I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History

• Sister Ellen Savage GM: The Sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur

  14-MAY-1943: While serving as a Nurse aboard the 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship Centaur as part of the Australian Army Nursing Service, Sister Ellen Savage survived the sinking of the Hospital ship at the hands of the Japanese submarine I-177 and in doing so became a symbol of resilience and compassion as she was the sole nursing survivor. In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life and service of Sister Ellen Savage, from her early years in Quirindi to her heroic actions during the Second World War. As the sole surviving nurse of the Centaur tragedy, Ellen's courage, dedication to her fellow survivors, and enduring contributions to nursing made her a true beacon of strength. This is the story of a woman who faced the horrors of war with unmatched bravery and left a lasting legacy for future generations. Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin Support the Podcast Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/. Access to the Discord Server: https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, YouTube.

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• Gunner Albert Neil (Neale) Cleary: The Sandakan Death March

  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of war, suffering, and the experiences of prisoners of war, which may be distressing for some listeners. 20-MARCH-1945. While serving as a Gunner in the 2/15 Field Regiment, Gunner Albert Niel Cleary became a tragic symbol of the suffering endured by Australian prisoners of war during the Second World War. Captured and forced to march in the harrowing Sandakan Death March, Cleary's life ended in unimaginable hardship, alongside the 1,700 other Australian prisoners who perished during this brutal ordeal. Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin Support the Podcast Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/. Access to the Discord Server: https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, YouTube.

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• Acting Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade DSO DFC USBS: From Bourke to Bomber Command

  15-JULY-1944. While serving as a pilot in the Royal Air Force's Path Finder Force. Acting Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade, Commander of Lancaster Bomber N Nuts, en route to a raid on Hamburg, was struck by anti-aircraft fire, was able to recover the aircraft sufficiently to continue the attack, drop his bombs and return home with 48 square foot piece of the port wing missing and with limited controls, managed to bring the plane in for a "successful" landing. this was his 59th operational flight over enemy territory. In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Squadron Leader Herbert Frank Slade, from his early days as a young migrant in Australia to his post-war life in Boorowa, where he became a respected community figure. With firsthand accounts from those who remember his presence, This episode uncovers the remarkable yet humble legacy of a man who, both in the air and on the ground, was defined by his unwavering sense of duty. Huge thanks to Helen McGrath of the Boorowa Historical Society, Shane Casey Senior Curator and Dr Lachlan Grant Senior Historian at the Australian War Memorial for their assistance in this episode. --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast  For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/. Access to the Discord Server Visit https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM Find the Podcast on https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ/, https://twitter.com/iwodmj/, https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj/, https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSibhtovM96eBi0Fcg5BRA/

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• Private Claude Herbert Roberts: "Dear Maudie..."

  30-AUGUST-1942. While serving as a soldier in the 2/14th Australian Imperial Force as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, Private Claude Herbert Roberts served from the sands of Egypt and Palestine to the mountainous slopes of Kokoda. This episode was requested by his great-niece Christine and was made possible thanks to recently discovered letters sent home during the war. If there is someone that you think needs to have their story told, drop the podcast an email at [email protected] Thanks to Seth for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch. Get yours now at Our Ko-Fi Shop --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi here  For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net. Access to the Discord Server Visit here Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon YouTube

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• From Duty to Dishonour: Lieutenant Harry Harbord "The Breaker" Morant

  7-SEPTEMBER-1901. While serving with the Bushveldt Carbineers, a British Irregular Mounted Unit, during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lt Harry Harbord Morant, better known as "Breaker Morant" allegedly ordered the execution of eight Boer Prisoners of War, along with several Dutch civilians, and a German Missionary. For this act, Breaker Morant is one of the first British Subjects, charged, tried and convicted for War Crimes. And while he claimed to be following orders, at what point does just doing your job constitute unlawful killings of non-combatants? From Duty to Dishonour is a backer-exclusive podcast that tells the story of those service personnel who didn't live up to the societal expectations of what an Australian Service person represents, but their story still deserves to be told. --- Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi ⁠https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast ⁠ Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ --- Linktree https://linktr.ee/iwodmj For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net Access to the Discord Server ⁠https://discord.gg/v3Vpb9Fhsj⁠ Find the Podcast on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ⁠ Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/iwodmj⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj⁠ Mastodon ⁠https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/⁠ YouTube ⁠https://youtube.com/@iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast

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