World War 2 Archives - Hunter Living Histories

Fortress Newcastle Exhibition and Films: A Great Success

May 19, 2022

The Fortress Newcastle Exhibition Launch The Newcastle Fortress Exhibition was officially launched on Friday 22 April 2022. It was an extraordinarily friendly and successful event, thanks to our Master of Ceremonies, Dr Peter Hobbins, Head of Knowledge at the Australian Maritime Museum, for his expert leadership of the ceremony. To Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon … More Fortress Newcastle Exhibition and Films: A Great Success

Service Tests of Modern Sub Machine Guns’ (1941) and other Historic Films on the Owen Gun (1940s)

October 29, 2021

The Owen Gun Films The extensive testing and real world service scenarios that the Owen Sub Machine Gun underwent to ensure it was an effective weapon are portrayed in this film. The Owen Gun Private Evelyn Owen of Wollongong invented the Owen Sub Machine Gun prototype in July 1939. It was manufactured in the … More Service Tests of Modern Sub Machine Guns’ (1941) and other Historic Films on the Owen Gun (1940s)

Great Escape “Diary”: Ronald Prior Baines R.A.A.F. Prisoner of War Wartime Log

June 17, 2021

Richard Baines, on behalf of his family, has kindly provided the University of Newcastle’s Hunter Living Histories Initiative permission to publish his father’s World War 2 Prisoner of War Wartime Log and related items. DOWNLOAD RONALD BAINES WARTIME LOG https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/110514 DOWNLOAD WARTIME TRAVEL 1940-1945 R.P. BAINES A 401096 RAAF (6.4MB PDF File) (Transcribed by Melinda … More Great Escape “Diary”: Ronald Prior Baines R.A.A.F. Prisoner of War Wartime Log

No. 77 Squadron – Robert Lees Andrew

July 10, 2020

Robert Lees Andrew the son of Robert Andrew, a Scot who migrated to Australia just as WW1 was starting, and Kathleen Connell, a South Australian. They married after Robert returned from service with the AIF, then lived in Scotland for a time. Bob was born there in the village of Bridge-of-Weir, on 16 February … More No. 77 Squadron – Robert Lees Andrew

No. 77 Squadron Notes and Stories by Kenneth F. Wilkinson

July 6, 2020

KENNETH F. WILKINSON 431527 No. 77 SQUADRON NOTES by Ken Wilkinson Five raw N.C.O. Pilots joined the squadron at Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea in September 1944 where the squadron had moved to from Manus Island. We were introduced to other pilots, including Peter Hooks, who lived 200 metres from me, was in same … More No. 77 Squadron Notes and Stories by Kenneth F. Wilkinson