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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This week my #photofriday offering is the book I am currently reading which is ‘Never Late: The 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-1945’ by Gordon Dickens. As part of the 18th Brigade, the 2/9th Bn fought in North Africa, Syria, Papua, New Guinea and Borneo. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I didn’t know that either and, yes, it’s embarrassing! I might have to do some wider reading over the summer. The author is the g-g-g-granddaughter of Admiral Thomas Francis Fremantle who was a close friend of Nelson. Charles is his son. Thanks for the #navalhistory tag. I ran out of characters!

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Much better thanks! Came good yesterday. 👌 The cover is a beauty! It shows the commencement of the Battle of Trafalgar… “reproduced from an aquatint by T. Sutherland after a painting by T. Whitcombe”.

I didn’t find too many goodies today but very happy with what I came away with. They’re all currently spread over my husband’s lounge so lucky for me he is away. Got a week to find proper homes for them!

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Charles Fremantle was made a Captain at 28. In April 1829 Fremantle arrived at the Swan River in Western Australia and claimed the coast for King George IV. The port of Fremantle is named after him. Having spent many a happy hour in Fremantle I thought it would make for a good read!

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Apologies for not turning up to the last #histbookchat. Unfortunately, I came down crook on the day. Happy to offer up a newy this #photofriday: “The Admirals Fremantle 1788-1920” by Ann Parry. Of the admirals covered, Admiral Sir Charles Howe Fremantle (1800-1869) is the one I am most keen on. /2

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Have to say as far as years go it went alright. 😂

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

My offering this #photofriday is one from the TBR and I reckon it’s a good’un! ‘The Big L: American Logistics In World War II’ edited by Alan Gropman - Mobilisation, Infrastructure, Lend-Lease, and the Pacific and European theatres. Hoping to get this one read by the end of the year! 📚 #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

You can just picture it, Laurence. 😂

Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

The 2/10 were awarded the following battle honours: *North Africa *Defence of Tobruk *The Salient 1941 *South-West Pacific 1942–1945 *Milne Bay *Buna–Gona *Cape Endaiadere–Sinemi Creek *Sanananda–Cape Killerton *Liberation of Australian New Guinea *Shaggy Ridge *Borneo 1945 *Balikpapan

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

For #histbookchat and #photofriday I am reading ‘Purple And Blue’ by Lt-Col. Frank Allchin. The 2/10th, having completed their training in Australia, sailed on the Mauretania to England and that’s where we currently find them. I love the early formation stories and this one made me laugh! /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

@mtmcgurk.bsky.social I’m now on the lookout for the unit history ‘History of the 43rd Engineers in the South-West Pacific’ by Colonel John Brauns. Great work at Milne Bay and I’d be most interested in reading more of their story!

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I have a real soft spot for the 2/10th.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#reading ‘Purple And Blue: The History of the 2/10th Battalion, A.I.F (The Adelaide Rifles) by Lt-Col. Frank Allchin, M.M.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Still going with ‘Milne Bay 1942’ and absolutely loving it. It’s just extremely well put together and every page offers an interesting description, quote, story, fact or photo. Quite surprising at times, it’s a great tribute to the terrific fellas who fought at Milne Bay. #photofriday #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Yes, I haven’t read the book yet but I imagine there’s a story there!

Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The cover painting is ‘RAAF Kittyhawk squadron at Milne Bay, August-September 1942’ by William Dargie, 1969. This painting is on display at the Australian War Memorial in the new Milne Bay exhibition. It was such a treat to see it for myself on a recent visit.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This #photofriday I am still reading ‘Milne Bay 1942’ and truly loving every word of it. Another of my Milne Bay books is ‘Onward Boy Soldiers’ by James Henderson, a 16 year old signaller from Western Australia, who was sent to Milne Bay in 1942. This is his story of the battle. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

You are dead right, Laurence. Good on you.

Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

In 1948 the author set sail on the Derna with her parents; 545 displaced persons facing an uncertain future in Australia and New Zealand. “… a remarkable human story. It celebrates the spirit and resilience of those who have lost everything yet found the strength to rebuild their lives.”

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

This #histbookchat I am still reading ‘Milne Bay’ so my offering is from the TBR ‘The Voyage Of Their Life: The Story of the SS Derna and its Passengers’ by Diane Armstrong. This book was a present from my Aunty and we had a great chat after I rang her to say it was my #photofriday book choice. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I read ‘Cruel Crossing’ years ago.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

You’re not wrong! I had to walk through a few mobs today. 🤣

Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I’ve been bushwalking a lot lately and this book and the next few are either too heavy or too fragile to cart around so I probably won’t have too many new reads to post for a while. In the meantime I’ll be mining the TBR and old favourites for a book that will hopefully be of interest each week.🤞🏻

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

For #histbookchat this week I’m reading ‘Milne Bay 1942: The story of ‘Milne-Force’ and Japan’s First Military Defeat on Land’ by Clive Baker & Greg Knight. I’m so excited for this one as it’s got the lot: AIF, Militia, US forces, the RAAF, an airstrip defence and the first Japanese land defeat. /2

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Thanks for your interest, Dave.

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Hall of Memory - The Mosaics | Australian War Memorial

The photo on the cover is of Napier Waller’s mosaic ‘Soldier’ in the Australian War Memorial’s Hall of Memory. If of interest, the four HoM mosaics ‘The Women’s Services’, ‘The Navy’, ‘The Army’ and the ‘The Airforce’ can be found at the following link:

awm.gov.au

Accession Number: ART90409.003

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An extra #histbookchat this week is my current read: ‘The Second World War and its Australian Army Battle Honours’ by Major General Gordon L. Maitland. It’s a concise history of the war and also the story of the 100-odd ‘honoured’ battles fought by Australian soldiers. It’s a little beauty! /2

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"For me, it was seeing how men could be so cruel to other men - something I will never forget. Of all the other things BARB did for the victory over Japan, this is the one I always have foremost in my mind.” ~ Don Miller, USS BARB

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