Day 15 and day 16 Canberra

 After the 50 year reunion, where old workmates caught up and wondered how their looks had changed so dramatically over the years, and a dinner at the Southern Cross Club at Woden, Sunday was a day to explore.

First stop was Russell Hill, and the Defence buildings where they worked.

  

The View from War Memorial to Parliament House

 The best vantage point for getting an overall appreciation for the layout of Canberra is from the Ainslie Lookout.

Some highlights of Canberra.  Originally named Kanberya by the local aboriginal people, chosen as the capital of Australia, and laid out by Sir Walter Burley Griffen.  With no mention in our social studies lessons, of the involvement of his wife, Marion.

Black Mountain tower, 13 years ago  a horrific bushfire destroyed so much of Canberra

 We had lunch at Poppies Restaurant,
at the Australian War Memorial. This new building was opened by the PM Tony Abbott in 2014, and is dedicated to a brave soldier of Afghanistan, who was 41 when we went there, and called "pop" by the young boys.  Appropriate name. 

Edward Dunlop

 

 Over the years I have researched extensively, and in that research was a great deal relating to the Military conflicts.  A trip to the Australian War Memorial, had for me, this visit, a totally different aspect.

I was walking amongst displays that I had researched, and was aware of, the consequences of the battles, or had researched those who were killed in them.  Hopefully I can remember the events following.

The Landing at Gallipoli - up to Shrapnell Gulley where our great uncle Montague John Durnford was killed.

The intricate system used when the troops departed Gallipoli, under cover of darkness.

The Western Front in France and Belgium.

The tunnelers of Hill 60 and Ypers.


Matron Grace Wilson of Lemnos Hospital



The medal presented to David Coyne, for his bravery, he gave his life to save his men.

The Tunnellers of Holtzminden in Germany WW1, Captain Hugh Durnford wrote a book he is a cousin.

An Australian was in his escape team. The pliers were used in the escape plan.






The Memorial is divided into sections, after the World War One section is a display of all those awarded a Victoria Cross, then into the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Presented by Prince William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The bugle, played an important role for calling to duties.  Montague John Durnford was the bugler on landing at Gallipoli

Queen Victoria personally knitted scarves for her soldiers.

 The Royal Engineers Uniform in Australia based on the UK style

The Colonial Troops, another of our great grandfathers arrived to serve at the time of the Rum Rebellion.

The displays of Colonial Victorian time wars, focused on the involvement of Australians in the Boxer Revolution, the Sudan War and the Boer War.   

Zulu cowhide shield and kopi

 

British generals.

Camp Castle where Anthony Durnford lived when he first went to SA.

The little drummer boy writing home to his mother. 16 years of age.  And I couldn't resist this photo of life in the times of the Boer War, the young lady is flattered by the attention of a handsome English officer.  Sound familiar?

 World War 2, both our father's served in the South Pacific Fleet, mine was in places "unknown" and not even in his Military Records, from England.  John's was at Borneo and was Mentioned in Despatches for his bravery.

Then there was Sandraken, where Robert Jillett, as second cousin lost his life along with more than 1700 others.

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Montague John Durnford enlisted under his step fathers name of Pacey our great uncle

No Canberra visit is complete without spending time at the War Memorial