This book provides a step-by-step guide to finding, interpreting and appreciating the stories of those Australians who served in World War I. It shows the research pathways, and provides the tools for exploration and analysis, enabling even the most inexperienced teacher to take students through the essential stages of research - from interest, to engagement, to achievement.
'Digging for Diggers' is also an excellent resource book on all aspects of Australia's World War I combat experience. It provides a clear explanation of many of the elements that are assumed but rarely explained in general history books - what a brigade or battalion or division is, the nature of trench warfare, the meaning of military terms and abbreviations etc.
History is about people, and about making connections with our heritage, 'Digging for Diggers' helps us find those people for World War I, and to understand and appreciate how their lives are part of our ANZAC heritage. - part of a review by Robert Lewis
Contents:
Steps in Researching an Australian Soldiers of the Great War
- Overview of Research Steps
- Details Guide to Research Steps
Service Records
- Sample Service Record
- Abbreviations Used on Service Records
- Medical Classifications
The AIF
- Structure and Size of the AIF
- Structure of the Australian infantry 1914-1918
- Doubling the size of the AIF in 1916
- State Composition of the AIF Infantry Battalions
- Organisation of an AIF Infantry Battalion
- Organisation of the Australia Light Horse and Camel Corps
- Organisation and Restructuring of the Field Artillery of the AIF
- Colour Patches of the AIF
Trench Warfare, Battles and Bases
- A Guide to Trench Warfare
- A Concise Guide to the Battles of the AIF Divisions on the Western Front
- Place Names in France and Belgium
- The Bases in England and France
- The Bases in Egypt
Tips, Tools and Useful Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Useful Addresses
- Internet Support for Users of the Book
- Useful Contacts
- 1914-1920 Calendars
- Useful Forms
Review:It is said that there are upwards of 10,000 war memorials in Australia, not counting honour boards and church commemorative plaques. One these memorials are literally thousands of names. Graeme Hosken's 'Digging for Diggers' shows how, using original documents, the World War I stories behind these names can be uncovered. This is an absorbing and rewarding research task for any individual, school or community to undertake. It can lead to a real sense of the experience of Australians at war and the great human sacifice which was all too often demands - Dr Richard Reid, Historian, Department of Vertans' Affairs
