On the night of 22 July 1917, while Clare was serving with the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Trois Arbres near Armentieres, an air raid warning was sounded. Rather than taking shelter in the bunkers, Clare, who was off duty at the time, and two other nurses ran into the hospital to rescue patients.
Like many families, the Gray family saw a number of their boys go off to World War One. These young men would have different fates.
Researching leads to reconnecting with family
The roles of women in war, both on the war front and the home front have been downplayed, or ignored, made invisible to history. Historian Professor Melanie Oppenheimer explores women’s uneasy relationship with the Anzac tradition.
The Skinner family history outlines the life and times of Archer Angus Skinner, of the 12th Battalion.
There is a link death cannot sever; love and remembrance last forever.
During the First World War, the Australian Army's enlistment age was 21 years or 18 years with the permission of a parent or guardian. Although boys aged 14-17 could enlist as buglers, trumpeters and musicians, many gave false ages in order to join as soldiers. Many thought the war would be over by Christmas and here was an opportunity for a great adventure.
Alec Campbell falsified his age and was 16 when he enlisted for World War One. The kid soldier was to become the last ANZAC standing, until he died on 17 May 2002 at the age of 103.