Showing 416 items matching "australian war museum - melbourne"
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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Tin, W T Rawleigh, Circa 1930s
This tin once contained Rayleigh's Nutmegs, a cooking ingredient. It was donated with other similar tins that were used by the donor’s mother who was married in 1932. It those times in Australia all manner of household items, including food and drink, were sold by hawkers (salesmen) who travelled from door to door in both suburban and rural areas. The donor remembered the tin on her mother’s pantry shelf. The Rawleigh Nutmegs label stated “Selected whole nutmegs not ground but granulated to preserve full strength and flavour.” The company had operated in Melbourne, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand. W.T. Rawleigh & Co. was established by William Rawleigh in America in 1889 and later expanded into Australia. The company made a variety of household products in a factory in Collins Place, Melbourne, between 1930 and 1935. It specialised in medicines and remedies, food additives, cleaning products and toiletries. The company in Melbourne expanded into their factory in Dawson Street, Brunswick, in the mid-1930s. Independent salesmen, often referred to as ‘The Rawleigh’s man’, sold Rawleigh products door-to-door between the wars and after the Second World War in the Melbourne suburbs. Rayleigh’s products are still produced today. The tin is significant for its association with W.T Rawleigh, one of Melbourne’s strong growing manufacturers in period particularly between the World Wars. Rawleigh’s was, and still is, well known for its household and cleaning products, medicines, food additives and toiletries. The tin increases in significance for its use as a recognised object found in many Australian kitchens since early days. It gives a snapshot into domestic life and social norms of the pre and post war period in Melbourne The tin is significant for its association with a local family in the 1930s for the preparation of family meals. Rawleigh spice tin, rectangular, tall, used for storing Rawleigh's nutmeg. Tin has a flip-top lid, is coloured gold and comes with directions for use on front, back and sides of container.Text includes “W.T. RAWLEIGH Co. Ltd.”, “MELBOURNE / AUSTRALIA”, WELLINGTON / NEW ZEALAND” “Rawleigh’s / NUTMEGS” Motif: man’s portrait in a circle. Other text includes information about spices.tin container, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, food container, tin, kitchen item, container, cooking ingredient, grocery, spice container, nutmeg, rawleigh co. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Tin, McKenzies Foods, circa 1930s
This tin once contained McKenzie’s baking powder, a cooking ingredient. It was donated with other similar tins that were used by the donor’s mother who was married in 1932. It those times in Australia all manner of household items, including food and drink, were sold by hawkers (salesmen) who travelled from door to door in both suburban and rural areas. The donor remembered the bicarb soda tin on her mother’s pantry shelf. The McKenzie’s Baking Powder label adds the information that the ingredients were “Prepared with Aerophos, Regd. Trade Mark, the finest raising ingredient. A product of Albright & Wilson, Australia Pty. Ltd.” It also says that it “Excels all others in use”. The company began in Melbourne in 1852 and continues today, now run be the fifth generation of descendants from the original owners. This tin originates in the early 1900s from an Australian company that is now managed by fifth generation descendants of the original family after its inception in 1852. The tin increases in significance for its use as a recognised object found in many Australian kitchens since early days. It gives a snapshot into domestic life and social norms of the pre and post war period in Melbourne The tin is significant for its association with a local family in the 1930s for the preparation of family meals. Tin container, cylindrical, with cream and green paper label with gold highlights, motif and text. Used for selling McKenzie’s Excelsior baking powder. Container has push-on lid. Quantity of 1LB. NET. Made in Australia by McKenzie Ltd.Text includes “CLIFFORD LOVE, McKENZIE PTY. LTD.” “McKENZIE’S EXCELSIOR / BAKING POWDER”. Motif: man’s portrait within oval frame with wheat sheaf border, placed below figures of sun, moon and stars. Information and instructions. flagstaff hill asset, baking powder tin, container, flagstaff hill museum, kitchen item, cooking ingredients, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, tin, cooking ingredient, food container, grocery, cookery, rising agent, baking powder, mckenzie, mckenzie foods -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Food Safe, Willow Ware Pty Ltd, 1950s to 70s
This food safe is a mass-produced item made for domestic use by Willow Manufacturing in Australia fin the mid-20th century. Willow started a business in 1887 as a metalworking company based in Melbourne Australia, making tinned biscuit and tea canisters. In the First World War, the company began manufacturing armaments and essential packaging for the war effort. In the early 1920s, Willow produced domestic kitchen bakeware such as tin-plated canisters and baking pans labelled with the well-known Willow brand. Other items at this time include billies, boilers, basins and Coolgardie safes. In the late 1950s, the company ventured into plastics production. and in 1965, the name changed to Willow Ware Pty Ltd, to be more closely linked to its Willow brand. Willow Ware is still in business today.The Australian food safe is an example of domestic food storage and preservation in Australian homes from the mid-19th century and early 20th centuries. It is part of the evolution of food preservation methods leading up to our modern electric appliances. The maker, Willow, has a name associated with practical and reliable domestic products.Metal kitchen safe with two shelves, a hinged door and latch and a small swivel wire handle at the top. Painted light green. Airflow holes have been formed in each side panel. Made by Willow, Australia.Marked "Made in Australia" "Willow"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, food storage, food preservation, willow, willow manufacturing, willow australia, kitchen storage, food care, 19th century, 20th century, willow ware, domestic item, coolgardie meat safe, meat safe, food safe, coolgardie -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Digital, Easy French For Soldiers, 1916
This manual was produced by the Mission to raise funds for the French Red Cross. A first edition was printed in 1915, and then a second and a third. 6000 were at least sold. This sample, held at the Rare Books Collection at Monash University is only one of two known, the second one is held at the Australian War Museum. It is mentioned in Minutes Meetings and in a few articles but the author is unknown. Miss Godfrey spoke French fluently and gave lessons at the YMCA along with Miss Weigall (probably Nancy, sister of Joan Lindsay). She also was friend with the French community having been invited to the Alliance Francaise (Frederica Godfrey was Secretary in 1902), to the Crivellis (Madame Crivelli created the French Red Cross), and probably with the Pignolet family, whose daughters had a French school and one of them had written a manual of French (also held at Monash for comparison maybe).The Ladies from the Guild were educated women and had travelled to even studied in Europe, like Miss Godfrey were able to speak French. In 1915 she and two other ladies gave French classes in the YMCA training camp. With her network Miss Godfrey knew Charlotte Crivelli, a French lady, who created a branch of the French Red Cross in Melbourne. French phrasebook with French flag Revised edition Price 3D (ALL PROFITS FOR FRENCH RED CROSS SOCIETY) To be obtained at the FRENCH RED CROSS / Commercial House, Flinders St. or at / Seamen's Institute, Australian Wharf / MELBOURNE Compiled by the Missions to Seamenfrench red cross, lhlg, ethel augusta godfrey, charlotte crivelli, monash university, rare books collection -
Seaworks Maritime Museum
Model ship, The model was built by the ship's carpenter on board the Archibald Russell, Archibald Russell, 1905
ARCHIBALD RUSSELL (1905-1949) Until 1922 completed numerous cargo voyages to Sydney, Newcastle, Fremantle, Geelong, and especially Melbourne. In 1923 she was bought by Gustaf Erikson, the famous Finnish ship-owner, and carried timber to Melbourne in 1926, 1927 and 1928, and carried grain from Geelong in 1927 and Williamstown in 1929 - and that was the year she won the Grain Race (93 days). She then carried grain from South Australia until the war and was then was taken over by the British and used as a food storehouse through the war. She was broken up in 1949 on Tyneside. An example of end-era sailing ship trade with Australia. Reference: http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Archibald_Russell%281905%29.html She was launched at Greenock in 1905 for John Hardie & Sons.Has significant links with Australian and Victorian commerce. An example of end of era sailing ship trade with Australia. A detailed static model with carved and laminated hull painted in white and maroon, the varnished deck with detailed fittings and rigging, raised on wooden base with simulated waves. Model of 4-masted barque launched at Greenock in 1905 for John Hardie & Sons. Steel barque built by Scott Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Greenock, at a cost of £20.750. Her dimensions were: 291'3 × 42'9 × 24'0 (88.77 x 13.03 x 7.32m) and tonnage: 2354 GRT, 2048 NRT and 3950 DWT. Equipped with two 120' long bilgekeels. Rigged with royal sails over double top-gallant sails. "Archibald Russell" painted on ship -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Instrument - Slide Rule in box, Shanghai Slide Rule Factory, 1978
Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. According to the website SLide Rule Museum this is the Flying Fish 1017 Chemical V2 Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxInscription in Chinese on the boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, nautical instrument, navigation, slide rule, flying fish 1017 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Newspaper clipping, Remembering the Rats, 2011_06
An article about the an exhibition at the Australian War Museum for the 70th Anniversary of the Tobruk campaign.The article records some anecdotes of the "Rats of Tobruk". A 2 page magazine article from the RSL's publication MUFTI.Niltobruk, rats of tobruk, 2/15 battalion, 2/13 field company rae -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Certificate - Certificate - Exemption from Service in the Defence Force, Herbert Vivian, 11/06/1942
Exemptions from serving in the military were made during World War II to protect certain occupations. See this article from the Australian War Museum: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/homefront/reserved_occupations#:~:text=In%20March%201942%20the%20list,for%20any%20change%20of%20employment.Certificate of Exemption from Service in the defence force. Granted to Herbert L. Vivian, as he was employed in a reserved occupation, as a fireman. Printed form, details typed in.world war ii, second world war, exemption certificate, reserved occupation, vivian family records -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Alonzo Box in Army Uniform c1915, Unrecorded, c1915
Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in the Cottage 1865 - 1913. He was the 9th child of John Box 1841 - 1913 and Martha Sheldrake Box who lived in Oakleigh, Alonzo enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/41915. After the evacuation to Egypt he served in France and Flanders and returned to Melbourne February 1918. Alonzo was a pavier / pitcher who was employed to lay the bluestone drains for the roads and sewerage channels in Moorabbin Shire - a skilled and well paid occupation. Alonzo Box was the 9th child of John Box ,who emigrated to Australia in 1854 with his parents, George and Mary Box , and siblings who included William Box. Alonzo enlisted in the 1st AIF and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1915. After the evacuation to Egypt he served in France and Flanders before returning to Melbourne in February 1918. He married Mary Closter in June 1918. His elder sister Rebecca, who was a missionary in China, sent a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk to Mary for her Wedding Dress. This unique dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum and is recorded on the Australian Dress Register 2015.A large photograph in a wooden frame of Alonzo Box 1881-1958 in 1st AIF Army Uniform c 1915box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, closter mary, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, ormond, mckinnon, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, paviers, roads, sewers, world war 1914-1918, anzac, gallipoli, uniforms australian army, box john, sheldrake martha -
Geelong RSL Sub Branch
Photograph - 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Brigade Camp Tripoli, Early 20th Century
The 3rd Light Horse Brigade was a mounted infantry brigade of the 1st AIF and served in the Middle East during WW1.This photograph is of the the 3rd Light Horse Brigade camp at Tripoli, Syria circa December 1918.Sepia coloured photograph on a charcoal coloured matt backing.On the front - 3rd L H Brg Camp Tripoli On the back - B813 Australian Official Photo No, purchased from Australian War Museum Wool Exchange , King Street, Melbourne. Copyright ww1, 3rd light horse brigade, 3rd light horse brigadetripoli, syria, december 1918 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Major-General R N L Hopkins CBE, Australian Armour A history of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927-1972, 1978
Historical referenceHard covered book. 371 pp. ISBN 0 642 99407 2 940.5412'94royal australian armoured corps, history, royal australian armoured corps, history -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Presentation Binder & Case, Lt Col Frank Pearson OAM ED EM, 2010
Lt Col Pearson served in the Australian Army from 1930, then in World War 2. Postings included 1/54 AA Coy in Darwin and and 2/6 Aust Armoured Regt in New Guinea. After the war he was appointed Commanding Officer of 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Armoured Regiment (CMF). Frank was instrumental in establishing the unit museum.Loose leaf presentation binder presenting the service history and CV of Lt Col Frank Pearson.lt col frank pearson, biography -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Photograph, Australian War Museum Exhibition Buildings, 4 LH Officers at Tripoli, 1918
A black & white photo showing six mounted Light Horse officers.On back: Officers of the 4th ALH Tripoli, Syria December 1918photo, light horse, syria -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Photograph, Australian War Museum, 1917?
A black & white photo showing horses being watered at a stream.On back: Members of the 4th ALH Regiment watering their horses from troughs at Auja in the Jordan Valley Palestinephoto, 4th light horse, jordan valley -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Photograph, A snow scene at Lebanon, in Syria, showing Australians among the famous cedars. January 1919, Jan 1919
Black and white photo, Eleven soldiers are relaxing on rocks on a hillside with cedars behind.Photograph No B839photo, lebanon, ww1 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Photo Album, 1920s
This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool -
Victoria Police Museum
Oral history, Sergeant Eileen Rainford, April 2017
Eileen Rainford is a retired Sergeant who joined Victoria Police as one of only eight police women in 1952. Born in England, she served with Liverpool police, patrolling the docks, prior to moving to Australia. Speaking numerous languages, including Polish and German, Rainford worked as a translator and radio broadcaster during and after the second world war. On moving to Australia Rainford joined Victoria Police, where as one of only eight policewomen, she noted a major difference in public attitude towards women working in the force. In this interview, Rainford reflects on these different attitudes and her roles at numerous stations.Digital archive of oral history of former police woman Eileen Rainford. Cut for exhibition purposespolice woman, policewoman, policewomen, oral history, rainford, victoria police -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Charles Lester Gordon Trewin)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined 10/04/1911; Discharged 3/09/1914 WW1 service: Enlisted: 5 September 1914; Highest rank: Captain; Regiment: 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment; Fate: Returned to Australia 15th January 1919.Official documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; trewin, charles lester gordon 5640 -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Charles Belcher)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined: 28/10/1914; Resigned: 3/07/1915 WW1 service: Enlisted: 5 July 1915; Highest rank: Gunner; Regiment: V5A Australian Heavy Trench Mortar Battery; Fate: Died of illness, France, 18 January 1917; Medals: British War and Victory medalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; belcher, charles 6041 -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Edward William Sharpe)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined 3/05/1898; Leave without pay July 1915; Rejoined ca April 1918; Died 28/04/1919 from pneumonic influenza WW1 service: Enlisted 7 July 1915; Highest rank: Sergeant; Regiment: 29th Battalion, A Company; Fate: Returned to Australia 15 April 1918; Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory MedalOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; sharpe, edward william 4706 -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Charles Alfred Taylor)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined: 28/10/1908; Granted leave without pay: 5/05/1917; Re-joined: 1/10/1919; Retired: 8/02/1946; Highest rank: Inspector WW1 service: Enlisted: 10 May 1917; Highest rank: Corporal; Regiment: 38th Battalion; Fate: Returned to Australia 4 July 1919; Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory medalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; taylor, charles alfred 5429 -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Leslie Moore Vincent)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined 2/03/1903; Granted leave without pay 1/09/1916; Resumed duties 6/08/1919; Retired 23/01/1941; Highest rank: Sergeant WW1 service: Enlisted 5 May 1916; Highest rank: Lance Sergeant; Regiment: 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column; Fate: Returned to Australia 8 May 1919; Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory MedalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; vincent, leslie moore 5080 -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Secret & Special. The Untold Story of Z Special Unit in the Second World War
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Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Double Diamonds. Australian Commandos in the Pacific War 1941-45
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Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Proud to be Third. Personal recollections, photographs and a biographical roll of the 2/3rd Australian Independent Company/Commando Squadron in World War II
A 384 page -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Area Handbook for North Vietnam DA Pam No 550-57
Vietnam War A 500 page US military publication on all aspects of life in North Vietnam -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Z Special Units' Secret War- Operations SEMUT 1, 1989
An account of the operations of The Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) better known as ‘Z’ Special Unit. Now a scarce and highly sought after title. The author’s personal experiences with Australian Special Forces (Services Reconnaissance Department) which involved guerrilla soldiering with the head-hunters of Japanese held Borneo during World War 2. Z Special Unit an administrative support unit of (also known as Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)) was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, SRD was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation RIMAU, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of twenty-three commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day.Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 608 pagesInscribed by author-Bob Long AK223 SEMUT 1 Borneo 1945 -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Cameos of Commandos: Stories of Australian commandos in New Guinea and Australia, 1971
The detailed history of the Australian Independent Commando Companies.‘This Padre is able to tell of some exciting experiences that he encountered with the men as the sharp end troops with Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Divisions of 2nd A.I.F.’ Includes Roll of Honour Hard Cover with Dust Jacket – 309 pagesworld war ii, australian commando, independent companies, special forces -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, A history of the 2nd Independent Company and 2/2nd Commando Squadron
The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Z Special- Desert-Jungle- Sabotage
When Lloyd Campbell joined the AIF, he was underage and went to the Middle East with 2/17 Battalion. Later in New Guinea he made a major career change and volunteered for an unknown unit and special operations. What he had joined was the SRD – known as Z-Special Unit. Z Special Unit—also known as Special Operations Executive (SOE), Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)—was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of 23 commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day. pp. 274, illusts, maps ww2, the australian special operations, special forces, z special unit