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Bendigo Military MuseumManual - VOLUNTEER DEFENCE MANUAL, Illustrated Notes for Volunteer Defence Corps, Australia 1942, 1942
... on enemy forces. Illustrated Notes for Volunteer Defence Corps ...Spiral bound gloss paper illustrated notes for the Australian defence Corp Volunteers, 32 pages, subjects covered, camouflage, stalking, self defence, small arms, aircraft ID, reconnaissance reporting and general information on enemy forces.volunteers, defence corp -
Bendigo Military MuseumCertificate - CERTIFICATE WW1, FRAMED, C.1941
Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Essendon, Victoria for volunteering service to King & country with the forces of the Commonwealth of Australia. In black print on white background. Black, wooden frame, glass front & cardboard backing.Presented to: “Peter Nelson Gath on 16.9.1941” Signed by: “Mayor & Town Clerk”certificate, essendon, municipality, enlistment -
Bendigo Military MuseumPhotograph - PHOTOGRAPH, FRAMED, Full length portrait of Carl Herman Jess
Carl Herman Jess (Sir) CB, CMG, CBE, OBE, DSO had a long distinguished career. This is a very brief summary. Joined the Victorian Volunteer Cadets 1899 to 1906, joined the permanent Military Forces 1906 No 86 age 23 years 4 months and rose through the ranks to Captain when he enlisted in the AIF as a Capt in 4th INF Brigade HQ age 30 years on 23.9.1914, embark for Egypt 22.12.1914, embark for Gallipoli 22.12.1914, promoted to Major 23.5.1915 and transfers to 2nd INF Brigade, awarded MID 12.6.1915, promoted Lt Col and to Command 7th Batt, embark for France 13.4.1916, awarded MID 13.11.1916, awarded Order of the White Eagle (Serbian), he was Gassed but remained on duty at Pozieres, awarded DSO 1.1.1917, appointed Staff Officer HQ 1st Anzac Corps 12.3.1917 then T/Col, T/Brig General through to 7.10.1918, awarded MID and CMG, 1.10.1919 appointed Director General repatriation and demobilisation AIF, resigned appointed in England 21.3.1920. Post WW1 on return to Australia he served in many Military appointments including Honorary Colonel 7th and 38th Battalions.He was made a Knight Batchelor in 1935. On 3.9.1939 to 31.3.1946 No VP16098 during WW2 he served on the Australian Staff Corps, two of his main appointments being man power Dept Labour and national Service and the Women’s land Army, Awarded CB, he retired due to health reasons with the Rank of Lieut General.Framed Photograph. Black & White full length Portrait of Carl Herman Jess, 1884 - 1948. Commander 10th Infantry Brigade, Bendigo born. Frame - Moulded Timber, Painted Silver, glass front. Mount - dark grey cardboard with white inner mount.White print, left bottom corner of photograph "Carl Herman JESS/ 16 Feb 1884 - 16 June 1948" with brief synopsis of career. White print, right bottom corner of photograph, signature "Austin ???"history, photography, army, ww1 -
Bendigo Military MuseumAdministrative record - SERVICE RECORDS, 1) Commonwealth of Australia et al, 1) 11.8.1911; .2) 9.5.1919; .3) 10.12.1942;
Part of WILLIAM HOLMES Collection. Refer Cat No 2548.2P for his service details. .1) Junior Cadet Record for WILLIAM HOLMES, folded, dated 11.8.1911. .2) Discharged Soldiers Qualification Certificate approving WILLIAM HOLMES for mixed farming dated 9.5.1919. .3) Volunteer Defence Corps certificate detailing WILLIAM HOLMES' service dated 10.12.1942.documents - army records, documents - certificates -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageWeapon - Ammunition Shell, late 19th-early 20th century
Ammunition shell was used in a 40 lb Armstrong Rifled Breach Loading (RBL) Gun. The shell was fired into Westernport Bay by the Hastings Battery Field Artillery in late 1800’s or early 1900’s. It was recovered by divers in recent times. It does not contain explosives because the projectile and explosive were separate items. The Armstrong 40 lb BL Gun There were 4 x 40lb Armstrong (RBL) Guns issued to the Ham and Beef Battery at Hastings Victoria. After the Hastings Battery field artillery disbanded, the 4 Guns were transferred from the Hastings Battery to the Warrnambool Battery field artillery in 1904. (There is a photograph of one of these guns on its carriage, pictured in front of the Orderly room (Drill Hall) at Warrnambool, which is now the Library of South West TAFE). The 40lb Armstrong Guns were recalled back to Melbourne when the government issued the updated 4.7inch QF (Quick Firing) Naval Guns, mounted on carriages, to the Warrnambool Garrison Artillery 1907. The Hastings Museum today holds one of the original 40lb Armstrong RBL guns that were at first at Hastings and then Warrnambool, evidenced by tracing the numbers on that gun. This gun has now been restored. Surviving 40 lb Armstrong BL Guns in Australia The Hastings Museum has restored one of the Guns that was at Hastings and then from 1904-1907 in Warrnambool. This Gun is now on display at the Hastings Museum. This ammunition shell from a 40lb Armstrong RBL gun is very significant because of its association with the Warrnambool Battery Field Artillery in the early 1904-1907. It is known that the original 40lb Armstrong RBL gun used in Warrnambool is now restored and on display at the Hastings Museum. Ammunition shell from a 40Ib Armstrong Rifled Breach loading (RBL) Gun. Metal bullet-shaped object, flat base, tapering to cone-shaped tip. Parallel equidistant ridges run from outer edge of base to position where cone shape begins. Tip has a square-shaped hole in the centre and has a very uneven surface. Base has corrosion and metal is flaking away. Does not contain explosives. Remnants of white paint-like substance in several places. From the Hastings, Victoria, area. Late 19th - early 20th century.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, ammunition shell, 40 lb armstrong rbl gun, volunteer corps, war equipment, defence forces, warrnambool bettery field artillery, hastings battery field artillery, defence of warrnambool -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub BranchWeapon - 1855 Pattern Sappers and Miners Lancaster Sword Bayonet, Carl Reinhard KIRSCHBAUM, 1855 Pattern Sapper and Miners Lancaster Sword Bayonet, 1855
This bayonet and scabbard was made for the Charles Lancaster .577 calibre Oval Bore Carbine and was known as the Pattern 1855 'Sappers and Miners' bayonet because they were designed for use by the Corps of British Royal Sappers & Miners. The first model Sappers and Miners bayonet appeared in 1841 and differs significantly from this type. Pattern 1855 bayonets were issued to some volunteer units of the Victorian defence forces in the late 1850s, Stylised beaked-brass pommel with T- shaped attachment slot. A steel press stud operates the locking catch via a steel leaf spring on right side of hilt. Two-piece black chequered leather grips. Left grip has four small steel rivets, right grip three rivets and the leaf spring securing screw. Brass cross-guard with formed muzzle ring. Long single-edged, pipe backed, quill pointed 24 inch (615mm) steel blade. Original leather scabbard with brass locket and chape.Knight's Head stamping of the German Solingen-based firm Carl Reinhard KIRSCHBAUM bayonet, victorian defence forces, lancaster carbine -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History RoomBook, Bob Nicholls, The Colonial Volunteers, 1988
Hard covered book. The defence forces of the Australian colonies 1836-1901ISBN 0 04 302003 8the defence forces of the australian colonies 1836-1901, the colonial volunteers -
Australian Commando Association - VictoriaBook, Z Special- Desert-Jungle- Sabotage
When Lloyd Campbell joined the AIF, he was underage and went to the Middle East with 2/17 Battalion. Later in New Guinea he made a major career change and volunteered for an unknown unit and special operations. What he had joined was the SRD – known as Z-Special Unit. Z Special Unit—also known as Special Operations Executive (SOE), Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)—was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of 23 commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day. pp. 274, illusts, maps ww2, the australian special operations, special forces, z special unit -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - KOOYONG ROAD, 75, CAULFIELD NORTH
Two copies of a pamphlet for the ceremony of the Third Ordnance Services Unit ‘Exercising the Right of the Freedom of Entry to the City of Caulfield’ held on 23/10/1983. The pamphlet includes a brief history of the unit’s association with the City of Caulfield, a list of individuals holding posts within the Unit, text of the scroll conferring the Freedom of Entry on the Unit, a program of the ceremony, a brief history of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps including the Unit’s use of 75 Kooyong Road as their premises, a brief history of the City of Caulfield from 1937-postwar years, and an explanation of the tradition of conferring Freedom of Entry to a city. The pamphlet includes also: 1/A black and white photograph (47x35mm) of the Mayor of Caulfield, W.R. Walters, undated and unattributed. 2/A black and white photograph (81x69mm) of Major A.G. Storen, Commanding Officer of the Third Ordnance Services Unit, undated and unattributed. 3/A color photograph (88x84mm) of the Sovereign’s Banner, undated and unattributed. 4/A black and white copy (137x87mm) of the scroll conferring Freedom of Entry into the City of Caulfield, which was seated August 4 1978. 5/A color illustration (30x32mm) of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms. 6/A color illustration (40x32mm) of the Third Ordnance Services Unit, Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps Coat of Arms. 7/A black and white illustration (21x24mm) of the city of Caulfield Coat of Arms. 8/A black and white illustration (19x14mm) of the City of Caulfield badge. 9/A black and white illustration (22x31mm) of the City of Caulfield banner.walters w.r., storen a.g. major, finning d.j. captain, hately p.g. major, davidson j. (captain), swendson r. (second lieutenant), caulfield, city of caulfield, australian army, the third ordnance services unit royal australian army ordnance corps, caulfield park, caulfield council, north caulfield, campton e.j. (brigadier), walters w.r. mrs., calder g.k., calder g.k. mrs., mahon j. (chief superintendent), city hall, balaclava road, hawthorn road, glen eira road, hartley avenue, kooyong road, caulfield racecourse, caulfield town hall, alma road, red cheques cab company, army headquarters printing press, searchlight company, amenities store, armoured replacement unit, first base printing company r.a.a.o.c., garden vale, caulfield railway station, paddy’s swamp, great dandenong road, glen ferrie road, dandenong road, east caulfield reserve, caulfield military hospital, ‘glen eira’, town hall, ‘war office’, caulfield district road board, shire of caulfield, caulfield recruiting committee for volunteers, city repatriation committee, red cross emergency service, women’s national service, mayor’s patriotic fund, promotions committee for war savings certificates, war savings group scheme, ‘the gazette’, air raid precautions committee, orrong road, armed forces, world war 1939-1945, local government, parades and processions, military reserves, world war 1914-1918, councillors, events and activities, historic events, official events, caulfield john, wyne agar, murphy (mayor), hale p., ison (captain), fisher andrew, morris t.w. (mayor) -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - KOOYONG ROAD, 75, CAULFIELD NORTH
Three copies of a pamphlet for the ceremony of the Third Ordnance Services Unit ‘Exercising the Right of the Freedom of Entry to the City of Caulfield’, held on 13/07/1986. The pamphlet includes a brief history of the Unit’s association with the City of Caulfield, a list of individuals holding posts within the unit, text of the scroll conferring the Freedom of Entry on the Unit, a program of the ceremony, a brief history of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, including the Unit’s use of 75 Kooyong Road as their premises, a brief history of the city of Caulfield and an explanation of the tradition of conferring Freedom of Entry to a city. The pamphlet includes also: 1/A black and white photograph (61x66mm) of the Mayor of Caulfield, Maxwell Blair, undated and unattributed. 2/A black and white photograph (70x51mm) of Major P.G. Hateley, Commanding Officer of the Third Ordnance Services Unit, undated and unattributed. 3/A black and white photograph (91x90mm) of the Sovereign’s Banner, undated and unattributed. 4/A black and white copy (137-87) of the scroll conferring Freedom of Entry into the City of Caulfield which was seated August 4 1978. 5/A color illustration (30x32mm) of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms. 6/A colour illustration (40x32mm) of the Third Ordnance Services Unit, Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps Coat of Arms. 7/A black and white illustration (21x24mm) of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms. 8/A black and white illustration (19x19mm) of the City of Caulfield badge. 9/A black and white illustration (22x31mm) of the City of Caulfield banner.blair maxwell (mayor), hateley p.g. (major), finning d.j. (captain), lowe g. (captain), barker l.a. (lieutenant), blair mrs., aylen d.r., aylan d.r. mrs., goltz m.h., compton e.j. (brigadier), goltz m.h. (chief superintendant), caulfield john, wynne agar, murphy (mayor), hate p., ison (captain), fisher andrew, morris t.w. (mayor), caulfield, kooyong road, caulfield park, north caulfield, city of caulfield, city hall, balaclava road, hawthorn road, glen eira road, hartley avenue, caulfield racecourse, caulfield town hall, alma road, orrong road, garden vale, caulfield railway station, paddy’s swamp, great dandenong road, glen ferrie road, dandenong road, east caulfield reserve, caulfield military hospital, ‘glen eira’, town hall, ‘war office’, red chequer cab company, caulfield council, third ordnance services unit royal australian army ordnance corps, australian army, army headquarters printing press, searchlight company, amenities store, armoured replacement unit, first base printing company r.a.a.o.c., caulfield district road board, shire of caulfield, caulfield recruiting committee for volunteers, city repatriation committee, red cross emergency service, women’s national service, mayor’s patriotic fund, promotions committee for war savings certificates, war savings group scheme, ‘the gazette’, air raid precautions committee, armed forces, world war 1939-1945, local government, parades and processions, military reserves, world war 1914-1918, councillors, events and activities, historic events, official events -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Newspaper - CAULFIELD RSL
This file contains two items pertaining to the history of the Caulfield RSL: 1/A newspaper clipping (source unknown, undated) announcing the RSL’s intention to release a history on its 90th anniversary, and its request for residents of Caulfield to provide any information they might possess about former servicemen for purposes of compiling it. Included is a black-and-white photograph of five men and a young boy (unidentified, but referred to as ‘veterans and their families at a 1920s social afternoon’). 2/A pamphlet published by the Caulfield RSL (undated, although presumably published in 1979) announcing a toast, and containing a precis of the Club’s history from its foundation in 1919 to 1979caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), ex-service organisations, clubs and associations, returned service people, armed forces, caulfield returned sailors’ soldiers’ and airmen’s imperial league of australia (rssaila), elsternwick bowling club, caulfield city council, victorian amateur turf club, depression 1929-1939, world war 1939-1945, london bombing appeal, fags for fighters, parcels for britain, comfort funds, caulfield central returned servicemen league (rsl), hawthorn road, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, st. george’s road, elsternwick, military history, hughes w. w. ‘billie’, world war 1914-1918, volunteer defence corps, rsl war comforts fund, hostels, holland george sir, home help, hall william brigadier sir -
Federation University Historical CollectionPhotograph - Photograph - Black and White, Member of the Geelong Volunteer Rifle Corps, c1910
... armed forces military volunteer rifles Uniformed male - a member ...Uniformed male - a member of the Geelong Volunteer Rifle Corpsgeelong volunteer rifle corps, volunteer rifle corps, rifle corps, geelong, armed forces, military, volunteer rifles -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)World War 2 Australian Army long woollen gaiters, 1943
A Gaiter or Puttee covers the lower leg and boot lacing and are a type of protective clothing for the ankles and legs below the knee.. These long woollen wrap around Gaiters were issued 1943 to a serving Australian Soldier in World War 2 1939-45 This pair of Australian Army Gaiters were issued in 1943 to one of the many young men from City of Moorabbin who volunteered to serve during WW2 1939-45 WW2 extra long wool wraps /gaiters / puttees Australian Army issue 1943 MADE IN AUSTRALIA / N466 D D / REGIMENTAL NO. ......./ NAME ... C.M / 1943australian army, world war 2 1939-45; gaiters, puttees, woollen goods, protective gear, uniforms, australian infantry forces, moorabbin, bentleigh , cheltenham -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)Badge - WWI Red Cross Buttons
The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire held fundraising events for the support of Red Cross Victoria and made cakes and knitted socks, gloves and scarves for distribution to serving men and women Metal buttons with printing on themRed Crossred cross, fund raising buttons, wwi, wwii, french red cross, british red cross, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, caulfield repatriation hospital -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)Badge - Red Cross - Springvale, 1917
The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.This Carnival was an example of the support given to Red Cross by market gardeners, early settler families and schools in Moorabbin ShireDandenong Red Cross Carnival 1917red cross, dandenong, springvale, chelsea, dingley, keysborough -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageClothing - Leather Leggings, 1899 to 1920
The subject leather leggings are associated with mounted troops known as the Australian Light Horse that served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902. After the war, Britain wanted to use fewer mounted troops and restructured its force around a style of combat that needed more infantry. But the defence of Australia still relied upon mounted military units as these were more mobile than infantry and could travel faster over long distances. Light Horse brigades in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) mostly contained recruits who served in the Light Horse regiments of the Citizen Forces. Many young men from rural areas of Australia volunteered for the Light Horse regiments. They had to pass a riding test to join, this test was easier for men from the bush because horses were still the main method of transport on farms and in country towns. The army did not officially accept First Australians into the AIF until May 1917 when enlistment standards were relaxed to include 'half-castes' with a parent of European origin. Indigenous soldiers served as valuable members of the Light Horse and many possessed excellent horse handling skills and specialist tracking knowledge.The subject items are part of the uniform for the Light Horse Units that served in the Australian army from 1899 until 1918. These leggings were worn by soldiers on horseback and are significant as they represent a noteworthy time in Australia's early military history. It was a time when many young men gave their lives during the South African and First World Wars in the defence of the then British Empire as part of the Imperial Forces that were gathered from many British-controlled Colonial countries.A pair of two Leather Leggings used by Mounted Australian soldiers during the first world war. The leggings are dark tan in colour with stitching to attach buckles and fastener straps. The strap buckles are made of brass and the leather legging straps are of same leather as leggings. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, leggings, leather leggings, protective leggings, protective clothing, australian mounted light horse units, military equipment -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.Book - THE VICTORIAN VOLUTEER FORCE ON THE CENTRAL VICTORIAN GOLDFIELDS 1858-1883
... Victorian volunteer force Victorian defence forces Bendigo ...The Victorian Volunteer Force on the central Victorian Goldfields 1858-1883, MA Thesis. Publisher: Latrobe University, Bendigo. Produced post 2003. Imperial and Colonial defence, Volunteers of Victoria's defences, British army's role, social structure, changing of the guard on the goldfields. Photographs, illustrations & graphs. 144 pages.Bob Marmiongold, goldfields, volunteer force, victoria, history victoria goldfields, victorian volunteer force, victorian defence forces, bendigo and district history -
Coal Creek Community Park & MuseumHonour Roll, Kardella State School No.3196, Honor Roll
List of volunteers from Kardella and Kardella School in the Australian Imperial Forces during WWI.One of the few remaining historic items from the hamlet of Kardella near Korumburra in Gippsland, Victoria.Honour roll made of varnished wood, with two panels, a triangular pediment and side columns tapering at top and base, text in black and gold. Kardella State School No.3196, Honor Roll 1914 The Great War 1919, Duty Nobly Done. * Died in service. Allcorn H., * Ambler L., Ambler, M., Barns C., * Blackmore H., Brydon A., Brydon T., * Cartright J., Chisholm E., Cosson H., Cullen A., * Cullen F., Cullen W., Curran J., Curran R., * Dick A., Dick H., * Dick J., Drownley C., * Dryden H., Elmore A., Elmore G., * Elmore T., Gravell W., Griffin A., Hastings F., Hort S., * Le Maitre A., Mitchell H., Mitchell S., Murray D., Murray E., * McNair A., McNair W., McNaughton D., Paterson B., * Richards H., Richards L., Simpson J., Spry L., Stubbs A., Stubbs B., Stubbs G., Thompson H., Tolson C., * Walker T., Wilkinson A., * Wilkinson R., Wilkinson S., Wilson R., Wynne G.kardella, w.w.i, school, honour roll -
Monbulk RSL Sub BranchBook, Random House, Write home for me : a red cross women in Vietnam, 2006
Working as a journalist at the Adelaide Advertiser in 1966, Jean Debelle yearned to be involved in the biggest story of the decade - the Vietnam War. But only male journalists in Australia were being sent to cover the escalating conflict. Instead, she volunteered to work in Vietnam for the Red Cross to tend to the non-medical welfare of the sick and wounded ANZAC forces. Jean had planned to report on the war in spare moments - but there were none. For one year she lived in the spotlight: a young Australian woman among 5,000 men. This intimate personal account is told from the rare and compassionate perspective of a young woman living close to the battlefront. Jean tells of the resilience of the soldiers in the face of daily atrocities and of the international medical personnel fighting to save lives and to rebuild shattered bodies and minds. It is also the story of the Vietnamese, struggling to maintain not just their traditions but their very lives in the face of brutal hardship. With infectious humour, Jean tells of striving to be like a sister to the men when sex was in the very air they breathed. But she experienced stark terror when she faced a crazed gunman, had a close call in a minefield and was caught in the midst of a Vietnamese skirmish. Jean also offers an unvarnished look at the Australians' worst battle in Vietnam, Long Tan, and their worst landmine disaster. With unblinking candour, she writes of the harsh realisation that after nine months in Vietnam she had grown cold to the unrelenting horror of war. From diaries, letters and Red Cross reports, Jean Debelle Lamensdorf has researched and written a story not only of tragedy but also of hope and humour. It is a compelling adventure story - and one of love.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.302.non-fictionWorking as a journalist at the Adelaide Advertiser in 1966, Jean Debelle yearned to be involved in the biggest story of the decade - the Vietnam War. But only male journalists in Australia were being sent to cover the escalating conflict. Instead, she volunteered to work in Vietnam for the Red Cross to tend to the non-medical welfare of the sick and wounded ANZAC forces. Jean had planned to report on the war in spare moments - but there were none. For one year she lived in the spotlight: a young Australian woman among 5,000 men. This intimate personal account is told from the rare and compassionate perspective of a young woman living close to the battlefront. Jean tells of the resilience of the soldiers in the face of daily atrocities and of the international medical personnel fighting to save lives and to rebuild shattered bodies and minds. It is also the story of the Vietnamese, struggling to maintain not just their traditions but their very lives in the face of brutal hardship. With infectious humour, Jean tells of striving to be like a sister to the men when sex was in the very air they breathed. But she experienced stark terror when she faced a crazed gunman, had a close call in a minefield and was caught in the midst of a Vietnamese skirmish. Jean also offers an unvarnished look at the Australians' worst battle in Vietnam, Long Tan, and their worst landmine disaster. With unblinking candour, she writes of the harsh realisation that after nine months in Vietnam she had grown cold to the unrelenting horror of war. From diaries, letters and Red Cross reports, Jean Debelle Lamensdorf has researched and written a story not only of tragedy but also of hope and humour. It is a compelling adventure story - and one of love. vietnam war 1961-1975 – australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 - red cross - women -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal unit on paradeAttached to rear - Changing of the Guard at Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940no 9 camp wangaratta, ww2, aboriginal soldiers, 1940 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal platoon on parade in two row formation during Officer's inspection.Attached to rear - Inspection Abo Platoon by Colonel Rogers Wangaratta Dec1940 - J A Wright 1940no 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal platoon in single file holding rifles.Attached to rear - Abo Platoon by Colonel Rogers Wangaratta Dec 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of aboriginal soldier holding rifle and young girlAttached to rear - Little girl asking Guard if she can go into Showgrounds Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of 7 aboriginal soldiers with rifles on grass ridge.Attached to rear - Posting sentries - Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph, c1940
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. On the right is (Staff )Sergeant Charles Edmund MORRIS V4127 and 7349 who served with the 7th Battalion during WW1. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white reproduced photograph of 11 aboriginal soldiers in two rows with Officer standing in middle of back row and Sergeant on far right.Attached to rear - Abo Platoon with Corporal Mullett on right (left)of platoon Hon Major J A Wright centre Sergeant Morris on left (right) - Wangaratta 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon, joseph albert wright, charles edmund morris -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services.Black and white photograph of 11 aboriginal soldiers with rifles in two rows standing 'at ease'Typed on Rear - Aboriginal Guard Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchNewspaper - Newspaper Articles, 1940
Article One - Charge! - image of members of the aboriginal group carrying out a baton charge Article Two - Officer's Tribute - image of aborigines at Wangaratta carry out ceremony of changing of the guard Article Three - Two Australians - image of Shirley Anderson, 8, of Wangaratta frequently entertains Diggers, singing and dancing. She visits camp nearly every day to chat with guard on duty. Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Images relates to the "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services. Three black and white newspaper articles adhered to cream paperWarrior Tradition Written in blue ink 28/12/1940no 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchNewspaper Articles
Article One - Image of Private Wally Atkinson from Barmah, Victoria a descendant of Murray tribe. Article Two - Mealtime - image of aborigines at meal time Article Three - Swingtime - image of aborigines practisiing latest hits on gum leaves - members of gum leaf band have raised much money for local hospital,comfort funds. Article Four - Goanna Soup? image of Pte E Foster and Cook H L Harvey with "Myrtleford Mary" camp mascot (goanna) Article Five (on rear) - Canteen - image of aborignal squad at canteen. Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Images relates to the "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services. Four black and white newspaper articles adhered to cream paperno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon, 1940 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of a monument/cenotaph and lawn grave sites with white crosses.Handwritten on rear - Tarakan Cemetery2/24th battalion, wangaratta, tarakan -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPhotograph
September 30,1945 - The official dedication service and unveiling of the Cenotaph at Tarakan War Cemetery The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of monument/cenotaph and catafalque party2/24th battalion, tarakan, cenotaph
