Mivo River, Bougainville. 1945-08-18, first contact between the Japanese surrender envoy and Australian troops on Bougainville. 1945. Photographer unknown. 095039
It has now been nearly a century since the end of the Second World War, an era marked by the dissolution of colonial empires, Cold War tensions, and great leaps in human ingenuity. In a time in which geopolitical tensions threaten to boil over, the stories of those who have endured the hardships of global conflict are more relevant than ever. We understand this through their reflections and the material culture they leave behind.
In my grandmother’s house, there is a small wicker chair, a present for her third birthday. On 9 September, at the end of a day marking just three years of life, it accompanied her into a bomb shelter. Upon returning in the morning, her home was gone, obliterated by the Luftwaffe in the London Blitz. It is still with her, eighty-five years later, as a fixture of the household. My father sat in it as a child, as did I, and my own son (her great-grandson) sits in it when we visit, oblivious to the totality of what it represents. Objects such as these serve as touchstones of conflict, reminders of what can happen when diplomacy fails, and expansionist regimes emerge.
As a curator at the Australian War Memorial, objects with stories such as this are common. Eighty years on, and the Memorial still receives offers of hundreds of objects related to Australian servicemen and women in the Second World War. Each holds its own story and emotional resonance; each speaks of an individual touched by war. As individuals, they represent collections of hopes, dreams, loves, friendships, and familial ties, each a universe unto their own. We often forget this when we cite casualty numbers —human lives become statistics to illustrate political talking points, bandied about with little regard for the actual impact on those who number among them. The material history relating to these people speaks to the immensity and scale of the Second World War. One in seven Australians served in the armed forces during the conflict, representing almost 15% of the population. This meant it was practically inescapable for Australians of the time. You either knew someone involved personally or knew of someone who did. While many of those actively involved in the conflict are now gone, their legacies live on.
Balikpapan, Borneo. 1945-08-15, members of the 7th Division and RAN commandoes at prayer during thanksgiving service, Victory in the Pacific Day. 1945. Photographer unknown. 113205
The Veterans and their families I talk to often speak of giving lasting meaning to their service —the objects they pass on having had some part in that service. They act as a vehicle in which their stories may travel, to remind us of what war means. Most modern Veterans reflect on the necessity of their service, their duty to defend their families and their country. Perhaps most impressively, they speak of the lives of people they have never met, from countries with which they have no ties. They often reflect on the moral dimensions of service, striving for peace, the defeat of bad actors, and whether it was all worth it. Most say it was; they hold a belief that, at very least, they had a job to do and a hope that they have made a positive impact on the world. Yet, there is a toll. Families also speak of the lasting effects wrought on those who have come home, invisible wounds and silent damage, others of the voids left by the dead—sons, fathers, mothers, and daughters.
The thing that strikes me most is their concerns, as well as their oblique references to Ukraine, the South Pacific, or the Middle East. Offhand references to political polarisation, nationalism, rising tensions, and expanded military budgets. An oft spoken line is: “…With everything going on at the moment.” There is a weariness there, a worry about what escalations would mean and what harsh realities may stem from such disastrous circumstances. It’s a fear not for themselves, but for the young, those who will bear the brunt of a global conflict. For older Veterans, it’s an understanding of what hardships they will have to endure. For families, it is an understanding of the lasting impacts of war. The lasting effects of service in smaller conflicts, such as Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, are often massive yet a microcosm in terms of scale. This is not to diminish the importance of these conflicts or the sacrifices made by those who have served in them; it is to highlight the profound impact of the aftermath. If these are the impacts felt as a result of smaller modern conflicts, then what possible benefits could renewed global conflict bring? Reflecting on the valuable lessons that history has tried to teach us, and our Veterans and their families share with us, there are none.
Canberra, ACT. 1945-08-18, National Thanksgiving Service at the Australian War Memorial on Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day). 1945. Photographer unknown. XS0249
Conceived during the First World War and opened during the Second, the Australian War Memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of war. As a Curator here, I am surrounded by it. Every day, I read the stories and interact with objects that tangibly relay lived experiences. My role is to proliferate the collection and share these stories with the Australian public. Eighty years on, and it is more important than ever to engage with these stories, to remind ourselves of the heavy cost global conflict brings.
Sam Fricker is an Assistant Curator in the Military Heraldry and Technology section at the Australian War Memorial. With a background in art history, Sam has an enduring love for the work of Francisco Goya and a strong interest in how material culture shapes history. He holds a degree in Art History and Curatorship (Hon) from the Australian National University.
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