Captain James Cowey with his wife Annie on their wedding day
While the main focus of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is on the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women during World War II, it must also be recognised that those who enlisted were inspired and influenced by the reputation and courage displayed by the original ANZACs.
Many of these young recruits, some still in their teens, had fathers and uncles who had served at Gallipoli, the Western Front, or with the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East.
And there were some, such as Jim Cowey MC, who served in both World Wars. Jim was active at Gallipoli with the 14th Infantry Battalion 1st AIF, and fought in the later battles on the Western Front.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Jim Cowey joined the 39th Militia Battalion and saw active service in New Guinea.
Important Links—ANZAC Centenary
Australian Government—ANZAC Centenary
NSW Government –ANZAC Centenary
State Library of NSW—Research Guides World War I
State Library of NSW—War Diaries
NSW Govt. Commemoration Website
ANZAC Cove