Our Wartime Heroes: firsthand stories from men and women who were there

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Dick faced rehabilitation with the same bravery and determination as he had conducted himself during the four years of WWI.

Life had a few more surprises in store for him.

Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.

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Having been wounded in the battles for Pozieres and Ypres in WWI, Dick awaited news of his future. Would he rejoin his 11th Battalion mates at the front? Would he be sent back home to the farm he loved?

Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.

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In the third Battle to take Ypres, the Australians fought side by side. Dick of the 11th Battalion was hopeful that the war would soon end if all went well for the Allies in Belgium. He was again wounded.

Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.

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The Battle for Pozieres during WWI was not the hoped for respite by the Australians after the fighting on Gallipoli. It turned out to be bloodiest of battles.

For Dick, the respite came later when he was billeted on a farm. It was a moment of peace and he longed for the war to be over quickly.

Narrator Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.

The group photo is of a contingent of recruits to leave from Bunbury train station in 1914, Dick is numbered 3 in the back row. Tom Shaw is number 6 and Harry Buswell, 9. Their stories are included in this podcast.

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Dick was a very bright boy who could have chosen any number of futures for himself. Instead, he followed the call of King and country and enlisted in the 11th Battalion Australian Infantry Forces as soon as Australia declared war in 1914.

Perhaps because of his farming background, Dick was a crack shot, a skill in demand on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Narrator Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.

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George was wounded in his leg and went from hospital to hospital. He had a miraculous escape while sailing to Crete. Eventually, he was taken prisoner of war.

April Fools Day, 1945 but there was no joke.

Narration Jennifer Kain. Original interview Bunbury Oral History Group.

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While fighting during WWII, in Piraeus, a Greek port, George and his Battalion were subjected to constant bombing and strafing.

He discovered that an airfield was not a good place to parked by when the Germans paid a visit. The bullets were flying and some came very, very close.

Later wounded, he came to admire the wonderful, calm care of the nurses as he recovered in hospital.

Narration Jennifer Kain. Original recording The Bunbury Oral History Group.

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Trevor was persuaded by his wife Maureen to revisit Vietnam. He learned an invaluable lesson.

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One minute in Vietnam, the next back home. Trevor had difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Joining the Returned Soldiers League helped. Then came the Welcome Home March when Australia finally thanked its Vietnam veterans.

Tears, beers and reunions, Trevor said.

Frankie who kicked the mine is the inspiration for the Redgum's song, A Walk in the Light Green, also known as I Was Only 19.

Narration Sharon Kennedy. Original interview, Bunbury Oral History Group

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In May 1968, the experience of the Vietnamese war was taking its toll on Trevor. At home on R&R, all seemed surreal. He didn't want to go back.

Upon return to his Mobile Training Unit, he was informed that he was moving on, leaving the South Vietnamese with whom he had become close.