servicemen

Members of the US servicemen's boxing team, Brisbane, February 1943. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 102776 On February 27, 1943, two allies in war became rivals in the ring, as the Australian and American servicemen came together for a night of boxing. This inter-Allied competition was held at the old Brisbane Stadium (which stood on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets in Brisbane's CBD). There were an estimated 5,000 people in attendance, including the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, and the Brisbane Lord Mayor, Alderman Chandler. On the previous evening, the Australians held an "elimination series" between the Army and the Air Force to decide who would make the final team. In the end, the Australian team featured several experienced and professional boxers, including Fred Corton, Lionel Orrell, and Bill de Blein. American-born Todd Morgan was the trainer of the United States boxing team, himself a former world lightweight champion. Morgan was confident, describing his team of sailor and soldier boxers as being "pretty hot". American servicemen boxers in Brisbane. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 104178 There would be 14 fights in total, each bout would be awarded points - 3 for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss. The Australians had an extra impetus to win; in a previous stoush back in May 1942, they suffered a bruising defeat against the Americans, winning only 4 of 12 bouts. This time around the Australian fighters proved too strong for the Americans, who despite fighting valiantly, won only 5 of the 14 bouts, finishing with 24 points compared to Australia's 32. The biggest upset of the tournament, according to The Sunday Mail, was when Colin Moody defeated "the star of the American team" Eddie Markham, a light heavyweight. The tournament raised £1626 for the Queensland Patriotic and Comforts Funds. Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/allies-war-rivals-ring

World War One (1914–1918): Nurses who served in World War One were exposed to the physical and mental strain of dealing with the huge number of casualties. Once a nurse enlisted, they had no choice but to serve for the duration of the war unless they got badly injured or married. More than 3000 Australian women served as nurses during World War One. Most of the nurses served with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Some served as Royal Australian Navy Nurses and some served with allied organisations such as the Red Cross and Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. Lieutenant Harold Williams was wounded at Peronne in September 1918. After his experience in a casualty clearing station at Daours, Harold recalled admiration for the nurses’ work: In large marquees, nurses, pale and weary beyond words, hurried about. That these women worked their long hours among such surroundings without collapsing spoke volumes for their will-power and sense of duty. The place reeked with the odours of blood, antiseptic dressings, and unwashed bodies … They saw soldiers in their most pitiful state — wounded, blood-stained, dirty, reeking of blood and filth. The Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) was formed in July 1903 as part of the Australian Army Medical Corps. More than 2,000 of its members served overseas during the First World War. Australian nurses also worked with other organisations, such as the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, the Red Cross, or privately funded facilities. Nurses have worked in hospitals, on hospital ships, trains, and/or in casualty clearing stations closer to the front line. During the World War One, nurses have served in various locations from Britain to India, including France, Belgium, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. In early 1916, nurses were given officer status and badges of rank, although they were only paid around half what their male equivalents received. Many nurses were given awards, with eight receiving the Military Medal for bravery. Twenty-five nurses died during their service overseas. Silver Rising Sun badge (Source: Australian War memorial) Like the soldiers of the AIF, members of the AANS wore a “rising sun” badge on their uniforms. The nurses’ badges were coloured silver, and the men’s were made of brass. After the First World War, some service nurses married and left the workforce; others took over the care of family members recovering from the war. Some took up jobs away from nursing, but many continued to work in hospitals, often in senior positions. Source; historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/research-t...

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