Living History with Mat McLachlan
Latest Episodes
Ep238: Ypres Salient - Talbot House
Talbot House was an 'everyman's club' in the Ypres sector in Belgium during the First World War. Established behind the lines in the town of Poperinghe, Talbot House was a place soldiers could come to for some respite from the horrors of the battlefield.
Ep237: HMAS Sydney, Victory at Kokoda and the Australians at Bougainville
Mat is joined by regular co-host Karl James to discuss some important Second World War anniversaries.Topics include the sinking of HMAS Sydney and the opening of the Australian War Memorial in 1941, the end of the Kokoda campaign in 1942 and the Australia
Ep236: Q&A4 - Your Questions Answered!
It's the latest episode in our Q&A series. This week's questions include: Was General Monash the greatest general of the First World War?; Where can I lay a wreath on the Western Front battlefields?; and What evidence of Hitler's V-Weapons campaign ca
Ep235: The History of Australian Military History
Our guest this week is noted Australian historian Peter Stanley, formerly with the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum and the University of NSW. Peter's new book, Beyond the Broken Years, explores more than a century of military history publishi
Ep234: Your Questions Answered! Q&A with Mat 3
It's the latest episode in our Q&A series. This week's questions include: Was the Brisbane Line in WW2 real?; Is Anzac Day the best time to visit Gallipoli?; and Did Australian troops only fight under the Red Ensign flag in WW1?Send your questions to
Ep233: What Does Remembrance Day Mean in 2024?
Mat is joined by special co-host Karl James to discuss the significance of Remembrance Day. How did it start, what does it mean to veterans and the general public, and will it continue to be important in the future?Presenter: Mat McLachlanGuest: Karl Jame
Ep232: Your Questions Answered! Q&A with Mat 2
It's the second episode in our new Q&A series. Today's topics include WW2 sites in Singapore; visiting the medieval battlefields of Crecy and Agincourt; the role of snipers in the First World War; and the attitude of Vietnamese people to Australian Vi
Ep231: Your Questions Answered! Q&A with Mat 1
Mat sits down with producer Jess Stebnicki to answer your questions, including: Are there ghosts on the battlefields? How much time do I need to spend on the Australian battlefields? What happened to Australians captured at Gallipoli?, and how much unexpl
Ep230: Western Front Revisited
Mat is in Paris, sharing his memories of a very special visit to the Western Front. Topics discussed include how young people engage with the Anzac legend; a German WW2 cemetery that provokes mixed emotions; the Last Post service at the newly-renovated Me
Ep229: War Photographer Damien Parer
Damien Parer was one of Australia's greatest war photographers and cinematographers. His images and footage of Australians in the Second World War helped define the conflict, both for the people who were in it and for generations to come. His camera work