Category Archives: Diggers of First AIF

Seeking Private Craine

Following the success in locating the descendants of Private Henry (Harry) Cressy we are now seeking help in locating descendants of another Australian digger from the Great War, Private William Henry Craine, No 7093. Private Craine’s portrait, like that of … Continue reading

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19th Bn AIF History

Colour patch of 19th Battalion FFFAIF member Wayne Matthews has been gathering material to publish a history of 19th Bn AIF, 1915 – 1919. The FFFAIF is providing some support to this effort by spreading the word that the project is … Continue reading

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Pte Cressy Is Home

The John Laffin Memorial Lecture (JLML) held on 13th July 2008 led to a happy reunion between the family of one of the 30 members of the 54th Battalion listed as amongst the ‘missing at Fromelles’ and a portrait of … Continue reading

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KIA on 1st Anniversary

Alfred Momplhait and later, his elder brother Arthur both volunteered for service with the AIF, but only one was to return to Australia to resume the lives which they had abandoned to answer the call of duty to the Empire. … Continue reading

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Mates in Life and Death

Corporal Fred Livingston and Private James Gordon were members of the 29th Battalion when they were posted to the Western Front, as part of the 8th Brigade, 5th Division AIF. Photo: Corporal Fred Livingston [AWM H05737] This photo has been … Continue reading

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Dignity for Diggers 2

Yesterday’s, John Laffin Memorial Lecture, held annually on or near the anniversary of the Battle of Hamel – 4 July 1918, held at Ashfield RSL, Sydney, focused on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Mount St Quentin and the recent … Continue reading

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Dignity for Diggers

The John Laffin Memorial Lecture, held annually on or near the anniversary of the Battle of Hamel – 4 July 1918, is being held today at Ashfield RSL, Sydney. This year the lecture will focus on the 90th anniversary of … Continue reading

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An Anzac I Never Knew

The 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division formed the centre of the attack, in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July. The Australian units were (from left flank to right): 8th Brigade: 32nd (WA) and 31st (Qld, Vic) assaulting … Continue reading

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Seeking Harry Bell

The Battle of Fromelles was fought on the evening of the 19th July 1916 when the German front line was attacked after a seven hour artillery bombardment. The bombardment had been ineffective against the strong defences of the German line … Continue reading

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Equal in Death

The disposition of the 5th Australian Division and 61st Division units involved in the attack at Fromelles of 19 July 1916 had the 5th Australian Division’s 8th Brigade on the left flank, the 14th Brigade (NSW) in the centre and … Continue reading

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