Stories & Research

 
History belongs to more than generals, governments and official reports. These are the people, events and questions Kathryn continues to investigate.

Private Harry Robertson and postcards home

Private Harry Robertson, official number 2226, was born in Oaks Estate, Queanbeyan, in 1896 the eldest of seven children to Edward and Elizabeth Robertson. He was educated at Queanbeyan Public School and was a member of the St Stephens Presbyterian Church. After a...

British Army Captain Lisa Jade Head

British Army Captain Lisa Jade Head told anyone within hearing distance that she had the ‘best job in the world’. Most of us would add ‘the most dangerous’. The 29-year-old had studied human biology at the University of Huddersfield which may have been either an odd...

Captain Elizabeth Godwin and Princess Charlotte.

Captain Elizabeth Helen Godwin, 28, was a British Army officer in the Household Cavalry. Born in Devon she came from a military family. At school she played field hockey, was an equestrian and a member of the Combined Cadet Force. ‘Lizzie’ was awarded a British Army...

War in Broken Hill

It is an unusual place in Australia for one of the first ‘battles’ of World War I to take place. Broken Hill is a long way from the Australian coastline and a very long way away from Europe. Nonetheless anyone visiting Broken Hill is quickly informed of how on New...

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Bomber Command aircrew: and the ‘real’ Great Escape.

The 1963 film The Great Escape was considered a classic war film. It featured a stella Hollywood cast, none more famous than Steve McQueen. The film ostensibly told the story of the escape from Luft III of dozens of Allied Prisoners-of-War (POWs), most of whom were...

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Controversy surrounds combat roles for women

Controversy surrounds combat roles for women

The Government has announced women will be allowed into elite front-line military units if they pass stringent physical and psychological tests. Kathryn Spurling spoke on ABC Lateline