Memorial Articles
The Memorial boasts a staff of subject specialists in all aspects of military history and museum practice.
Our articles and our Encyclopedia allow subject specialists to share their knowledge on Australian military history.
They also provide a way for us to take a closer look at the people and the stories behind the history and our museum collection.
It’s a nerve-racking moment for Dr Charles Robb. The Brisbane-based artist has wrangled approximately 200 kilograms of clay to create a sculptural portrait of Second World War nurse Vivian Bullwinkel, and is watching on as the final bronze sculpture is being craned into position at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Vivian Bullwinkel thought she was going to die. The 26-year-old Australian army nurse had escaped the fall of Singapore, and survived the sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke, clinging to a life raft before making it ashore at Radji Beach on Banka Island. There, 22 Australian nurses were forced into the ocean and shot by Japanese soldiers. Bullwinkel was the only survivor.