Seeking copyright holders

The Memorial’s Research Centre Digitised Collections team digitises archival collections at risk of deterioration. This process preserves the original items and enables selected collections to be accessed online.

The Memorial is seeking permission from the copyright holders to publish the collections listed below on the Memorial’s website. If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of persons named, please contact the Memorial via email: [email protected]

Alfred John Roberts 1887–unknown

Alfred John Roberts was born in 1887 in Liverpool, England to Jessie Maud Roberts (née Groome) and Moses John Roberts.

During the First World War, he served as 902 Sergeant Alfred John Roberts with the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion from 1915 to 1920. He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The Australian War Memorial holds a diary covering the period May 1915–April 1916, a notebook, and a signal diary from April–July 1917, all written by Alfred; seven loose messages; two letters written by a French woman with one envelope and a small photograph; a certificate from the Army Signal School, 1917; a note regarding clothing and equipment; and a letter from Thebarton Repatriation Committee regarding benefits. This collection was donated by his son D. A. Roberts in 1981.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of Alfred John Roberts, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: 3DRL/7951

Garland Kent Brown, 17 September 1885–30 August 1954

Garland Kent Brown was born on 17 September 1885 in New Norfolk, Tasmania. His mother was J. G. Brown.

During the First World War, he served as Staff Sergeant Garland Kent Brown with the 3rd Field Ambulance from 1914 to 1920. He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Garland married Irene Viola Bathurst (1887–1976) in 1920. The marriage produced a daughter, Joan Irene Brown, later known as Joan Irene Grant.

Garland died on 30 August 1954 at Randwick, New South Wales.

The Australian War Memorial holds a diary written by Garland covering 1914–1915. This diary was donated to the Memorial by Joan Grant in 1991.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of Garland Kent Brown, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: PR91/058

George David Duncan, 6 December 1886–1973

George David Duncan was born on 6 December 1886 in Waterloo, Victoria to Ruth Duncan (née Lowe) and Henry George Duncan.

During the First World War, he served as Lieutenant George David Duncan with the 57th Australian Infantry Battalion from 1914 to 1920. He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

George married Beatrice Beryl Booth (1892–1974) in 1913. The marriage produced three sons, one of whom was named Colin Henry Duncan (1916–1981).

George David Duncan died in 1973 in Box Hill, Victoria.

The Australian War Memorial holds George’s account of front-line operations.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of George David Duncan please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: 2DRL/0186

John Collie Stephen, 24 January 1893–10 September 1965

John Collie Stephen was born on 24 January 1893 in Moonee Ponds, Victoria to Elizabeth “Liz” Stephen (née Finlayson) and John Collie Stephen.

During the First World War, he served as 1466 Sapper John Collie Stephen with the 3rd Light Horse Signal Troop, 9th Reinforcements from 1915 to 1923. He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

John married Isabella Kemp Thomson (1895–1978) in 1922. The marriage produced two daughters, Isabel Finlayson Stephen (1922–2005) and Margaret Stephen (1924–2011), and a son, Lawrence Ian Collie Stephen (1926–1972).

John Collie Stephen died in 1966 in Hobart, Tasmania.

The Australian War Memorial holds a collection of letters and diaries written by John dated from 1915 to 1919.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of John Collie Stephen, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: 3DRL/3584

Raymond Cowell Missen, 23 January 1921–7 June 1972

Raymond Cowell Missen was born on 23 January 1921 in Traralgon, Victoria to Louisa Mary Missen (née Gale) and Charles Ernest Missen.

During the Second World War, he served as VX62994 Private Raymond Cowell Missen with the 2/29th Australian Infantry Battalion from 1941 to 1945.

Raymond married June Jean Lay (1929–2021) in 1947. The marriage produced a son, Graeme Lindsay Missen (1950–2002), and a daughter, Maree Joy Missen.

Raymond Cowell Missen died on 7 June 1972 at Traralgon, Victoria.

The Australian War Memorial holds a photocopy of a reminiscence written by Raymond dated 1986.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of Raymond Cowell Missen, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: PR86/374

Robert Noel Anthony (Tony) Mawby, 6 December 1894–21 March 1978

Robert Noel Anthony (Tony) Mawby was born on 6 December 1894 at Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, England to Lucy Sophia Mawby (née Debenham) and Robert Osborn Mawby.

He arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 24 February 1908 on board the Ophir from London, England.

During the First World War, he served as 20846 Gunner Robert Noel Mawby with the 33rd Battery, 9 Field Artillery Brigade and the 45th Battery, 12 Field Artillery Brigade from 1915–1919. He received the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Tony married Kathleen Coelia Harward (1898–1981) in 1927, and they divorced on 12 June 1934. Tony married Hilda Agnes Baker (1893–1981) in 1935.

Tony passed away on 21 March 1978 at Manly, New South Wales.

The Australian War Memorial holds three diaries written by Tony covering the voyage to England, training in England and service in France from 1916 to 1918, and photographs with inscriptions on the reverse.

The Australian War Memorial also holds a typed manuscript titled “The Acrid Taste of Danger”, based on his diaries, with handwritten annotations, photographs, maps, memorabilia and notes.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of Robert Noel Anthony (Tony) Mawby, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: 3DRL/6116 and 3DRL/3114(A)

J. R. Ellis

During the First World War, J. R. Ellis served as a lieutenant colonel with the 9th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade at Gallipoli and the 45th Battery, 12 Field Artillery Brigade.

The Australian War Memorial holds a typed manuscript by Robert Noel Anthony (Tony) Mawby titled “The Acrid Taste of Danger”. The epilogue for this manuscript was handwritten by J. R. Ellis.

If you are a copyright holder, a relation, or a descendant of J. R. Ellis, please contact the Memorial via email on [email protected].

Collection number: 3DRL/3114(A)

Last updated: 25 July 2023