Directions for the knitting of standard socks for men in active service during WWI. Issued by the Lady Mayoress's League, Melbourne, in September 1915. The Lady Mayoress's League, or Lady Mayoress's Patriotic League, was formed on 7th August 1914 by Lady Hennessy, Lady Mayoress of the City of Melbourne. The League was formed to supplement the official supplies issued to each soldier by providing 'comforts' such as socks and food packages, and by 1915 was the recognised agent in Victoria for the reception and despatch of all gifts other than those sent privately. In September 1916 it became part of the Australian Comforts Funds, an Australia-wide umbrella organisation formed from individual state-based organisations of this type. Folded single sheet of white paper that has discoloured with age, printed in black on both sidesthe lady mayoress's league, wwi fund-raising

The flyer is a call by the St Kilda Patriotic Society to St Kilda residents to donate at least a shilling a month to provide soldiers fighting overseas with comforts from home to help improve their well being, health and morale. Donors were invited to complete and submit a coupon at the bottom of the page, following which voluntary collectors would come to their home to collect the money each month. White paper printed in black on one side. Two copies held, one of which also has the printed letter V superimposed on it.st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising

This black and white image taken of Australian soldiers at the Headquarters of the AIF Overseas Training Brigade based at Longbridge Deverell in Wiltshire England prior to distribution of Comfort Funds Xmas Boxes in 1918. One of the soldiers in the image is Private Llewellyn EVANS 5335 of the 24th Battalion. EVANS was born on the 9/8/1879 at Moyhu in Victoria. He was a farmer and enlisted on the 8/2/1916 at the age of 36 years. He embarked on the 1/8/1916 and was wounded twice, first in 1917 receiving a gunshot wound to the right leg and again in 1918 receiving a gunshot wound to the right arm and leg. He returned to Australia and was discharged on 30/4/1919.Sand Hill (Longbridge Deverill)- Sand Hill camp was built in 1914 to accommodate infantry units. Australian troops arrived at Longbridge Deverill in October 1917, when their Overseas Training Brigade was moved from Perham Down and established there to train soldiers who had recovered from illness and wounds for a return to active service. Brown timber frame containing photograph of large group of soldiers and band members in an open field.Distribution of "Comfort Fund" Xmas Boxes to A.I.F. Longbridge Deverall, March 1918 comfort fund, ww1, llewellyn evans, 24th battalion, longbridge deverill

Pocket Book gifted by the Australian Comfort Fund to George Denis Parker VX123730 who served with the 6th Australia Infantry Training Brigade. He was deployed in February 1944 to New Guinea and assigned to HQ New Guinea Force Details Depot. Based in Buna, in Papua, they carried out garrison duties as well as patrols around the areas surrounding Milne and Nassu Bay. In May 1944, they moved to Lae. Parker returned to Australia in June 1944.An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Red canvas covered pocket book The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book Gift from the Australian Comforts Fund 1942australian soldier's pocket book, george denis parker, ww2, png

Australian Soldier's Pocket book gifted by the Australian Comfort Fund to WO2 Almora Reedie SHARROCK VX142263 Born 13/7/1911 at Dandenong. Enlisted 26/2/1940. Occupation Armourer. Unit 127 Australian Brigade Workshop. Served in New Guinea during WW2An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Red canvas covered pocket book The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book Gift from The Australian Comforts Fund 1944ww2, almora reedie sharrock, 127 aust bde workshop

Certificate of appreciation dated 30/6/1946 presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund by RSS & AILABlack plastic frame containing certificate with black and red writing below two symbols and picture of a buildingThe Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia Presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund in grateful appreciation of meritorious service rendered to the RSL War Service Fund during 1939-1945.comfort fund, ww2, wangaratta, certificate

Portrayal of notable achievements of the men of the 2nd AIF in the compaigns of Libya, Cyrenaica, Greece, Crete, Syria in the defence of Tobruk and in Malaya Singapore.Cream and brown magazine with sketch depicting two soldiers charging with rifles and fixed bayonetsACF - total proceeds for Australian Comforts Fund Price 6dww2, 2nd aif

Soldiers pocket book issued to Leonard Francis MULDOON VX10046 .Born on 14 July 1909 at Condoblin NSW. Enlisted 23 January 1940 at South Melbourne Served during WW2 An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Burgundy colour imitation leather cover book held together with bandaids pocket book, ww2, muldoon

Pocket book belonging to G R Sands of Sea:Lake. These books were gifted to servicemen in WW2 by the Australian Comfort FundAn example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Small red book with plastic canvas cover with black writing.On front cover: The Australian Soldiers' Pocket Book. Gift from The Australian Comforts Fund. Inside written in blue ink: G.R. Sands 71023 Sgt. 401 Road Sea Lake Vic. NOK M.O Sands. DOB 2-1-23. Weight 12st 6lb. Height 6ft 4in.soldiers' pocket book, g. r. sands, australian comfort fund, ww2

For issue to WW1 soldiers both abroad and back in Australia on leave. Issued to Australian troops both overseas and on leave from 1916 on for the duration of WW1. Brass Pencil Case with slide out pencil, miniature. AUST COMFORTS FUND is etched onto the external face of the pencil casebrass pencil case and pencil miniature, australian comforts fund, ww1

Knitting Books provided by The Red Cross for women to contribute to the war effort by knitting garments for soldiers to stay warm. Second booklet also contains a list of donations accepted such as tinned food.Green Folder containing three knitting books. Knitting pattern for wounded soldiers or soldiers currently serving eg air pilots neck muff, airmens wollen gloves and bed socks. Newspaper clipping about knitting.On outside green folder " L.A Anderson, Sutherland's Creek." First Booklet. " Australian Red Cross Society Knitting Book" Second Booklet. " Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division Guide to Knitting" Index of knitting patterns. Third Booklet. "Red Cross Society Australian Branch"wwi, wwii, australian red cross, red cross society, australian comforts fund, knitting, knitting patterns, victoria

Presented to Cecil John Wilson Gillan WWI. From Caulfield Mayoral Patriotic Fund in appreciation to a Caulfield Soldier. It was donated by the son in law of Cecil John Wilson Gillam.Presented to a WWI veteranLeather zippered case is a comforts package from the Caulfield Mayoral Patriotic Fund to a 'Caulfield Soldier.' Inside were two cylindrical containers with lids and a shaving brush, a rectangular lidded container containing soap. Inside is lined. There are four pieces missing. Inside is lined with striped plastic. It was used by Cecil John Wilson Gillan. Materials: Bakelite/Plastic (Containers); Leather (Case); Metal and Cotton (Zip).Gold writing. To a Caulfield Soldier as a token of appreciation from Caulfield Mayoral Patriotic Fund.military history, army, personal effects, containers

Pocket book was given to servicemen during the second world war. This copy belonged to Alwyn. Till. Item was catalogued with the documents and is now in the artifacts.A small red book 'The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book' printed on cover. Book contains information useful to serving members. 'Gift from The Australian Comforts Fund' printed on bottom of cover.'The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book'. Gift from the Australian Comfort Fund' RSL 624.6books, military

WWII Historical significance.This book was a gift to serving members of the Australian Army from The Australian Comforts Fund in 1944. The book belonged to VX37033 Pte Andrew Bishop 2/22 Infantry Battalion A.I.F. The book gives details of relevant information regarding The Army, First Aid, and information about the enemy etc.Inside the front cover written in ink VX37033 Pte A.B. Bishop 2/2nd Inf. Bn. A.I.F. and 2/22 Inf. Bn. A.I.F.. Also a message from Andrews Wife, Dorothy. I received the three parcels on the 24/3/45 love Dot.

Women at home were encouraged to knit "comforts" for servicemen. In WW2 this was not as successful as during WW1 because a) women had a wider range of wartime jobs that limited their time for knitting and b.) Knitting wool was rationed. The Comforts Fund produced its own pattern book that included patters for various socks, stockings, pullovers, scarves, balaclavas suitable for all branches of the armed services.Knitting for Soldiers Knitting Patterns. Fifteen page booklet, supplement to the Australian Home Journal; contains knitting patterns for soldiers WW2. Black and white illustrations. Incudes patterns for socks, gloves, mittens, pullover and head wear.lydia chancellor collection, history, knitting, ww2, australian home journal

This is an example of posters with a patriotic theme the purpose of which was to raise money for goods for service personal overseas, during WW2. "Tin-hat" badges were sold for 1 and 2 shillings and 1pound. The 'tin-hat' appeal was conducted from 4 Sept - 17 Sept in 1943. Organised by the Returned Soldiers League. A poster is superimposed on a hidden print. The poster which is on top of a hidden print has these words written on it: "Don’t Let the Boys down, Help the tin hat appeal for the Australian Comforts Fund, Friday 1 Aug buy a tin hat or send your donation to RSL War Service Fund Tin Hat Appeal Office – Town Hall Melbourne"australian comfort funds, ww2, tin hat appeal

Booklet produced in 1940 for members of the 2nd AIF by the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division. The 128-page pocket-sized book could be carried everywhere and provided Australian soldiers with a wide range of useful information about the requirements of war service and many other important details such as: The Laws and Customs of War - including Geneva Convention guidelines, notes on spies and insignia of rank; Things a Soldier should Know - including over 60 points; Signaling - including flags, morse code, shipboard bell times and time zone; Decorations Awarded to Australians in the Great War; Arabic and Japanese words; First Aid for gas injuries etc.; Australian Historical Events, facts and figures etc.; and Conduct Overseas - including expectations of behaviour when representing Australia. non-fictionaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945, hugh george ferguson

Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, has an extensive reference library, of which this book is a part. Volumes in the library are used by members for research into aspects of local history and/or to support the Society's collections of pictures, maps, fashion and artefacts. Reference books have entered the collection through donation, presentation, collection and purchase.Booklet advising on standards for knitting items for soldiersaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war