Of love and war
image credit: Sydney Mail photographer, A wounded AIF soldier receives an affectionate welcome home at the ANZAC Buffet, Sydney, c. July 1919, AWM H11574
This exhibition was an Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition presented by the State Library of Queensland. Of Love and War was on display in the slq Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland from 6 Nov 2010 – 6 Mar 2011. The following is an excerpt from the exhibition.
Of love and war explores the relationships forged during times of conflict, and the emotions felt by couples as a result of separation, loss and reunion.
It details the excitement of blossoming romance, passionate affairs and whirlwind weddings that have taken place since the First World War, and continue today.
It tells of sweethearts and lovers separated by war, the loneliness and trauma that could tear some apart, and the anguish of those who had lost a partner. Finally, there are the stories of the survivors and their new beginnings when peace returned: the joy of reunion, the challenges of relationships built on wartime experiences, and the new discoveries by war brides resettling in foreign lands.
Of love and war was on exhibition from 6 Nov 2010 – 6 Mar 2011 in the slq Gallery, Level 2, State Library of Queensland. Supporting display material can also be viewed in the State Reference Library, Level 2, and the Heritage Collections Reading Room, Level 4
Digital story
Letters of love and war from State Library of Queensland on Vimeo.
In this story Jim Morris talks of serving with the Australian Army in Vietnam between 1968 and 1969, and of how he met his wife Colleen when they started corresponding while he was in Vietnam.
Resources
- Download the exhibition’s Room Brochure [new window
1 MB]
- View a selection of images from the Reference sheet music display and from Heritage Collections.
- Download the Children's trail [new window 1.37 MB]
- Download the Teacher notes [new window 886 kb]
View the Australian War Memorial Of Love and War virtual exhibition
Last updated: 16th May 2011
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