Sand was collected from the Tobruk battlefield with a small portion poured onto the coffin of ex-veterans of the siege. Part of the collection of "William Anthony Theodore DSM", PM 2981. Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.Solid glass carafe bottle. Clear glass with stopper, topped with a glass round ball, 5 cm in diameter. Contents of glass, fine white sand from Tobruk.william anthony theodore dsm, rats of tobruk, sand

Sand was used in funerals when it was sprinkled on the coffin during a funeral for veterans of the Battle of Tobruk by the Rats of Tobruk Association. Items part of the collection of "William Anthony Theodore DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.Small jar bottles mostly containing white sand from Tobruk. Three bottles are brown glass and five bottles are clear glass. All jars have a silver tin lid. Two of the jars label but all are of the same size and shape.Some jars labelled "Bex" tablets Paracetamol.tobruk, funeral services, william anthony theodore dsm

The cap was swapped for a packet of " Dereske." cigarettes by Bill Theodore DSM, PM2981 when he was on HMAS Vendetta. The cap was from a German POW who was being taken out of Tobruk on the Vendetta during the Siege. Refer Cat No 7926P for Bills service details. German cap, green cotton, on the front is a "German Eagle." light blue, under is a diamond shaped brown with a blue, white & red circle centre, inside is red lined."Berlin No 55558KB"uniform - german army, theodore dsm, tobruk

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

Jean is wife of William Theodore DSM. Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service details.Certificate for Jean THEODORE for 15 years service to Girl Guides."Long Service Award to Jean Theodore for 15 years Outstanding Service to Girl Guides Victoria". Signed by Staff Commissioner, "Dated 27 April 2001".girl guides, jean theodore, long service award

Items part of the collection re William Anthony THEODORE DSM. Refer Cat. No. 7926P for service details.Foolscap size yellowing paper with the script of 15 different songs and some mass responses for the service. Writing in black.Headed s.s."ORANTES, SUNDAY APRIL 9TH, 5.00- 6.00PM SONG SERVICE, TOBRUK MEMORIES". "CONDUCTED BY PADRE A.W. McIlveen".tobruk, remembrance service

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

Items in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". Refer Cat. No. 7926P for his service record.1. Jumper part of winter ceremonial uniform worn by Recruit to Leading Seaman ranks RAN. Also known as a "Barathea" or jumper. Black colour wool fabric with square collar, V shaped front openings, long sleeves with cuffs and two dark blue colour plastic buttons. One good conduct stripe on left sleeve. Rid ribbon on black fabric. White cotton fabric manufacturers label. 2. Bow attached at bottom of front V - navy blue cotton tape. known as a "bow". Manufacturers Information - black thread embroidery "ESQUIRE PTY LTD / 1940/ size" Owners stamp on underside of Collars - white ink stamp "W. A. Theodore"uniform, ran, ww2, william a theodore

Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) Theodore DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service record. This is a commissioning poster. Poster - colour print on paper of painting by Tom Freeman of the HMAS ARUNTA, No. 151 painted on ship's hull. The ship's emblem and motto appear lower right. An image of Aboriginal men appears in the sky above the ship. Artist's signature appears lower left. Frame - varnished timber frame with decorative moulding. Glass front and cardboard backing. Information printed on poster - black ink print. Top: "HMAS ARUNTA" Bottom - "Commissioned 12 December 1998/ Port Melbourne, Victoria".poster, ran, hmas arunta, william anthony theodore, framed accessories

Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) Theodore" DSM. Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service record.Painting - black, blue, grey, white, green colours, oil artists paint. Depicting - sea, sky with shimmering cross and two sailors caps floaing on the water. Painted on glass. Painting appears to be signed by artist with two capital letters "WG". Glass sheet used for painting and provides the frame.Artist signature "WG".framed accessories, painting, william theodore