The Tobruk Siege Medal is an unofficial award issued by the "Rats of Tobruk" Association in 1977 to troops who were in action during the Siege of Tobruk between April and December 1941. Medal issued posthumously to Corporal Percy Angus KIELY VX48300 Born 30/1/1906 at Wangaratta who served with 2/23 Battalion in the MIddle East and New Guinea. Percy died on 25/4/44 from a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage when struck by a falling limb of a tree on 21/4/44 at Whitfield. The Tobruk Siege Medal is an unofficial award issued by the "Rats of Tobruk" Association in 1977. The Tobruk Siege medal known as the T medal was issued to Australian, British, Indian, New Zealand and Polish troops who were in action during the Siege of Tobruk between April and December 1941. T shape medal in silver metal with cream coloured ribbon with red and light blue strip Tobruk Seige 1941tobruk, t medal, ww2, percy kiely, 2/23rd battalion

The Tobruk Seige medal - known as the "T'' Medal was issued to Australian, British, Indian, New Zealand and Polish troops who saw action at Tobruk between April and December 1941. T shaped Silver Medal with Tobruk Seige 1941. The ribbon is khaki with light blue and maroon stripes. The medal is issued by the Rats of Tobruk Association. That makes it un-official. It is however recognised. M. Davis (recipient) on rear side of medal.

Australian Positions as at 1 May 1941photo/pictures, ballarat rsl, ballarat

The Rats of Tobruk Association, Inc, Victoria was formed in September, 1945. The Association was open for those Servicemen who had Served at, and during, the Longest Siege in British Military History - the Siege of Tobruk - 240 Days, between April10th and December 10th 1941 in WW2 and who were fortunate enough to return to Australia at the end of hostilities. Of approximately 14,000 Australians involved in the Siege of Tobruk, 559 were KIA, 2450 were WIA and 941 became a POW. Brown wooden lacquered shield with the Rats of Tobruk Association symbol (brown rat on gold circle with white ad gold scrolls surrounding with the name of the association printed upon) overlaying a yellow T below a crown. Below the symbol is the motto 'no surrender'.THE RATS OF TOBRUK ASSOCIATION NO SURRENDER

In July 1940 the 2/24th Battalion was formed. They set off from Caulfield for the still-being-built Bonegilla camp, stopping off at Wangaratta where they camped at the showgrounds. 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’. Presented with a 14 foot pennant the Battalion marched through the streets of Wangaratta on 27 September 1940 on the way to Bonegilla. Training continued in Bonegilla until the soldiers sailed on HMT Strathmore for the Middle East on 16 November. The Battalion was eventually attached to the 9th Australian Division, one of the most famous army fighting formations in World War 2. They served in Tobruk (1941) Tel el Eisa (1942), El Alemain (1942), New Guinea (1943) and Tarakan (1945).During the Tobruk siege the 9th Division was called the ‘The Rats of Tobruk’ by William Joyce, the German propagandist. The 2/24th Battalion suffered more casualties than any other 2nd AIF Battalion – 360 killed and 900 wounded. Brown lacquered wood shield with a silver metal 2/24 symbol on it.2/24 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATALLION TOBRUK . THE SALIENT . TEL EL EISA . EL ALAMEIN . LAE . NADZAB . WAREO . TARAKAN I HOLD FAST

This cushion cover was owned by Arthur Lock, a soldier in the 2/23rd Battalion. After initial training in Albury, N.S.W. and Bonegilla, Victoria, they left for overseas service. Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. From Egypt they were deployed to Tobruk.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A cushion cover embroidered with the insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 1941world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, egypt

This cushion cover was owned by Arthur Lock, a soldier in the 2/23rd Battalion. After initial training in Albury, N.S.W. and Bonegilla, Victoria, they left for overseas service. Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. From Egypt they were deployed to Tobruk. The battalion helped defend Tobruk for eight months, manning a series of concrete pillboxes located in a semicircle around the town, called the Red Line. In October the majority of the 9th Division, except the 2/13th Infantry Battalion, was evacuated by sea. The 2/23rd left on 18 October and sailed to Alexandria. The division was transferred to Palestine and then Syria for rest and garrison duties.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A cushion cover embroidered with the insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 1941. Top 'Souvenir of Palestine" Centre Insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, Bottom "1941"world war 11, rats of tobruk, palestine

This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.This shaving brush was part of standard supplies and personal items issued to members of the Australian Defence Forces during World War 2.Standard Defence issue shaving brush issued to Australian personnel during the World War 2 era. It has a pine timber handle with black bristles and string reinforcement bindin at the top of the handle. On base of brush "H. OLDFIELD/& SON/ SYDNEY/1941world war 11, rats of tobruk, soldiers kit

This cassette was taped by the Rats of Tobruk Association. ABC war correspondent Chester Wilmot (1911-1954) pioneered the use of recording equipment in the field. He spent several months in Tobruk in 1941. In October 1941 the ABC Field Unit recorded a concert put on by 400 Australian soldiers in an ammunition cave. Wilmot’s introduction sets the scene and items feature individual and chorus items and a saxophone and piano accordion performance.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A cassette of the Tobruk Concert held in 1941 in the caves behind the lines in an armament cave in Tobruk. "TOBRUK CONCERT 1941"world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, chester wilmot, concert in tobruk

Arthur Lock was a Rat of Tobruk and served as President of the Albury Rats of Tobruk Association. 14,000 Australians were in Tobruk during the siege. On return to Australia the veterans looked to maintain the ties created amongst those who were in Tobruk during the siege and to ensure their needs were supported. In 1944, the Rats of Tobruk Association, NSW was established. This was followed by the establishment of the Victorian Branch on 2nd October 1945. Other branches and sub-branches were established across Australia and a Federal Council was established in 1946. With the passing of the survivors of Tobruk, most branches have been wound up with the exception of the Victorian branch. Since 2012 the Rats of Tobruk Association Inc. has opened up affiliate membership to descendants and relatives of the original "Rats" in order to preserve their legacy.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A Christmas card produced by the Rats of Tobruk Association. It includes an image of St. Anthony's Church, Tobruk taken in 1941.world war 11, rats of tobruk, rats of tobruk association

non-fictionThe 2/23rd Infantry Battalion was raised at the Albury Showgrounds in New South Wales in June 1940, as part of the 26th Brigade. Initially the brigade belonged to the 7th Division but in early 1941 moved to the 9th Division. The need fo larger quarters saw the battalion transferring to a new camp at Bonegilla to complete their training .before sailing for the Middle East in November. Most of those enlisted in this Battalion were volunteers from the Albury Wodonga area the Aldermen of Albury expressend the wish that the unit be given the title of "Albury's Own" and this was accepted on its behalf but the commanding officer. The men of the 2/23 rd Battalion served with honour in the Middle East, including at the Siege of Tobruk and El Alamein. After returning to Queensland for training in jungle warfare conditions, they were then deployed to New Guinea and Tarakan. This book tells the story of the service and brotherhood demonstrated by the men of "Albury's Own." Written and composed by officers and men of the 2/23 Battalion, A.I.F. 9th Division, while on active service, Palestine, Tobruk, Syria and El Alamein.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk

non-fictionThe Siege of Tobruk lasted for 241 days in 1941. Tobruk was the only harbour between Bengazi and Alexandria and became crucial in preventing Rommel's sweep to the Nile. Tobruk was captured in 1941 and became a beleagured fortress until its garrison was relieved in November 1941. Churchill and his War Cabinet had declared that "Tobruk must be held to the death". The Australians under Major General Morshead fought like tigers . Nazi propaganda radio broadcasts spoke contemptuously of the Tobruk defenders as ‘rats’. In defiance, the soldiers proudly adopted this nickname and have been known by it ever since. During the siege, they designed their own medals, in the shape of a rat, made from the scrap metal of a downed German aeroplane. Anthony Heckstalk-Smith who was himself a Flotilla Officer the "A" Lighters which provided supplies to the garrison, researched evidence from officers of all units involved - Australian, South African, German and British to write this controversial story of men in battle.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, siege of tobruk

non-fictionThe Siege of Tobruk has become one of the famous sagas of courage against the odds. Much has been written about it. This publication was the first visual record covering the Siege from all points of view. It includes more that 500 photographs, many taken by troops in the forward areas. The compiler of this publication was a Liaison Officer attached to Headquarters, 26 Australian Infantry Brigade and was mentioned in despatches for his part in the withdrawal from Benghai and the Battle of the Salient in Tobruk.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk

Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". Refer Cat. No. 7926P for his service record.HARD COVER BOOK WITH DUST COVER. Hard cover - cardboard with adhered yellow colour buckram over. Red colour print on front and spine with black and white photograph illustration from front to back of a battle scene. Dust cover - Paper, off white with print and illustration same as above. 256 pages - cut plain, white glossy paper. This is a pictorial book. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. End papers - front and back - colour wrap of "TOBRUK DEFENCE (12 Jan 1941)". books, tobruk, ww2, william anthony theodore

Item in the collection re William Anthony (Bill) Theodore DSM. The Sailor is Willam Anthony Theodore DSM, enlisted on 2.9.1940 in the RAN No PM2981. He served in the Seige of Tobruk, Greece, Crete, Matapan, Singapore, Pacific Islands, New Guinea to the Phillipine's. The HMAS Vendetta he was sailing on made 39 trips into Tobruk Harbour during the siege. In October 1941 so many bombs were dropped around the Vendetta that her Boilers and Engines shifted on their mountings and was ordered to Singapore for repairs. After Bill served on HMAS Arunta and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for "Gallantry, Skill and Devotion to Duty" during the Assault Operations at Lingayen Gulf. Bill was discharged from the RAN on 21.11.1945. From 1956 - 1995 over specific years Bill held the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer & Welfare Officer of the "Bendigo Rats of Tobruk Association". He was awarded a Life Membership & a Certificate of Appreciation for his services.Photograph, B&W portrait of an RAN Sailor on photographic paper, noted on Sailors Cap "HMAS Cerberus". Frame , metal backing with stand, front shallow convex shape with light brown colour paper mount, heavy plastic cover moulded to shape over photo and mount, owners white adhesive label on the back.Information on label, "THEODORE William Anthony", in black ink print, "Preferred name: Bill/19.03.1917"framed accessories, ran, theodore dsm, photograph, portrait

White canvas shopping bag with two short straps held by studs and emblem on front of Rats of Tobruk Association and identifying 50th year Anniversary from 1941 to 1991.Label says "1941 - 50th Anniversary - 1991". "The Rats of Tobruk Association". 10-4-41 - 17-12-41 Siege of Tobruk". Inside in pen "Jean THEODORE BENDIGO".

Andrew Edwardson Gates was born on the 30th December 1915 in Carlton, Victoria. He enlisted in South Melbourne on the 4th November 1939 whilst living in East Brunswick, Victoria. Discharged on the 5th October 1945 with the rank of Private.Full set as follows: 1939-1945 Star The Africa Star with 8th Army Bar The Pacific Star 1939-1945 Defence Medal 1939-1945 War Medal 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal 1941 Tobruk Siege Medal with Miniatures The recipients name and service number are impressed on the bottom edge of the 1939-1945 Defence, 1939-1945 War and 1939-1945 Australia Service medals - VX2151, A. E. Gates. A Gates is engraved on the back of the 1941 Tobruk Siege Medal.