WW2 dominates my interest but WW1 is a close second and beyond that it's The War of 1812 or as we Canadians call it, "The War of Southern Aggression". When we burnt the White House. Take that you damned Yankees. :p
When we burnt the White House. Take that you damned Yankees. :p Owen, I was once shown a doorway in the Whitehouse that the surround was still blackened from the very incident. It had never been renovated, perhaps to serve as a reminder. Something that my guide was pleased to point out to a English man It was a great experience looking around. Regards Tom
Obviously WWs 1 & 2 have dominated my Female Casualty interest but I have one even pre United Kingdom - Queen Bodicea AD 61 the Celtic Uprising. Tony
As well as WW1 & 2, The Spanish Civil War holds a specialist interest for me mainly for the lengths that both British and Irish volunteers went to to get involved and the complexity of reasons given by many for enlisting.
For me it is Korea as my old dad was their, he served with all three Aussie Btns who saw service in Korea. Active duty with 1 & 2 RAR June 52 to June 53 and peace enforcement with 3RAR in 1954. He arrived in country with 1RAR in March 1952 but was held in Reo depot as he had just voluntarily transfered from 2RAR to 1RAR days before they departed to Korea. He had joined in Jan 51 and was infantry in 2RAR from mid 51 to March 52 Next is the war in Viet Nam (note it is two words). I am honoured to know many men who served over their . Regs and conscripts, the amount of veterans who say they would of volunteered if their was no National service lottery is quite high. So these men left it to fate. Then would be WW1, I originally concentrated on the Australian involvement some time ago and still continue to learn about them I have also researched other nations involvement. Allied & Australian nations WW2 history is my main interest at the moment. I am concentrating on the desert war from late 1940 onwards at the moment most especially detailed information of what other nations (esp British) units did during the battles that also involved Australians during 1941 and 1942. My interest can be put basically as anything about the 20th Century Wars (WW2 especially) that involved Australia.
For me it is WW2, then closely followed by the American Civil War. I have neglected many of our (US) conflicts I am sad to say, but try to read an article here and there to keep up a bit. It's not that I do not think that they are not deserving enough to conduct extensive study on, it's just that WW2 and the ACW are two huge conflicts that just captivate me and what time I devote to independent study. I blame Hollywood.
Hi all WW2 as my Father was there, WW1 as his Father was in it and other family members, some who did not survive, I had an ancestor at Waterloo, so would like to find out more on that and any other family member who was involved in the services. regards Robert
I came to WW2 talk as I wanted to know more about my Grandad's service. It's been fun to stay around although I feel I don't have much to contribute but I've learnt a lot. My primary interest is the Great War. I've a Great Grandfather who served with a RGA Siege Battery in 1915. His brother was in the 6th Dragoon Guards on the retreat from Mons to the Marne. I've got two Great Uncle's, brothers, one who fought in Mesopotamia and survived and one who served from Ypres in May 1915, through the Somme battles until September 1918 when he was killed with the Lancashire Fusiliers. I've also got two relatives who were lost on the Somme and seeing their names at Thiepval was an experience not to be forgotten. Chuck in another one who had a liking for going awol and being disciplined for laughing in the ranks and that's most things covered. I went to the fields and woods of the Somme last year. Anyone who is lucky enough to go there for a living has the best job in the world as far as i'm concerned. Incidentally my Great Grandfather served in South Africa with the (King's Own) Royal Lancaster Regiment . His brother George, mentioned above, was there with the Carabiniers and was mentioned in dispatches. He was wounded during the charge at Klip Drift which I think was the last time a British Cavalry division charged en masse. There was another brother, Fred, who died in Pietermaritzburg while serving with the Manchester Regiment of enteric fever. Another Great Grandfather served there with the Rifle Brigade following three years on the North West Frontier. So in order of interest it's Great War, WW2 and Boer War. Sorry for the ramble!
Since I started to chase my Grandfather's story in Burma, I have grown to be interested in all the soldiering in my family. In WW1 all my Great Grandfathers served and survived. We have men in the Boer Wars, some at the Crimea and a sprinkling of sailors too, covering the Indian Mutiny and China wars. So a bit of a history for serving the country in the military. It makes you wonder how I have managed to reach nearly 50 without holding a weapon or even wearing a uniform, not even the Scouts!!!
While working on my curent WW I project I have been sddened by the large number of officers and men of the North Irish Horse who have no known grave - as opposed to just one in WW II. However, among the names commemorated on Tyne Cot and other memorials, there must be one among them who does have a known grave, it is located in Queens Cemetery, France. See http://northirishhorse.net/ww1/NIH-CASUALTIES/Headstones/Unknown-Soldier.jpg Is there any record of similar burials? Gerry
Gerry You can see quite a few of these on your travels and I've often wondered if it would be possible to do at Fromelles-type DNA test on the bodies? It probably is but it will probably never happen with the age old problem of the cost involved. Maybe with the centenary of the start of the war approaching and hopefully a better economic climate the will to do so might then be there. I've seen the graves and then later taken a look at Thiepval, Tyne Cot and the Menin Gate and I know he is there somewhere. Here is a couple more examples and a link to a few more. BRITISH WAR GRAVES - Unknown Graves Regards Jonathan.
Here go my preferences: Boxer Rebellion > Because it happened in China, and involved the Imperial Powers (lots of glamour the days of the International Settlements had...) Spanish Civil War > Because it was a Civil War on a true international scale. Middle East Wars involving Israel > Because they involved Israel. Korean War > First big scale round of the Cold War, with several first-line contingents from non-first-line countries. First Indochina War > Part of the same round as the Korean War, and it involved the French (Legio, Patria Nostra!) Conflict in the Congo 1960's > Africa has always had its own special aura, and the UN was involved as an organization, not only a name as in Korea. Algerian War > French involvement. Angolan War > Same about Africa, plus the unlikeliness of the contenders involved.
Looking into a different period for awhile just for a break from WW2 going back 300 years or so. On Sunday I borrowed this book from the library. Marlborough : England's Fragile Genius by Richard Holmes. for Xmas I've asked inlaws to get me this, Marshall Vauban and the Defence of Louis XIV's France by James Falkner. On Abebooks I've just ordered Prince Eugen of Savoy : A Biography by Nicholas Henderson The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough by David Chandler. (I've already got his Marlborough as Military Commander)
My preferences are: 1. The campaigns of the HEIC....Because it was a time of Empire building 2. The Spanish American War as I find it the greatest turn about the US has had. 3. The Philippine Insurrection (although how you call sending 125,000 troops an insurrection is beyond me) The Georgian & Victorian Campaigns of the Far East (in particular Java & Burma) simon
When I discovered I had two great uncles who perished inthe Great War it stimulated my interest in that conflict. One of them lasted barely enough time to get his boots broken in and the other had emigrated to Australia as a child only to travel 99% of the way back again to die in Belgium. I am also interested in the Jacobite conflicts. Keith
Very similar to Assam, my interest lies with the Victorian campaigns of the latter 1800's. When I find time to relax (which will not be any time soon) I will begin to read up on the conflicts in Burma and especially Afghanistan. This interest has come about from being drawn to the aesthetics of the campaign medals for these conflicts. A bit of a weedy reason, but there you go.
Very similar to Assam, my interest lies with the Victorian campaigns of the latter 1800's. When I find time to relax (which will not be any time soon) I will begin to read up on the conflicts in Burma and especially Afghanistan. This interest has come about from being drawn to the aesthetics of the campaign medals for these conflicts. A bit of a weedy reason, but there you go. "Weedy"??? The IGS 54 was one of the most beautiful things ever desinged. Regards simon
"Weedy"??? The IGS 54 was one of the most beautiful things ever desinged. Regards simon Aaahhh! My first 100+ year old medal purchase, an IGS 85-87 to a 2/KLR man.
A bit like bamboo. I started researching my grandfathers' service in WW2, and from there I discovered 2 great grandfathers in WW1. I have also found it interesting learning about the 2nd Boer War all because I found by accident that a great grandfather was there and finding details on the battles he was at have been fascinating. Being a History major I will read about almost any era of history, but I do draw the line at some things! I also have an interest in Israel and have the 6 day war as a subject I want to learn about next. Combining modern day and history I am fascinated by Mossad and have read some intriguing material on them.
Hi, WW1 for me. Because of The immense bravery shown and the technological development of warfare. See First World War.com - Memoirs & Diaries - When Tank Fought Tank "Memoirs & Diaries - When Tank Fought Tank" I often read this page, especially when I'm feeling down because it gives me strength when I think of the men who manned the British Tank fighting on with a reduced crew and also suffering the effects of Chemical Agent Poisoning (Gas). Regards, Mick D.