This card was written by Cyril James Claridge McQuie MM & Bar to his Mother. The letter talks about finishing at Seymour camp and his mates (in the photo) are being separated. McQuie thinks he will sail about the 16th. The names on the photo are hard to read but appear to be, Stokes, Hopkins, Hofferman, Sash ?, Keneilly ?, Rayson, Han......, Muller ?, Bearlip ?. McQuie is centre of the sitting, kneeling group. McQuie enlisted No 2654 on 26.6.1915 in the 8th Reinforcements 6th Bn age 23 years 6 months. Embarked for Eygpt 26.8.1915, embarked for ANZAC (Gallipoli) 31.10.1915, embark for Eygpt 2.12.1915, Hospital 5.12.1915 with Boils, rejoin unit 7.1.1916, promoted to Cpl 13.3.1916, embark for France 26.3.1916, promoted to Sgt 2.9.1916, Posted to Pay Corps Etaples 13.1.1917, rejoin unit 25.6.1917, hospital GSW Left Arm 20.9.1917, awarded the Military Medal same day, rejoin unit 21.12.1917, awarded a Bar to the Military Medal 10.8.1918, WIA 2nd occasion Gassed, promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, discharged from the AIF 11.2.1920. A brother Alick Charles Hebdon McQuie No 2158 enlisted on 14.4.1915 in 6th Reinforcements 7th Bn, embarked for Eygpt 17.6.1915, KIA 9.8.1915. McQuie appears to have been a great collector of Postcards which will be shown throughout the collection.Photo B& W showing 6 soldiers standing and 5 sitting or kneeling, in the background are white tents. The rear has extensive text in black pen with a red stamp top RH corner.Main points are, "YMCA Depot Camp Seymour", "dear Mother", "J.P.B. McQuie Thirlstane Harrison Street Bendigo"postcard, seymour

Image depicts soldiers of the 2/24 Battalion Band - Winners of the 7th Division Band Contest in Palestine February 1941 The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Reproduced black and white photograph of band of soldiers with musical instruments Handwritten on rear - 2/24 Bn Band Winners of 7 Div Band Contest Palestine 19412/24th battalion, wangaratta, palestine, 1941, 7th division band contest

Refer also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Battalion_(Australia)Rectangular framed Certificate. Salute to the Gippsland Regiment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Shield in top half of certificate-: Defending Australia with rising sun badge then In commemoration of: No 52 surrounded by wreath with inscription on bottom Always Ready Gippsland Regiment 52nd Infantry Battalion (The Gippsland Regiment) "Always Ready" 1921-1930 1936-1942 Circle with white top half and light blue bottom half. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the Shield-: History of the 52nd Battalion. Tracing the ancestry going back to the "Gippsland Battalion of the Victorian Rangers, the Militia (CMF) 52nd Battalion was raised from the 2nd Bn/5th Australian Infantry Regiment (HQ Dandenong) as part of an overhaul of Australia's defences in 1920-21 that saw the reintroduction of compulsory military service. To afford it a proud identity ,the new battalion was assigned the same number as the 52nd/1st AIF which had performed with distinction in France ( Somme, Pozieres, Bullicort, Messine and Ypes to name just some). In addition the new battalion also inherited the Kings and Regimental Colours which, as part of the 52nd Bn/1st AIF's lineage including battle honours earned by 2nd Bn, Tasmanian Infantry Regiment in the Boer War, 1899-1902, and the same circular colour patch, horizontally bisected with white over blue halves. Later the 52nd officially received its regional title, "The Gippsland Regiment" and its motto "Always Ready". Digger prevailing during WW2 it was nicknamed "The Gippsland Bushrangers". The 52nd formed part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Militia (CMF) Division. With the reversion to voluntary citizen forces in1930,declining numbers forced an amalgamation with the 37th Bn to become 37th/52nd Bn. Then in mid 1936, an expansion and modernisation of the CMF, including the conversation of the Light Horse to motorised, allowed both battalions to separate and for the 52nd to expand into East Gippsland. In 1938, 52nd Bn was granted linkage with the "Queens Own Cameron Highlanders" and permission to use its Regimental March- "March of the Cameron Men'. When Japan entered the war in December 1941,the Australian Military Forces were fully mobilized, (part time to full time) for the defence of homeland Australia. While training at various locations in central Victoria, the militia became for many, a stepping stone into the AIF and other services, as well as a training unit for new conscripts. As part of our national defence preparations, in mid 1942 the 52 Bn relocated to Queensland as part of the 3rd Division, replacing the AIF 7th Div on the so called "Brisbane Line". However as the threat of invasion lifted, a restructure of army units saw the disbandment of the 10th Brigade and hence the 52nd in September 1942 and the revival of the 37th/52nd Battalion. The 52nds colours were returned to Melbourne, eventually being placed in the Shrine of Remembrance for safe keeping. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At bottom of the certificate- We thank the Berwick and Dandenong volunteers for their dedication and self sacrifice during the period 1921- 1942 in defence of our nation. (Signed) D W Shields President Dandenong RSL Sub Branch L Lucas President Berwick RSL Sub Branch Presented by the Dandenong and Berwick RSL Sub Branches November 2009.

Merton Charles WILLOUGHBY VX54056 enlisted on 24.4.41 in the 2nd AIF aged 37 years. Posted to Pioneer Wing 23.6.1941, graded Cook Group 2 in 2/2nd Pioneer Bn. Embark for the Middle East 2.11.1941 disembarking 4.11.1941, relinquishes Group 2 Cook position, embark for Batavia 18.2.1942, reported Missing in Action Java then Missing POW 7.3.1942, recovered POW Siam 20.8.1945, embark from Singapore 29.9.45 disembarking Australia 17.10.1945, discharged from the Army 1.3.1946. With the entry of Japan into the war the 2/2nd Battalion embarked from the Middle East for Australia but was diverted to defend Java with 7th Division elements under what was called “Blackforce”. Some 800 where taken POW and 258 died in captivity. Medal set, court mounted, set of (4) re M.C Willoughby. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. The Pacific Star. 3. British War Medal 1939-1945. 4. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45"VX54056 MC Willoughby"medals, military, history

Leslie Thomas Palmby enlisted on 9.7.15 in the 7th reinforcements 24th Batt AIF. Embarked for Eygpt 26.11.15. Transferred to the 8th Batt 24.2.16. Embark for France 26.3.16, WIA 27.4.17 GSW to face, promoted L/Cpl 20.9.17, hospital 28.10.17 with Trench feet, promoted Cpl 27.8.18, promoted T/Sgt 23.9.18, promoted Sgt 31.10.18, hospital 18.3.19 with Scabies and Carbuncle. Discharged from the AIF on 4.8.19.Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re. L.T Palmby 1 War Medal 1914-1918 2 Victory Medal 1914 - 19. (replica, not engraved)1. "3228 Sgt LT Palmby 24 Bn AIF"medals, military, history

Leonard James Cross No WX6147 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 13.7.40 aged 39 years 10 months in 2/11th Bn, embarked for the Middle East 16.4.1941, transfer to the AAMC then to 2/7th Field Ambulance 31.7.1941, embark for Aust 12.2.1942, entrain for the Northern Territory 21.6.1943, discharged from the Army 15.2.1944.Medal Set of five court mounted re L.J. Cross. .1 Africa Star, original medal unstamped. .2 1939 - 45 Star, original medal unstamped. .3 War Medal 1939-45. .4. Defence Medal. .5 Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45.3) .4) .5) "WX6147 L.J.Cross"medals, middle east, field ambulance

.1) The first medal on the left is the BEM. There are 9 clasps denoting overseas service and 3 clasps denoting Long Service. Francis William (Dinky) Dean enlisted in the 2nd AIF No VX93960 on 16.12.43 age 18 years. He went on to serve with the 2nd/2nd Pioneers in the islands ending up on Morotai at wars end. At the end of 1945 while still overseas 3 new Battalions were formed for service wth BCOF in Japan. They were the 65th, 66th and 67th Bn’s made up from 3 Aust Divisions 6th, 7th and 9th. Frank was one of the first to sign up in the 65th Bn with same Regt No. They moved to Japan in early 1946. While still in Japan in 1947 there was a period called the Interim Army while the 65th, 66th and 67th Bn’s were designated 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bn’s R.A.R, Aust Regular Army. His Regt No changed to 3742 and the 65th became the 1st Batt of the R.A.R. He then served with 1 RAR in Korea 7.4.52 to 28.2.53, 3.3.54 to 24.3.56. Malaya during the Emergency/ Confrontation Oct 1959 to Oct 1961. Vietnam 1.6.65 to 7.6. 66, 18.3.68 to 11.2.69. Malaya 1969-70. Frank was discharged from the Army on 19.12.1975 with the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant with a total of 32 years service. He was the longest serving member of 1 RAR, he had a final posting to RMC prior to discharge. BEM (British Empire Medal) For service in Korea. BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Force Japan) RAR ( Royal Australian Regiment) RMC (Royal Military College Duntroon) In 2004 Frank was the guest of honour at the new Coral Lines Lavarack Barracks Townsville, a street was named “Dean drive” after him. Frank passed away on 11.2.2005 age 79 years. .1) Medal set, miniatures, brass plate mounted, set of (16) re F.W Dean BEM. .2) Name badge - battalion badge for unit associations. Black plastic backing with pin, black name on gold background. .2) "Frank Dean 1RAR"numismatics, medals, military, badges, metalcraft

Walter Henry SMITH No 1572 enlisted in C Coy 25th Batt AIF on 9.4.1915. Embarked for Eygpt 29.6.1915, embarked for Gallipoli 4.9.1915. Hospitalised with enteritis on 21.10.1915. Embarked for France 14.3.1916. Transferred to 7th MG Coy on 17.7.1916. WIA 27.8.1916 shell shock and again on 29.7.1917 shell wound left leg. Discharged from the AIF on 26.7.1919 classed Medically unfit. Medals, WWI. Court mounted, set of 2 medals with 3 ribbons. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 18 Ribbon. Victory Medal 1914 - 19 .2) Badge, No. V43195 RSSILA . Red, white & blue enamel, 2 figures in centre. Surmounted with a crown with gold No 80 on red background. Denotes financial member 1980. .3) Badge TPI No 01068. Blue enamel on brass, surmounted with a crown. Centre is black enamel & brass mini-badge with TPI 1981. .4) Medallion, WW1 Veterans Travel Pass for 1980. No. 3152. Black & gold..1) “1572 Pte W.H.Smith 25 Bn AIF” .3) Front: “TPI 1981. Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Disabled Soldiers Association” .4) Front. “World War I Veterans. Travel Pass1980, 3152”numismatics-medals-military, badges-military, military history-army

John MURPHY VX15580 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 26.2.1940 age 28 years 5 months. Posted to 2/7th Bn on 6.4.1940 and embarked for the Middle East on 15.4.1940, embarked for Greece 9.4.1941 and returned from there in June 1941. Embarked for Australia on 8.3.1942 and disembarked Ceylon 7.4.1942 and did not re embark until 12.7.1942 and arrived in Australia 4.8.1942. Transfers to 2nd Aust Tank W/Shops AEME on 3.10.1942 and then 2/4th Aust Base W/Shops, discharged from the Army on 3.10.1945. In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed and it was rebuilt from a small core in Palestine in Garrison duties and then in Ceylon before returning to Australia..1)Medal set, brass plate mounted , group of (5) re .J. Murphy 1.1939 -45 star 2. Africa star 3. Defence medal 4. War medal 1939 -45 5. Australian service medal 1939 - 45 .2) Ribbon , single "Africa Star" with pins uniform attachment"VX15580 J Murphy"numismatics- medals - military, metalcraft

Richard James Smethurst enlisted No 2517 in the 7th reinforcements to the 5th Bn AIF on 13.7.15. He embarked for overseas and was hospitalised in Malta where he died from septicaemia caused by an insect bite on 28.11.15.550.1. Medals, court mounted, set of (3) re R.J Smethurst. 1. 1914-1915 Star 2. War Medal 1914-1918. 3. Victory Medal 1914 - 1919 550.2 Mothers and Widows Ribbon. Black cloth ribbon with silver bar. For a son KIA No 12701. Silver bar missing from bottom edge. (Possibly J2701)550.1, " Pte R.J Smethurst 2517 5 BN AIF" 550.2,"Australian Military Forces for Australia".medals, military, remembrance

Charles Benjamin Booth enlisted age 18 years in the 7th reinforcements 38th Batt AIF on 26.1.17. Embarked 19.2.17. Hospital 20.6.17 with Influenza, again 1.1.18 Bronchitis, finally 5.2.18 with Trench Fever. Discharged from the AIF on 28.10. 18. Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re C.B Booth. 1. War Medal 1914-1918. 2. Victory Medal 1914 - 19, replica not engraved."3034 Pte G B Booth, 38 Bn AIF"numismatics - medals, metalcraft-gold/silver gilt, ron mills collection

Archibald Frederick Ronald enlisted in the 14th reinforcements 7th Batt AIF on 21.10.15. Transferred to 15th MG Coy 25.7.16. Hospitalised with Bronchitis 28.11.16. WIA 10.5.17 GSW to right hand. Promoted Corporal 14.4.18. Discharged from the AIF 22.8.19.Medal set, court mounted, set of 2 re A.F Ronald. 1. War Medal 1914-1918. 2. Victory Medal 1914 - 19, replica not engraved..1 "4584 Cpl AF Ronald 7 BN AIF"numismatics- medals - military, metalcraft-gilt, ron mills collection

Charles Herbert Balfour Smith enlisted in 2nd reinforcements 25th Batt AIF on 7.7.15. WIA 5.8.16 GSW to the thigh. Transferred to 7th MG Coy 11.2.17. KIA 10.10.17.Medal set, court mounted, set of (3) re C.H.B Smith. 1. 1914-15 Star, replica not engraved. 2. War medal 1914-18, replica not engraved. 3. Victory medal 1914 - 19.Victory Medal "1754 Pte CHB Smith 25 Bn AIF"numismatics-medals-military, military history-army

Harold Hall enlisted in G Coy 10th Batt AIF on 24.8.14. Hospital on Gallipoli with Diarrhoea 9.5.15. WIA 7.8.15 GSW to the head. Transferred to 7th Field Ambulance 25.5.16. Hospital with Diarrhoea 26.12.16. Hospital with Scabies 10.4.17. Promoted to L/Cpl 25.1.18. Returned to Australia 21.4.18 for Staff duties. Discharged from the AIF 27.8.18. Medal set, court mounted, set of (3) re H. Hall. 1. 1914-15 Star. 2. War medal 1914-18 3. Victory medal 1914 - 19"270 L/Cpl H Hall 10 Bn A.I.F."medals, military

James Henry Wicks, Regt No 4626 enlisted in 14th Reinforcements to the 7th Battalian AIF on 12.7.15 age 40 years 8 months. Embarked for Eygpt 28.1.16, transfered to 57th Batt 2.4.16, embarked for France 17.6.16, transfer to 15 MG Coy 27.7.16, discharged from the AIF on 22.8.19. Refer 2060.2 re his brother Francis Charles Wicks KIA.Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re J.H Wicks. 1. 1914-15 Star. 2. War medal 1914-18, replica not engraved."4626 Pte J.H Wicks 7 BN A.I.F"medals, military