ABSTRACT
Globally, memorialisation of war dead and pilgrimages to war-related sites can be regarded as one of the more extraordinary manifestations of a resurgent (if not politically manipulated) nationalism. is typically involves iconic sites where, on the one hand, private memories can be nationalised and, on the other, where representations of nationalism are able to be effectively ‘spiritualised’ and ingested by pilgrims.1 at these sites (and memories) are linked to national military operations, and gain further significance by being linked to broader supra-national histories – world war, the end of Empire, decolonisation, nationhood – provides them with immediate public legitimacy. At the same time the personal narratives that adhere to them are reinforced by being framed by their association with military operations and confirmed by intra-generational story-telling within families.
