Websites for further research

The Vietnam War was the longest conflict in which Australians have been engaged; lasting ten years, from 1962 to 1972, and involved some 60,000 personnel. For Australia, the Vietnam War was the cause of the greatest social and political dissent since the conscription referenda of the First World War.

A website designed to compliment the TV series of the same name using animated documentaries, video, audio and activities, as seen through the eyes of the men and women who were there.

The Archive is an Australian Government initiative, commissioned through the Department of Veterans' Affairs and designed to film and record the stories of over 2,500 war veterans as a permanent asset for posterity. It is an unmatched historical collection, a resource for all Australians interested in our wartime heritage. Searchable by name, conflict and keywords with a full transcription of more than 12,000 hours of interviews.

This site features forty locations closely associated with the battle experience of the AIF on the Western Front. Plan a visit to or take a virtual tour to places of significance like the Menin Gate, the Windmill Memorial at Pozières, the 'Bullecourt Digger' and the Chateau de Versailles though the written accounts, photographs, film and maps. Useful maps and weather information can be found on the site.

A comprehensive educational and commemorative website embracing all aspects of the Australian experience of World War Two. Illustrated with contemporary photographs, illustrations, film footage and interviews with the veterans involved. Interactive features include an animated account of the Japanese submarine attack on Sydney Harbour on May 31 1942 and a simulated version of the Coastwatchers’ 3BZ Teleradio Transmitter.

A research and information website supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra. The database records information on the more than 330,000 men and women who embarked from Australia for service overseas in the 1^st AIF.

Australia's pre-eminent dictionary of national biography has over 10,000 scholarly biographies of persons who were significant in Australian history. Entries on individuals who died after 1980 are added as successive volumes of the ADB are published.

The memorial has a comprehensive collection of biographical databases and finding aids to assist researchers. Specialised databases include the Roll of Honour, Commemorative Roll, various nominal rolls,  official and private records, war diaries, maps, printed material, sheet music, honours and awards, Red Crossing Missing and Wounded Enquiry Bureau files and unit war diaries.  The collections include photographs, art, film, sound recordings, military heraldry and technology. Digitised copies of  the official histories of conflicts and military units are also available. Information sheets to assist researchers can be found on the website.

The Debt of Honour Register is searchable by name or cemetery and includes details or cemetery or memorial location, access, historical information, number of identified casualties, cemetery plan and in many instances a photograph of the cemetery. The cemetery report lists those buried or memorialised in the cemetery.

This website provides information about Defence honours and awards, including the different types of medals awarded to Australia's defence personnel, past and present; the eligibility criteria for various awards; how to submit an application for a medal, and information about current Defence awards issues.

The WW1 landings and the ensuing eight month campaign are landmark events in Australian military and social history. This interactive website details the actions of Australians and New Zealanders during the first twenty-four hours on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Use a timeline to explore a 3D Map of the peninsula, or play the story of the day in chapters.

This website lists all recipients of awards under the Australian Honours system which recognises individuals who have contributed to the community through excellence, achievement or meritorious service. 

The largest collection of research material held in an Australian public library.

Picture Australia  

A composite search site where some 50 national, state, university, local and specialist institutions have listed their images on a common fully searchable database. More than 31,000 images relate to Australia’s wartime heritage.