For Australia the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of which over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.
In general terms with Australian unit histories the quality of authorship is very good, most of them share the common strength of making plentiful mention of the individual officers and men who served, fought, died, was wounded, or taken prisoner, or who came safely home at the end of it all. They are a prime source for genealogists and military historians.
STORY OF THE TWELFTH A Record of the 12th Battalion AIF during the Great War 1914-18
£22.00
A very good narrative account, packed with names. The author was Adjutant of this Tasmanian-based unit and he covers its services from August 1914 through to the bitter end. it fought at Bullecourt in 1917, losing in one month 600 men and gaining two VCs. Many of the recipients of awards are named in the text. The final chapter is effectively an appendix of awards and casualties.