Denmark in the South West of WA; Recollections of War (2021)

John and Kathryn Shapland have a fascination with the human experience of war, both good and ill, and a powerful sense of respect and admiration for Australians and others who set out to fight in conflicts past. This has led them to build a unique home for letters, photographs, uniforms, relics and other noteworthy items. Their ever-growing collection is treasured in a series of spacious rooms built by John himself, in displays designed by Kathryn. Displays emphasise personal stories. It is about social history and people living during wartime and honours ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

Recollections of War focuses on the humanity of all people who have served regardless of nationality. It is about honouring not only their sacrifice, but the forbearance made by their loved ones and families both during the war and after. Each piece displayed has a story to tell, and where possible, Kathryn has got these together. She aims to show the humanity, regardless of which side they were on; they were all people with families and loved ones back home.

There are postcards telling wives or sweethearts that they will not be home for Christmas but maybe for Christmas next year. You can feel the disappointment and despair in a few simple words on a card.

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John began collecting WWII and aviation memorabilia after attending an air show in his childhood home of Sussex in 2009. Staring at first with an air force room, the collecting has grown to thousands of artefacts been sourced from around the world by John and Kathryn, including medals, equipment, uniforms and items made by troops for their entertainment, together with documents such as personal diaries, letters and unique wartime photo albums. One of the special focuses is the role played by women. Items connected with the Red Cross and the Women’s Land Army form some of the main displays and research archives. Historical artefacts date back to the Boer War and through to present times.

Uniforms from World Wars I and II through to modern armed forces are displayed (as above)

Horatio Herbert Kitchener was a senior British Army officer and colonial administrator, who instigated notorious campaigns such as the scorched earth policy during the Boer Wars. Kitchener became Secretary of State for War in 1914 and organised the largest volunteer army Britain have ever seen, as well as a significant increase in materials production to fight on the Western Front. In 1916 Kitchener was making his way to Russia on HMS Hampshire to attend negotiations with Tsar Nicholas II when the ship struck a German mine to the west of Orkney, Scotland, and sank. Kitchener was among 737 who died.

A display (at right) with items from the call for volunteers campaign (Lord Derby Scheme), with Kitchener's busts and commemorative call-up items, with a photo of women working at an armaments factory.

Medals have been collected, not based on their value, but on their recipient's story. Where the recipient can be identified, other items pertaining to this person have been gathered together, making the displays more about the people that the wars. The photo at right features a Gallipoli medallion.

Displays are dedicated to groups or to individual, as below left with pieces from Naval history, and below right Lord Kitchener.

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Medical and paramedical personnel had a major role on the battlefields. Above left commemorates nurses, with above right and below highlighting the role of the Red Cross, where there is a display of model war ambulances.