The Higginson family farmed in the Kiewa Valley17 pages of photocopied pages from Henry John Higginson's enlistment and service history with the Australian Imperial Force (WW1)world war 1, war service, higginson, kiewa valley

This book has nine volumes with six of them containing three separate books inside the cover. The volumes have red hard covers with gold printing on the spines. There is an embossed image of a soldier on the front covers and embossed shields on the spines. The pages contain printed matter, maps and photographs.non-fictionA four volume set written about the history of World War 1. world war one, james low of warrnambool

This is a book of 170 pages. The cover has a coloured sketch of a soldier on a grey background , two bomb sketches and some black printing. The spine is almost completely missing. The pages contain printed text, maps, sketches, black and white photographs and coloured illustrations. The book is bound with heavy duty staples. There are five loose newspaper cuttings.non-fictionAustralians in World War 1 world war 1, anzacs, australian humour

This is a Warrnambool Technical School badge of the 1920s and 30s. Warrnambool Technical School was established in Timor Street in 1913. The senior section was later called Warrnambool Technical College and then Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education. The latter institute moved to Sherwood Park, Warrnambool and became the present-day Warrnambool campus of Deakin University. Warrnambool Technical School moved to Caramut Road, Warrnambool and is today known as Brauer College. The badge was donated by Mirth Marfell, the daughter of Henry and Helena Marfell. She was born in Warrnambool in 1919. Her grandfather, John Marfell, a Warrnambool hay and corn dealer and miller connected to the Warrnambool Co-operative Milling Company, was prominent in community and civic affairs in the town. Mirth Marfell completed her nursing training at the Warrnambool Base Hospital and served in the Australian Army Nursing Service in World War Two for five years. She then became the first Australian nursing organizer for the Victorian Royal College of Nursing. This badge is of interest, firstly as a memento of Warrnambool Technical School from the 1920s and 30s and secondly because it came from Mirth Marfell, a Warrnambool person who had a distinguished nursing career..1 Shield shaped metal and enamel badge with green border including text enclosing a silver area featuring raised images of a torch, scales, compass, hammer, nails, artist's palette, brushes , a bar and the numbers 192. A pin clip is on the reverse .2 Circular metal and enamel badge with a golden edged green border surrounding a bronze coloured centre with a stylised golden edged scarlet torch and three horizontal bars of varied length. A pin clip is on the reverse..1 WARRNAMBOOL TECn SCHOOL LABOR TO EFFICIENCY .2 WARRNAMBOOL TECHNICAL SCHOOLwarrnambool institute of advanced education, warrnambool technical school, brauer college, warrnambool co-operative milling company, victorian royal college of nursing, history of warrnambool

These badges with the image of King George V of England were sold during World War One to raise funds for allied nations in the war, especially Serbia, Russian Poland and Italy. King George V reigned from 1910 to 1936. The badges were sold the day before the King's birthday celebrations with one known date being 2nd June 1916. These badges are a good example of the many badges or buttons produced and sold in Victoria to aid the war effort in World War One. .1 Circular metal concave badge featuring coloured image of King George V. in uniform and flags surrounded by text on a blue background. A pin clip is on the back. .2 As above but some rust damage .1 KING GEORGE'S DAY COPYRIGHT .2 KING GEORGE'S DAY COPYRIGHTking george v of england, world war one, history of warrnambool

This trophy has been awarded in 1940 in a table tennis competition to a sporting team called C.M.I. Nothing is known about this team except that it appears to be one sponsored by a local Warrnambool church. The Warrnambool Table Tennis Association is affiliated with the Victorian Table Tennis Association and has its headquarters in Cramer Street Warrnambool. This cup is of interest as a local Warrnambool sports trophy awarded during World War Two.This is a silver cup mounted on a brown Bakelite base. The cup has two ornamental handles and an inscription on one side of the cup. The silver is somewhat tarnished.‘Reg. No. 15580’ ‘W.T.T.A. Presented to C.M.I. No. 1 Premiers & Champions 1940’ warrnambool table tennis association, history of warrnambool

This frame contains two as yet unidentified soldiers from two of Australia’s earliest overseas conflicts. The WW1 soldier has the rank of Captain and the Boer War soldier has the three stripes of Sergeant. It is possible that he belongs to the Coronation Contingent of Edward V11 in 1902.These soldiers were selected form all over Australia with 42 coming from Victoria. The Australian War Memorial cites a number of approximately 16000 soldiers who fought in the Boer War from 1899-1902. Of that number 282 died in action or as a result of wounds while around 320 died as a result of disease and accidents. Six received the Victoria Cross as well as other awards for bravery. The First World War had more drastic consequences for Australia. From a population of less than 5 million, 416809 men enlisted of whom over 60,000 were killed with 156000 wounded gassed or taken prisoner. Australian fought from 1914-1918 from Egypt, Turkey, and the Western Front in Europe. These photographs are representative of many photos which are kept in remembrance of Australian soldiers who fought in wars particularly the two world wars. The Boer war photo is a rarer one.This bi- fold photo frame is rectangular in shape with a rounded section at each top. It is leather in composition and has the Rising Sun insignia in each arch which appears to be metal. There are glass covering two photographs one of a Boer War soldier and the other of WW1. It is hinged in the middle with a double layer of leather which is broken .The Boer war photograph has a coloured flag and medal ribbons. The two Rising Sun badges have Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. The frame itself has J C Vickery Regent St W stamped on the back in gold with a crown above it. The photograph of the WW1 soldier has Hana Studio Ltd 22**** which although unreadable has been matched with another photograph to read,” 22 Bedford St Strand London. The photograph of the Boer War soldier has no studio identity. warrnambool history, unknown soldiers of warrnambool, boer war soldier, world war 1 soldier

These badges were produced about 1918 or 1919 to gain finds to assist Australian soldiers discharged from the armed forces after serving in World War One. One source suggests that the badges were sold only in South Australia and raised £500,000 but, as these badges are part of the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in Victoria it is likely that they were sold throughout Australia. The sale of badges such as these was a common way of raising funds for charitable causes, especially during World War One and also during the first half of the 20th century. These badges are retained as examples of the type of badges sold during World War One. They will be useful for display purposes. .1 A circular-shaped metal badge with a gold outer edging and a brown background with a laurel wreath, a star and brown printing within a cream-coloured heart. The badge has a clip at the back. .2 as above Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers Copyright world war one, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, australian soldiers, south australia

These badges were sold in Australia to aid the Red Cross war effort in World War One. The Australian Red Cross was founded as a branch of the British Red Cross in Melbourne in 1914. The organization was chiefly concerned with the welfare of Australian service personnel, sending comfort parcels, working in hospitals and canteens etc.These badges have no known local provenance but are retained as examples of the badges produced to aid the Australia Red Cross war effort in World War One. .1 A circular metal badge with edging in white and red and a white flag with a red cross in the centre set in a light-brown background. Under the flag is printing in red. The back has a metal clip. .2 and .3 As above Australian Red Cross Appeal 1918australian red cross, world war one, history of warrnambool

These medals were produced for Anzac Day 1918 by the Education Department of Victoria and made by the Melbourne firm, Stokes and Son. They were issued to Victorian school children and also sold to aid the war effort. These medals have no particular local provenance but are retained for display purposes..1 A silver-coloured metal medal with an image of an A.I F. soldier and printed words on the obverse side and a banner and decorative leaves and printed words on the reverse side. The medal has a metal circular piece at the top for attachment to a ribbon or cord. .2 as above except that the medal is bronze-coloured. EDV Gallipoli France Palestine Anzac Day 1918 Honor to the AIF S & S world war one, history of warrnambool, anzac day

These badges appear to date from the World War One period. Badges such as these were sold at this time to aid the war effort in Australia and the proceeds were mainly used to provide comforts for servicemen in Australia and abroad. These badges have no known local provenance but are retained as examples of World War One badges sold in Australia for the war effort..1 This is a circular metal badge with a painted green background with red printing and a cream-coloured image of a winged female figure. The badge has a metal clip on the back. .2 as above except that the painted material is more faded Charityworld war one, history of warrnambool, badges

These badges were produced in 1917 to provide funds for the Lady Mayoress’ Fund during World War One. This fund was largely involved in funding canteens and other comforts for the servicemen during World War One..1 A metal badge with a gold rim, a dark gold background, a cream-coloured map of Australia with red printing and five stars representing the Southern Cross (one smaller star may represent Tasmania). The badge has a metal clip at the back and is somewhat rusted. .2 as above I will help until the war is won Copyright S & S (?) world war one, history of warrnambool, lady mayoress’ fund

This kit bag is a World War Two issue for Australian Army soldiers. The bag belonged to Leonard John Hyland of the Australian Army. He was born in Woolsthorpe in 1921 and was the son of John and Edith Hyland. He enlisted in March 1942 and was discharged in 1946, holding the rank of sapper at the time as a member of the 2/1 Australian Docks Operating Company. He died in Parkville in 1985 at the age of 63. This bag is of interest as it belonged to Leonard Hyland, an Australian Army member in World War Two. Hyland was from the Warrnambool district.This is a brown cloth bag with a rounded stitched base. At the top of the kit bag are 12 metal eyelets with a drawstring of white cord. The bag is stainedVX 77088 L.J. Hyland leonard hyland, world war two, history of warrnambool, kit bag

These three souvenir handkerchiefs were brought back to Australia after World War Two by James Godfrey. Flight Lieutenant James John Godfrey enlisted in World War Two in the Australian Air Force from Bessiebelle in western Victoria. He was attached to the British 8th Army under General Montgomery in North Africa and then took part in the landing in Sicily and the subsequent campaign through Italy. Before returning to Australia he travelled to Israel and Austria. These handkerchiefs are retained, firstly as examples of souvenirs brought back to Australia from returning military personnel after World War Two and secondly as souvenirs belonging to James Godfrey who had connections with the Warrnambool district. .1 This is a small pink silk handkerchief with a fluted edge and with some embroidery in one corner with flowers and wording in green, yellow and orange. .2 This is a small aqua-coloured silk handkerchief with a stitched edge and some stitched wording in one corner. Much of the edge stitching has been lost. .3 This is a white silk handkerchief with a stitched edge and a stencilled image in one corner. .1 Till we meet again .2 Bethlehem .3 Souvenir of Egypt world war two, history of warrnambool, james john godfrey

Walking or driving up Main Road, you enter Eltham’s Avenue of Honour, with its rows of plane trees, each commemorating the death of a soldier sent to fight in World War 1. 115 trees were first planted on 21st September 1917 beginning at “the flat” to the intersection of Pitt Street. Tree guards and copper name plates were later added. In the ‘20s and ‘30s too many branches were broken off by carriers whipping their horses up the steep slope. In the 1950s many of the original trees were removed for road widening and new plane trees were planted in their place. In June 2015 during the Anzac Centenary, Nillumbik Shire Council dedicated the new Avenue of Honour in the Eltham Gateway. New markers commemorate local soldiers. Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, avenue of honour, eltham gateway, commemoration, marker

Page 1 article about the laying of the foundation stone for the Baby Health Centre by the Governor of Victoria (Sir Dallas Brooks) on Friday, November 24, 1950 (including photograph of Sir Dallas Brooks laying the stone) History of the War Memorial Following the end of the First World War, communities across Victoria and Australia typically erected memorials which were predominantly statues, cenotaphs, avenues of honour and plaques. The Shire of Eltham established the Avenue of Honour at the gateway to the shire as well as an obelisk at the corner of Main Road and Bridge street and the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground. After the Second World War communities once again desired to preserve the memories of those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Resources were scarce so there was a transition away from the traditional style memorials that sprang up post 1918 to one of building facilities that would provide ongoing benefit to the community. Even before the end of the Second World War, the citizens of Eltham began to consider an appropriate form of memorial for those from the area who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars. In 1943 the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary raised funds for the construction of buildings to be established on land to be purchased for the proposed War Memorial. On March 27th, 1945, the Eltham District Progress Association called a meeting of local people who in turn set up and registered the Eltham War Memorial Trust Inc. As a focus for the purpose of the memorial, the newspaper notice read:- ‘Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of a memorial we are concerned with is the one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.’ At that meeting it was decided the Memorial should take the form of a baby health centre along with a creche and children’s library. In late 1945, the newly formed Eltham War Memorial Trust purchased the land at 903-907 Main Road Eltham from Miss Shillinglaw, which once formed part of the Shillinglaw farm on Lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 “Little Eltham” subdivision. The Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, laid the foundation stone on November 24th, 1950, in memory of those who fell in the Second World War. The Eltham Infant Welfare Centre was opened November 15th, 1952, the Pre-school on December 1st, 1956, and the Children’s Library in 1961. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. Following the opening of the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, work began in 1953 planning for the entrance to the grounds, which is signaled by a wrought iron arch entitled “Eltham War Memorial” . In 1954 the Eltham War Memorial Trust decided that a legacy provided by the late Councillor Ernest James Andrew (d. 29 March 1950) in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ellen Andrew (d. 13 July 1946) and who are both buried at Eltham Cemetery, should be used to fund the construction of the entrance. A metal plate inscribed to this effect was attached to the gates. Work on the Memorial Gardens was undertaken throughout the following decade, with a Memorial Forecourt included in the final 1956 plans for the Pre-School Centre. A quote was accepted by the Trust in 1963 for the implementation of a memorial garden, which included grading of a sixty-five foot strip at the rear of the Trust buildings and construction of concrete paths. The stone retaining walls at the front of the site were installed in 1968 when Main Road was widened and it is believed that the Memorial Gates were relocated at that time also. Eltham Senior Citizens Centre In 1964, Eltham Shire Council purchased a section of land from the Trust at the northern end of the site, as a provision for Country Fire Authority buildings. At the same time the Elderly Citizens Club proposed a Senior Citizens Centre on the south western section of the Trust’s property. This was approved by the Trust with the provision that the building was constructed in ‘accord’ with those already existing. In 1965 Council took on board the plans for the Senior Citizens Centre and applied for a government grant. These could only be awarded if Council owned the site. In 1962 the Trust had resolved to hand over the assets to Council once the Memorial Gardens were completed. This was in line with Health Department requirements that grants for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the three facilities would only be made once the the facilities were completed and handed over to Council. In 1965 the Department of Health further demanded substantial alterations to the Pre-School playground as a result of the pending impact of the planned Senior Citizens Centre and Main Road duplication. As a consequence, handover of the Trust’s assets to Council was initiated with a formal ceremony held in the Children’s Library on August 28th, 1965. The Trust continued on as a committee of management for another twelve months. Plans and specifications for the Senior Citizens Centre were prepared by March 1966. Council obtained a grant from the Government which covered one third of the cost and the building was completed by April 1967. Whilst the Senior Citizens Centre is contained within the original Eltham War Memorial building precinct, it was not part of the original Memorial and was not funded by the Eltham War Memorial Trust.Newspaper Broadsheet, 8 pageseltham children's library, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre-school, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, women's auxiliary

The Changi Museum is a museum dedicated to Singapore's history during the Second World War. The original chapel has been re-erected at Duntroon Military Academy and is on public display as a memorial to the P.O.W's In 1988, Singapore built a replica Chapel and Museum next to the Changi Prison. When Changi Prison was expanded in 2001, the Chapel and Museum was relocated to a new site 1 km away and the Changi Chapel and Museum was officially established on 15 February 2001. Bernard Stogden, the son of Sgt. Harry Stogden, was invited to place the cross that his father made onto the wreathed altar in the new Chapel. He was claimed to have cried while doing so, as this was one of the only chances he got to interact with his father(through his work) as "Harry" Stogden died during the war. The Museum has a collection of paintings, photographs and personal effects donated by former POWs. Among the collection is a series of paintings and sketches by a POW named William Haxworth which provide valuable insight on the daily life of the internees during the occupation. In 1986, Haxworth's wife donated a collection of over 400 paintings and sketches to the National Archives of Singapore. Also in the museum is a collection of watercolour paintings by Mary Angela Bateman who was among the thousands of women and children held at Changi Prison for more than three years during the war.[1]Poster produced by Australian War Memorial detailing the history of The Changi Chapel Framedchangi, changi chapel, changi history

One of four carvers' chairs supplied by Old Collegians Association in 1925 for the newly erected Memorial Hall. In the 1970s these chairs were in use at the end of each table in MacFarland Dining Hall. Student chairs were similar shape but without crest or arms. Significant example of the generosity and involvement of the Old Collegians towards the establishment of the school post World War 1. The OC's supplied three carvers chairs, four dining tables and 40 regular chairs for the memorial Hall, also then known as the memorial Dining Hall. refer Mein's history p.85. Solid wood chair with arms and high back restInitials 'BC" carved at top of back restchair, ballarat-college, memorial-hall, 1925, old-collegians-association

Magazines describing the build up to World War 2. The invasion of countries by Germany to American and japan's involvement. There are 8 volumes with an index compiled by F. D. BuckPictorial .History of Word War 2 in Magazine format containing 3360 pages 0415Eight Red Plastic Folders Containing paper Magazines World War II Vol 1-8 orbis

Hardback,history of the RAAF & Nhill in World War II 1941 - 1946, written by Kevin O'Reilly. Front coloured white & blue, photo of Avro Anson Mk1 on front, with emblems of RAAF and Shire of Lowan. Reverse in simlilar colours, with cartoons and 8 small photos. Preface by Chris G Spence AO, Air Vice Marshal (Retd).history world war ii, raaf base nhill, 1941 1946, kevin o reilly, john clarkson, peter isaccson wing commander retd am dfc afc dfm, chris, spence, air vice marshal retd

EIGHT BINDERS CONTAINING A MAGAZINE COLLECTION. Binder - cardboard covered with brown coloured plastic, metal fastening system. Gold print on front and spine of binder. Magazines - 3560 pages in total, plain white paper, illustrated black and white and colour photographs and maps and illustrations. Vol 1 - pages 1 to 452. Vol 2 - pages 453 to 900. Vol 3 - pages 901 to 1348. Vol 4 - pages 1349 to 1796. Vol 5 pages 1797 to 2246, Vol 6 - pages 2245 to 2692. Vol 7 - pages 2693 to 3140. Vol 8 - pages 3141 to 3560. Index to all binders - pages 3561 to 3580.magazines, ww1, military

Eight binders containing a magazine collection. Binders - cardboard covered with black coloured plastic metal fastening system. Gold print on front and spine of binder. Magazines - 3584 pages, plain white paper, illustrated black and white and colour photographs, maps and illustrations. Vol 1 - pages 1- 448. Vol 2 - pages 449 - 896. Vol 3 - pages 897 - 1344. Vol 4 - pages 1345 - 1792. Vol 5 - pages 1793 - 2240. Vol 6 - pages 2241 - 2688. Vol 7 - pages 2689 - 3136. Vol 8 - pages 3136 - 3584. Index to all binders 29 pages book of binder 8.magazines, ww2, military

Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover - cardboard, black, brown, white and red print on front, back and spine. Front - colour poster type illustration of three figures, male in uniform, woman and child. Dust cover - paper with glossy colour finish, same as hard cover. 244 pages, cut, plain, white, illustrated with black and white photographs.non-fictionA book which studies the Australian home front in depth and detail. books, military history, australians at home

These photographs and medals are of the McIntyre family. Three members of Lara's McIntyre family served during the First and Second World Wars, and two were members of the Lara RSL. John Lachlan McIntyre was born at Beeac, Victoria in December 1890. He enlisted in the 1st AIF in July 1915. John fought on the Western Front, taking part in the battles of Fromelles and the 2nd Battle of the Somme. He was severely wounded at Fromelles and spent 12 months in hospital in England before returning to the front. John returned home in 1919 and was granted a soldier settlement block in Lara in 1937. He was a founding member of Lara RSL and is its longest serving member. John died in 1990. Thomas Gordon McIntyre was born at Lara in 1901. Thomas, known as Gordon, was too young to enlist in the First World War with his brothers. At the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. He fought in the Syrian Campaign, before being recalled to Australia to fight in the pacific campaign. Gordon was wounded in a battle against the Japanese in Java on the 19/02/1942, and taken prisoner. No record of him after this was ever discovered, and he is presumed to have been killed. Jim McIntyre was born in 1893, and grew up in Lara and Geelong. Jim enlisted in the 1st AIF in 1916, and served with the 14th Battalion through the war. He was wounded twice. Jim died in 1976. The McIntyre family were early pioneers in the Lara district, and the brothers were founding members of the Lara RSL. Their medals and photographs represent a significant link to the history of the town and sub-branch. Three photographs and three sets of medals in a pine wood frame with glass covering. Photographs are black and white portraits of soldiers in uniform mounted on cream card. The medals are mounted on black felt. T.G. McIntyre VX20754 - 35-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and the Australian Service Medal 39-45. J.L. McIntyre 3591 - War Medal and Victory Medal J.W. McIntyre 7049 - War Medal and Victory Medal J.L. McIntyre REG. No. 3591 58th. BATT. 1st A.I.F Foundation Member Lara R.S.L 1890 - 1990 REG. NO. VX20754 T.G. MC INTYRE 2/2nd PIONEERS 2nd A.I.F 7049 J.W. McINTYRE 14th BTN. 1893-1975photograph, mcintyre, medals, wwi, wwii, world war 1, world war 2, aif, pioneers, lara, rsl

There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. Between 1899 and 1902, around 16,500 Australians served in South Africa during the Boer War. This was the largest international deployment of troops from the Australian Colonies before Australian Federation. Of the 16,500 men who served in South Africa, 606 were killed in action or died of diseases. The Australian War Memorial records that the fighting conditions in South Africa extremely hard on men and horses. Australians fighting in South Africa were doing so as part of Colony based Regiments such as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, New South Wales Lancers, Queensland Mounted Infantry as well as units from the other states. Australians were awarded six Victoria Crosses during the campaign along with many other decorations. In May of 1902 the treaty of Vereeniging was signed officially ending the Boer War. The Boer War is commemorated in many Towns and Cities around Australia. The Lara RSL Sub Branch holds some memorabilia from the Boer War. There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. He was a resident of Lara and was a member of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. It was reported that he carried this flag into battle. The Lara RSL also holds the flag staff of the China, South African and Old Veterans Association. Both these items are of national significance. Both the flag and flag staff were used in marches in Geelong each year until 1916 when Anzac Day commenced. The flag and flag staff were donated to the Lara RSL sub Branch when he joined in 1928. Fredrick James Smith was born at Lara in 1879, the son of Mr/Mrs Smith from Lara. He was a farm hand from Horton Vale, Anakie when he joined F Company of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles at the beginning of February 1901. Two weeks later, he left for South Africa on the 15th February. Before leaving, he purchased the flag from W. Libby & Son Geelong. Frederick Left for South Africa on the 15 February 1901 on the Orient. He saw service between March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier under the British Major General S. Beatson then Pulteney, including the defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 soldiers were killed and 42 wounded (12th June 1901 - heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent,); and the successful intervention at Onverwacht on the 4th January 1902. The 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles suffered: 36 killed or died of wounds, 13 died of disease of a contingent of 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks and 1099 horses. They returned to Australia on the 26th April 1902 on the Custodian after sailing from Point Natal in South Africa on the 5th April. On his return, Tropper Smith (Saddler Private) joined the South African Soldiers Association of Victoria – Geelong Branch, and after 1928, he joined the Lara RSL. He was buried in Western Cemetery on the 19th June 1968 at the age of 89. Enrolled February 1901 Departed for South Africa on 15 February 1901 Establishment: 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks with 1099 horses Mobilised at Pretoria: 24 March -- 4 April 1901 Typical company: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 company sergeant-major, 1 company quartermaster-sergeant, 1 sergeant-farrier, 1 sergeant-saddler, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 shoeing-smiths, 3 saddlers, 1 bugler, 99 privates. Total in company: 126 with 131 horses. Engagements: Rhenoster Kop, Klippan, Kornfontein, Drivelfontein, Wilmansrust, Kambuladraai, H'Lobane, Luchiel's Nek, Loch's Kraal, Vryheid, Onverwacht, Johnston Hoek Killed in action (or died): six Officers, 48 Other Ranks VC Winner: Lieut. L. C. Maygar News article Leader (Melbourne) Saturday 31st May 1902, page 42 - Dear Cinderella. — This is the second time I have written to you. I was very sorry at not seeing my first letter in "The Leader". But I hope to say, that this one will be in. The last time I wrote to you I told you that my brother (Fredrick Smith) went to the Boer War in South Africa, and that he was supposed to be killed in the Wilmansrust disaster. But this time I am going to tell you about his return, and the grand welcome he got from the residents of Lara. Mother, Father, and my Brother, went down to Melbourne, to meet the boat. You can just imagine how rejoiced we all were to see him back again. The railway station was decorated some thing beautiful with flags of all description all the colours you could think of. He has bought a lot of Boer curios home and some Kaffir bracelets. They are such funny looking things. The residents of Lara, also gave my brother a grand social and ball there were over four hundred people present, They presented him with a hand some gold chain, and locket suitably inscribed, and a pair of gold sleeve links, they were magnificent. The ball was very nice. . I had a few dances. I enjoyed myself grand. I think this is all I can tell you this time. I must conclude with love. I remain yours sincerely - BESSIE SMITH. Age 14-years. This flag is of national significance as it was used in the Boer War by Private Fredrick James Smith (SN:1229) of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, F Company in their deployment to South Africa between 1901 and 1902. The flag was taken into the Wilmansrust engagement in which 19 soldiers died and 41 were wounded. On return to Australia, the flag was used in marches by the South Africa, China Old Veterans Association - Geelong. This flag represents a unique part of Australian history from which the movie, Breaker Morant was taken. It is of spiritual significance as the Boer War was where the first Australian received the Imperial Victoria Cross, and the spirit of Anzac was conceived, giving birth in World War 1. The Flag represents the spirit of Australians who fought and died in South Africa.Cotton Union Jack flag approx 221cm wide by 109cm tall with small repair patches and center section cotton deteriorated.Has the word "Lara" inscribed in black on bottom part of the flag heading. Has the flag makers name "W.Libby & Son" on the top part of the flag heading.boer war, union jack flag, south africa, wilmansrust, 5th victorian mounted rifles, f coy, private fredrick james smith, service number 1229, february 1901, april 1902, south africa china old veterans association