We commemorate ANZAC Day on 25 April as a time to pause and reflect to recognise more than 1.5 million people who have served Australia in all conflicts, wars and peace operations. It's also a time to remember about 103,000 Australians who lost their lives while serving.
This year ANZAC Day will acknowledge 110 years since the Gallipoli campaign, the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War and the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Malayan Emergency.
2025 is also the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
YPRL’s Digital archives hold some significant collections relating to the First World War in particular. Including the War Memorials in Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea Collection. This series of over 100 images documented local war memorials in 2017 as part of a Centenary of ANZAC Project.
Alice Broadhurst Collection
This unique collection compiled and owned by Australian Red Cross Nurse Alice Elizabeth Broadhurst (1896-1981) includes her time at the 16th Australian General Hospital, Mont Park (Macleod). Many of these photographs depict her time here from 1918 to 1920 portraying a personal female perspective of her patients, colleagues and the local environment. Alice remained at the hospital till its end of service as a military hospital when the last patients left. Browse the Alice Broadhurst Collection on the catalogue and visit the complete collection (including other personal photos) on our Flickr.
We remember local ANZACs
Banyule
In August 1914, Len Everitt, aged 20 became the pride of the Heidelberg Shire when he won the five-mile handicap race at the local athletes’ meet. In 1915 he was still the pride of Heidelberg. Quarter-Master Sgt Len Everitt became the first Heidelberg man to be killed during the First World War. He was killed on the beach at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, a date that became known as ANZAC Day. His death sent shock waves through the community when it still had much of a country-town feeling.
Nillumbik
George John Smith was born in 1884 at Panton Hill, and was one of eleven children. He worked as an orchardist on the family farm and married Barbara Bradley in 1910. They established their own orchard growing many varieties of fruit, though mainly apples and peaches. They had three children.
George joined the Australian Imperial Force in 1917, aged 33 years. During the war, he spent time at Suez and Alexandria (Egypt), Taranto (Italy), Southampton (England) and Bouelles (France). Before the end of 1918, George was promoted to Bombardier, and it was almost another year before he safely returned to his family in August 1919.
Whittlesea
Claude Clark Hughes was born in Yea, the son of Robert James and Elizabeth Grace Hughes (nee Clark). He became a butcher in Whittlesea and was well known in the local community. Claude enlisted in the 1st Australian Imperial Force and embarked in March 1916. He fought and died in the terrible conflict at Ypres, Belgium in October 1917 aged 27.
Research your military ancestor
-
The National Archives of Australia holds 1.5 million First World War and Second World War Service records, the majority of which have been digitised and can be accessed online free. Some Second World War files contain photographs.
-
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Find war dead records of the 1.7 million Commonwealth men and women commemorated and access their "How to Research.. Guides".
-
Visit the library to access Ancestry Library Edition, British Newspapers Archive, Find My Past and Gale Primary Sources.
-
Read histories and biographies including :
These and other records can be used to compile a profile or mini-biography of your ancestor which can be shared with family members.
Look for an ANZAC Day service near you:
ANZAC Day services in Banyule
Remembering ANZAC Day in Nillumbik
Epping RSL will hold a service commencing at 5.00 a.m.
Header photo: Whittlesea friends Mo Thomas, Avon Preston, Bert Benson (standing) with Alex Gingles and Bob Brown in camp together 1916 1st AIF. Private Moses Thomas, 2435, 8 Light Horse Regiment. Farmer, of Whittlesea, Vic. enlisted 4/1/16; returned, 9/7/19. - Pte Albert William Benson, 4667, 46 Ballalion, enlisted 14.12/15: returned 22/12/18 - L/Corporal Robert McGuigom Brown, 1667, 46 Battalion, enlisted 12/12/15; returned Source: Fay Thomas Collection, YPRL.