This belt belonged to a WW1 Australian Anzac who most probably, because of the buttons and badges, served on the Western Front. Records destroyed in 1969 bush fires at Lara means we are unable to determine who owned this in the RSL. The belts is called a 'stable belt' and the one you have acquired is an early example with a leather pocket. It became common in WW1 for both, leather belts (especially that from the 1903 bandolier equipment as worn by those in the Boer War), and stable belts to be used to hold badges collected from fellow soldiers and for that reason it was often known as a 'souvenir belt'. The evolution of the stable belt: It seems that stable belts began to become popular across the Army as a whole around the turn of the 20th century, although they probably originated with the cavalry a little earlier sometime in the 1880s/1890s. All units at that time had horses on their establishment and those soldiers told off to attend them reported for Stable Parade in Stable Dress which consisted of very high waisted and pocket less breeches, or trousers, held up by braces and collarless, woollen flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up. This was to facilitate the rigorous physical effort and flexibility of movement necessary for mucking out and grooming. Braces at that time had no elastic as rubber was expensive, they were made of cotton with no 'give' whatsoever and so soldiers commonly allowed the braces to flop down from the waist so that they could bend over freely. For trousers that fitted loosely (due to the high waist) this meant that they tended to slip down and at first soldiers cinched them in with leather belts. Later on the regimental saddlers began to make belts from the same, plain canvas or wool strapping used for the horses Surcingle and utilising the same double leather strap and buckle arrangement for security (if one strap broke the other would hold and prevent the saddle from coming unseated). One particular feature of these early stable belts was a sewn on (or in) pocket, secured by a stud or clip, within which loose change could be kept, or a pocket watch, as there were no pockets in the breeches. As you might imagine these became very popular as the pocket was useful and the extra breadth afforded by the canvas strapping made them very comfortable. Around about the turn of the 20th century it began to be popular for officers to wear neckties in regimental colours both for sport and less formal, country dress. This habit probably began with the Queens Household troops and Line Cavalry, but quickly spread throughout the Army and it appears as if this use of regimental colours spread to the canvas or wool strapping used to make stable belts. For this reason the stable belts invariably followed the same colour scheme (but not always the same pattern arrangement) of regimental neck ties. This belt is an example of what Australian troops collected when on the Western Front during WW1 and when on leave.Leather Belt with 31 Badges and Buttons from WW1 attachedSee Mediaww1, world war 1, australian army, badges, button, belt, stable belt

These badges were issued to female relatives of a person serving overseas during WW1 and WW2,The badges are originals as issued during WW1 and WW2One Badge is oval shape, blue and silver colour finish. One badge is round shape with a silver colour finish.The first oval shape badge was issued to nearest female relative of those on active service overseas, during WW1. Issued to by Dept of Defence to Women of Australia, For Duty Done - 22589 - 9455 The second round badge was issued to female relatives was issued to the female relatives, nearest has been dropped, issued in WW2.A206433 -[ Issued by Cowth Govt.female relatives badges, ww1, ww2

WW1, Honour Roll Loyal Wimmera Lodge I.O.O.F.stawell, ww1

WW1 Australian Reg Ensign Flag (Names Embroided)stawell, ww1

Replica WW1 sign welcoming Australian Troops home.Sign reads: Australia, Our boys are coming home soon. It’s our shout. Let,s buy them a Beer! On left side of sign is image of two men, one in uniform and the other in civilian clothes. Under which is the date: 1914 -1919ww1, homefront

hand written diary from Able Seaman Josep Frederick Thomas Chapman of his account of activity in the Dardenelles in WW1. Includes drawings, diary entries and details of active campaign in the Dardenelles in WW1.CD of hand written diary from WW1 landing at GallipoliJ26729 Able Seaman CHAPMAN, Joseph Frederick Thomas

Joel Joel WW1 War Memorial slightly off centre of photo.B/W. Photograph: Showing the WW1 Memorial at Joel Joel with trees in the backgroundworld war 1 shire

WW1 Circa 1914-1918 Sent to Chiltern resident Mrs. Wm Fuge Cornishtown via Chiltern. WW1 The Great War 1914-1918Buff coloured WW1 Greeting Postcard "To My Dear Sister". Item has an internal card within an attached lace envelope. The card contained within has a number of commonwealth flags around the edges as a border and the card has the wording "Happy Birthday Greetings". Internal lace overlay is made of silk and has embroidery around the edges with small red roses and green stems and a larger embroided pansy flower in the middle of purple and yellow colours, with two small bordering elderflowers of light blue colouring. France October 14th 1917 Card reads as follows: Dear Ethel, your letter to hand 12th August and pleased to hear you are all well. Wishing you and all the compliments of the season I remain your loving brother Bert. Address annotated on the card : Mrs Wm Fuge Cornishtown Via Chiltern Victoria Australia. The wording on the bottom part of the silk envelope is in red embroidery and annotates the following " To my dear sister". ww1, the great war 1914-1918

Sgt A. V. GRINTON received the Distinguished Conduct Medal from Lady Denman for action, at Curlu on 28 Aug 1918. Refer Cat No. 1320P.B & W photo of Sgt A.V. Grinton receiving a Distinguished Conduct Medal from Lady Denman at Curlu on 28 August 1918. Photo mounted on a solid cardboard base. Includes thick piece of cardboard with description of action whn medal won and it's presentation. Writing in black. Black edging and white board.Headed WW1 38 Battalion and description of action and presentation.passchendaele barracks trust, photograph, ww1, a. v. grinton, 38th battalion

Replica WW1 Nurses Badge. Worn on sleevebadge/buttons, ww1, army

Photograph Army Trooper WW1 Gibbs X83photo, ww1, army

Replica WW1 Brown Boots size 12uniform, ww1, army

WW1 Officers Jacket (1/2 Mannequin)uniform, ww1, army

WW1 puttees - pair. (second roll U968a)uniform, ww1, army

WW1 British Mark IV male tank.model, ww1, army

Opalised Glaze Printed Soldier’s Memorial Stawell Vic WW1stawell, ww1

Young Workers Patriotic Guild Certificate, WW1, Doris Aitken stawell, ww1

WW1Black and white photo -full length,standing,legs astride-WW1 uniform-slouch hat-rising suns on collarwilliam, ww1 mercer, c

Associated with WW1 good news card to and for loved ones. Connected to Adde Cooper WW1 soldier and Chiltern Resident. Associated with WW1 loved ones. Sent on behalf of family, friend and loved ones at home to their WW1 soldier abroad. Faded grey and white card with message associated with WW1. 130mm x 65mm. Depicts a map of Australia with a man and woman sitting and reading. Wording on the card is associated with good news and prays about their loved one. A Boomerang above the man and woman gives a message of good news and prayers for their WW1 loved one. Boomerang on card says : Anxious ever anxious good news of you to learn. Praying ever praying for your speedy safe return. ww1 card, card of prayer and good news ww1

WW1 soldier in the Great War 1914-1918 Corporal Leslie Norman Peel. Chiltern Resident, WW1 The Great War 1914-1918reproduction photograph of WW1 soldier in the Great War 1914-1918 Leslie Norman Peel. ww1 soldier, leslie norman peel, chiltern resident, the great war 1914-1918, shire of chiltern roll of honour

Soldiers from local area killed in World War 1 Colour Photgraphs donated -1 Before restoration -2 After restorationPhotographs of WW1 Memorial with soldier's names printed on B/W PhotoErected by the residents of Concongellaww1, war

Soldiers from local area killed in World War 1 Colour Photgraphs donated -1 Before restoration -2 After restorationPhotographs of WW1 Memorial with soldier's names printed on B/W PhotoErected by the residents of Concongellaww1, war

Soldiers from local area killed in World War 1 Colour Photgraphs donated -1 Before restoration -2 After restorationPhotographs of WW1 Memorial with soldier's names printed on B/W PhotoErected by the residents of Concongellaww1, war

WW1 Issue for soldiers. 1914. Australian Imperial Force. WW1 The Great War, AIF, issue 1914. Small faded rose coloured soldiers handbook titled "Notes on Laws and Customs of War". WW1 issue. Front cover : Coat of Arms and title: Notes on the Laws and Customs of War. Author : Ambrose Pratt. Written for the Australian Imperial Force 1914. Authority: Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer Melbourne. ww1 1914-1918, soldiers handbook ww1, australian imperial force 1914, laws and customs pertaining to war ww1 aif.

WW1 soldier, bronze, with rifle. Sands of Gallipoli in base..model, ww1, army

Replica WW1 brown infantry boots size 12uniform, ww1, army

Replica WW1 German steel helmet, post 1916.headgear, ww1, army

Associated with mounted Light Horse units within WW1 (1914-1918). Issued to soldiers in Light Horse Units. Associated with WW1 Light Horse Units. Leggings worn by soldiers on horseback in WW1 1914-1918. A pair (2 off) WW1 Leather Leggings for Mounted AIF soldiers. 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. Sizings : 115mm x 50mmNilww1 lighthorse leggings, uniform leggings for ww1 mounted soldiers, leather leggings ww1 1914-1918

Many organisations organised functions to celebrate the Service given by their employees during WW1.8 page programme from Melbourne Council to Volunteers for WW1. White cardboard bound in one hole by brown string. Writing on cover in gold and red. Rising Sun Emblem on one side and Commonwealth Emblem on other side. Invite from Melbourne Lord Mayor to Volunteers who served abroad at the front. Pages 2,3,6,7, blank. Page 5 has the programme for the day, page 6 has a place for autographs with a picture of Town Hall at bottom. Last page (back) has an honour roll for those that served and died.Message on front "Smoke Social given by Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor The Hon J.C. Aikman MLC - to - The Officers of the Melb City Council who volunteered for Active Service abroard in the Great War 1914-1918". "Town Hall 16th April 1920". melbourne city council, commemorations, ww1