It never stops does it? The Holy Land is in the news now as it was in 1917. We take a look at the fall of Jerusalem and the entry of General Allenby into the city marking the start of just over 30 years of British rule. Oliver Hogue, a 10th Lig

Beersheba Bluegum Part 15

Oct 1st, 2023 39m 33s

This one covers fan-boy Oliver's description of the work done by General Allenby, the widely attributed last cavalry charge of history by the Australian Light Horse on Beersheba and later battles around Gaza and Khulweilfe. We also cover the de

The desert patrol Bluegum Part 14

Jun 26th, 2023 40m 1s

This one is about the hardships of living in the desert, the Bedouin, camels, Mount Sinai and blowing up railway lines. All fun stuff, to be sure. Be advised: Politically incorrect language and poor pronunciation warnings!

The battles of Gaza and spin doctors

Apr 7th, 2023 28m 52s

We won that battle, didn't we? .... We did, we did! Trust us, we'd never lie. Honest! Spin doctors were alive and well in WW1 and they worked overtime on the Australian and British public after the disastrous battles around Gaza in the Holyland

The Battle of Rafah Bluegum Part 12

Jan 23rd, 2023 28m 3s

The little known Battle of Rafah was the last in the Sinai Desert Campaign. The Aussies, Kiwis, British and Indians including the Cameleers with their 'Bing Boys' gunners had to attack a fortified position deep in the desert with absolutely no

Keeping up with the Joneses

Dec 26th, 2022 42m 41s

Finally for the 100th real episode the long promised interview with Len Jones' grandson Murray. We talk about Len, the family and the service of Len's son and grandson, Norman and Murray. 3 wars for the price of one, folks! Episode artwork is L

The Battle of Maghdaba Bluegum Part 11

Oct 24th, 2022 39m 6s

I actually enjoyed editing this one which covers not only the Battle of Maghdaba, but also the Battle of Bir-el-Abd. Oliver has a gripe about a job he wants and the way the Middle East is covered in Australian press. It is a good one, please en

Update Number 6

Oct 7th, 2022 3m 11s

Just a brief update on what is in store for the podcast.

The Battle of Romani Bluegum Part 10

Aug 2nd, 2022 55m 59s

Here's Part 10 of the saga of Trooper Bluegum. One of the major battles in the Middle East during WW1 secured much of the Sinai in Allied Hands. This is Oliver's and a Boer War Veteran description of the battle. Episode artwork is Brig. Royston

The Battle of Bullecourt: Harry Murray Part 2

Jun 29th, 2022 1h 30m

Part 2 covering the life of one of Australia's greatest soldiers. Harry Murray recalls the Battle of Bullecourt in great detail "Now, there were many furious arguments in billets and dugouts as to who — Jacka or Murray — was the Aussie with the

I wasnt mad Harry Murray VC Part 1

May 22nd, 2022 1h 12m

He was the most highly decorated Australian soldier of WW1. Brave dashing and highly resourceful, Harry Murray rose from the ranks to command a machine gun battalion. This is the first of a 2 part series on the man who shunned the limelight aft

Ugly smelly creatures Bluegum Part 9

Apr 24th, 2022 31m 3s

In 1916 the Imperial Camel fought the Ottoman backed revolt by the Senussi in the Western Desert of Egypt. Oliver talks about training, patrols, deaths and near deaths from lack of water, including the ultimately pointless act of self-sacrifice

Done like a dinner Bluegum Part 8

Mar 5th, 2022 40m 24s

The Turks bombarded our lines and hurled half-a-dozen shells into our trench, smashing down parapets, wrecking rifles and gear, splattering bullets and splinters everywhere, and yet miraculously missing everybody. Later on, a single stray bulle

The war is a fair cow Bluegum Part 7

Dec 28th, 2021 56m 52s

In this one we meet a 'gentleman' nicknamed 'Tommy' a sergeant who after the war went back to being, ahem, a gentleman... stick around for the rather long bios to hear about that. We also have Brigadier Ryrie doing chicken impressions, Oliver i

Jim Martin The youngest Anzac to die

Nov 24th, 2021 25m 13s

Guest presenters, 12 year old Abbey, 11 year old Xavier and their teacher, Mr Rob Coughlan, from St Michael's School in Western Australia bring you the story of Jim Martin, believed to have been the youngest Aussie Digger to die at Gallipoli. H

Cop it in The Nek Bluegum Part 6

Oct 19th, 2021 39m 46s

In this episode Oliver describes actions in the Battles of Lone Pine and The Nek, as well as profiles of a cook named George and three brave sergeants. There is an 'N' word warning for this one.

Gravel Crushers Bluegum Part 5

Aug 17th, 2021 30m 21s

In this one the 2nd Light Horse Brigade take their place in the front line trenches at Gallipoli and have their first cracks at 'Johnny Turk.' Here is a bit of it: "The day after the big attack General Birdwood asked one of the 1st Light Horse

In Egypt Bluegum Part 4

Aug 5th, 2021 53m 33s

In this one, Oliver and the men of the Light Horse are in Egypt when the Infantry go to Gallipoli. The men get restless and some rip the bad part of Cairo up in a brawl known as The Battle of The Wazzir. Finally the men get the word, they are g

Its not the Love Boat Bluegum Part 3

May 30th, 2021 29m 52s

Do you fancy a cruise? Do you like travelling with pets? What was life like on a cruise liner with nearly 500 horses on board. Oliver and the Light Horse travel to Egypt on the SS Suevic. Don't worry, it's not as boring as it may sound. So wrap

The Ode

Apr 24th, 2021 6m 7s

In September 1914, English author and poet, Laurence Binyon was so appalled by the casualty lists coming out of France that he penned the 7 stanza poem, "For the fallen". Little did he know that the middle, 4th stanza, would become the most rem

The desert columnist Ion Idriess

Apr 24th, 2021 37m 8s

Ion Idriess was arguably the greatest adventure novelist Australia has produced, writing 53 books in a 40 year career. As a young man in the iconic Australian Light Horse he kept a diary which he later turned into his most enduring book, "The D

Bluegum and Frantic Bluegum Part 2

Mar 14th, 2021 29m 25s

Well, who is the future famous star of stage and film that stole a soldier's heart before he went to war? Find out in this second episode on the life of Trooper Bluegum, Oliver Hogue!

Oliver Hogue The Great War Blogger Bluegum Part 1

Jan 16th, 2021 22m 5s

Trooper Bluegum became a household name in Australia during The Great War, a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald he wrote numerous articles widely published in the press, turning these into 2 books after his semi-fictional "Love Letters of

Billy Sing Gallipoli sniper

Dec 19th, 2020 1h 19m

Billy Sing was arguably the greatest sniper ever produced by Australia but as a Chinese Australian he was nearly denied enlistment and after the war almost forgotten. Billy died almost a pauper and alone at the age of 57. Here is his story. The