Leanne Holt talks about her grandfather, Herbert Arthur Lilley’s service in World War 2, and the World War 1 service of her Great Uncles Albert Lilley Knight and Sidney Lilley Knight, all from the Karuah Mission. Leanne has accessed World War 1 documents and has learnt that Albert is buried in Daours in France and Sidney was discharged as medically unfit. Leanne speaks about Sidney losing his medals in a house fire and the efforts involved in getting copies made by the authorities. Leanne does not know where her grandfather Herbert served in World War 2, but he had scarring on his legs and the war seemed to cause distance between himself and his family. Leanne expresses her sadness that Herbert lost touch with his family at Karauh.

This interview took place on 12 March 2014 in Newcastle and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson as part of the Australian Research Council-funded research project Serving our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia.

The interview recording above is made available to be listened to here by permission of the interviewee(s), Leanne Holt. The recording may not be copied, reproduced or communicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the interviewee(s). Requests for permission for use of this material should be made to the Serving our Country research project: our contact details.

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