On December 16 1940 the 2/24th Battalion arrived at Dimra Camp in Palestine prior to and following the Siege of Tobruk in 1941The 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 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of camel train on dirt track with white tents on right and small buildings and tents on left."Dimra Camp" handwritten on note adhered to rear.2/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, palestine

On December 16 1940 the 2/24th Battalion arrived at Dimra Camp in Palestine where they were based prior to and following the Siege of Tobruk in 1941. Whilst in camp the band entertained the troops.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 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph depicts soldiers playing brass instruments seated in two rows in a semi circle facing conductor in the open.Handwritten on rear 2/24 Band"Dimra Camp" prior to Tobruk 19412/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, palestine

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

Ottoman War medal was give by Ottoman Empire to soldiers during WW1 for gallantry. Australian soldiers began to see these after the Gallipoli campaign particularly during the conflict in Sinai and Palestine. Martin Balsarini fought in the Battle of Beersheeba in Palestine. It is likely that he collected this medal during that campaign. This object is significant because Martin Balsarini was Chiltern Valley resident who fought in the Gallipoli campaign. This is a rare medal highly prized by Australian soldiers. Martin is listed on the Chiltern Shire Great War Honour Roll Star shaped medal with five points, inlaid with red enamel with silver edges. Large crescent moon in centre as well as Islamic patterns and writings, including calendar date. Reverse side has a pin holder inscribed with BB&co. Silver is tarnished and scratched.BB & Co. Islamic inscriptionschiltern, martin balsarini, ottoman, medal, world war one, gallipoli, beersheba, gallipoli star

William 'Lauchie' McGrath, an accountant with Australian Mercantile Land & Finance (AML&F), enlisted in AIF in September 1914. He was posted to 8th Light Horse regiment with the No 268 and rank of trooper. He rose through the ranks, serving at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine reachin the rank of Captain/Adjutant of the regiment. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. McGrath wrote the History of the regiment (See 3091.901) Following his return to Australia he took up farming in the Upper Murray, On 10 February 1924, a community picnic was being held at a creek below his Jingellic homestead when a maniac armed with a rifle came out of the scrub and proceeded to shoot indiscriminately int the party. No reason was ever given but it was presumed that he wanted to kill one man who was not among the five he hit. McGrath got the women and children into the creek and organised the other wounded - he had already been hit in the chest - into cover before running over open ground for his rifle in the house. In all he stopped five bullets but the gunman bolted once McGrath appeared with his own weapon.Some weeks later he was captured getting milk from a dairy and declared insane. One of the five victims died that day, one some months later, one had to use a stick for the rest of his life and McGrath was forced to give up the farm and return to his old job as an accountant. He was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society of NSW and the silver medal of the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of NSW. The latter body felt the water in the creek made it appropriate to also make the award. McGrath enlisted again in World War Two, serving firstly as 2/ic Broadmeadows Camp and later 2/ic the Officer Commanding 12th Garrison Battalion. Framed black and white photograph of mounted officer with tents in background.Across lower edge of frame "Capt. McGrath. MC.. MID. 8th Australian Light Horse"mcgrath, 8th, light horse, garrison, royal humane society nsw

non-fictionTranscription of diaries and notebooks of Trooper Harry Turner, 8th Australian Light Horse 1915-18 give a vivid account of a light horseman participating in the battles on the desert campaign 1916-1918.world war one, wwi, egypt, palestine, light horse, turner

This diorama is the central feature in the World War 1 Gallery - Middle East Campaigns sequence and shows typical uniforms and accoutrements of the Australian Light Horse and Ottoman infantry.This diorama attempts to convey the conditions experienced and the country traversed during "The Great Ride"1:1 scale diorama showing mounted trooper of 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment in Palestine 1918 and dismounted Ottoman soldiergaza, beersheba, light horse

The 8th Light Horse Regiment was raised at Broadmeadows Camp in 1914 and served at Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine, Transjordan and Syria. At Gallipoli the regiment took part in the ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 and suffered horrendous casualties including the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White. Following the evacuation the regiment was brought up to full strength under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC and went on the participate in all the major actions of the desert campaign culminating in the capitulation of Turkey in October 1918. The regiment was in reserve at Beersheba and came under air attack resulting in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Maygar. The post-war regimental association met regularly until the late 1970s when dwindling numbers brought about its closure.A rare document relating to a Victorian mounted regiment of World War 1 (1914-1918) with the thank-you cards providing a unique method of recording the passing of this proud regiment into history.Blue hardback scrap book containing a roll of members of the 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF Association, some newspaper clippings about Light Horse in the Middle East campaign, collection of return-thanks cards for deceased members of the regiment pasted in, and hand written letter to Matthew (Matt) Maynes thanking him for his sterling service as secretary of the association.8th light horse, association, wwi, world war one

The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.Comparatively rare collection of photographs of 8th Light Horse (AIF) on operations in Egypt and Palestine 1916-1918.Black and White photograph of bivouac beside river. Several soldiers of the 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF, two horses, pontoon bridge, and washing drying on line beside bivouac."Crossing the River Jordan"8th, light horse, wwi, world war one, aif, middle east, jordan

Ill, p.170.non-fictionWith the light horse through Sinai and Palestineworld war 1914-1918 - australian light horse, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - middle east

Ill, p.129.A persona account of the light horse in Palestineworld war 1914-1918 - australian light horse, world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - middle east

Ill, p.232non-fictionThe true story of Horrie the Wog-Dog who was adopted by the Australian Signal Platoon of the M/G Battalion, in spite of all rules against keeping pets, and how Horrie not only won his stripes as a valuable addition to the group but had the further distinction of being smuggled into Australia on their return. The Wog-Dog was sneaked into Greece, went through the evacuation, carried messages as well as proving a dependable warning against air attacks. He went to Syria and Palestine, never learning to tolerate Arabs - he suffered cold and sickness, he fell in love with Ishmi, he was bombed off his ship and he never once was found during all necessary cover-up travelling. A story for all dog lovers, in spite of heavy Australian slang and style, of a dinkum Aussie who was kept, protected and loved by dinkum Aussies. Sentimentality over canines seldom misses fire. australia - armed forces - mascots, world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa

Ill, maps, p.153.non-fictionAn illustrated history of the Australian participation in the Middle eastworld war 1914-1918 - campaigns - middle east, world war 1914-1918 - australian light horse