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.
UNDER FURRED HATS 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment
£11.50
A well produced book covering the services of the Light Horse from formation in September 1914 to its return to Australia in August 1919. Compiled by an officer who served with the regiment throughout, it is partly based upon the War Diary. His descriptions of the bitter fighting on Gallipoli are admirably clear, as are his accounts of the cavalry tactics and charges in the Sinai campaign (Battle of Romani). The advance into Palestine, the action at Beersheba, and the raids into the Jordan Valley, are similarly well covered. Many officers and their appointments and promotions are noted in the narrative, and the book is a very sound source for military and family historians alike. Rolls of Honour,and Honours & Awards.