How early did Australia come to see Russian Bolshevism as a threat to the world?

On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Damien Wright to reveal the untold story of Anzac involvement in the Russian Civil War. Our nation’s first battle against communism, which saw two Australians win the Victoria Cross, only for their heroism and sacrifice to be all but forgotten.

Damien Wright is a historian and author with a lifelong interest in Australian military history. He is a recognised expert on British military operations in Russia and author of the books, Churchill’s Secret War with Lenin: British and Commonwealth Military Intervention in the Russian Civil War, 1918-20 and Australia’s Lost Heroes: ANZACs in the Russian Civil War 1919. In 2019 he travelled to Russia with the grandson of Sergeant Samuel Pearse, VC, MM and held a commemoration on the 100th Anniversary at the site of his death and posthumous Victoria Cross action, the first time an Australian had visited the location in 100 years. His articles have been published in Journals of The James Caird Society, The Orders and Medals Research Society and commercial history magazines. He holds a Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism degree and works in the international education sector.