Category Archives: Military

The Extraordinary Life of Uncle Billy.

GSQ Blog Posted on by

Anzac Day approached and I started to reflect on my military ancestors. Last year I presented Uncle Jack’s story of his service at Gallipoli. This year I want to honour another uncle, who served in the First World war.  His, was an extraordinary life and the more I learn about him, the more I respect and admire him. Allow me to introduce you to William Wright, MM, alias Harold Harvey and affectionately known to the family as Uncle Billy. I … Continue reading

Finding my grandfather – William Leonard Tunny (Len) 1884-1942. Part 2.

GSQ Blog Posted on by

Readers may recall I introduced my grandfather Len in my story of 14 November, this is a continuation of Len’s tale after he returned from World War One. In 2014, I came across a website called Adopt a Digger, a centenary project to map returned soldiers from the Sunshine Coast area, particularly those who had taken up land at the Beerburrum Soldier Settlement.[1] Here I also discovered a photograph of my grandfather. It was taken at the camp in Enoggera … Continue reading

My Great Grandfather Alfred

GSQ Blog Posted on by

For some time now I’ve had a photo of a man in a military style uniform in my possession. It was passed to me by my mother when she moved house as she knew of my interest in our family’s history. The photo was originally found in my Nan’s wardrobe after she passed away in 2004. The simple frame was barely holding together, there were no markings or inscriptions on the photo itself to indicate who this gentleman was, or … Continue reading

From Veteran to Victim: An Unfortunate Life.

GSQ Blog Posted on by

Richard Fage gripped his bayonet-tipped, flintlock musket. He crouched bravely within his battalion’s defensive square, deafened by the artillery and cannon fire of Napoleon’s troops. For hours they’d been on the edge of the battle, but the order to advance had finally arrived. Now on open flat ground, the men of the 3rd battalion of the 14th Regiment were sitting ducks. Their bright red coats and distinctive white cross straps were still unblemished by mud and blood. Richard, like nearly … Continue reading

From Longreach to the Western Front – Kenneth Selby Henderson

GSQ Blog Posted on by

  1914-15  England and France are in conflict against Germany and Austria in northern France and Belgium – the Western Front. The war is deadlocked. The Gallipoli campaign, conceived by Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, is an attempt to break the deadlock by invading Turkey through the Dardanelles to reach Constantinople (Istanbul), establish a supply route to Russian troops fighting the Germans on the Eastern Front. 1915-1916  The Gallipoli campaign fails – poorly executed, the defensive capabilities and determination of … Continue reading