DVD Review: Birdsong

Beautifully and accurately filmed, Birdsong moves slowly but powerfully and gradually draws you in.  This UK production is a nice change from the usual fast faced, action packed war dramas with a terrific supporting cast, costumes and sets.

The book became a classic after it was published in 1993.  This first interpretation of it on film as a television mini series was released in 2012. Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is superb in this war drama that mixes between his life and love affair in France before the war and his experience as an Officer on the Somme battlefields.

I first learned of Sebastian Faulk’s Birdsong when a family history researcher I had been collaborating with alerted me to it.  My Great Grandfather’s brother had been a tunneller in World War One.  He had enlisted in his 40’s following time spent on the Western Australian goldfields.  The author’s description of the tunnellers work and environment portrays conveys to me what the tunnellers had to go through, the mini- series also depicts this well.  I could not help but think about my Grand Uncle while I watched this depiction and marvel that he at least physically survived the horrors of the trenches, tunnels and battlefields of war.

Recollections: Banyule plays tribute to the Anzacs through stories from World War One

Nunawading WW1 Stories

As part of the Anzac Centenary the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies is undertaking a project to commemorate the lives of those Australians from the Nunawading area who served in any capacity during World War One.

They are seeking descendants of men from the present day areas of Nunawading, Blackburn, Mitcham and Vermont who served in this conflict and who may have stories and photos they would be willing to share.

A publication is planned to be released in August 2014.

Contact Shirley at aigspublicity@gmail.com

The Lost Diggers: a book review

The Lost Diggers

Many serious genealogists would by now have heard about the discovery of the World War 1 collection of photographs of Australian soldiers found in France last year by Channel 7’s Sunday Night program and its journalist Ross Coulthart.

Now a magnificent book has been produced which has documented both the story of the discovery of the hundreds of glass plates amazingly preserved for almost one hundred years, the photographers themselves and the stories of some of the soldiers themselves who have been identified – through a precise procedure itself to ensure no mistakes.

The physicality of the book itself immediately has an impact when you see the book for the first time and I suspect that it is a good emotion to have when you read the amazing story of the “discovery” and the attempts in the past that were ignored to have the collection recognised and brought to light sooner that it was.

The book is of course illustrated throughout with many photos from the collection – there are informal shots of young men, many in the prime of their lives with war in their eyes and mud on their boots.  The author also recounts stories of some of the soldiers who have been researched - and even some who have not.  The book includes a name index only.

To learn more about the discovery now, view Ross Coulthart talking at a recent literary lunch at YouTube

I recommend this book to anyone with the remotest interest in the First World War.   The experience of reading and looking at the photos will stay with you long after you put it down.

The photographs can also be viewed at

www.sundaynight.com.au and on the Lost Diggers site on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lostdiggers and on the Australian War Memorial website

Many are still unidentified, and many of these young men never made it back home – perhaps you can help.

Lighthorsemen of World War 1

Military historian Dr David Holloway will discuss his book “Endure and Fight A Detailed History of the 4th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, 1914-1919 : Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine, France and Belgium’
next week at Mill Park and again at Diamond Valley Libraries.


In November 2011 Shrine of Remembrance Trustees awarded the Shrine of Remembrance Medal to Dr. Holloway. This award in its fourth year recognises an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the community understanding of the service and sacrifices made by Victorians for their country in times of war and peacekeeping.
David had been a strong advocate for the remembrance of Australia’s Light Horse Heritage. He has undertaken a mostly lone campaign in order to ensure that the memory of the men and horses of Victoria’s 4th Light Horse Regiment is not forgotten. Recently David self-published ‘Endure and Fight: a detailed history of the 4th Light Horse Regiment, AIF 1914-1919 Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine, France and Belgium’. This work is 853 pages in total and has been a labour of love for David over many years. David’s book is regarded as one of the most comprehensive unit histories ever written.

His work was endorsed by HRH Prince Charles, who personally contributed to the publication. David continues to promote the history of this important Victorian Regiment, by speaking to many different organisations and continuing his work as a volunteer guide at the Shrine of Remembrance.


Copies of Dr Holloway’s book will be available to purchase.
Mill Park Library – Monday April 23 11.– 12noon

Diamond Valley Library – Tuesday April 24 1.30pm – 2.30 pm

New on Ancestry Database

Recent databases added to the Ancestry database include:
Canadian Soldiers of World War I, 1914-1918
1871 Scotland Census
1891 Scotland Census

Ancestry is available at all branch libraries and can be accessed via our website at www.yprl.vic.gov.au

Go to the local history and family history link.