The badge of the Army Design Establishment.
For images of badges, emblems, flags and more, see: Images
GRANTS
The 2009/10 Army History Research Grants Scheme has now closed. A Grants Assessment Meeting has been held and a list of proposed recipients under the 2009/10 Army History Research Grants Scheme was identified. Once the Minister for Defence has signed off on the 2009/10 Scheme, letters will be sent to successful and unsuccessful applicants by the Deputy Chief of Army. No advice can be sent until the Minister has approved the grants.
The Army History Unit thanks all applicants for the time they put into their applications, and for their patience as this process moves forward.
More information:
Army History Research Grants Scheme
CONFERENCE PAPERS ONLINE
The Boer War: Army, Nation and Empire
contains all the papers presented at the Chief of Army's history conference in 1999.
The entire series of papers from the CA's history conferences that are out of print are now available online. Visit:
Conference papers
FAQs
How do I find out about the unit, such as the battalion or regiment, my relation served with?
The answer to this and other frequently asked questions can be found at: FAQs
WINNER OF THE 2008 C.E.W. BEAN PRIZE
AHU congratulates the 2008 winner of the annual C.E.W. Bean Prize for Military History, Dr Kirsty Harris.
Dr Harris has been awarded the prize for her PhD thesis:
"Not just 'routine' nursing: the roles and skills of the Australian Army Nursing Service during World War I".
C.E.W. Bean Prize
ON THIS DAY
Honours & awards earned in May:
6.5.1917
CPL GJ Howell VC
1 Bn AIF
6 & 11.5.1969
WO2 RS Simpson VC
Commander 232 MSF Coy
12.5.1917
LT RV Moon VC
58 Bn AIF
12.5.1945
CPL JB MacKey VC
2/3 PNR Bn AIF
15.5.1918
SGT David Emmet Coyne
Albert Medal
31 Inf Bn
15.5.1945
PTE E Kenna VC
2/4 Bn AIF
16.5.1901
LT FW Bell VC
6 WAMI
19.5.1915
LCPL A Jacka VC
14 Bn AIF
19.5.1918
SGT W Ruthven VC
22 Bn AIF
24.5.1915
CAPT TP McSharry MC
15 Bn AIF
24.5.1969
WO2 KA Payne
AATV
Interested to know what else happened in the Australian Army on this day?
On This Day - May
FROMELLES PROJECT UPDATE
On the 6 February 2009, the Fromelles Management Board appointed Oxford Archaeology to undertake the archaeological excavation of remains interred at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, France. Oxford Archaeology commenced operations on 5 May 2009.
On the 9 April 2009, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission released an Invitation to Tender to a select panel of organisations for the provision of DNA profiling services to assist in the identification of the remains interred at Pheasant Wood. Responses to Invitation to Tender are expected by the end of April 2009. It is anticipated that the winning contractor will be advised by 5 May 2009. Start times for DNA testing are unknown due to the lack of an identified service provider at this time. The Fromelles Management Board intends to conduct a formal Identification Board at the beginning of March 2010 to identify as many soldiers as possible. This activity can not occur until all scientific and historical data has been gathered. All identified soldiers will have a names headstone in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission will construct a new cemetery, to be named the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, with work expected to commence in late May 2009. Planning for the Reinterment of remains and a Commemorative Event has commenced. The Fromelles Management Board intent is for the Reinterment of remains to occur from 3-28 February 2010, with the Commemorative Event to be held on the 19 July 2010.
www.defence.gov.au/fromelles
AUSTRALIAN BATTALION COMMANDERS IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Garth Pratten
In Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War, Garth Pratten explores for the first time the background, role and conduct of the commanding officers of Australian infantry battalions in the Second World War. Despite their vital role as the lynchpins of the battlefield, uniting the senior officers with the soldiers who fought, battalion commanders have so far received scant attention in contemporary military history. This book redresses the balance, providing a gripping, meticulously researched and insightful account that charts the development of Australia's infantry commanding officers from part-time, ill-prepared amateurs to seasoned veterans who, although still not professional soldiers, deserved the title of professional men of war.
Drawing on extensive archival material, Pratten recreates battle scenes and brings to light personalities as diverse as the fiery Heathcote 'Tack' Hammer who, during a solo patrol at Alamein, sustained a serious gunshot wound to the face yet went on to capture three German prisoners of war, and the softly spoken Theo 'Myrtle' Walker, who jumped from the last boat leaving Crete rather than leave his battalion behind.
The story of the Australian battalion commanders is one of improvisation, adaptation and evolution; of an army learning from hard-won experience to integrate men and technology and overcome both human enemy and hostile terrain. Most of all, it is a story of men confronting the timeless challenges of military leadership - mastering their own fear and discomfort in order to motivate and inspire their troops to endure the maelstrom of war.
Browse through the AHU booklist: Books
EXPLORING VARIOUS IMAGES
AHU has extensive assorted images in its collection that are awaiting captions and a more systematic ordering on the new web site. These are currently held in the Various series and are well worth a close inspection.
Browse through AHU's Various images:
Image Library
Your input as to descriptions of these various images is welcome. Email: AHU webmaster
The AHU web site is being rebuilt. Pages from the old site will stay online until they are reworked but may become outdated. We ask our visitors' patience while work on the site is underway.
About AHU
Protecting Army heritage. Promoting Army history.
The Army History Unit's mission: to serve the Australian Army by assisting it to meet its goals by promoting the study and understanding of Army's history and traditions within Army and also by utilising Army's rich heritage to foster continued good standing with the community.
Articles
Wondering when the Army's birthday really is? What happened to the Matilda tanks at Retimo on the island of Crete? What exactly is the ideal load for an infantryman? The answers are in this collection of articles on Australian Army history.
Read Army history articlesBooks
AHU helps publish authoritative studies into aspects of the Australian Army's history and its contribution to Australia's development. Along with numerous biographies, there are books on many issues.
Browse the AHU booklistChief of Army's history conference
The Chief of Army hosts an annual history conference, arranged by AHU. This year's topic is Raise, Train and Sustain: Delivering Land Combat Power. The conference will be held at Rydges Lakeside Hotel, Canberra on 1-2 October 2009.
Information on the CA's history conferenceConference papers
Many of the papers delivered at the Chief of Army's history conferences since 1994 are available online. Topics include the Boer, Korean and Vietnam Wars, land/air operations, amphibious operations in the south-west Pacific and strategic planning in peace and war.
Read past history conference papers onlineContacts
Need to know who's who and how to reach them at AHU?
Find titles and contact details here.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive at AHU. They may be all you need to steer you on your way with your research.
Answers to FAQsFamily history
If you're researching the history of your relative's time in the Australian Army, look through this page of useful information and pointers from AHU historians.
Guidance on researching your family member's service historyGrants
The Army History Research Grants Scheme supports research into the role and involvement of the Australian Army in the development of the nation. The scheme has been in operation since 1992.
Applications for 2009-2010 have now closed. Applicants can keep up to date with the process here on the AHU web site. The Army History Unit wishes all applicants the very best of luck.
History & battles
Start your research into Australian Army history with this overview of Australia's military history and the various battles the Army has been involved in in its over 100 year history.
Read about Army history and battlesImage library
Bringing the Army's history to life, AHU is pleased to include this database of images for viewing online. There are images from times of war and peace and also badges and emblems, flags, official bodies and an extensive collection of historical colour patches of the Australian Army.
Browse through the image galleriesMuseums
AHU is responsible for managing Army's rich collection of heritage objects. They are to be found in the network of Army museums located at sites across the country. Where they are, when they're open and what's contained in their collection is listed here.
Check the Army Museum directoryNewsletter
The AHU newsletter, Despatches, is packed with stories and information about current and forthcoming happenings and issues within the Unit. Korea, 58 Years On and The Missing of Fromelles are two feature stories from the December 2008 issue, online now.
Read all about it in the AHU newsletterOn this day
Every day of the year marks the anniversary of an Army event that warrants remembering - be it the day a battle was lost or won, a unit formed or a hero made. Collected here are assorted items that tell Army's history, day by day. Included are the citations of soldiers decorated for their actions on that day.
Explore Army's history, day by dayPrimary materials
AHU holds a wide range of official and unofficial documents, both published and unpublished, that are progressively being made available online.
Research primary materials onlinePrizes
The annual C.E.W. Bean Prize for Military History is awarded to the best honours or postgraduate thesis submitted in any Australian university focusing on the Australian Army's experience of war.
Information on prize applications and recipients