Dane

The last photo ever taken of Thomas John Watson WX7307, my grandfather's brother. It was sent in a card wishing his mother A happy Christmas. Japan invaded New Ireland the next month, where he was captured and 6 months later perished on the Montevideo Maru.

@AntipodeEmpire My original ancestor William Watson was in attendance.

#OTD 125 years ago, the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia was opened by HRH The Duke of Cornwall & York, later King George V 🇦🇺🇬🇧

Now reading:

A photo of my grandfather after marching in the Perth ANZAC day parade.

@lowlandsapien Loved Mungo’s YouTube videos.. hope he brings them back when his personal life settles down!

Typical Murray River tribesman on left, they sunburn in spring/summer. North Queensland rainforest on right Taken from an old Mungo Manic post.

@MmarianneJoseph Wish I knew the book was being created, I have a copy of my grandfathers brothers diary!

@Dane90012 They have done an amazing job. Full page profiles of Rats with family letters, records and photos. Very special.

Arthur Hare, Aust Army officer (left) known for his “inspiring” leadership. Died aged 34, El Alamein 1942, WWII. In his last letter home, he wrote “…nothing could be more worthwhile than helping to wipe out the Nazi menace...” This is our Anzac legacy. This is our Australia.🇦🇺

@MmarianneJoseph A book I’ll definitely be getting!

The extract from Arthur’s letter is taken from this wonderful new book by the Descendants of the Rats of Tobruk Association 2026

@KarlJames_1945 @ABCaustralia Good on the AWM for bringing their stories to light

The Solomons Six were recruited to a 'catch and kill' squad in WWII — their stories were lost to history until now abc.net.au/news/2026-04-1… via @ABCaustralia

1RAR D coy (my grandfathers battalion) 10th of January 1953 Korea, in reserve during a whole battalion parade.

Death of Captain Cook from the 1950 Wild Man card set.

@KarlJames_1945 @AWMemorial @AustralianArmy I need to make a trip to Canberra!

It has been a huge team effort over many years but the @AWMemorial's new Anzac Hall is open. This includes "Kandahar Workhorse". It was a great privilege to meet many Chinook veterans & family members, & share their untold stories of bravery & loss, professionalism & humour.

It was nice reading how much they enjoyed the Anzac Day march, but sad seeing the numbers dwindle over time.

John Watson was secretary of the 11th and 2/11 bns association for 18 years until its closure in 2002.

Arthur Watson (left row third from the front) marching along King William street Adelaide. The Ambassadors hotel in the background is still there! @AntipodeEmpire

@lowlandsapien I seen him in 2007 or 2008 when I was in Broome with my family!

Malcolms family have started a channel, a lot of his vids are already uploaded under another channel but they were upset that they didnt know who runs it so are doing one themselves. Only Across The Top is on there so far. If you havent seen it you arent Australian.

@madeofstone71 🤣🤣

Great stuff from the Australian army

@pilbarahearts Straight onto another book!

#reading ‘Staff Wallah - At The Fall of Singapore’ by John Wyett.

@madeofstone71 🤣🤣

It's not always been smooth sailing for the arch. Ancient meets modern.

The next page has some more light hearted stories.

It included jokes and stories sent in by the members. On the bottom paragraph John talks about the cannibalism by the Japanese.

My grandfathers brother John Watson WX14539, became the secretary of the 2/11 association. Where he helped put together monthly newsletters, it was called Legs Eleven Minor.