Showing 489 items
matching first world war (ww1)
-
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed print, Menin Gate at Midnight
The original art piece was painted by Australian artist Will Longstaff after he attended the unveiling ceremony of the Menin Gate memorial at the entrance of the Belgian town of Ypres in 1927. The memorial is inscribed with the names of 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in Flanders with no known grave. More than 6000 are Australians. It was purchased in 1928 for 2000 guineas and presented to the Australia Government by British Philanthropist Lord WoolavingtonThe image commemorates those soldiers with no marked graves who died on the Western Front during the First World War.Dark wooden frame of a dark blue coloured print with large cream coloured arched monument in distance.MENIN GATE AT MIDNIGHT by Will Longstaff Presented by Lord Woolavingtonmenin gate, will longstaff, lord woolavington, ww1 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Commemorative Scroll, R.J.C. Moore
Commemorative scroll sent to the next of kin of Private Rupert James Cavanagh MOORE 6852 attached to the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion and who made the ultimate sacrifice.- killed in action on 13/7/1918 in France. MOORE was born in Wangaratta, Victoria and a Printer when enlisted on 6/2/1917.In 1922 a Memorial Scroll was presented to the next of kin of those soldiers, sailors, and nurses who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force or Royal Australian Navy during the First World War. Later they were presented with a Next of Kin Memorial Plaque. The Memorial Scroll bears the Royal Coat of Arms and a message paying tribute to the soldiers who gave up "their own lives that others might live in freedom". Cream paper scroll with Coat of Arms above ten lines of black writing and two lines in red ink.Pte. Rupert James Cavanagh Moore 3rd M.G.Bn., A.I.F.pte rupert james cavanagh moore, kia, wangaratta, ww1 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, War Trophies, 1999
Photographs of large collection of WW1 guns now in parks all over Australia. Includes stories of battles.Blue cover. Dust cover. Photo of soldiers loading heavy British gun. On back cover - German 150 mm Howitzer. Now at Warracknabeal, Vic. 1914-1918 Warwar trophies, first world war, tatura -
Grey Street Primary School, Traralgon
Booklet, boxed, Ex-scholars who enlisted in World War One, 2016
Contains service records, newspaper articles and photographs where available of all known students of Traralgon State School who enlisted in World War One.Honouring the memory of those who served and died in the Great War. Contributed to the centennial services held in Traralgon 2016.First of 25 volumes. Coil bound, A4, approximately 60 pages each volume. Clear plastic front cover, leathercraft black plastic back cover. Stored in 4 plastic magazine holders.traralgon state school, ww1, great war, ex-scholars, service records -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Gas Mask, c1916
The Small Box Respirator (SBC) was a British gas mask of the First World War and a successor to the Large Box Respirator. In late 1916, the respirator was introduced by the British with the aim to provide reliable protection against chlorine and phosgene gases. The respirator offered a first line of defence against these. The use of mustard gas, was begun by the Germans; a vesicant ("blister agent") that burnt the skin of individuals that were exposed to it. Death rates were high with exposure to both the mixed phosgene, chlorine and mustard gas, however with soldiers having readily available access to the small box respirator, death rates lowered significantly. Light and reasonably fitting, the respirator was a key piece of equipment to protect soldiers on the battlefield.The Small Box Respirator ('SBR') proved to be the most effective gas mask produced during the First World War, and had a number of advantages over its French and German contemporaries.Canvas bag containing Small Box Respirator consisting of a rubberised fabric face mask, connected by a fabric covered rubber hose to a canister made of tin plate containing a chemical absorbent.gas mask, ww1 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Poster, The Trumpet Calls, 1918
Australian First World War recruitment poster. This poster was part of the First World War Australian Government Recruiting Kit. Recruitment posters were prolific in Australia throughout the First World War. Australia relied solely on voluntary recruits to serve in the AIF. Compulsory military service, or conscription, for eligible men was in force in Australia from 1911, however, these forces were for home defence and could not be used to serve in a war overseas. Following the initial rush of men to recruit in 1914, enrolments dropped, leaving federal and state governments to devise sophisticated campaigns to boost numbers.Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) was a painter, draughtsman, illustrator, cartoonist, printmaker, writer and sculptor. He joined the Sydney 'Bulletin' magazine as a staff artist, 1901-09, 1910-23 and 1932-58. During the First World War he produced jingoistic cartoons and pro-conscription posters. The is one of the series of six posters by Lindsay constituting the last nation-wide Australian recruiting campaign. A soldier sounds his bugle for assistance on the front line while civilians listen in the background.recruitment poster, norman lindsay, ww1 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Poster, Women of Queensland!: Send a man today to fight for you, c1914-1918
An excellent example of Australian First World War recruiting posters aimed at women, rather than potential soldiers. The poster suggests that in helping defeat Germany, women were really defending themselves.During the First World War, governments needed to convince their citizens to contribute to the war effort. In the absence of radio and film, the poster was the most effective method of mass communicationDepicts a woman with arms raised, her clothing torn and right breast exposed. Two children lie dead on the round at her feet, while the town behind her burns. Full poster text: 'Women of Queensland! Remember how women and children of France and Belgium were treated. Do you realise that your treatment would be worse? Send a man today to fight for you'poster, ww1, women of queensland -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Poster, Enlist in the Sportsmen's Thousand, 1917
This poster, published by the State Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, depicts Lieutenant Albert JACKA, VC, as a role model for a huge campaign to enlist sportsmen into the Australian Imperial Force in 1917. Jacka achieved instant fame back home when he became the first Australian to win the Victoria Cross during the First World War. It was said that one of the reasons he was such a good soldier, and had such a fighting attitude, was that he had been a boxer before the war. The campaign to enlist sportsmen was fuelled by a strong belief that by playing sport young men developed specific skills and qualities that could be used on the battlefield.Representative of two common recruiting devices used in Australia, a well-known local soldier and a target number of men required for a specially named group.Depicts Lieutenant Albert Jacka, VC, as a role model for a huge campaign to enlist sportsmen. Surrounding Jacka are colourful depictions of healthy young men engaged in a variety of sports: football, rowing, cricket, tennis and golf are amongst the sports.Full Text: Enlist in the Sportsmen's Thousand, Join Together, Train Together, Embark Together, Fight Together, Show the enemy what Australian sporting men can do.albert jacka, ww1, poster -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Roll of Honour, St. Hilda's Church, Everton
St Hilda's Church Everton, WW1 Roll of Honour - contains 16 names of members of the Everton Community in Victoria who served during the First World War including Nursing Sister Alma Louisa BENNETT (1890-1922) who trained at Melbourne General Hospital. She moved to Western Australia and continued nursing until the advent of World War 1. She immediately sought to enlist but was not granted her request until 1916 and was eventually sent for nursing duties in India. Her arrival coincided with the first convey of wounded after the fall of Kut in Mesopotamia. She was immediately given charge of a ward at Victoria Hospital. The following year she was appointed Matron of the hospital ship "Herefordshire" which transported sick and wounded soldiers from the mouth of the Tigris River to Bombay. Her next appointment was to the 34th Welsh Hospital at Deolali 150 miles from Bombay. The hospital was huge and she took charge as Matron. After 17 months at Deolali BENNETT was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal First Class one of the highest distinctions in the British Nursing Service. When peace was declared she travelled to England where she continued to nurse in an Army Hospital. During her stay she was invited to Buckingham Palace where she was presented with Red Cross Medal by King George V. BENNETT returned to Victoria and was invited to join the nursing staff at Melbourne's Epworth Hospital with prospects of becoming Matron. Ill health intervened and she died in September 1922. Item said to be made by the family of Gilbert and Richard Heywood both KIA and listed on honour roll.St Hilda's Church Everton Honour Roll contains 16 names of members including Nurse BENNETT, from the Everton Community in Victoria who served in WW1 Carved timber frame and mounting with 16 names in gold coloured paint listed in two columns."St Hilda's Church Everton' "Roll of Honour" "The Great War 1914 to 1918" Sister Bennett/Heywood G/Heywood R/Levett W/Lowry F/Mason T.A/Mason E.H/Mason H.G/MacKay M/Morrison J/Morrison W/Norman W/Rickards R/Steens C.T/Ward C/Welch J.everton, 1914-1918, roll of honour -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Photograph - Unframed Photograph, Talma & Co, John "Jack" AMBROSE MM
Unknown WW1 soldier ................. 22/11/2018 ..........due to its poor condition the photograph was removed from its timber frame revealing below the photograph the handwritten words "Jack Ambrose married a girl Chick"..... identified as Ethel Maud CHICK Soldier identified as John AMBROSE MM 1132 Labourer of Carboor who served on the western front in France during the First World War. Joined 19/2/1916 aged 23 years and 4 months Born and enlisted at Wangaratta Embarked on 3/6/1916 on HMAT Persic. Served with 5/37Battalions. Wounded on 3 occasions, returning to Australia on 27/7/1919. Next of Kin - Edward Henry PAYNE (Cousin) of Carboor. Jack and Edward were both cousins to Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop.By identifying this originally unknown soldier to be John "Jack" AMBROSE has revealed links to the children of Edward Samuel PAYNE and his wife Catherine Marie nee WALPOLE. Jack's mother Ida Elizabeth AMBROSE nee PAYNE is the elder sister of Alice Emily Maud DUNLOP nee PAYNE mother of Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" DUNLOP, twin sisters Lily May and Violet Minnie PAYNE who both served as Nurses during the First World War along with youngest brother Alfred Ernest PAYNE 1256. The latter three together with Jack AMBROSE are listed on the Wangaratta and District Victory Roll. Colonel Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop, AC, CMG, OBE was born at Wangaratta (12 July 1907 – 2 July 1993) and an Australian Surgeon renowned for his leadership while being held prisoner by the Japanese during the Second World War.Unframed timber mounted photograph of unknown WW1 Soldier - now identified to be John AMBROSE MM 1132 of CarboorBelow photograph handwritten "Jack Ambrose married a girl Chick" Rear Miss S Wright Farm Hill Carboor East via Wangarattajohn ambrose, 5th battalion ww1, carboor, wangaratta, weary dunlop -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Booklet, Leo Blanchard Hanly, "My Brother", c1973
First world war experiences written and published in booklet form entitled "My Brother" by Leo Blanchard HANLY - Private 1702 served the 3 Light Horse Field Ambulance. Embarked on 15.7.1915 and returned on 2.1.1919. Leo wrote the book about his brother Theodore Hanly. Theodore and another brother, Joseph Dillon also served in the 3 LH Field Ambulance alongside Leo. This particular booklet was addressed to, inside front cover, "Matron McMillan from Leo Hanly 3-8-1982", 21 days prior to his passing.Personal account of experiences during WW1 by Leo HANLY Private 1702Blue cardboard covered rectangular booklet with thin dark blue inner border.Cover - "My Brother" Inside front cover handwritten " To Matron McMillan from Leo Hanly 3-8-'82"ww1, 3 light horse field ambulance, leo hanly, theodore hanly, joseph dillon hanly -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Postcard
Silk postcard from France written by unknown WW1 soldier from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kittle/Kettle c/- Post Office Milawa. WW1 service records reveal Charles James KETTLE 29741 was born in Milawa and enlisted on 15/4/1916 aged 39 years. He embarked on the 3/10/1916 and served in France prior to being diagnosed with a tumour and whilst being repatriated home died on 10/8/1917 and was buried at sea. Listed place of association was Wangaratta. Embroidered silk postcards were first made in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. The popularity of silk postcards peaked during the First World War 1914 - 1918.They were mostly embroidered by French women in their homes and then sent to the factories for cutting and mounting on cards. Many of the cards were illustrated with patriotic symbols, flags, slogans, or sentimental texts. During the First World War, many Allied officers and soldiers based in France sent silk embroidered postcards to their loved ones back homeRectangle cream cardboard postcard with embossed border containing coloured embroidered stitch work of a basket and in words “forget me not” on silk Handwritten inside - just a souvenir of your beloved France from one of the boys from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kettle/Kittle Post Office Milawa via Wangaratta Victoria embroidered postcard, ww1, milawa -
Stawell RSL Sub Branch War Museum
Certificate of Discharge, Australian Military Forces, Document, June 1919
Each soldier had one of these forms filled out on Discharge from the army. WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force Certificate of Discharge of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.Form is filled out for soldier Christopher Clarkww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell -
Stawell RSL Sub Branch War Museum
Protograph of WW1 soldier Christopher Clark, Portrait WW2 Soldier Christopher Clark, Approx 1916
Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell who returned to Australia Framed Studio Portrait of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.ww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell -
Stawell RSL Sub Branch War Museum
Certificate of Appreciation from Stawell Borough and Shire for WW1 soldier Christopher Clark, Certificate of Appreciation, Approx 1916
Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell Framed Certificate of Appreciation for Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1, 59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017. Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1 59th Battalion Born in Stawellww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Teak memorabilia taken from HMS Ship "Iron Duke", Admiral Jellicoe's flag ship, circa 1916
HMS Iron Duke was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class, named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. She was built by Portsmouth Dockyard, and her keel laid in January 1912. Launched ten months later, she was commissioned into the Home Fleet in March 1914 as the fleet flagship. She was armed with a main battery of ten 13.5-inch (340 mm) guns and was capable of a top speed of 21.25 knots (39.36 km/h; 24.45 mph). Iron Duke served as the flagship of the Grand Fleet during the First World War, including at the Battle of Jutland. There, she inflicted significant damage on the German battleship SMS König early in the main fleet action. In January 1917, she was relieved as fleet flagship. After the war, Iron Duke operated in the Mediterranean as the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. She participated in both the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War in the Black Sea and the Greco-Turkish War. She also assisted in the evacuation of refugees from Smyrna. In 1926, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, where she served as a training ship.WW1 HMS Iron Duke in the Battle of Jutland 1916. a Piece of wood (teak) taken from the ship HMS Iron Duke Admiral Jellicoe's flag ship, in 1916 (Jutland). Brass plate attached to wood reads as follows: From the Teak of HMS Iron Duke Admiral Jellicoe's Flag Ship Jutland 1916. ww1 the great war 1914-1918, hms iron duke, british navy, battle of jutland -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
For King and Empire Services Rendered Badge : WW1, 1916
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the "Discharge Badge", the "Wound Badge" or "Services Rendered Badge", was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.WW1 1914-1918, badge for services rendered, known as the wounds badge. Round sterling silver lapel badge. Measures 30x30mm. Has a Crown inscribed with the words "For King and Empire for Services Rendered". For King and Empire For Services Rendered. Crown inscribed.silver war badge ww1 circa 1916, for services rendered ww1 - wounds badge, circa ww1 1914-1918 the great war badge - services rendered. -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
WW1 Framed Photograph of soldier Adde Cooper, WW1 1914-1918
Photograph relates to Chiltern resident and soldier of the first world war Adde Cooper. Service number 5002 Rank Private Unit 21st Australian Infantry Battalion Service Australian Imperial Force Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918 Award Military Medal Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 27 August 1917 on page 1828 at position 38 London Gazette 11 May 1917 on page 4601 at position 9photograph relates to WW1 Soldier Adde Cooper, a Chiltern Resident. Brown framed photograph of WW1 Soldier Adde Cooper. Small sign at the bottom of the photograph identifying soldier as being Adde Cooper, Chiltern Resident and WW1 soldier. ww1 1914-1918, the great war ww1, soldier adde cooper -
Peterborough History Group
Letter - Letter from Henry A Lind
Letter describes the writers' meeting with Mr W H Irvine of the 'Bay of Islands' and his time working on the farm.Significant as the letter describes day to day activities on the farm just after the first world war. It also provides an impression of the personality of Mr Irvine. There is some description of the area at the time and Mr Lind included copies of some photos of the Bay of Island scenery.Photocopy of three page typed letter from Mr Henry A Lind, from Lindfield NSW, dated 4th Nov 1987, with a handwritten note at the end.bay of islands, peterborough, agriculture, henry a lind, w h irvine, returned soldier ww1 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mellor Monuments, Concongella War Memorial with names of first World War Soldiers, September 2022
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 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mellor Monuments, Concongella War Memorial with names of first World War Soldiers, September 2022
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 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Harold Elroy Gray Soldier
... grampians Soldier Killed First World War WW1 Harold Elroy Gray 6205 ...Soldier Killed First World WarB/W Photograph Oval Framed Image of Harold Grey S/N 6205Harold Elroy Gray 6205ww1 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mellor Monuments, Concongella War Memorial with names of first World War Soldiers, September 2022
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 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Accessory - Pocket watch in leather pouch, Unknown
... Kon Twiddy(ie) and may be issued by Air Force. Watch WW1 First ...Military pocket watch 'may be' belonged to Dr Kon Twiddy(ie) and may be issued by Air Force.Small pocket watch with brass coloured face in leather pouch issued by Air Force.Inside watch case No. 24317watch, ww1, first world war, dr. twiddy(ie) -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Pannikin
... by Charles Henry Honybun Honybun Charles First World War Souvenirs ...German pannikin from World War One collected by Charles Henry HonybunGerman grey coloured metal pannikin with paper tag.E.L.S. WW1honybun charles, first world war, souvenirs -
Rutherglen Historical Society
Image, 1914 (Exact)
The photo could be of some of the following: Percy Fullerton, B. Bevan. A. McPherson, A. Carter, C Eggleston, G. Libound, A. Hill, W Monan, J. Waugh, J. Slowe, J.Pearce,B. Canning, G. Ball, H. Evans. The man in the centre of the photo in the cap is Lieutenant Charles Denehy/later Colonel Denehy, the man extreme right front row is Joseph Nott.Black and white postcard photograph of group of men in uniform, 11 standing, 6 seated or kneeling in front.Written on back of photo: "Rutherglen Boys of the 7th Battalion. Sailed with the first Australian Contingent" On separate note: "Rutherglen Boys of the 7th Battalion sailed with the first Aust. Contingent. Henry Andrew (Harry) Clarkson 3rd from right, standing, back row. Back row: 5th from left - Major Gerry Chambers. Front row: 6th from left - Joseph Nott."percy fullerton, bevan, mcpherson, carter, eggleston, libound, hill, monan, waugh, slowe, pearce, cannign, ball evans, charles denehy, joseph nott, harry clarkson, gerry chambers, 7th battalion, world war 1, world war i, ww1, martin balsarini, 4th lighthorse -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Artwork, other - Souvenir of Palestine, 1939-1945
... Dandenong melbourne Popular souvenirs during World War Two that were ...Popular souvenirs during World War Two that were easy to fold and post home to Australia. Like the First World War Egyptian embroideries, they used cotton sateen in a range of bright colours (although sometimes velveteen was used instead) and bear the words 'Souvenir of Palestine', a year date, and sometimes a personal message, as well as images of specific mosques or landmarks, camels, goats and date palms. The Palestinian souvenirs were often seen displayed for sale outside houses in country villages.Colourful cotton sateen Souvenir of Palestine. Beige background with painted images, probably screen-printed, with machine embroidered outlines. Pink fringe. Objects depicted are two brown/yellow camels and one donkey with rider; two date palms with orange trunks and green leaves; the Union Jack and the Australian Flag; and the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun badge."Souvenir of Palestine" "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"souvenir of palestine, rising sun badge, australian commonwealth military forces, embroidery, screen-printed, aif, ww1, world war 1, first world war -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Book, C.E.W. BEAN (Author) Formerly Australian Official War Historian et al, Anzac to Amiens, 1953
WW1 HistoryA Shorter History of the Australian Fighting Services in the First World War. Canberra Australian War Memorial 1952. (Third Edition). -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia - Wallet, Unknown
... Dandenong melbourne WWI historical significance. world war 1 ww1 ...WWI historical significance.Black wallet in a white cloth envelope addressed to Mrs W.C. Smith, Leongatha, Vic. Wallet contains 2 x small photos, a 1916 calendar, a lock of hair, photos of wife and child. and an Army form 'B' pass. Wallet belonged to 382 Pte W.C. Smith.Pte Smith was KIA in France 13OCT17.Letter from Mrs Smith on postcards. Envelope addressed to Mrs W.C. Smith, Leongatha, Vic. Photos contain letters on rear for Pte Smith.world war 1, ww1, first world war, kia -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Badge - RAN Bridging Train Collar Badge, Circa 1914/15
... 1917 the 1st RANBT was officially disbanded. WW1 World War 1 ...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