Queensland at War - Military Materials in the John Oxley Library

On important days of remembrance, such as ANZAC day, memory institutions like the John Oxley Library are vital locations in the civic landscape providing a window into our past and helping us to know what it was like for people in this part of the world as they experienced war on the front line or the home front.

The John Oxley Library has an extensive range of material relating to the military history of Queensland.  The collections include information concerning individuals such as nominal rolls, rolls of honour and of the society as a whole.  Photographs are held of individuals, regiments, the homefront, as well as overseas theatres of war in which Queenslanders were involved. There are posters, newspapers, and a broad range of ephemeral items such as ration coupons and memorial service cards from the first ANZAC Day ceremonies in 1916 onwards.

The library also holds a good selection of Army regimental histories that have Queensland connections, as well as Airforce squadron and naval histories.  The collection strengths are in pre-federation volunteer forces (Queensland Defence Forces), South African War (Boer War), World War I and World War II publications as well as original letters, diaries, medals, and photographs.

On ANZAC Day, a talk was held in the Fox Family White Gloves Room on the subject of Queensland at War. A large group listened to a presentation by the Oxley's Simon Farley, Manager of Client Services, and then inspected the rich cross section of holdings on display.

Workshops for school groups on the topic of Queensland at War will continue through the week.