1916

Australia's Great War

by Alan Tucker

The artillery bombardment did not let up for days. How anyone, on either side, could still be alive, was beyond me. The stream of casualties soon turned into a rivera raging, flooded river. The 'cooee' call to arms takes Syd from the Mallee to the fields of France. As part of the mobile veterinary unit, his horses are trained for war but face new and deadly weapons. Battle-weary diggers, shipped from Gallipoli and joined by fresh recruits from home, are met by a formidable enemy at Fromelles and along the River Somme, in a year that will be forged in legend and memory, in the trenches and the conscription battles at home.

Genres: Historical

313 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

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Reviews

[Saturday's Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is written in a manner which I feel will engage the younger reader in the realities of World War 1 without making it too unbearable to read. While the plot does not sugar coat war, it certainly does not give the full horror of it. It is a moving account of one young man's experiences as well as those of the horses, mules and donkeys that sadly had no choice in their participation in the war.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is sad to think that this story is just one of many. So many lifes lost to war and so many families heart-broken. Lest We Forget.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. The main character works with the horses used in the war in France- so an interesting perspective of the war.

[St Stephen's C C]

The artillery bombardment did not let up for days. How anyone, on either side, could still be alive, was beyond me. The stream of casualties soon turned into a rivera raging, flooded river. The 'cooee' call to arms takes Syd from the Mallee to the fields of France. As part of the mobile veterinary unit, his horses are trained for war but face new and deadly weapons. Battle-weary diggers, shipped from Gallipoli and joined by fresh recruits from home, are met by a formidable enemy at Fromelles and along the River Somme, in a year that will be forged in legend and memory, in the trenches and the conscription battles at home.