Peter Damian Williams.
Military historian · Author · Canberra
Australian military historian and author. Born 6 March in Hobart, Tasmania, and educated at St Virgil’s College. BA (History & Philosophy) from Macquarie, Dip. Ed from the University of Tasmania, MA and PhD from Charles Darwin University — the doctorate on the Kokoda Campaign itself.
Taught history and English in Nakatsu-shi, Japan, from to . That time turned into the fieldwork behind Japan’s Pacific War — informal interviews with former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy personnel that grew, over the following decades, into 100+ recorded conversations with veterans of the Pacific theatre. Returned to Australia in and taught at Nightcliff High School, Darwin, until , alongside work at the Darwin Military Museum. His first book, The Battle of Anzac Ridge (Australian Military History Publications, ), came out of that period.
Work since centres on Australia’s involvement in global conflicts — the Gallipoli landings, the Japanese 18th Army in New Guinea, and the Kokoda Track. Japan’s Pacific War (Pen & Sword, 2021) and The Kokoda Campaign 1942: Myth and Reality (Cambridge, 2012) anchor the later book-length works; articles in the Sydney Morning Herald and Wartime; commissioned reports for the Australian Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs. Writing, research, speaking, and consulting continue from Canberra — see the publications or scope of work.
-
Writing
Ghostwriting and co-authorship on the Second World War, the Pacific theatre, the Kokoda Campaign, and Australian military history. Works at chapter length through full-book manuscripts.
-
Research
Archival research in Japanese, English, and Ottoman-era Turkish sources. Oral history interviews and battlefield fieldwork. Evidence-based briefs for authors, documentary producers, and academic institutions.
-
Public speaking
Keynote lectures, history-themed cruise programmes, commemorative addresses, and panel appearances. Registers tailored from general audience to academic seminar.
-
Consulting
Historical advisory, manuscript review, and evidentiary fact-checking for writers, broadcasters, and government. Past clients include the Australian Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.
Work & publications.
- 1957
Born 6 March in Hobart, Tasmania. Raised in Tasmania, educated at St Virgil’s College, a Catholic boys’ school in Hobart.
- 1982
BA in History and Philosophy — Macquarie University.
- 1984–1987
Teaches history and English in Nakatsu-shi, Oita-ken, Japan. Begins informal interviews with former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy personnel — the seeds of Japan’s Pacific War.
- 1987–2005
History and English teacher at Nightcliff High School, Darwin, Northern Territory. Also works at the Darwin Military Museum.
- 1988
Diploma of Education (History and English) — University of Tasmania.
- 2000
Master of Arts — Charles Darwin University. Thesis: "The Landing of the ANZAC Corps 1915".
- 2004
"A Ridge Too Far" — Sydney Morning Herald, Gallipoli supplement (25 April). First public piece on the Ottoman side of the Anzac Ridge engagement.
- 2005
"The Ottoman Artillery Bombardment at Gallipoli" — Wartime Magazine.
- 2006
"The Japanese 18th Army in New Guinea" — Wartime Magazine.
- 2007
"An Imperial Japanese Navy Pilot in New Guinea" (Headmark Journal) and "Zero Hours" (Australian Warship).
- 2007
First book: The Battle of Anzac Ridge, 25 April 1915 — a 222-page study from Australian Military History Publications, later translated into Turkish.
- 2008
Doctor of Philosophy — Charles Darwin University. Dissertation: "The Kokoda Campaign 1942 — an analysis".
- 2009
Çanakkale Savaşı Kanlısırt Muharebesi — Turkish translation of the Anzac Ridge study, Kitap Yayınevi, Istanbul.
- 2010–2011
Commissioned reports on Kokoda, the Korean War, and WWII topics — Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
- 2012
The Kokoda Campaign 1942: Myth and Reality (Cambridge University Press) and Kokoda for Dummies (Wiley).
- 2015
"Australians in the United Kingdom in WWII" — Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
- 2017
"Against Overwhelming Odds? On the Kokoda Trail" — chapter in Kokoda: Beyond the Legend (Cambridge University Press).
- 2021
Japan’s Pacific War: Personal Accounts of the Emperor’s Warriors — Pen & Sword. Built on 100+ interviews with Japanese veterans.
- 2024
Long-form interview on WW2TV, "Interviewing Japanese Veterans" — 150,000+ views.
- 2025
45-minute recorded lecture on the Pacific War.
Credentials
- Doctorate
- PhD, Charles Darwin University (2008)
- Postgraduate
- MA, Charles Darwin University (2000)
- Teaching qualification
- Diploma of Education, Univ. of Tasmania (1988)
- Undergraduate
- BA (History & Philosophy), Macquarie University (1982)
- Secondary
- St Virgil’s College, Hobart
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Publishers & outlets
- Cambridge University Press Book + chapter
- Pen & Sword Book
- Wiley & Sons Book
- Australian Military History Publications Book
- Kitap Yayınevi (Istanbul) Turkish-language book
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia) Commissioned reports
- Department of Defence (Australia) Consulting
- Wartime Magazine Articles
- Sydney Morning Herald Contributor
Commissions & enquiries.
Please outline the subject, the intended form and audience, and any deadline. Peter reviews enquiries personally and replies within a few days.