TODAY we're commencing a series of articles that provide a unique insight into Weymouth at the end of the Great War as seen through the eyes of thousands of convalescent Australian soldiers waiting to be shipped home.

And it's a very timely series as we're kicking it off just days after Anzac Day.

Anzac Day memorial services were held around the world, including in Weymouth, last Wednesday. April 25 marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign.

Thanks to the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society we've managed to get our hands on digital copies of The Australian in Weymouth, which was published for the 120,000 Anzac troops who came to Weymouth for recovery from the Gallipoli campaign, and later from the Western Front in France and Flanders.

Mr Alvin Hopper of the Weymouth and Portland Residents Association supplied the family history society with the edition of the First World War Anzac magazine.

The magazines contain articles on places to visit, entertainment, reports of cricket matches against local teams, jokes & cartoons by the soldiers, and adverts by local firms, including Sherren's, the Weymouth printers who printed the newsletters.

So without further ado, here's a look at the first edition of The Australian in Weymouth from June 4, 1918.

The publication was circulated in the Littlemoor, Westham and Monte Video camps of the Army Australian Infantry. It was priced at tuppence.

The paper was never a financial venture and the cost of publication was borne by the regimental fund.

Listed on the first page are YMCA entertainments in June at various dates at the three camps. We also hear about the recent visit of no. 2 command band to Burdon Military Hospital, which is now the Prince Regent Hotel in Weymouth.

There is also, rather succinctly, an answer to an enquiry about a John Wren and whether or not he has gone to the front, for which the answer is 'no'.

For convalescing soldiers looking to smarten themselves up, there's an advert for Flisher's Haircutting Parlour in St Mary Street in Weymouth and The Australian in Weymouth also contains train time for those wishing to travel.

There's a taster of which acts people can expect at Weymouth Pavilion in the coming year such as Carminetta and the Turner Opera Company.

Readers of the publication could enjoy a cartoon which makes a joke about boats going to Australia. There is an appeal from the Salvation Army to help raise money for Salvation Flag Day on June 7 and an advert for the Waverley Hotel in Weymouth, which is said to have the 'very best of liquors which help to cheer the heart of man."

If soldiers fancied some entertainment at the Jubilee Hall there are bookings for June listed in the publication such as the Violet Vaughan Trio and Horace Barns - the impromptu rhymester who will compose songs on any subject you wish.

Congratulations are sent to Sgt J.N. Rogers, of Sydney, known as Jimmie and the secretary of the Littlemoor Sergeants' Mess, who recently married Miss Anita Etches, the eldest daughter of W.G. Etches of London.

The 12 page publication also includes news from home, such as counter lunches being abolished at hotels throughout Victoria and Alfred James, Labour member of the State Parliament of Queensland enlisting.