The Objectives and Constitution | Families and Friends of the First AIF guide FFFAIF in its activities to preserve the memory of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses who served in the Great War 1914-1918. It does this through:
- Helping to bring together the families and friends of those who served in the Great War 1914-1918.
- Helping to educate all Australians seeking knowledge and guidance in understanding the campaigns in which Australians participated.
- Helping Australians to conduct research and publication concerning those who served in the Great War 1914-1918.
Accordingly, FFFAIF works in co-operation with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Australian War Memorial, Returned & Services League and like-minded organisations to further the objectives of the FFFAIF. This includes conducting lectures, producing videos, publishing its magazines and sharing the research of members. Follow the links for more detail.
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
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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 and the Anzac Great War Bibliography
Many books have been written on Australia’s involvement in the Great War 1914-18 and its consequential impact on families and society in general in Australia.
This page gives links to the Official Histories and Unit diaries as well as a comprehensive Anzac Great War Bibliography of publications created for the centenary of the Great War compiled by FFFAIF member Sue Tongue. This is followed by a listing of publications by current and former FFFAIF members.
Books and the Anzac Great War Bibliography | Families and Friends of the First AIF
DIGGER the quarterly flagship publication for FFFAIF, COBBeR its electronic companion in a more flexible format, and books by FFFAIF members have become a significant resource for relatives, students and researchers. Copies of the covers and tables of Contents of DIGGER are available through the drop-down menu DIGGER | Families and Friends of the First AIF at the top of this page and Members are able to down-load the full DIGGER collection in the password protected Members’ Area | Families and Friends of the First AIF of this web-site.
Research and Resources
Click on the link to see useful resources to guide you to unravelling a Digger’s story or a Nurses story and preserving their memory for future generations.
Research and Resources | Families and Friends of the First AIF
It contains:
Links to useful web-sites;
Military Police cases;
descriptions of War Memorials;
topics researched by FFFAIF members.
If you have researched aspects of the Great War that you wish to share, please contact Secretary@fffailf.org.au