On this page you can find a list of all of the books related to Fromelles you can buy, along with other related material. If I have missed anything you feel should be featured here please contact us and let us know.

We hope to soon be able to offer the ability to purchase these books, stay tuned.

Please note, many of these books were produced in extremely limited print runs and can be very difficult to track down, as a result their cost can sky rocket. I have included all relevant information about availability in their related descriptions. All prices are intended as a guide only and all pictures are of books held in the Fromelles Museum collection.

 

BATTALION HISTORIES

The histories of the battalions who took part in the battle of Fromelles are a great source of information about the battle, the lead up to it and the dreadful aftermath from the perspective of the men who were there.

 

TITLE: Black & Gold: The History of the 29th Battalion 1915 - 1918
AUTHOR: R Austin
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is available

NOTES: Published in 1997, this brief book outlines the movements of the 29th battalion during WW1. It's Fromelles related chapter gives an excellent overview of the battle but doesn't go into too much detail. Expect to pay about A$50.

TITLE: The Purple and Gold: A History of the 30th Battalion
AUTHOR: H Sloan
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is very difficult to find. 2nd edition is available.

NOTES: Originally published in 1938, this book is one of the better battalion histories and provides a great first hand account of the war with excellent information on Fromelles. It does not contain an index which is frustrating. Expect to pay about A$150 for a 2nd edition or $800 for a 1st edition.

 

TITLE: Crossed Boomerangs: A History of all 31st Battalions.
AUTHOR: B Burla
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is available.

NOTES: Large book published in 2005 detailing the history of the 31st battalion in both wars. Does not go into too much detail on Fromelles but provides some useful information on the battalion's background. Expect to pay about A$50.

TITLE: Second to None: A Memorial History of the 32nd Battalion AIF
AUTHOR: R Freeman
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is available.

NOTES: Published in 2007, this book uses the soldier's own words to tell their story in what is a boon for researchers. Overall a great presentation with lots of photos and excellent information about Fromelles. Expect to pay about A$120.

TITLE: The Whale Oil Guards
AUTHOR: J.J Kennedy
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is extremely difficult to find.

NOTES: Published in 1919 this brief book about the 53rd battalion gives a really great insight into the life of a soldier during WW1. Borrowing from fiction in both its approach and style it lacks any real analysis but is very enjoyable to read. Expect to pay A$1000.

TITLE: Our Gift to the Empire: 54th Australian Infantry Battalion 1916-1919
AUTHOR: R St Claire
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is available.

NOTES: Published in 2006, this is a well researched and comprehensive look at the 54th battalion's service. The information relating to Fromelles is detailed and offers great insight. Expect to pay A$100.

 

TITLE: Hold Hard Cobbers Vol 1
AUTHOR: R Corfield
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is very difficult to find.

NOTES: A great book that details the 57th and 60th battalions during WW1. Well researched and with lots of great photos and personal accounts this 1991 book is an excellent edition to any collection, especially those interested in Fromelles. Expect to pay A$500.

 

TITLE: Give Me Back My Dear Old Cobbers: 58th & 59th Battalions AIF
AUTHOR: R Corfield
AVAILABILITY: 1st edition is available

NOTES: One of the better researched and written unit histories this 2008 book goes to great lengths to explore the role of these battalions in WW1, especially in relation to Fromelles. Is bound to become a very difficult book to find in the future given its limited run and the popularity of Corfield's other book. Expect to pay A$80.

 

RELATED BOOKS

These books although not unit histories focus on, or contain information about the battle and are worth tracking down for the researcher.

TITLE: Don't Forget Me Cobber
AUTHOR: R Corfield
AVAILABILITY: 1 st edition is difficult to find. 2 nd edition is available

NOTES: Without a doubt the best book written about Fromelles to date. Calling on a wide variety of sources Corfield presents a balanced analysis of what happened from all sides. Simply amazing. 2 nd edition has an extra chapter. Expect to pay A$200 for 1 st edition and A$50 for 2 nd edition.

 

TITLE: The Gallant Company & Comrades of the Great Adventure
AUTHOR: HR Williams
AVAILABILITY: 1 st edition of each book is hard to find.

NOTES: These two books act as a sort of unofficial history for the 56 th battalion having been written by one of their number. It gives a great ‘soldier's perspective of the war and contains some interesting observations that may otherwise have been overlooked in larger histories. Expect to pay around A$120 each book.

 

TITLE: There and back
AUTHOR: A Tiveychoc
AVAILABILITY: 1 st edition is hard to find

NOTES: Written by a member of the 30 th battalion (Lording) this book details a soldiers service up until Fromelles and then, most interestingly, his life once he returns home. Poignant and haunting it deals with many of the problems experienced by soldiers upon their return to civilian life. The author uses a pseudonym derived from being one of “Tivey's Chocolate Soldiers.” Expect to pay A$120.

 

TITLE: A Valley In France
AUTHOR: T Whiteside
AVAILABILITY: 1 st edition is moderately hard to find

NOTES: Assembled from the letters of Thomas Whiteside this book gives a brief but harrowing account of Fromelles from a member of the 59 th battalion. Well worth reading thanks to its insight into a soldier's life. Expect to pay A$80.

 

TITLE: To The Last Ridge
AUTHOR: WH Downing
AVAILABILITY: The late 90s reprint is easy to find

NOTES: The personal account of WH Downing MM, who took part in the battle of Fromelles is an exciting and entertaining book that holds its power decades after it was written. Although not focused just on Fromelles it does offer some interesting insights. Expect to pay A$30.

 

TITLE: A Private's View of World War 1
AUTHOR: B Bishop
AVAILABILITY: Several editions are easy to find

NOTES: Another personal account from a soldier in the 55 th battalion, gives great detail into the battalion's movements (there is nothing else written on the battalion) with brief mention to Fromelles. Expect to pay A$40.

 

TITLE: Fromelles
AUTHOR: P Lindsay
AVAILABILITY: Several editions are easy to find

NOTES: One of the more recent books written on the subject this book splits its focus between the story of the battle and the modern day search for the missing at Fromelles. Has played a large part in bringing the battle to the attention of the public and is an excellent 'introduction' to Fromelles for people who may not be interested in the military histories. Expect to pay A$30.

 

TITLE: Official History of Australia in the War Vol.3
AUTHOR: CEW Bean
AVAILABILITY: Several editions are easy to find

NOTES: Bean deals with the battle of Fromelles quite comprehensively in volume 3 of his 12 part series. An interesting and involving account which mentions many participants by name. Expect to pay between A$30 and A$120 depending on edition.