FFFAIF

John Laffin Memorial Lectures

The John Laffin Memorial Lecture is held annually. The lecture is open to members, their guests and anyone with an interest in the First AIF and its part in the Great War 1914-1918. The inaugural lecture was held on 13th July 2003. For details of past Lectures, follow the link: John Laffin Memorial Lectures | Families and Friends of the First AIF

The 2025 John Laffin Memorial Lecture was presented by Tim Smith OAM,
Director Assessments, Heritage NSW at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Tim described the mysteries surrounding the disappearances of the Australian submarines AE1 and AE2, the searches undertaken to locate the wrecks, and the maritime archaeological exploration that followed to study their fate and the condition they are now in. For more detail see 2025 John Laffin Memorial Lecture – Australian submarines AE1 and AE2 | Families and Friends of the First AIF.
Tim’s presentation can be viewed on the FFFAIF YouTube channel at AE1 and AE2 by Tim Smith More images on our FFFAIF Facebook page

 

 

 

FFFAIF YouTube Channel.

The Families and Friends of the First AIF have developed the capability to record selected lectures delivered by the FFFAIF and kindred groups at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney NSW. These include the annual John Laffin Memorial Lecture and joint meetings with the Western Front Association and the Gallipoli Association.

These have been edited for clarity and then posted to our YouTube channel, which can be accessed via this drop-down tab.

This pioneering work by FFFAIF committee member ‘C. B.’ Chris Bryett has resulted in the following talks being posted for general viewing by members and the general public. More will be offered over time.

They can be viewed here, click on each link to see:

‘Battle of Fromelles update’ by Geoffrey Benn, President of the Fromelles Association of Australia:
Battle of Fromelles update – Geoffrey Benn

‘Sister Radcliff AANS biography’ presentation by researcher Harper Wright.
Sister Radcliff by Harper Wright

‘Sister Nellie Pike AANS biography’ joint presentation by Paul Simadas, Vice President of the FFFAIF, and descendant Craig Laffin.
Sister Nellie Pike – Australian Army Nursing Service WWI By Paul Simadas and Craig Laffin

‘Sister Anne Donnell AANS biography’ presentation by Paul Simadas, Chairman of the Australian NSW Branch of the Western Front Association.
Sister Anne Donnell WWI Australian Army Nursing Service

‘AE1 and AE2 submarine presentation’ by marine archaeologist and historian Tim Smith.
AE1 and AE2 by Tim Smith

 

Books by FFFAIF members