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.'

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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.'

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30-April-1941. While serving as a Company Commander within the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, Captain William Holmes Travers participated in the first major engagements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the capture of Bardia, Tobruk and the disastrous campaign in Greece before becoming a Prisoner of War following the failure at Crete. In this episode, we focus on the first involvement of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War, the Capture of Bardia during Operation Compass and Operation Lusture, and the Failed Rearguard Operation to Defend Greece from 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.

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Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here 

3-JANUARY-1941. While serving as a Platoon Lieutenant within the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, Captain William Holmes Travers participated in the first major engagements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the capture of Bardia, Tobruk and the disastrous campaign in Greece before becoming a Prisoner of War following the failure at Crete. In this episode, we focus on the first involvement of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War, the Capture of Bardia during Operation Compass and Operation Lusture, the Failed Rearguard Operation to Defend Greece from 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.'

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Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here 

In this episode of "From Duty to Dishonour," we delve into the compelling story of Private Percy George Stafford, an Australian soldier who served in the First World War. As we explore Stafford's life, we confront the challenging question: what happens when someone falls short of society's expectations of a soldier? Join us as we look into the service of a man who allegedly spent no time in the front line, despite volunteering for service in 1916.

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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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

4-AUGUST-1914/4-SEPTEMBER-1939. While serving as a Naval Reservist, Midshipman Richard Stanley Veale ordered the first shot fired by British Forces in the First World War. Twenty years later while in command of the same shore battery that fired the first shot in the First World War, Commander Richard Stanley Veale would order the first Australian shot fired in anger during the Second World War.

Explore the remarkable life and service of Commander Richard Stanley Veale. From his early days as a naval cadet to his significant contributions during the First World War and Second World War, Commander Veale's journey is one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his country. Join us as we delve into the naval pioneer's story, from ordering the only two shots in Fort Nepean's history to his enduring civic contributions. A true all-rounder, Commander Veale's legacy is a testament to a life well-lived and dedicated to Australian society. Special thanks to Doug Veale for sharing this remarkable family history.

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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

19-MAY-1915. While serving as a soldier of the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War, Sergeant William Charles Bullock Beech, horrified by the tragic loss of life of his comrades on Gallipoli, took a biscuit box, signal wire and a broken mirror to invent one of the most iconic weapons of trench warfare on Gallipoli, the Periscope Rifle.

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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

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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

27/28-JANUARY-1916, While serving as a soldier of the 5th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, Private Edward Attfield did not let his diminutive stature prevent him from volunteering for overseas service. He landed at Gallipoli and despite wounds and illness served until the evacuation in December 1915. When he returned to Alexandria, he vanished, never to be seen again.

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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

11-NOVEMBER-1993. To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the unidentified remains of an unknown Australian soldier, exhumed from the Adelaide Cemetery in Villers Bretonneux in France was interred within the Hall of Memory of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of that interment.

Lest We Forget.

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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