John McKimmon served in the Australian Army during World War II in the 2/2 Tank Attack Regiment.  His later service as an officer in the Regular Army included Japan, Singapore and South Vietnam.  He attained the rank of Major and on retirement was appointed honorary Lieutenant Colonel.

Personalised War Histories is privileged to reproduce his memoirs written between 1987 and 1989 and providing many intriguing insights into aspects of his service from 1938 with the 11th Field Brigade of the Citizens Military Forces through to the end of his career in 1974. 

These comprehensive accounts are written in the perceptive, unassuming and at times self-effacing style of this career soldier who experienced the most momentous warfare of the 20th century and who witnessed the transition of the military from horse-drawn artillery to the age of nuclear weaponry.

Read the detailed and absorbing military service recollections of John McKimmon.

Patrick Nowlan served during World War II in the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion.  From 1941 to 1946, in addition to periods of training in North Queensland, he saw service in the Torres Strait and on Cape York, Bougainville and Rabaul.  During those years he rose from Private to the rank of Sergeant.

Pat Nowlan was a typical Citizen Soldier whose career as a Primary School Teacher in Central Queensland was interrupted, firstly to participate in compulsory National Service training and then to undertake full time service in his Militia battalion.  After the war, he returned to the profession in which he would serve a total of 44 years.

Personalised War Histories has obtained the memoirs of P S Nowlan aptly entitled "Forty-four Years a Teacher".  This work is appropriate to include in a military history setting as it so clearly illustrates both the civilian and military life of a participant in the Second World War, placing in context the respective aspects of his youth and later years.

The memoirs are written in a style which typically underestimates the capabilities of the author and which provides a strong dose of healthy scepticism in his views of both the military experience and later developments in the education sector.  No personal credit at all is given to his very substantial contribution for his country during the war.  His wicked sense of humour is frequently on display but his perceptiveness and feel for fellow teachers and for many of his pupils demonstrate a fundamental professionalism which characterised those more than four decades of service.

Read the perceptions, the wit and the sensitivity of the man in the military and teaching recollections of P S Nowlan.

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