this Working Paper series seeks to provide readers with access to current research dealing with peace and security issues - particularly in the Pacific regions.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - conscientious objectors - australia, conscientious objection - australia

Eternal Flame was created by Ballarat sculptor Peter Blizzard as a marker of the end of WWII in the Pacific. Engraved into the bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue is details about conflict areas where Australian Troops were active. The metal structure mimics a moving flame with it's polished golden hue, a feature included in many war memorials around the world. Peter Blizzard also designed the Prisoner of War Memorial in the South Gardens, Ballarat Botanic Gardens. The metal structure mimics the moving flame of polished golden hue that is present in war memorials around the world. Eternal flame is aesthetically and historically significant to the people of BallaratMetal construction on bluestone tile baseConflict areas for Australian Troops are engraved into bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue. eternal flame, world war ii, conflict, peter blizzard, australian sculpture

RAVENSHOE, QLD. 1944-06-19. THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ALLIED LAND FORCES, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA, VX1 GENERAL SIR THOMAS BLAMEY, GBE., KCB., CMG., DSO., ED., AND HIS STAFF WATCHING PERSONNEL OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 2/24TH INFANTRY BATTALION ENGAGED IN THEIR 3" MORTAR DRILL DURING HIS TOUR OF INSPECTION OF ARMY UNITS IN THE ATHERTON AREAThe 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 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honourReproduced black and white photograph of soldiers and Army Officer watching on as two soldiers in foreground demonstrate equipment2/24th battalion, ww2, ravenshoe, blamey

Dame Gracie Fields, DBE (born Grace Stansfield; 9 January 1898 – 27 September 1979) was an English actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall. When World War II was declared and whilst recovering from surgery she threw herself into her work and signed up for the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). Fields travelled to France to entertain the troops in the midst of air-raids, performing on the backs of open lorries and in war-torn areas. She performed many times for Allied troops, travelling as far as New Guinea, where she received an enthusiastic response from Australian personnel. In late 1945 she toured the South Pacific Islands. In 1979, seven months before her death, she was invested a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the entertainment industry.Reproduced black and white photograph of female wearing army jacket with soldiers kneeling and standing in background. Handwritten on rear - Gracie Fields in Pacificgracie fields, ww2, new guinea, 1945, south pacific islands

The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945. Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. The Australian Army played virtually no part in the Philippines. However, units from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy, were involved.The ships that delivered American troops included three Australian landing ships, HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia. In 1995, fifty years after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, the Republic of the Philippines announced the awarding of a Philippines Liberation Medal to Allied veterans who served in the country or its territorial waters during 1944-45. More than 3000 Australians have received this medalGold with white enamel irregular shaped medal attached to orange ribbon with central thin blue and white stripe. Liberty (front) For The Liberation of The Philippines (back)philippine liberation medal, ww2, robert hutchieson

These notes are generally referred to as Japanese Invasion Money (JIM). This note is one of a series issued by the Japanese forces of occupation in the Pacific theatre during the second world war. Following the fall of Singapore into the hands of Imperial Japan on 15 February 1942 the Japanese introduced new currencies to replace those previously in use in the occupied territories of Singapore, Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei between 1942 and 1945. The new currency in Malaya and Singapore were issued with the same value as the Malayan dollar and first entered circulation in 1942. This example of Japanese Invasion Money was intended for use in Malaya as indicted by the letter M in the block letters MN. The currency was also referred to informally as "banana money" because of the motifs of banana trees on 10 dollar banknotesGreen on cream lithographed banknote of ten dollar denomination. The face features a tropical scene with palms and a hand of bananas. A pair of block stamped serial letters (MN), in black, appear at the bottom of the note. The reverse is printed with a pattern featuring the value and a beach scene with palms centrally located.The Japanese Government promises to pay the Bearer on demand ten dollarsww2, currency, japanese, japanese invasion money, banana money

Three WW2 service medals awarded to Alfred Harry MERIGAN 40471 - born on 13/2/1907 London, England. Next of Kin - wife Myrtle MERIGAN nee FURPHY (Shepparton) He was an instrument maker and Orchardist. Enlisted Melbourne on 12/5/1941 into the RAAF serving with the 21 and 83 Squadron. He was discharged on 26/11/1945 and died on 20/2/1977 aged 70 years. Medals are :- The War Medal 1939-1945/The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945/The Pacific StarSmall one box containing three military medals with multi-colour striped ribbons attached.40471 - A H Meriganww2, raaf, medals

Joeli Bulu was one of the first missionaries to Fiji. Not a Christian when he grew up but was converted after listening to John Thomas in Tonga. The king of Tonga had just been converted to Christianity and asked for volunteers to go to Fiji as a missionary. His reception in Fiji was not welcoming, but he was such a tenacious chap and because he was likeable he became one of the most influential missionaries in the South Pacific. He was a rascal as a young man in Tonga and the meeting with John Thomas was the thing that changed his life. Very well regarded now in Fiji. His active period was the 1838 to 1870 - John Thomas came to Tonga in 1826. From Wikipedia: Joeli Bulu (Siaoeli Pulu) (around 1810-May 1877) became a Christian in 1833. He was one of a band of Tongan teachers who came to Fiji in 1838, and pioneered the work of the Christian Church in this group. He served the Church in Fiji for almost four decades. He came to Lakeba by canoe, and was appointed to help with the printing of catachisms and passages of Scripture. Lorimer Fison translated Bulu's oral account of hislife. This was edited by George Stringer Rowe and printed in England in 1871 with the title, "Joel Bulu: The Autobiography of a Native Minister in the South Seas". He served first at Lakeba and then at Rewa, and after that the station was closed because of the wars, at Viwa. John Hunt sent him to investigate the possibilities of establishing the work in Vanua Levu, and to that field he was later appointed. He was the first Pacific Islander to be placed alone in charge of a circuit - Ono, in 1848, and also the first to be ordained (1850) as a Native Assistant Missionary. After this he served at Nadi (Vaua Levu), Bua and Cakaudrove where he pioneered the work before any white missionaries were established there. Afterwards he was appointed to Bau. He died in May 1877 and his grave is beside that of John Hunt at Viwa Island.B&W photo, no backing, print from The Argus files, dated 30 March 1933. Tongan beareded old man, wearing a traditional (Fijian vala or lap-lap) and carrying what looks like a fly swat, but is more significant than that. Dressed as a Fijian chief."Joeli Bulu" "1/2 col Argus" and "Return to Rev. A. W. Amos 148 Lonsdale St" all written in pencil on the back.bulu, joeli, tonga, fiji, thomas, john, lakeba, hunt, john

This piece of functional Trench Art was made by Stewart Noble during World War 2 (circa 1940) while serving on a Mine Sweeper among the Pacific Islands. It is believed that the bullet spoon was chrome plated after the war, while he worked at the Government Aircraft Factory. Trench art is described as any decorative item made by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians where the manufacture is directly linked to a war. The making of trench art was a popular past time during leisure hours at the front, where skilled military personnel created the items. Common examples of trench art are decorated shell and bullet casings, and items carved from wood and bone. Trench art has been in existence since the Napoleonic wars however it was most common during World War 1, and to a lesser extent during World War 2. This bullet spoon has historic significance because it is an example of the type of functional or artistic small items, that were made from war scrap during spare time by soldiers or other personnel associated with a war. This particular item indicates that a reasonably high degree of skill was required to make the bullet spoon.Chrome plated teaspoon with a discharged .303 bullet for the handle.trench art, bullet spoon, .303 bullet, stewart noble, war souvenier, chrome teaspoon

The Orungal was originally built in Glasgow in 1923 for the Khedival Mail Steamship & Graving Dock Company of Egypt and named the S.S. Fezara. Due to the effects on steamship companies of the Great Depression including the steep costs of building new ships and increases in running costs and port charges, no new passenger ships had been ordered in Australia since before World War One. To meet demand for passenger berths, the Fezara (5826 tons) along with its sister ship the Famaka (5856 tons, renamed Ormiston), were chartered by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company Ltd (A.U.S.N.Co.) in 1927. Both the A.U.S.N.Co and the Khedival Mail Steamship Co. were part of the P&O Group. The Orungal operated in this role as an interstate passenger and mail steamer between 1927 and 1940, being used mainly on the Melbourne to Queensland and Western Australian runs, with 240 single class berths. Following the outbreak of World War Two six of the nine large passenger liners servicing mainland Australian passenger and mail trades were requisitioned by the Government to ferry equipment, troops and supplies. Some of them were converted to armed merchant cruisers and used for patrol work and escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Orungal had originally been requisitioned by the government along with the Zealandia on 25 June 1940, to transport troops to Darwin, but was returned to commercial service because "of her unsuitability", perhaps too slow for the demands of the work. Despite being rejected for patrol and convoy duties the Orungal still had a vital role as one of only three passenger liners left to service the mainland Australian trade. Following its requisitioning by the Government shortly after war broke out, it had been fitted out with defensive armament. On its final voyage arriving at Port Phillip Heads from Sydney, Captain Gilling was attempting to enter the Heads ahead of a worsening south-westerly storm and, with a minefield known to have been laid in the area, had been warned by the Navy not to deviate from the swept channel. The captain and crew held fears that in the stormy seas a mine may have been carried away. In the worsening weather a blur of lights at Barwon Heads was mistaken for Port Lonsdale, and the Orungal steamed ashore onto Formby Reef, just east of the entrance of the Barwon River - instead of passing safely through the middle of the Rip. At the Marine Board Inquiry Capt. Gilling - who had been master of the Orungal since 1926 - stated that after becoming uneasy about his position and changing course to starboard one point: " At 10.21 pm I ordered the engine room to stand by and gave instructions for the patent log to be hauled in and for the sounding-gear to be got ready. Approximately two minutes later, in a flash of lightning, I saw land off the port beam. I immediately recognised it as Barwon Heads, and ordered the helm to be put hard to starboard, but the vessel struck before she had time to answer the helm" Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove residents were startled to hear the shrill blast of the ship's whistle, followed by the bright flares and explosions of signal rockets. The Queenscliff lifeboat crew, who had responded to the tragic collision between the Goorangai and another passenger liner the Duntroon in Port Phillip Bay less than 24 hours earlier, were later praised for their efforts in safely taking off all the passengers and crew. Most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the wreck, and were woken up by the commotion, the ship shaking "from stem to stern" and stewards ordering them to lifeboat stations in driving rain. It was a dramatic time with the ship siren wailing and distress rockets being fired. It was reported that "When it was found the ship was safe, the passengers all went to the music room. There they sang and danced for several hours. The ship's orchestra played merrily, and amateur performers among the passengers clowned, danced and sang to keep the laughter going. In the early hours of the morning passengers went to their cabins, most of them to sleep soundly while the keel grated on the rocks". At dawn the Queenscliff lifeboat arrived at the scene having been launched at 2.30am, and cautiously approached the ship which was being "battered by mountainous seas". By 5am oil from a burst oil line was helping to calm seas around the Orungal sufficiently enough for the lifeboat to approach, and all the passengers and crew were taken off in several trips by the lifeboat. A Court of Inquiry later found that the wreck was caused by an abnormal set of current to the north-west and cleared the officers and crew of neglect of duty. The sight of a huge liner almost on the beach saw an unprecedented amount of traffic as people drove an estimated 10,000 cars, using some 60,000 gallons of fuel in a time of strict petrol rationing, to see the spectacle. Salvage operations began in an attempt to refloat the vessel, scheduled for the high tide on 15 December 1940. However, during these operations, at 2.30 am on 13 December 1940, a major fire broke out, believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion in the boiler room. The ship was soon ablaze, with smoke pouring from its hatches and ventilators, and at mid-morning the magazine exploded fiercely. Of the 60 men working aboard the vessel two were severely burned and had to be taken to Geelong Hospital. The gathered spectators witnessed the eerie sight of the ship's hull glowing red when night fell. The well-known building demolition contractor Whelan the Wrecker bought the salvage rights, and methodically proceeded to dismantle the ship and its fittings. The drama was not yet over for the wreckers when - without warning - the burnt-out hulk was 'attacked' by RAAF for strafing practice. Salvage rights were transferred to another private owner in 1963. By 1945 the combined effects of the exposed location, fire and salvage had seen what was left of the wreck disappear beneath the waves. The site today is marked by two of the four Scotch type boilers sitting upright and exposed at low tide, just north-east of the small boats channel at the entrance to Barwon Heads. Large sections of steel hull plating and framing, and impressively large pieces of ships structure and machinery including masts, booms, deck winches, propeller shaft, flywheel, and a thrust block lie scattered about and make the site an interesting shallow dive. It is interesting to compare the site of the Orungal with the intact remains of similar large passenger ships scuttled in deep water in the Ships' Graveyard, such as the Milora and Malaita. The site is subject to waves and surge, and is best dived on flat calm days The teacup originated from the SS Orungal and was likely used heavily in the ship's life as a passenger, mail and cargo carrier around Australia. The teacup is significant for its connections to SS Orungal and of this ships connected story of being sunk in extraordinary circumstances in the local region. A.U.S.N. Co. Ltd. Teacup salvaged from SS Orungal ss orungal, fezara, world war two, barwon heads, ocean grove

Purchased by Ted Arrowsmith in 1940 from chemist at 596 Station Street Box Hill, when he lived at 35 Cambridge Street Box Hill. Used by him until the 1960s. Carried throughout Australia and the South West Pacific War Zone in the R.A.A.F between 1942 and 1946.Black folding bellows camera.AGFA 127. Folds back into a narrow case with handle. Instruction book included.|Agfa - Bilinar lens - aperture f11to f22. Two view finders one Portrait and other Landscape. Fixed speed of 1/30th second plus time exposure.AGFA - Bilinar. Made in germany.photography, cameras

Tankard to commemorate conflicts in which the Australian Army has been involved since and including World War I. From the Returned Services League, Mitcham Sub-Branch, 26 McDowall Street, Mitcham, cnr Harrison Street when it closed early 2014.Australian Army Tankard with Australian rising sun badge on front. Tankard is made of pewter with a glass base. On the tankard all the conflicts that the Australian fought in are commemorated from World War I to Vietnam.The Australian Army Tankard, World War I, World War I, Mesopotamia, Flanders, German New Guinea, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, World War II, North Africa, Crete, Malaya, S.W. Pacific, Timor, New Guinea, Java, Bougainville, Borneo, Greece, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam.military history, army, metalcraft, pewterware

WWII historical significance.Medals were awarded to V501832 Cyril Theodore Hunt. Date of enlistment 24 Sep 1942. Date of discharge 18 Dec 1945. Served with 8th Australian Field Company (Royal Australian Engineers).Four WWII medals with ribbons. 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal, 1939-1945 Australian Service Medal, Returned from Active Service medal No. A273676 and RSL membership from 1959 No. V104624.V501832 CT Hunt.world war 2, ww2, second world war, medals

Bronze Service Medal Star shaped with Coloured cotton ribbon. Issued to Servicemen by United Kingdom for WW11 Pacific Theatre Service. May 1945. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945 - issued for 30 days fulltime service in Australia or Overseas. War Medal 1939 - 1945, issued for 28 day fulltime service in Armed Forces.VX68291 on rear of Pacific Star. S W Bell.

Framed photograph of the history of H.M.A.S Australia 1928 - 1954. H.M.A.S Australia was one of three County Class Heavy Cruisers that served with the R.A.N during World War 2.The other 2 being H.M.A.S Canberra and H.M.S Shropshire. Canberra was sunk on the 9th August 1942 at the battle of Savo. H.M.A.S Australia had a length of 192.13M - a beam of 20.8M - a draught of 6.5M. She had a top speed 0f 31 knots (57 km/h) or 36 mph. The British Government donated H.M.S Shropshire to replace Australia. Australia's Battle Honours include Atlantic 1940-41 Pacific 1941-43.Coral Sea 1942- Savo Island 1942- Guadalcanal 1942 - New Guinea 1942-44 - Leyte Gulf 1945 Lingayan Gulf 1945. H.M.A.S Australia was commissioned on 24/04/1928 and paid off on the 31/08/1954. She was broken up in Britain in1956.See description.

Sgt S.T. Wood was an RAAF Fitter/Armourer with overseas service. he served for 4 years and 3 months and was demobilised on 3 December 1945 This is the standard set of medals for a member of the Defence Forces in WWII with service in the islands to our north.Set of five service medals, with miniatures, in wooden cigar box, with leaflet on medal entitlements and Interim Discharge Certificate for 42333 Sgt S. Wood, RAAF. Consists of 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45. Stars are inscribed 42333 S.T.Wood on rear. The medals have the same inscription on the lower outside rim. Box has "S.T.Wood" and some other illegible characters scratched into wood on upper outside surface.

WWII significanceThis set of medals belonged to VX8456 Alexander George Taylor1939/45 Star; African Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; Australia Service Medal; Greek War medalww2, ww two, world war 2, world war ii, second world war, 2nd aif, second aif

1939,/ 1945. Ribbon. Pacific ribbon, War Ribbon.Coloured bar.

WWII historical significanceCitation His Majesty the King has been Graciously pleased to award the Distinguished Service Medal to Able Seaman Cyril Percy Whiteman. the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty in hazardous operations in dangerous waters in the South-Wes Pacific Area prior to the end of the war.

WWII historical service medalsPacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, 1939-1945 Star and Australian Service Medal 1939 -1945. Medals awarded to VX120961 Denis Stephan Fitzgerald.VX120961 D.S. Fitzgerald.

WWII Historical significance1939-1945 Pacific Star, The 1939 -1945 Star, The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 and 1939-1945 War Medal awarded to VX 69902 Horace William McDonald.VX69902 H.W. McDonald

The 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (1st RANBT) was formed in Melbourne on 28 February 1915 and was intended to be a horse drawn engineering unit attached to the Royal Naval Division (RND), then serving as infantry on the Western Front. The term ‘train’, in its title, was a direct reference to the horse drawn wagons that would, in theory, form and move ‘in train’ to carry the unit’s heavy lumber, building materials and engineering equipment to the front. The unit was manned by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for whom there were no available billets in seagoing RAN ships. Many of the sailors serving in the 1st RANBT were rated ‘drivers’, and again, this refers to wagon drivers as opposed to motor vehicle drivers. Other seamen were rated as ‘artificers’ or ‘sappers’, the latter being a military term traditionally used to describe army engineers. Appointed in command of the 1st RANBT was Lieutenant Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, RAN. Bracegirdle was ideally suited to command the unit, having seen active service with the NSW Naval Brigade during the Boxer Rebellion in China as well as serving as a military officer in the South African Irregular Horse during the Boer War in 1901. He had also recently returned from German New Guinea where he had served as a staff officer in the joint Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) responsible for the capture of the German colonies in the Pacific in September 1914. Three hundred naval reservists, including 50 men who had recently served in New Guinea, were selected for the 1st RANBT and they began their training in horsemanship, engineering and pontoon bridging at the Domain in Melbourne. By late May 1915 a decision was made to send the unit to Britain to complete its training and then to join the RND on the Western Front. The plan, however, never eventuated. The complaints about the non-combatant work being done by the men had been raised in Federal Parliament and following consultation with the senior Australian officer in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, a recommendation was made that the unit be disbanded and its men used as reinforcements for the AIF. Consequently, Lieutenant Commander Bracegirdle was advised that his unit was to be dispersed; its men transferring to the AIF or being returned to Australia for discharge. On 27 March 1917 the 1st RANBT was officially disbanded.Oxidised brass anchor shaped collar badge.ww1, world war 1, first world war, ranbt, ran bridging train, royal australian navy bridging train, collar badge

Very historical significance. Robert was part of a group of 500 Servicemen captured as P.O.Ws.at Padang Sumatra. The POWs were accommodated in 6 long barracks buildings that ran side by side. They were behind an 8 foot high wall containing a parade ground, sports ground, Japanese Officers and guards quarters. The POWs were put to work on the infamous Sumatra Railway. Part of that group were: Richard Winston Annear WX13468. Alfred John Burgess WX15756. Clifford Dudley Squance WX16885. Arthur Melville Magill WX16886. Harold Mervyn Smith WX17448. Robin Roy Semple WX7532. Edward Mason Hopson WX9241. Cecil George Quinn WX9285.Large grey framed photographs with shoulder patches, service stripes and Service Medals. Photographs are of Robert Frederick Nelson VX8212 2/29th A.I.F and Betty Emily Louise Collins A.C.W 110082 W.A.A.F. Service Medals for Robert are The Pacific Star, 1939 - 45 Star, 1939 - 1945 War Medal and 1939 - 1945 Service Medal. Service Medals for Betty are 1939 - 1945 War Medal and 1939 - 1945 Service Medal. Engraved metal nameplates with names and Service numbers at top and bottom.

Medals awarded for service during WW21939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasps PNG and SW Pacific, Infantry Front Line Service Medal, Wooden Display box.VX37033 A Bishopworld war two, ww11, ww2, second world war, 2nd aif, second aif