In the process of photographing multiple war graves, it's not unusual to find yourself spending some extra moments at those graves which show additional data, such as an image of a medal (VC) or text i.e. Mentioned In Dispatches. All fit-and-proper, given that these men and women gave their' lives for our freedom! But, what about those heroes whose last fighting moments were never witnessed or recorded? And, even-more-so: those whose last moments WERE witnessed/recorded but, for some reason, no indication, as such - as regards their' heroic deeds - appear on their' respective headstones? Last night, by coincidence, I read about one such hero (book titled ''Hero Or Deserter'' by Roger Maynard) and, noting the date of this man's heroic deeds, felt it appropriate to mention him today - on the 80th Anniversary of his death. note: 2 images attached. For details about him and why he became known as ''The Hero Of Ambon'' - refer to this link - Hero of Ambon | Australian War Memorial CWGC link here: Private William Thomas Doolan | War Casualty Details | CWGC Query: Why, given the respect shown to both his grave and his memory, by both the local population AND the Japanese, was this man never accorded any military honours/awards? LEST WE FORGET Tony Buckley asiawargraves.com
