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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Throwback Thursday: On the Pyramid

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This week for Throwback Thursday I thought I’d share a very old photo. In fact, this photo is over 100 years old.Australian 11th Battalion

It’s a photo that, like many other Australians, I’ve seen many many times., I knew that this was a photo of Australian troops taken in Egypt during WW1, but when I began my research for my book 1915, this photo became for a me a starting point.

The photo was taken in January 1915, and features the men of the 11th Battalion of the AIF who were in Egypt preparing to join the war. They didn’t know it then, but in April those men would land at Gallipoli. Many of them would never leave.

As I researched WW1, looking for a place to start my story, I realised that if my character was from Western Australia (which he was) then he would have been in the 11th and, therefore, in this photo. So, at the start of 1915 I have my character, Stanley, climbing the pyramid with his mates, ready to have their photo taken.

Writing that scene was both a joy and a torment. A Joy because I knew that young men like Stanley were excited to be off on an adventure, seeing the sights of Egypt, climbing pyramids, being outside of Australia for the first times in their lives, excited about having their photo taken. But a torment, because while Stanley was fictional, the harsh realities of what later befell those very real young men in the photograph was something they could never have predicted, but which I, with 100 years of separation, knew and could hardly bear.

I have a copy of this photo which I take with me when I go to speak about 1915. Like me, people young and old are fascinated by the quality of photography from a century ago, and fascinated by the many details they can see – the looks on faces, the poses of the men, the things they are holding and wearing. And, like me, when they realise the future these men faced, their emotions are mixed.

This photo, and stories like 1915, remind us of the past in the hopes we can make a better future.

The Importance of Hope: 100 Years Ago – and Today

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On this day, 100 years ago, the evacuation of ANZAC soldiers from the Gallipoli peninsula was completed. After eight months locked in an unwinnable struggle with Turkish forces, the remaining men left, in an early morning evacuation which was carefully planned in an attempt to minimise casualties.

1915When I was planning and writing my own story of these events (1915), I always knew that, since the story was to cover the calendar year, this evacuation would form a suitable end point for the book. But I found it harder to write than I expected.

I really believe that every book should end with the offer of some kind of hope, but  (without wanting to give any spoilers) I wasn’t sure where my characters were going to find hope in this evacuation. Yes, those who left were leaving behind months of turmoil and suffering, but they were also leaving behind any chance for a victory, and, importantly, they were leaving the bodies of so many of their mates who were buried there and would never leave. They also didn’t know what lay ahead – while the campaign was over, the war most definitely wasn’t.

I had to dig deep to find hope for my character, Stanley, and for his family and friends. I thought about the fact that those survivors were still alive, and were leaving behind what were likely their worst life experiences to date. I thought about the knowledge for those at home that their loved ones were safe for now. I also thought about little things: the chance for a Christmas parcel from home, looking forward to a shower or a rest, contributing to the ANZAC Book in the last weeks of the campaign and so on.

Why am I so keen to offer hope to my characters? Simple, because I want to offer hope to my readers. Not happy ever after, not artificially fixing everything that goes wrong, but the feeling that even in dark times hope, no matter if it’s the tiniest spark, can be found.

For my character Stanley, and for those soldiers 100 years ago, I hope that they were able to find those moments of hope. And, as Christmas looms for us now as it did for the ANZACS then, I hope you, too, have a sense of hope.DSCN1970

A Picture That Paints a Thousand Names (Well, Almost)

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When I was researching for and planning 1915, I realised that a famous photo which I had looked at many times was, in fact, of the 11th Battalion of the AIF and, as such, would form a perfect starting point for my book. Stanley, my main character, is a member of the 11th and,as such, would have been in that  photo (were he, of course, not fictional).

So, a photo that I had already loved become even more treasured as I wrote. The photo is of the 11th in front of, and on, the Cheops Pyramid, in January 1915, a few months before they landed at Gallipoli. It’s an amazing photo because it features over 700 men, and  although it is a formal shot, the poses of the men, their faces, and the items they are holding give a glimpse into the many different personalities of the men.

Last week,  I took my son to the Curtin University  Open Day and, when he went off with some friends, I found myself wandering a little aimlessly. Something called me into the John Curtin Gallery. I thought perhaps I might see some art. But what I saw as I walked through the door took my breath away. There was my photo – the Cheops photo – blown up to almost  lifesize proportions on a wall. I burst into tears and then smiled, amazed at what I was seeing.

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The reason the photo was there was because in this, the centenary of the year it was taken and the men pictured in it fought in the Great War, a project is underway to identify the men in the photo. Anyone who has a family member who might be in the photo is encouraged to try to identify them within the photo. You can find out more about this project here or contact  WAGS

I sat in front of the photo for ages, amazed at just how much more can be seen with it enlarged. The clarity is amazing. I chatted to other viewers, and had a wonderful conversation with a young boy who pointed out an Aboriginal soldier related to a class mate, and told me both how proud he was of him, but also his sorrow at the difficulties faced by Aboriginal soldiers on their return to civilian life.

Afterwards, I sat at a nearby table and made a red felt poppy, which I placed with others in front of the picture. I hope nobody minds that I dedicated mine to Stanley, who is very very real to me.

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Teacher Characters #1: Stanley and Elizabeth

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I get asked all the time how much my books are inspired by my own life. While none of my stories is fully autobiographical, and I don’t like to embarrass my family by putting them directly into my stories, I know that things and people around me do influence my work, and even sneak into my books, sometimes unintentionally.

One thing I have noticed is the number of teachers in my books. One reason for this is that I write children’s books – and in most kids’ lives there are teachers. But, on top of that I was (am?) a teacher myself for so many years, that they sneak into my books even when I don’t plan on them being there. And, if I’m honest there’s a bit of me reflected in those teachers – either in the teacher I was, or the teacher I wish I was.

So, who are my teachers, and why are they there? In this series of posts, I’m going to introduce you to some of my teacher characters. First up, I’m going to talk about my most recent teacher characters.

Who is My Teacher Character? Stanley Moore, and his twin sister Elizabeth.

What Book do they appear in?1915

Australia’s Great War: 1915 (that’s Stanley, with the amazing eyes, on the front cover).

Why are they there?

When I was planning 1915, I needed a soldier character who young readers could relate to. I thought about an older brother, a teen who had put his age up, a parent, lots of things. But then I read about the impact of the Great War on school communities, and realised that Stanley could be a teacher, which would connect him with children back home. When I wondered who could be teaching his old students, I decided it could be his sister. This again would strengthen his links with the home front, which was a side of the war I really wanted to explore.

What role do they play?

Stanley is the book’s main character, and Elizabeth plays a strong supporting role. Stanley has left his teaching job behind to enlist in Word War 1 (also called the Great War), and Elizabeth is now teaching his former class. Stanley writes letters and poems for his students, and Elizabeth has them write back, helping them to understand what is happening at Gallipoli. Both show great compassion to their students, even at times when their own lives are difficult.

What did I learn writing about them?

1915 is my longest published novel, and so I learnt a lot about character development as I put myself into Stanley’s shoes, and then Elizabeth’s. I also learnt about the impact that having a teacher at war could have on the children back home, and on the whole school community. And, as a teacher, I was reminded that stuff that happens outside the classroom can have a big impact on what happens inside the classroom. I wish as a teacher that I could be as intuitive as this pair.

Favourite Stanley moment?

Spoiler alert. One of Stanley’s friends, Miles, is also the father of two of his students. When Miles is killed, Stanley takes the time to write to the boys and let them know their dad was a hero.

Do you have a favourite teacher character in a book you’ve read? I’d love to hear about him or her. And I’ll be back in a few days to talk about another of my teacher characters, Miss Bruff.

Australia’s Great War: 1915, published by Scholastic Australia, is available in all good bookstores.

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