If you have any photographs or information on the 9th Division that you would like to share with The 9th Divvy (with full credit to you) please don't hesitate to contact the authour Tim Burke at snewinburke@optusnet.com.au
Thank You.
Tim.
Welcome to The 9th Divvy!
This blog is about the Australian 9th Division of the Second World War.
It is a place that I post things that I want to share while I research the Division.
The Digger in the above photo is my Grandfather, NX17811 Cpl. L.J. McCarthy of the Australian 2/17th Infantry Battalion. He is the reason why I do this.
As I learn so shall you.
image "Nx17811 On Leave, Cairo, January 1943" from author's personal collection.
The Grave of NX15705 Cpl. John Hurst Edmondson V.C.
Tobruk, Libya, 1941.
A mate watches over the grave of Cpl. J.H. "Jack" Edmondson V.C.
Jack Edmondson's Victoria Cross was the first awarded to Australian Forces in WW2. It was, however, not the last won by Australians.
Read More about Jack Edmondson and other 9th Division V.C. winners in posts with the [Hero] tag.
image P00426.005 Australian War Memorial.
The Best Beer Ever
An unidentified Digger of the Australian 9th Division downs his first beer after an extended period in forward lines at El Alamein, Egypt, 1st Nov 1942.
image 042077 Australian War Memorial
The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a Commonwealth soldier. To date only 96 Australians have ever won a VC. Of these 20 were awarded in WW2.
Maj. Gen. Leslie Morshead
NX8 Major General Leslie Morshead KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO.
Morshead was commander of the Tobruk Garrison during the siege of 1941.
The Nazi propagandist William Joyce (a.k.a "Lord Haw Haw"), an Englishman broadcasting Nazi propaganda from Berlin in English, called Major General Morshead and the Tobruk Garrison "Ali Baba and his 20,000 Thieves".
image 009517 Australian War Memorial.
9th Division Slouch Hat Alamein 1942
A slouch hat as worn by a member of the 9th Division during the Battle of El Alamein, Egypt, Oct 1942.
image Alamein War Museum
Battallion Profile
2/48th Infantry Battallion
The 2/48th Infantry Battalion was Australia’s highest decorated unit of the Second World War, awarded four Victoria Crosses (three of them posthumously) and more than 80 other decorations. During the war the 2/48th suffered casualties of 318 dead and 703 wounded. It's most famous member was SX7964 Lt. Thomas "Diver" Derrick V.C. who was a household name in Australia during the war after a painting of him appeared on the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly.
The Tobruk Shave
Attending to personal hygiene requirements in the slit trenches of Tobruk is difficult when you are only allocated approx 1 litre of water per man per day for all purposes.
With temperatures rising to upwards of 50 degrees celcius during the day not much water was spared for grooming.
The action of shaving in the front lines is made more difficult by the presence of German snipers.
image from "Active Service - with Australia in the Middle East" Australian War Memorial 1941.
8 comments:
My grandpa was in the 9th Division
I had the privilege to visit Libya in 2007 with my Regimental Association to pay our respects to the fallen from our regiment during WW2. Whilst we were there we also visited Tobruk and its environs including Fig Tree. I want to put together a commemorative book for the trip and would like to source photos of Fig Tree in 1941/2. I note that you have included some in your blog and wondered where these were sourced and if I would be able to use one of them for the book (credited of course).
My great uncle was in the 9th Division Signals. I've just recently been scanning his collection of photos, mostly from El Alamein: https://plus.google.com/photos/101898903794859082093/albums/5704362696130457553
My father was in the 9th Division Signals. He left Melbourne for the Middle East on the SS. Strathallan 18-9-1941. I have only one photo of my father. It was taken after the war ended. He is in uniform on his bike. It was taken during a demo of riding skills and I am sure fun played a large factor. In the photo was a man balancing on my fathers back.
G'Day everyone...I'm going to write to Tim also..but just wanted to spread the word about what I'm doing. I've got an art business and we are creating beautiful paintings from may people's somewhat faded photos...
people are delighted as it keeps their lovely memories alive...
We've done some lovely work...so have a look at our website www.wepaintyourportrait.com
or call 0412 222 242 or email freshid@optusnet.com.au
Hi Tim,
For any of your readers who may be searching for books on other Australian units at War; please see Booksforever (www.booksforevernet.au).
James
Hi Tim. I have some photos of my dad, James Calvert QX2240, 2/9th of him and others at Tobruk. He also was awarded with shooting down a plane, have photo of him and some standing on it. He was wounded there and spent time recouperating. I also have an article my dad wrote when living in Canberra for the "Stand To" journal of the RSSAILA, titled "The capture of Giarabub. Am happy to scan and send to you. After Tobruk my dad was sent to PNG. Was shot by Japanese sniper,in chest, only one lung from then,died in 1970 aged 60.
Regards Robyn Geale (nee Calvert)
Email is rageale@yahoo.com.au
My dad was one of three Jacks who served together with 9th divvy. Jack Munn,zJackKing,and Ithink jack Cody. Jack King was only 21 when killed i. My dad told us the story of how Jack Kings mother sent him a fruit cake for his 21st. Unfortunately he had been killed by then . His mates celebrated for him eating the vCake . Mrs King had put a little flag on the top Dad carried that as a keepsake of his young friend and gave it to me when he came home . Unfortunately I no longer have it but I have never forgotten the young soldier from Geelong.He was my pin up boy as a lilies girl of 10yrs.
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