1941 Christmas Greeting card produced for the 2/24 Infantry Battalion AIF whilst abroad to send to family and loved ones.Folded cream cardboard with irregular edging and wording in black print on front cover and inside back cover. Red and white rolled thread/ribbon tied through two punched holes on left margin. Inside contains a black and white panorama of a seaside bay. 1941 Greetings from 2/24 Aust Inf Bn/AIF ABROAD Inside card - Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and Joy in the New Year/Xmas 1941/New Year 19422/24 bn, ww2

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.Cream paper envelope with sketch of full moon over water and palm trees - to the left of this outline in blue of map of Australia with red shield in centreTop left - AIR MAIL above The Salvation Army Red Shield War Services Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Bottom left - " A Merry Christmas to you all" Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

Refers to the service of:- James Thomas Holl, No 2432. Enlisted 1/6/1916 age 39, in the 60 Bn, 5th Reinforcements. Embarked 25/8/1918, for England. Embarked 30/12/1918, for France. Hospital 17/6/1917, Influenza. Rejoined unit 8/3/1918. Hospital, Trench fever 29/4/1918. Rejoin unit 16/7/1918. Transfer to 59 Battn, 25/9/1918. Discharged 2/11/1919. These 'plates' were beaten out of "Fritz's" dixies. (Mess tin). These items could be classed as a type of trench art..1) This is a rectangular piece of flat aluminium. It is not perfectly square, it shows signs of having been panel beated. Words, drawings and numbers are hand engraved on both sides. The animal on this "card" is a kangaroo. .2) This is a flat rectangular plate of flat aluminium. It is not perfectly square, across the middle is a 'dint" that appears to have been a flattened out corner. Plate One: Side A. Kangaroo motif - engraved on this side: A souvenir of Peronne. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 1918-1919. From France J.T.H. Side B - Engraved as per a postcard:- Carte postage France 14/10/18. Correspondence: Dearest Mother and Sisters, Just a card to say I am well. This is a bit of a xmas card. Love to all Jim. Addressee: Mrs Holl. "Holliston" Healesville, Victoria, Australia. Plate Two: Kookaburra Motif. Side A; Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year 1918-1919. A souvenir of Peronne, France - marked. (This side has the remains of some sort of official number - top right corner). Side B: Correspondence: My Dear wife and Family. A few lines to say I am well when writing this. This is a piece of Fritz's dixie. Love to all, Jim. Addressee: Mrs J.T. Holl, C/- Mrs Briggs, 103 Mollison Street, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Carte Postal - Stamp 6/10/18 France.christmas, aluminium, souvenirs