The Innocent Crusaders: An ANZAC Story

The annotated diary and notes of World War 1 AIF Field Ambulance serviceman, Ralph DeGaris. This book traces the service of Ralph, and his two closest friends, Eric Kidman and Alec Blackwell. The 3 lads from Naracoorte, South Australia, enlisted in the AIF, and had consecutive service numbers. This book traces their adventures from enlistment and training in Mitcham, South Australia, to their subsequent service in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Belgium. Based on the recently discovered diaries and notes of Ralph DeGaris, OBE, MSM this book is fully annotated, with extensive historical referencing to guide the reader through the actual events these "Innocent Crusaders" experienced. The diary and notes form the basis of this book. The adventures of the "Innocent Crusaders" are set against the backdrop of the horrors they experienced in the Great War. When they left Naracoorte in March, 1915, they expected to be home in time for Christmas. Instead, they were away for over 4 years. They left as innocent young men and came home seasoned war veterans. Their story is typical of a generation of young Australian men who went to war expecting an adventure; a rite of passage. This book reinforces that what they actually experienced was vastly different.