Lest We: Stories of battlefields, memorials and remembrance

by Allan A. Murray

A journey to discover our national identity.Allan has spent fifty-plus years enjoying an interest in military history, travelling Australia and the world to visit militarily significant locations. The locations and memorials he has visited generally have been significant to Australia, and/or significant in the military service of his extended family which has a rich military heritage.Allan's first recollection of a remembrance activity is of ANZAC Day in 1967. People marching and wearing medals prompted his interest in the subject matter. He then started taking photos of military equipment. Allan's fondness for his great grandmother and her collection of military medals was a further motivation. From there he was transfixed. In addition to recording his own experiences, Allan unknowingly began documenting how Australia commemorates its military history and to gain insights into what it means to be an Australian. He gained an understanding of the ANZAC legend and spirit; Australia's ties with New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States; the history of Australia's commemorative traditions; the evolution of its medallic recognition; and the nations journey from Colony to Dominion and beyond.Enjoy Allan's recollections of the commemorative activities in which he has participated and the illumination of the Australian national identity. Read stories about Amiens, Beersheba, Berlin, Brisbane, Crete, Duntroon, Fromelles, Fort Scratchley, Gallipoli, Gulgong, Hill 60, Jerusalem, Kranji, London, Long Tan, Normandy, Pearl Harbour, Pozieres, Sandakan, Tamworth, Villers-Bretonneux, Waterloo and Ypres.The Foreword for this book is by Lieutenant Colonel Kon Iliadis. Kon has been a very close friend of Allan's since their time together at Duntroon. Kon has served operationally in West Germany, Malaysia, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2015