War Memorial opens new Anzac exhibition

There are letters from John Simpson of Gallipoli fame, a bullet-pierced pocket book which saved its owner's life and the final diary entry of Victoria Cross recipient Captain Frederick Tubb.

All of these and much more feature in the new Anzac Voices exhibition at the Australian War Memorial that opens to the public on Friday.

The exhibition reveals the harsh realities of what Australians endured on Gallipoli and the Western Front, in the mud of Flanders and the deserts of Sinai-Palestine.

War Memorial director Brendan Nelson said this was a two-year project created in anticipation for the redevelopment of the First World War galleries.

"Four senior curators have worked tirelessly to bring together an emotive and informative exhibition, to help Australians better understand this significant period in our history whilst the First World War galleries undergo major redevelopment," he said in a statement.

This features treasures from the Memorial collection, including personal letters and diaries, artefacts, official documents, photographs and artworks.

There are letters from Australia Corps commander General Sir John Monash, the bullet-holed pocket book which saved the life of Private John Croft at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915; and original diaries of official war correspondent Charles Bean.

Some items are on display for the first time.

That includes letters from John Simpson and indigenous soldier Lance Corporal Charles Blackman.

Co-curator Robyn van Dyk said these eyewitness accounts and heartfelt communications home revealed many moving stories.

"People were caught up in the excitement after war was declared. Many thought that the war would be over by Christmas and enlisted from a sense of adventure and opportunity to see the world. ANZAC Voices shows the changing attitudes and hardships experienced by Australians during the First World War," she said.

Anzac Voices will be display until redeveloped First World War galleries open in late November 2014.