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Australian Greats! Trivia Quiz

One of Australia's legendary heroes, 'Weary' Dunlop, saved the lives of thousands of prisoners of war in Java and Thailand during WWII. How much do you know about this "lighthouse of sanity in a universe of madness and suffering"?

A multiple-choice quiz by Engadine. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Engadine

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
181,555

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1094

Last 3 plays: Guest 1 (3/10), Bourman (1/10), Guest 1 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following names was 'Weary' Dunlop's real first name? Hint

Edwin

Elgin

Edgar

Ernest

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Question 2 of 10

2. Where did 'Weary' Dunlop begin his working career? Hint

In a pharmacy

In the Army

In a bank

In a butchers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Where did 'Weary' acquire his nickname? Hint

Cricket Team

Rugby Union

Pharmacy School

Melbourne University

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Question 4 of 10

4. At what rank did 'Weary' Dunlop re-enlist in the Australian Army in 1935? Hint

Major

Lieutenant

Sergeant

Captain

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which Australian football team did 'Weary' play for? Hint

The Wombats

The Kangaroos

The Wallabies

The Socceroos

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where was 'Weary' when he was promoted to the rank of major, in 1940? Hint

Egypt

Australia

USA

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the name of 'Weary' Dunlop's record of his time spent as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Java and on the Burma-Thai Railway? Hint

Java and the Burma-Thailand Railway

The War Diaries of Weary Dunlop

Weary, from Bangkok to Rangoon

Weary, Wounded, Sick and Malnourished

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Question 8 of 10

8. Upon his demobilisation in 1946, what rank in the Australian Army, did 'Weary' Dunlop hold? Hint

Lieutenant Colonel

Major

Colonel

Sergeant Major

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Question 9 of 10

9. Of the following diseases, which was the most often recorded between June 1942 and October 1943, in the work camp hospitals of the prisoners of war held by the Japanese? Hint

Diptheria

Dysentry

Malaria

Cholera

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Question 10 of 10

10. In what year was 'Weary' Dunlop honoured as Australian of the Year? Hint

1999

1979

1976

1997

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 18 2024 : Guest 1: 3/10
Nov 23 2024 : Bourman: 1/10
Nov 14 2024 : Guest 1: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following names was 'Weary' Dunlop's real first name?

Answer: Ernest

Sir Ernest Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was born on 12 July 1907 at Major's Plain, Victoria, the younger of two children. In 1910 his family moved to 'Summerlea', a farm near Stewarton, Victoria.

2. Where did 'Weary' Dunlop begin his working career?

Answer: In a pharmacy

When he left school, Edward Dunlop began a pharmacy apprenticeship in Benalla, Victoria. He moved to Melbourne in 1927 and attended the Pharmacy College where he qualified as a Pharmacist in 1928. He earned a scholarship to Melbourne University to study medicine and in 1934 he qualified as a doctor.

3. Where did 'Weary' acquire his nickname?

Answer: Melbourne University

It was at Melbourne University that Edward Dunlop acquired his nickname 'Weary' - from Dunlop tyres! He graduated in 1934 with first class honours.

4. At what rank did 'Weary' Dunlop re-enlist in the Australian Army in 1935?

Answer: Captain

'Weary' Dunlop was an army cadet when attending school and had served as a part-timer in the armed forces until 1929. He re-enlisted in the army in the 2nd AIF and in 1939, with the rank of captain, he was sent to Jerusalem.

5. Which Australian football team did 'Weary' play for?

Answer: The Wallabies

'Weary' played with Australia's national rugby (union) team, The Wallabies, in 1932. He was also an acclaimed champion boxer.

6. Where was 'Weary' when he was promoted to the rank of major, in 1940?

Answer: Egypt

As a member of the Australian Army Medical Corps (6th Division) 'Weary' was promoted to the rank of major on 1 May 1940 and was appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services of the Australian Corps/AIF in Gaza and Alexandria.

7. What was the name of 'Weary' Dunlop's record of his time spent as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Java and on the Burma-Thai Railway?

Answer: The War Diaries of Weary Dunlop

In 1943 'Weary' became a prisoner of war and was sent to work on the Burma-Thai railway. He saved wounded, sick and malnourished fellow prisoners, often putting his own life at risk, and as such, was inspirational to the Australian and allied prisoners of war alike! Throughout his captivity he kept a record in the form of diaries (written on almost anything he could find). 'The War Diaries of Weary Dunlop' was published in 1986.

8. Upon his demobilisation in 1946, what rank in the Australian Army, did 'Weary' Dunlop hold?

Answer: Lieutenant Colonel

On 27 September 1945 'Weary' Dunlop rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to Australia in October 1945 and after his demobilisation in 1946, his name was added to the Reserve List of Officers with the rank of honorary colonel.

9. Of the following diseases, which was the most often recorded between June 1942 and October 1943, in the work camp hospitals of the prisoners of war held by the Japanese?

Answer: Malaria

Malaria was recorded twice as often as any other disease suffered by the prisoners of war. Dysentry accounted for half of the sick and cholera and diptheria hardly rated at all. However, the recorded illnesses did not reflect the total number of diseases suffered by the prisoners as many worked whilst ill. Malaria was, to quote 'Weary' himself, almost universal!

10. In what year was 'Weary' Dunlop honoured as Australian of the Year?

Answer: 1976

'Weary' Dunlop received many honours and awards throughout his life, including; the Order of the British Empire (1947); Companion of the Order of Australia (1987), Knight Grand Cross, Order of St John of Jerusalem (1992), Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Royal Crown of Thailand (1993); Honorary Fellow of the Imperial College of London; Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Honorary Life Member of the RSL; and, Life Governor of the Royal Women's Hospital and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

In 1976 he was named Australian of the Year and in 1988 he was named one of '200 Great Australians'!

Source: Author Engadine

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
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