The Anzac Centenary - Remembering the terrible cost of war

The letter advising that Alex Amery is missing. Photo: Courtesy of Barbara Amery.

Recently The Age published an article highlighting three new exhibitions telling the story of the terrible impact of the First World War on both the soldiers who served and those they left behind - stories of terrible grief and suffering.
As we enter the Centenary of the First World War, it is important that we consider the real impact of war on society through the stories left to us from the individuals and families who suffered.

Alex and Eliza Amery circa 1895. Photo: Courtesy of Barbara Amery.

One of the features of the Melbourne Museum exhibition is the story of Alex Amery and his family. Alex was killed at the end of the war, one of the thousands of diggers missing in action - his body never being found like many others.
His mother was overwhelmed with grief and died not long after hearing this terrible news. The Age article weblink below includes Kerryn Amery, one of Alex's descendents, telling of the grief and illness of Alex's mother, Eliza.

The letter advising that Alex Amery is missing. Photo: Courtesy of Barbara Amery.

The three exhibitions are:
World War I: Love & Sorrow is at Melbourne Museum from August 30 museumvictoria.com.au
Australia Will Be There: Victorians in the First World War is at the Shrine August 4-October 12 shrine.org.au
The Great War - A Graphic Legacy is at Geelong Art Gallery until August 24 geelonggallery.org.au

To view and read the article, please click here.