GUEST SPEAKER
Short biography – Sandra Playle
I have been a researcher for over 25 years and am well known in the military history field both nationally and internationally. Building on my research abilities I graduated from Murdoch University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts and in 2004 I received my Post Graduate Certificate.
From 2003 through to 2013 I was responsible for the construction and research of military personnel databases for Albany, Sandstone, Meekatharra, Yalgoo, Pinjarra, Broomehill and Tambellup townships. During this time, I coordinated a group of volunteers that researched the names of defence personnel on honour boards held by the WA Army Museum.
In 2013 I was a WA nominee for Pride of Australia award for services toward the preservation of military history and in the same year I was invited to be the Australian Ambassador for Fallen Diggers Incorporated. I resigned from this position in 2015 to focus on researching the soldiers from WA.
Several years ago, I stated compiling data on WA ‘Boy Soldiers’ that were killed in action. Andrew Pittaway is in the process of writing a book on this research and we hope to have it published in the near future. In addition, I am currently coordinating a team of volunteers that are entering details into a database for all of the WW1 WA enlistments.
As well as attending many military related functions across our state, I am often invited to be the guest speaker for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services, school-based activities and private functions throughout WA.
I am a financial member of a number of local history and military interest groups as well as a committee member for local groups.
I am the administrator of the Facebook groups “When WW1 Came to Western Australia” and “Western Australia During WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and beyond”.
“THEY WENT WITH SONGS TO BATTLE”
Exploring the exhumation and reburial of the soldiers of Pheasant Wood
This presentation is in two parts.
Part one is the formal part of the presentation that takes us through the lead-up to the Fromelles research, touches on the battle and the amazing stories that unfolded during the research and the Fromelles Dedication Ceremony on 2009.
Part two is less formal and is separated due to the content. Some images are graphic but are freely available on the internet but may cause distress for some people.
In this part of the presentation we will journey through the battle, the original burials, the excavation, artefacts, personalities, dedication service and close with a letter written by a Corporal to his wife and daughter.
“ONLY A BOY BUT A HERO”
11th Battalion Boy Soldiers during WW1
“Only a Boy But a Hero” briefly explores the lives of five of WA Boy Soldiers in the 11th Battalion that were killed in action, some have no known graves.
The 11th Battalion was WA’s own battalion and this presentation is an important part of our state’s war history.
This presentation attempts to understand the circumstances that brought about the deaths of these five WA teenagers who all died under the age of 18.
Whilst not related to this presentation, the youngest Australian soldier to die during WW 1 was James Martin. He died of typhoid on Gallipoli at the age of 14.
As an aside, Reginald Garth, a 12-year-old Perth boy, stowed away on the transport, RMS Mooltan. His three brothers and father enlisted in the 1st AIF and he wanted to be part of what he thought might be an adventure.
“THEY WERE NO SACRIFICE – I DID NOT GIVE THEM WILLINGLY”
The Beechey Boys of WW1
This presentation attempts to provide an understanding of the impact on a family during WW1.
Eight Beechey sons went off to the war. Six were in the British Expeditionary Force and two were in the Australian Imperial Force. Five were killed, one severely wounded and two left unscathed.
A brief insight into the lives of these men through their war experiences and letters home to their mother.
