Philip Powell’s (OW1973) new book Come on Wesley, tells the epic story of the College in WWII and the military service of over 1,800 OWs and former students of MLC Elsternwick.
Phillip’s book covers the full history of the war, beginning with Prime Minister Robert Menzies’ (OW1910) declaration of war in September 1939 and concluding with the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. OWs enlisted across the services and served in significant military actions, from the skies of Europe to the jungles of Asia and the Southwest Pacific and from the North African desert to the mountains of Greece and Syria.
It provides a comprehensive list of the OWs who served. Be it commando missions or major battles, flying fighter aircraft or large bombers, sailing small ships to mighty battleships, OWs were involved at all levels of rank.
The book also documents the deaths of 152 OWs and at least 60 who saw the war out as Prisoners of War. It’s a fine companion to Philip’s 2019 book Come on Lads about the service of OWs in WWI.
Copies of the 227-page book can be purchased by emailing Philip at pjphistory@gmail.com