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C.J. Dennis
C.J. Dennis was born Clarence James Dennis in 1876 in Auburn, South Australia. He worked as a journalist and poet before joining the 10th Battalion of the...
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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C.J. Dennis was born Clarence James Dennis in 1876 in Auburn, South Australia. He worked as a journalist and poet before joining the 10th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. During his service, he wrote and performed songs that spoke directly to the experience of Australian soldiers.
His song 'A Diggers' Tale' became particularly well-known, with its lyrics describing the challenges faced by troops. He also wrote 'When Shandon Calls' and other pieces like 'The Anzac's Farewell' and 'The Old Battalion.' Dennis performed these songs solo at first, then with a small group called Dennis's Diggers that included Bert Weston on guitar and Ernie King on banjo.
Some listeners found his work sentimental, but others felt it captured something real about soldier life. He died in 1938. The songs he wrote during the war years still get played occasionally in Australia.
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