Henry George Buswell 11th Battalion AIF A crack shot, Harry saw action as a sniper on Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at Pozieres, France. “A straight, honest man and a fearless fighter.” Narration Adele Peirce, voice of Harry, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep1 Harry Buswell The first Gallipoli Landing
Dennis Beauglehole A member of the 10th Light Horse, Dennis witnessed the Bunbury Horse Stampede where many horses were injured. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep2 Dennis Beauglehole
Marjorie Higgins During WWII, adventurous young Marjorie was determined to join the Women’s Land Army. So she ran away from home. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep3 Marjorie Higgins A runaway to join the Land Army
Ian McCaughan Ian was just 13 years old when WWII began. He had the job of delivering bad news to Bunbury families. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 4 Ian McCaughan A young lad doing his bit
Kim Roberts A Lancaster pilot during WWII, Kim had crashed while flying over France. Newton Roberts of Australia II fame searched for his brother’s body. Narration Sharon Kennedy
ep5 Kim Roberts Lancaster Pilot Missing over France
Captain Robert Allsop Formerly the Bunbury Harbour Master, Bob was apprenticed to the British Merchant Navy. He narrowly avoided being captured by the Japanese in Singapore. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 6 Robert Allsop A lucky escape
Frederick Alan Johnson Fred was a member of the 7th Field Artillery Brigade during WWII. He was gassed and left shaking in the bombardment. Narration Sharon Kennedy, written by and voice of Fred, Chris Handley.
Ep 7 Fred Johnson Gassed and shaking in the bombardment
Percy Goring East Anglia Royal Engineers The 54th Royal Engineers arrived on Gallipoli on the 10th August, 1915. Percy was soon to encounter the failings of those in command. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 8 Percy Goring Suvla
Percy Goring Percy was 100 at the time of recording by the Bunbury Oral History Group. His memory was sharp and clear. Such as of the time when he realised that bombs no longer came only from land. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 9 Percy Goring Bombs from the sky
Percy Goring Food was an issue at Gallipoli for Percy. But he wasn’t all that happy when he won the treacle lottery. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 10 Percy Goring The Treacle Lottery
Percy Goring Percy was a sapper with the Royal Engineers. One day he was sent out on a ‘nice’ job to help in the mining of Hill 60, a strategic area. Nerves of steel were required. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 11 Percy Goring Mining Hill 60
Percy Goring Bully Beef and Flies added to the hell of Gallipoli Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 12 Percy Goring Bully beef and Flies
Percy Goring Snowing on Gallipoli and it was no time to be caught without shelter. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 13 Percy Goring Snow on Gallipoli
Percy Goring Percy was an East Ender, a tough upbringing that no doubt helped him survive on Gallipoli. He also knew that there were times that officers shouldn’t be obeyed. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 14 Percy Goring Keep your head down
Percy Goring As the 75th anniversary of the Anzac landing neared, Percy was determined to attend the ceremony at Gallipoli. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 15 Percy Goring Getting back to Gallipoli
Percy Goring At his age, negotiating the crowds at Gallipoli on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, was always going to be a struggle. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 16 Percy Goring The 75th anniversary Anzac Day commemoration
Vera Agnes Margaret Paisley Sister with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Her story is typical of the nurses in the World Wars – heavy workloads and shocking injuries. Narration Adele Peirce, voice of Vera Jenny Kain, written by Jeffrey Peirce
Ep 17 Vera Paisley Heavy Workloads took a Toll
Stanley Moore Parker Stan was one of the first from WA to enlist and one of the first to land on Gallipoli. Narration Adele Peirce. Voice of Stan, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce
Ep 18 Stan Parker Took Part in the Dawn Landing
Rosalind Blanche Lewin In this first episode, you hear how Rose joined the Australian Army Nursing service before the declaration of war. She had to endure the propaganda of Lord Haw Haw on the way through the Suez Canal. Narration Jenny Kain
Ep 19 Rose Lewin Listening to Lord Hawhaw
Rosalind Blanche Lewin Rose survived a perilous sea voyage to New Guinea. Narration Jenny Kain
Ep 20 Rose Lewin A Perilous Journey
Edward Walter McKernan A mother’s determination brought home a treasured keepsake. Narration Adele Peirce. Voiced by Rhys Hughes. Letter reader Sharon Kennedy. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 21 Edward Walter McKernan A Mother’s Determination
John Charles Hopkins Leading Seaman RAN HMASAustralia II earned a special commendation for the rescue of the Short Sunderland flying boat in dangerous circumstances. Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of John, Ron Tait.
Ep 22 John Hopkins The Sunderland Rescue
John Charles Hopkins Meeting Churchill In 1941, John was aboard the Napier. They had the job of picking up a very important passenger. Narration Sharon Kennedy, Peter Hopkins reads the words of his father.
Ep 23 John Hopkins Meeting a very, very, VIP
John Charles Hopkins Finding the Bunbury After the war, mariner John Hopkins had to find his new ship. Easier said than done. Narration Sharon Kennedy, Peter Hopkins reads the words of his father.
Ep 24 John Hopkins Finding the Corvette Bunbury
Elma Mary Linklater AANS Elma helped established the hospital on Lemnos. She nursed large numbers of soldiers wounded on Gallipoli. The conditions were basic difficult, to say the least. Narration Ron Tait. Voice of Elma, Adele Peirce. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 25 Elma Linklater
Dick McKenzie RAAF Former Bunbury Mayor, Dick McKenzie flew Blenheim and Mosquito bombers and survived a nerve wracking war flying low flying missions. Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Dick McKenzie, Rhys Hughes. Citation, Kris Csillag.
Ep 26 Dick McKenzie Mosquito Pilot
John Thomas Blair Lt 28th Battalion Jack was a teacher who wrote to his students to prepare them for the dangers to come. Narration Adele Peirce. Voice of Jack, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 27 John Thomas Blair Letter to his students
John Thomas Blair Lt 28th Battalion Jack fought in some of the worst engagements of WWI and was wounded at Pozieres. Narration Adele Peirce. Voice of Jack, Rhys Hughes. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 28 John Thomas Blair Fighting at Pozieres
Richard Norman Eaton 2/11th Battalion “You don’t strike in the Army son.” Norm soon learned this lesson. He fought in Africa and was wounded on Crete and taken prisoner. Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Norm, Andrew Robinson. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 29 Richard Norman Eaton Taken Prisoner on Crete
Richard Norman Eaton 2/11th Battalion Towards the end of the war, the prisoners were marched from one German camp to another. Their guards were “children” and there was little food. Narration Sharon Kennedy. Voice of Norm, Andrew Robinson. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 30 Norm Eaton Forced Marching near the end of the War
Jess Clifton, AANS In 1915, Matron Jesse Clifton was quickly snapped up by the Australian Army Nursing Service and sent overseas. The nurses’ workload was staggering, including treating the wounded coming from Gallipoli. Narration Rhys Hughes. Voice of Jesse, Adele Peirce. Written by Jeffrey Peirce.
Ep 31 Jessie Clifton AANS A staggering workload
Neville Hislop Visiting HMAS Sydney II. As a 13 year old Sea Scout, Neville was beyond excited to be allowed on board the Sydney when she visited Bunbury in 1941. Narration Michelle Durrant.
Ep 32 Neville Hislop Visiting HMAS Sydney II
Neville Hislop As a lad during WWII, Neville learned telegraphy. His skills came in use the night the sirens sounded over the town. Narration Sharon Kennedy
Ep 33 Neville Hislop Reporting Spitfires over Bunbury
Kevin Keeley Kevin Keeley was too young to join up. He was a mechanic who learned first hand the pitfalls of gas conversations for cars. Narration Michelle Durrant
