Australian War Stories researches and writes books about the personal war of diggers who enlisted in World War I and II.

Warnecke was born in Armidale, into a family of Labor Party pioneers, but moved to Sydney in 1912 and became a journalist. While living in suburban Ryde, 21-year-old Warnecke enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915. During the war, he wrote movingly about his experiences with the 19th Battalion on the Western Front.  Warnecke was wounded twice and was also diagnosed with shell shock.

He returned to journalism after World War I, working in Australia and Britain. While working as an editor for Robert Clyde Packer in Sydney, Warnecke came up with the idea of a women’s magazine with a topical edge and a national focus. 

He convinced the Packer family to back his idea, and the Women’s Weekly was launched in June 1933, with Warnecke as editor. 

Warnecke went on to become editor-in-chief of Consolidated Press and resigned in 1939. He wrote a memoir, Miracle Magazine, and a couple of other books, but all were unfinished when he died in Ireland in 1981.

Warnecke and his wife Nora had no children. However, if you have a family connection with this outstanding journalist and soldier, contact Philip McLean at Australian War Stories on 93228466, or email pmclean@aap.com.au