Survived the War - Harry O'Neill

Private Henry Francis O'Neill landed at Gallipoli with the 7th Infantry Battalion on 25 April 1915.  On the last day of the war, Lieutenant O'Neill was still with his Battalion, having survived the whole war and everything the Germans and the Allies could throw at him. In this picture he is standing in the doorway of 7th Battalion headquarters. Rod Martin tells his story.

Sapper Frederick Dart

Sapper Frederick Ryall Dart of Moonee Ponds developed an early interest in wireless and signals.  After completing four years of Senior Cadets with the 58A Cadets in Moonee Ponds, Dart joined the 21st Signal Troop, Citizens Military Force, which trained at South Melbourne.  When he enlisted in 1917 aged 18 he was assigned to the Wireless Training School.  The Armistice was made before he attained his 19th birthday and probable overseas embarkation.  Dart continued his interest in the military after he war, and a copy of his eventual discharge certificate in 1921 can be seen here.

The battleground of Third Ypres, 1917

Gunner Gordon Doig, working with the Australian Field Artillery on the Menin Road fell victim to German shelling of his gunpit.  Rod Martin tells his story.

Private Alfred Aspinall, who fell at Gallipoli

Private Alfred (Fred) Aspinall grew up in Kensington.  He had been a member of the Holy Trinity Church of England choir as a lad, and as a teenager developed an interest in physical culture and boxing.  He also attended drill with the 64th Infantry Battalion, CMF  at the drill hall in Victoria Street, Melbourne.  The photograph courtesy of Kim Phillips of Spirits of Gallipoli, shows Fred as a Senior Cadet.  Sheila Byard examines the record of Fred Aspinall who fell at the landing at Gallipoli.