Valour

Join us for the story of John Whittle VC DCM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays episode released on ANZAC Day 2026 is about a very special ANZAC. If a living hell could be defined by the Australians of World War 1 and The Burma China Railway by the Australians of World War 2 then Wally Peeler went to hell and back twice. When not enduring the worst that 20th century warfare could dish out, Wally was the custodian of the Melbourne Shrine of remembrance honouring those who served and died alongside him. Join us for the story of this very special Australian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Newland. From Private in the Boer war to Lieutenant Colonel in the Second World War with a VC in between. Join us as we follow the life of a professional soldier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Rich and Dave explore the life of Australia's most decorated soldier Harry Murray Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank McNamara earned the VC for a remarkable rescue in Palestine. His real life exploits may have even inspired one of the twentieth century's great fictional characters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas James Bede Kenny was set to live an unassuming life as a pharmacists assistant in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The events of the 20th century led him down a very different path. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a long hiatus we are back with the story of Jorgen Jensen. Danish born Australian who won the VC with a frontal assault on a German machine gun and subsequent capture of 50 counterattacking Germans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roy Inwood the quiet man who fought in most of Australia's major battles of World War 1 and went on to win a VC in 1917. Join us for the story of "Snowy" Inwood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gloves are off. Rich and Dave go toe to toe debating the about the two most contentious generals of world war 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 2 of our great debate Dave examines the life of George Smith Patton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and Rich have disagreed since childhood. Who was the greater General Patton or Monty? This is the first of a three part special. Rich looks at the life and career of Bernard Law Montgomery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 60 we explore the battle of Passchendaele to give some context to our VC stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles Pope had to do something to save his men. Cometh the Hour. Cometh the Man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Grieve was just doing his bit when he single handedly rushed a machine gun post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Dwyer saved countless Australian lives in the battle of Polygon Wood by single handedly capturing 3 German Machine Guns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Carroll performed a series of heroic acts during the battle of Messines which earned him a VC. What did or did not happen at his investiture made Carroll a legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Messines years of tunneling and meticulous planning paid off. The greatest man made explosion set off under the German fortifications led to the capture of the Messines Ridge opening the way for the Third Ypres Offensive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Bullecourt Mick Moon pushed on in spite of multiple shrapnel and gunshot injuries as he lead his ever dwindling platoon to capture and hold positions on the Hindenburg line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George "Snowy" Howell packed a lot into less than 1 year on the Western Front. A Military Medal at Pozieres followed by a Victoria Cross at 2nd Bullecourt make Howell one of Australia's highest decorated soldiers. Injuries at Bullecourt ended Howells war but he signed up again for garrison duty in World War 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to the Western front for the battles of 1917. the two battles at Bullecourt during the Arras offensive took a heavy toll on the Australian 1st and 2nd divisions. 1st Bullecourt providing an excellent lesson in how not to conduct an assault on the Western Front. 2nd Bullecourt showed what could be done with better planning and implementation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No podcast covering World War One is complete without a look at the air war. Join us as we look at the key technological developments during the war and the leading aces of the combatant nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our 50th episode we explore the largely forgotten Naval Battles of Coronel and the Falklands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Far less well known than the submarine campaigns of World War 2 the U-Boat campaign of the great war set the stage for what was to come. With limited counter measures the submarine menace was not to be underestimated and ultimately, was a major factor in the US entry into World War 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 48 we explore the key surface actions of World War 1 and the naval strategies that helped win the war.Rule Brittania adapted from a poem by James Thompson (1700-1748). Lyrics Thomas Augustine Arne (1710–1778) performed by Albert Farrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Balkans was a savage sideshow of World War 1 featuring all the horrors that modern industrial warfare could create. Add in extreme cold during Winter and Tropical diseases during the warmer months and you have a uniquely miserable campaign.Sources: Balkan Battlegrounds (US Army Center of Military History, 2002), The First World War by John Keegan, The Salonika Front by Alan Wakefield, Australian War Memorial, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Charles Bean, Vol. III) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Eastern Front of World War 1 involved Millions of Soldiers fighting across a seamingly limitless frontline. It involved Epic Victories and defeats for all sides involved and often shaped the strategic thinking that shaped Australia's war time experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich wants to cover the battle of Flers Courcellette which primarily involved New Zealanders, Canadians and the first ever use of tanks. Dave questions Rich incessantly about the diversion from our primarily Australian content.Sources: The Eastern Front 1914–1917 by Norman Stone, The First World War by John Keegan, New Zealand and the First World War 1914–1919, Official History of Canada in the First World War by G.W.L. Nicholson, Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Australian War Memorial.https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artillery was the most deadly Weapon of World War 1. The full horrors of massed artillery were particularly noticed at Verdun and on the Somme. In episode 44 we explore the common weapons, shell types, fuses and tactics used.Sources: Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Australian War Memorial, The Somme by Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson, World War I Artillery (Imperial War Museum archives). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the VC actions of two postumous VCs from Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. Thomas Cooke and Claud Castleton.Sources: Australian War Memorial, London Gazette (September 9 and 26, 1916), Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Eastern Daily Press (July 1, 2006), Wikipedia (List of First World War Victoria Cross recipients) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mouquet Farm was a battle within the broader battle of Pozieres which in itself was a battle during the Somme Offensive. This small area saw 6800 Australian casualties within a few weeks.Sources: Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Australian War Memorial records, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Scott Bennett’s Pozières: The Anzac Story, Anzac Portal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin O'Meara a strapping young lad from Lorra Ireland Migrated to Australia to make his way in the world A VC action and significant injury at Mouquet Farm subsequent woundings at Bullecourt and Messines Ridge all took their toll. O'Meara's story testament to the everyday heroism and the everyday trauma of the Western Front.Sources: Australian War Memorial, Australian Dictionary of Biography (Richard E. Reid, 1988), London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Ian Loftus’s The Most Fearless and Gallant Soldier I Have Ever Seen, National Museum of Ireland, Irish Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A young man, an adventurous spirit and 3 different wars in South Africa. Sources Australian War Memorial, Australian Dictionary of Biography (Merrilyn Lincoln, 1981), London Gazette (December 23, 1915) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Leake single handedly cleared a German machine gun post at Pozieres. His subsequent desertion speaks volumes to the traumas that soldiers suffered, particularly on the Somme.Sources: Australian War Memorial, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Wikipedia, InDaily, National WWII Museum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Jackson's story during a trench raid near Armentieres is truly remarkable. Join us for his amazing story.Sources: Draws on Australian War Memorial records, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Harry Willey’s biographies, and Hay Historical Society research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pozieres was Australia's horrific Somme experience an experience that saw approximately 20% of the AIF become casualties in a period of 6 weeks.Script draws on Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Australian War Memorial records, and secondary sources like Pozières: The Anzac Story by Scott Bennett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Blackburn had a unique experience encompassing the most awful locations Australians found themselves in both world wars. Blackburn was a scout at Gallipoli and made it further inland on day 1 than any other Australian soldier in the whole campaign. He then won the VC at Pozieres before being invalided home with pleurisy. Pursuing a legal career between wars Blackburn packed away the wig and robes to command a machine gun battalion in WW2 where he fought the Vichy French in Syria and the Japanese in Java. Blackburn was taken prisoner by the Japanese and spent 3 years in POW camps.Sources: Information drawn from the Australian War Memorial, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Anzac Portal, and Wakefield Press’s Arthur Blackburn, VC by Andrew Faulkner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich and Dave give a high level round up of the battle of the Somme to give some context to the Australian involvement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 1916 the ANZACS arrive in France and are deployed to the Nursery Sector near Armentieres. In July 1916 they are engaged in a diversionary action intended to draw German reserves away from the Somme. The result is a one sided slaughter. Australia's heaviest loss of life in any single day of combat. Charles Bean referred to the battle of Fromelles as a "tactical abortion" The diggers just called it "From Hell". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we pick up on the Western front from March 1915 to April 1916. We also look at the reconstruction of the AIF after Gallipoli. It is this return to Egypt for training, expansion and specialisation that gave the ANZACS the foundation to build an elite fighting force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The issue of replacing killed and injured troops leads to intense debate which split Australia with Church and Union leaders pitched against conservative politicians. The outcomes of the conscription referenda would echo through Australia throughout the twentieth century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the allies evacuate from under the noses of the Turks? and how was Cape Helles evacuated virtually unopposed 18 days after the ANZAC withdrawal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gurkhas have a proud history dating back to 1815. In this special episode we look at the VC action of Lalbahadur Thapa in Tunisia 1943. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Throssell Won the VC for his actions on Hill 60. Fighting with the 10th Light Horse Throssell saw combat in Gallipoli and Palestine. These experiences including the loss of his brother saw Throssell return home as a pacifist, searching for answers. Throssell struggled in his post war life which ended tragically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and Rich wind up the Lone Pine Story with a look at John Hamilton, Leonard Keysor and Alfred Shout Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich and Dave continue their exploration of Gallipoli’s heroes, focusing on William John Symons VC, another Australian who earned the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915. Following Episode 27’s look at William Dunstan, Frederick Tubb, and Alexander Burton, we dive into Symons’ life before the war, his military career, his courageous actions at Lone Pine, and his remarkable life and achievements after the war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich and Dave dive into the extraordinary stories of Frederick Harold Tubb VC, William Dunstan VC and Alexander Stewart Burton VC. Three Australian heroes who earned the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A tribute to our friend Matthew Kellow. Rich and Dave look at the careers of Dale Snodgrass and Scott Altman. The real life fighter pilots behind the movie Top Gun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamilton had a plan and the plan was good. Land 20,000 troops on a new, relatively undefended beach and rush inland while Turkish forces are diverted by ANZAC attacks at Lone Pine, The Nek and Chunuk Bair. Perhaps Hamilton didn't realise the 20,000 men at Suvla were poorly trained, poorly equiped and in Frederick Stopford poorly led. In a campaign full of missed opportunities Suvla is the crowning failure. This is contracted by the ANZACS who fought magnificently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duane Hackney became the most decorated enlisted man in the USAF with over 200 pararescue missions in Vietnam Hackney racked up an impressive array of medals including The Airforce Cross, 4 Distinguished Flying Cross's, Silver Star, Airmans Medal, 2 purple Hearts and 18 Air Medals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

on May 19th 1915 The Turkish counterattacked with 42,000 men aiming to push the ANZACs into the sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.