Heroes Before Gallipoli

2014 will mark the centenary of the capture of the German wireless station at Bita Paka in Rabaul on 11 September 1914 by the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF), commanded by Colonel William Holmes DSO.
War between Britain and Germany was declared on 4 August and a few days later a telegram was sent by the British Secretary of State for Colonies to the Australian Governor-General, asking that German wireless stations be seized at Yap (in the Caroline Islands), at Nauru(in the south west Pacific Ocean) and at Rabaul (in Papua New Guinea). New Zealand forces were asked to seize the German wireless station at Samoa.

An expeditionary force of 1,500 men was raised, known as the ANMEF, comprising a 1,023 man army battalion, two machine gun sections, a signals section and an Army Medical Corps detachment. Naval Reservists came from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia; the soldiers came from New South Wales.

This important but little known part of the First World War (1914-18) will be explored by the Shrine’s David Howell. David, best known for his attention to the Kokoda Track Campaign, has been involved with battlefield tours & treks in Papua New Guinea for over ten years. David will be joined by his fellow trek leader Reg Yates who has been exploring the battlefields of PNG for nearly 30 years and recently uncovered the original foundations of German wireless station at Rabaul.

Join David & Reg as they explore the story of our heroes before Gallipoli.

Presenter: David Howell

Date: Wednesday 2 April, 12.30pm start

Cost: FREE, gold coin donation welcome