Signaller B Coy 4th Battalion

John Thomson in 1915, a young man aged 25, leaving for "The Great War".
He was a newly married school teacher working in country New South Wales.
He kept a very detailed journal of his experiences in France, which makes enthralling reading.
Blindness, the result of gassing during his service changed his life and health dramatically.

On his return to Australia in 1919, he managed to continue in the teaching profession with his limited vision; raising a family of two daughters and becoming a devoted Grandfather, he lived to the age of 74.

Arthur Chapman, (on the right - hands on hips beside his brother Neville), was assigned to Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. He served on cargo ships converted into armed merchant vessels transporting men & equipment in convoys. Arthur survived being bombed & torpedoed; the ships he was serving on being sunk on two separate occasions! The last occasion, he was in the water for several days before being rescued.

After the war he continued in a maritime career - sadly however, he died at an early age.

Corporal Q Australian Heavy Artillery Battery Coastal Defence AIF

Neville Chapman at 18 years, left his teachers college studies, joining the Army at Sydney University in October 1941. He was assigned to the Artillery in the defence of Darwin and took part in the fighting of many of the air attacks. Also spending time on the converted cargo vessels patrolling around Northern Territory, Gulf of Carpentaria & Torres Straight. Fighting in artillery positions Fly River, in New Guinea, being discharged from military service in 1946.
Later resuming his teacher training, marrying, raising a family of two, a son & daughter, becoming a school Principal early in his teaching career. Neville led an active life which ended early after battling a long illness; he passed away at age 64.
During the 1980's while on a Northern Holiday, Neville returned to visit one of his old artillery posts....the gun emplacements at the entrance to Darwin Harbour prompting the memory:
"We held our position inside for several days; without communications, food or water, no relief was sent, only to hear later...We didn't think you were all still in there"

Leading Aircraftman Group 926 Pacific

Edward 18, joined the RAAF in Brisbane in December 1942. His role was ground crew airfield construction & defence serving in Northern Australia, New Guinea & The South Pacific. Participated in the capture of Biak Island, Morotai, and Labuan Borneo; surviving constant air raids, counter attacks on land and sea. Ted took many photos of his surroundings, his mates, and events that formed part of his war experience.

After his discharge in 1946, he moved to Sydney. Married in 1948, and raised one daughter. Edward passed away aged 75 years.