War memorial names prize after Les Carlyon

The Australian War Memorial has established a new literary prize named after historian, author and journalist Les Carlyon.

The $10,000 prize will be awarded every two years for an emerging author's first book or major publication relating to Australian military history.

A judging panel will include a representative from the Carlyon family and military historian Ashley Ekins.

Australian War Memorial head of military history Karl James said Mr Carlyon's legacy loomed large over other writers.

"Mr Carlyon's evocative storytelling captured the experiences of Australians at war with a talent and style unmatched by many other authors," Dr James said.

"His words inspired his readers."

Carlyon, who wrote Gallipoli and The Great War, died in 2019 aged 76.