Key Takeaways
- The Australian War Memorial deferred a military history prize after it was awarded to a book on Ben Roberts-Smith.
- The judging panel chose Chris Masters' book as the winner, but the memorial decided to restrict the award to emerging writers only.
- The Les Carlyon literary award for military history was inaugurated in 2020 in honor of the celebrated journalist and military historian.
The Controversy Unfolds
In a surprising turn of events, the Australian War Memorial found itself embroiled in controversy after its appointed judges awarded a prestigious military history literary prize to a book centered around the alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith. Chris Masters' book, "Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies, and War Crimes," was selected as the 2024 winner of the Les Carlyon literary award, sparking a debate within the institution.
Changing Eligibility Criteria
Despite the external judging panel's decision, the war memorial decided to revise the eligibility criteria for the award, limiting it to emerging writers who are publishing their first book or major publication. This move effectively disqualified Masters, who had previously written four other books, leading to internal discussions and debates within the institution.
The Legacy of Les Carlyon
The Les Carlyon literary award for military history was established in 2020 to honor the legacy of Les Carlyon, a renowned journalist, military historian, and former member of the war memorial council. The award was intended to recognize the outstanding contributions of authors in the field of military history, with a focus on supporting emerging writers.
A Shift in Perspective
As the controversy surrounding the award unfolded, discussions about the future direction of the prize and its impact on the literary community emerged. The decision to restrict the award to emerging writers raised questions about the balance between honoring established authors and providing opportunities for new voices in the field of military history.
Overall, the incident highlighted the complexities of recognizing excellence in military history literature and the importance of upholding the values and principles that the award was originally intended to celebrate.