Sandakan – Giving, Enjoying, Healing with the Local Community
Allan looks back on when he led 40 Australian veterans and RSL members on part of the Sandakan Death Marches route in Sabah, Malaysia.
Allan is a former Army officer and logistics specialist. In retirement he writes articles and books ranging across military and naval history, biography and anthropology. He publishes through various association newsletters and websites and on Amazon. He lives in Sydney.
Traffic Jam in Agra – Immersion in Chaos
Allan finds himself in furnace-like gridlock on the way to the Taj Mahal. How will he escape?
Go to Malta, See the George Cross
The National War Museum at Fort St Elmo, just outside of Valetta, provides insight into the courage and determination of the Maltese people during World War 2. Getting there is a big part of the enjoyment. Bring sunscreen.
Monte Piana, Italy: An Unplanned Climb, an Unexpected Find
During a trek through the Dolomites, Allan found himself snowed in for a day. Instead of sitting around drinking hot chocolate, he and his friend walked up a 500 metre escarpment to explore the remains of a 100 year old battlefield.
Climb Mount Kosciuszko in Summer, but be Prepared
Allan and Ingrid look back on a memorable drive and walk, to the highest point in continental Australia.
Mount Hermon Via the Road Less Travelled
Mount Hermon, snow covered for several months of the year, is in the contested region between Syria and Israel. Read Allan's soldier's story of how he came to climb it.
Orkney Islands and the Mysterious Ring of Brodgar
What began as a day trip to trace a wartime family link in Scapa Flow turned into a journey through deep time — to Orkney’s Ring of Brodgar, where Neolithic mystery meets rugged Scottish beauty.
Nuclear Fish’n in the Central Pacific
Allan and his friends travelled to the central Pacific, to fish on an island where nuclear weapons were tested 70 years ago.
A Quick Look at Hadrian’s Wall
Visit the wall that marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.