Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/remembrance-day-under-fire

http://www.aircrewremembered.com/ridgewell-frederick-harold.html

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1836962

https://www.ww2cemeteries.com/ger-reichswald-forest-war-cemetery.html

https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/adelaides-war-memorial-oak

https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/research/home-page-archives/the-first-australian-battalion-with-national-servicemen-in-vietnam--5-rar-may-1966

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6242884

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2262698

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8094224

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/462739/FINCH,%20GEORGE%20HENRY

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7887055

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3400717&S=3&R=0

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1068501/document/5506285.PDF

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8087348

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1898425

https://heritagedetection.wordpress.com/2018/07/24/hidden-history-of-a-ww2-oven-at-moora/

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=689900&c=WW2#R

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1025409&c=WW2#R

https://www.saam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/SAAM-Profiles-RAAF-Port-Pirie-History-v.-MM-15Apr2017.pdf

Des Sheen was awarded his DFC by King George VI for "leading three Spitfires against a superior number of enemy aircraft, of which he forced one into the sea and inflicted serious damage on another. Later he led two British fighters against seven Heinkels, and although wounded in the leg and ear, he continued the attack until a leaking petrol tank forced him to withdraw from the engagement". These actions occurred on 21 October and 7 December 1939.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3463994

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=263551

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1246791&c=VIETNAM

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great gallantry in the attack and set a fine example of determination and skill in reducing at least two enemy 'pill boxes'. He did excellent work in consolidating the final objective, and set a splendid example of courage and leadership.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 Date: 30 August 1918

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=728211&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8096962

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4705102

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1064611&c=WW2#R

https://www.awm.gov.au/sites/default/files/awm338_8.pdf

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.'

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a4c.htm

History_153_Sqn__Oct_44-Sept_45__1_.pdf

220913_Dernancourt_SA_Memorial_Opening.pdf

Lawrence_Lampard_and_his_brother_Frank_Lampard_OAM.pdf

SKM_C36822101017280.pdf

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.

Eman_Alaboody_OLSH_Evelyn_Marguerita_Yeatman.pdf

Eman_Alaboody_OLSH_Evelyn_Marguerita_Yeatman.pdf

Emily_McPherson_Investigator_College_Irene_Gertrude_Hiller_Bonnin.pdf

Emily_McPherson_Investigator_College_Irene_Gertrude_Hiller_Bonnin.pdf

Hannah_Rowlands_Mount_Compass_Area_School_Yolland_Morgan_Stevens.pdf

Jack_Lattas_Adelaide_Botanic_HS_Mervyn_Douglas_Graham.pdf

Kenzie_King_Loxton_High_School_Gunner_AZA_Lenden_King.pdf

Lara_Braithwaite_Kingston_Community_School_William__Bill__Edward_Nash.pdf

Ned_Uren_Saint_Ignatius_Raymond_Arthur_Truman.pdf

Ned_Uren_Saint_Ignatius_Raymond_Arthur_Truman.pdf

Olivia_De_Angelis_Saint_Ignatius_Arthur_James_Lee.pdf

Sahibjot_Kaur_OLSH_Charles_Rischbieth_Jury.pdf

Tovie_Hallion_Golden_Grove_HS_Patrick_George_Hallion.pdf

Vinka_Lakic_Endeavour_College_Michael_Cetinich.pdf