aerial anvil'. Suffice to say their cannon deafened our own crews - as well as silencing the enemy. On several occasions watching through the choking cordite fumes which quickly filled the fuselage - young Oxby would be horrified (but also secretly pleased) to see yet another enemy aircraft disintegrate in front of them. One time an enemy Junkers 88 just ahead exploded in a fireball - engulfing their own aircraft too. Now ablaze themselves Shipard saved the day - and their lives with some quick thinking. He put the Beau into a steep dive which quickly extinguished the 'flaming bonfire'. Merv wasn't too worried (or so he said at the time) because - 'it was just cheap 'n nasty German petrol'. At about this time Doug received his first DFM by selflessly giving up his oxygen supply to his pilot at 22000ft - knowing there was very little available left to him personally. Typically, Douggie made light of the episode and modestly denied his heroism. The truth was he had shown considerable courage on many occasions in life-threatening circumstances. There were often times he freely admitted to having been scared witless. One night Ship's airspeed indicator became u/s - the result of ice building-up in the wing pitot tube. Sensing the aircraft was flying too slowly and nearing a stall Ship pushed the stick forward to lower the nose and gain airspeed - but still, the knots indicated on the IAS dial remained static. Shipard pushed the control column further forward. The Beau responded dutifully and promptly entered a 'bunt' (a loop) before obliging Ship further by entering an uncontrollable inverted flat spin. Meanwhile, Oxby was being thrown about helplessly in the fuselage like a rag doll in a washing machine. He was terrified and not for the first time. In the end, Ship lost around 20,000ft of altitude before finally managing to regain control. Oxby had already been ordered to bail out. But somehow Doug had unintentionally caught his ripcord on an obstruction - causing his parachute to deploy whilst still inside the aircraft. Having struggled for several minutes now he was completely exhausted - and quite unable to effect an escape. Effectively trapped he lay back in the parachute silk - and prepared to meet his maker. In all, Merv and Doug walked away from no less than seven crashes - any one of which could easily have killed them. Several crashes resulted in the destruction of their aircraft. But they always seemed able to walk away from the wreckage - and the authorities in charge didn't seem to mind - so long as their tally of German aircraft remained greater than their losses of rather expensive Beaufighters. Whilst serving in the defence of Malta the squadron was re-equipped with new radar equipment. Doug explained 'Back then we were so short of juice that every operator was considered to be operational after just one twenty-minute practice'. Other crews spent weeks struggling with their unfamiliar equipment before becoming proficient. So it was surprising to find this crew seemed able to produce positive results after such a short practice period. Douggie laughed 'We did four sorties from Luqa (a key RAF airfield on Mata) on the same night' he said. Asked what luck he had had Doug replied 'One destroyed and one probable - both Heinkels. The probable was one of those annoying blighters that wouldn't burn. We chased it down from twelve to one thousand feet, and used all our ammo on it too'. It did not seem to strike him as anything of an achievement to get two visuals and combats straight off the reel with completely strange equipment. There was only a vague regret they hadn't properly fixed the probable. Doug Oxbury went on to fly with four more pilots and became the most successful radar operator / navigator of the war with a total of 22 confirmed kills; 13 with Merv Shipard. He was awarded the DSO, DFC and DFM. He passed away in 2009.

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 - by Alexandra Seal, Loreto College

Alexandra_Seal_Loreto_College_Corporal_Hurtle_Samuel_Walker.pdf

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 - by Amelie Martin, Mitcham Girls High School

Amelie_Martin_Mitcham_Girls_High_School_Captain_David_Leslie_Todd.pdf

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 - by Ashton Joshy, Aberfoyle Park High School

Aston_Joshy_Aberfoyle_Park_High_School_Thomas_Charles_Richmond_Baker.pdf

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 - by Charlotte Lockwood, Horizon Christian School

Charlotte_Lockwood_Horizon_Christian_School_Sister_Clarissa_Marion.pdf

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2021 - by Abbey O'Donnell, Wirreanda Secondary College

Corp_Joseph_Alfred_William_Morgan___A_O_Donnell.pdf

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2021 - by Gemma Mann, Endeavour College

Benjamin_Frank_Lovell___G_Mann.pdf