Comments on: Centenary of World War One

By: Ron Ringer

Ron Ringer — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 07:19:34 +0000

Seems like we’re all on the same page. Maybe time for another drinks night at the pub and publicise a talkfest – within and outside the PHA. I’m all for public engagement…..

By: Pauline Curby

Pauline Curby — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 01:14:58 +0000

A very interesting time for historians but also for many Australians investigating family history. Do a straw poll amongst your friends as I have and I think you’ll find most have uncles/fathers/grandfathers/great uncles etc who refused to collect their medals and declined to march on Anzac Day because they were feed up with the BS. On the other hand an elderly gentleman I know is busy writing his father’s story. I hope it’s published soon as it is the story of a one-legged Gallipoli veteran who became an anti-conscriptionist, was arrested and remained an anti-war campaigner for the rest of his life. That’s a story I’m looking forward to reading!

By: David Stephens

David Stephens — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:37:50 +0000

Honest History’s motto is not only Anzac but also [lots of other strands of Australian history]. Of course, Anzac and war generally has been an important shaper of our country but so have many other factors. We sell ourselves short if in the next four years we let ourselves sink in a flood of Anzackery (overblown Anzac mythology). The centenary should be an occasion to focus more broadly on the many strands of our history. Honest History is history robustly based on evidence; balanced history is a contest between evidence-based interpretations.

By: Zoe Pollock

Zoe Pollock — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 06:53:00 +0000

I think the centenary is a great opportunity to engage audiences in the work of historians abd the outputs of these practice. It will be one of the few times when a broad spectrum of people are thinking about the past. We have a real opportunity to whet their appetites and lead people to where they can learn more.

By: Dr Perry McIntyre

Dr Perry McIntyre — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 06:44:43 +0000

a great book about a non-hero was published a few years ago and tells the tale of Tom Skeyhill. I think more of these real stories of the survival of the physical and mentally injured need to be told. see http://www.anchorbooksaustralia.com.au

By: Dr Brian Walsh

Dr Brian Walsh — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:41:10 +0000

As a professional historian I find this whole thing really problematic. I am aware of the issues but I don’t like being told how I should feel about WW1, whether it is by politicians or historians. I have a great uncle who was killed at Gallipoli in the first charge of the Battle of the Nek (on which the final scene of the film Gallipoli is based). I am proud of him, his courage and actions! My wife has four great uncle who served in WW1, 2 of whom were killed, one whose life was wrecked by PTSD and one who lived to old age. Ultimately Australians will think what they want to think without intellectuals and politicians forming a thought police. My wife and I will commemorate WW1 with a mixture of pride and sadness, and understanding for the great uncle and his loved ones whose lives unravelled through his PTSD (shellshock).

By: Ron Ringer

Ron Ringer — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:35:51 +0000

Where would we be without myth and the swirl of fact mixed with fiction? Honest History – not a particularly useful descriptor because by the time various interest groups have had their say, we’re back to more sloganeering and propaganda. But, from what little I’ve read I agree completely with what HH is trying to do. My view is that Australia has buried itself deeply in mawkish sentiment and very silly WW1-related stories, eg Simpson and his donkey.