CW: Sexual Assault- This episode contains a discussion of the murder of women and allegations of sexual assault in war.

16 February 1942. While serving as a Staff Nurse with the 2/13th Australian General Hospital, Second Australian Imperial Force, Sister Vivian Bullwinkel became the sole survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army. She would endure three and a half years as a prisoner of war, yet never surrender her courage, compassion, or resolve.

That period of captivity forms the emotional and historical centre of 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, Theatre180’s powerful new production.

In this episode, I sit down with Theatre180’s Artistic Director, Stuart Halusz, to explore the legacy of the nurses of the Vyner Brooke, the responsibility of bringing such a profound Australian story to the national stage, and how 'Bully's Legacy is still relevant 84 years after the event.

21 Hearts National Tour

This episode features discussion of 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke. For national tour dates and ticket purchases, visit:

https://theatre180.com.au/

This year I am again taking part in the March On Challenge, raising funds to support veterans and their families. If you would like to support my 312km challenge and contribute to this important cause, you can do so here:

https://www.marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/rossmanuel/virtual26

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CW: Suicide

2-November-1917: While serving as a Driver within 14 Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, Driver William Henry Morcombe MM was subjected to one of the terror weapons of the Great War, Gas. Morcombe survived the war, but unfortunately not the peace that followed it.

If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families can seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046
ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.
Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072.

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In 1942, while Australian troops were battling for survival along the Kokoda Track, thousands of others were fighting a very different kind of war—across the world in the deserts of North Africa. In this episode, I speak with author Tom Gilling about his new book, Start Digging You Bastards!, which vividly brings the ANZAC experience at the Second Battle of El Alamein to life.

We discuss the overlooked role of the 9th Division, the brutal conditions of desert warfare, and how El Alamein became a turning point not just for the Allies but for the soldiers who fought it.

Start Diggin,g you Bastards! It is available at all good book retailers

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1 April 1942 – While serving as a pilot with No. 405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Flight Sergeant Moheddeen Abdull Ghias Howsan and his crew took part in a daring night raid over Nazi-occupied France. A skilled and determined aviator, Howsan was a proud Australian descended from Afghan and Indian immigrants—one of many Muslim ANZACs who answered the call to serve.

During the mission, their Wellington bomber was struck by enemy fire and engulfed in flames. As the aircraft fell towards the town of Marly-le-Roi, Howsan fought to maintain control, steering away from homes, a school, and a church. His sacrifice saved the town, but he and his crew paid the ultimate price.

To donate in the Soldier on March On Campaign clickhere

Intro and Outro byPaul Yudin

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14-MAY-1943: While serving as a Nurse aboard the 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship Centaur as part of the Australian Army Nursing Service, Sister Ellen Savage survived the sinking of the Hospital ship at the hands of the Japanese submarine I-177 and in doing so became a symbol of resilience and compassion as she was the sole nursing survivor.

Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin

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For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/.

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Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of war, suffering, and the experiences of prisoners of war, which may be distressing for some listeners.

20-MARCH-1945. While serving as a Gunner in the 2/15 Field Regiment, Gunner Albert Niel Cleary became a tragic symbol of the suffering endured by Australian prisoners of war during the Second World War. Captured and forced to march in the harrowing Sandakan Death March, Cleary's life ended in unimaginable hardship, alongside the 1,700 other Australian prisoners who perished during this brutal ordeal.

Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin

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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 [email protected]

Thanks to Seth for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch.

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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.

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For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net

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.

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