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

Small blue hardcover book 205 pagesnon-fictionIssued to Naval Ratings on entry to the RANran, royal australian navy, naval ratings

Brown binder with picture of a patrol boat on the cover. Bound with brass screws.non-fictionThis journal required to be kept by Seaman Ratings as a ready reckoner.seamanship, navy, ran, royal australian navy

Contains photographs of a mans journey around the Middle East during World War 2.Documents a part of WW2 during the early 1940'sLeather covered photo album with 43 pages of mainly WW2 photographs.The front cover has coloured depictions of the pyramids , Egyptian figures and hieroglyphs. Back cover has the same scenes but not coloured.world war 2, ww2, second world war, royal australian navy, photographs

White Cap, black rimmmed with gold laurel containing crown and anchor.Halls hats pty ltd Sydney 1981. RAN No. Name and “Made in NewZealand”; and indicates 6 and 7/8 inches hat size.ran, royal australian navy, naval headgear, navy cap

Photographs of the Daylesford War Memorial taken on the 50th anniversary of the Long Tan battle during the Vietnam War. battle of long tan, long tan, daylesford war memorial, world war one, vietnam war, korean war, boer war, world war two, john cock, royal australian navy, royal australian airforce, australian imperial forces, daylesford

In the evening of 20 November 1940, while en route from Queenscliff to Portsea in Port Phillip Bay where she intended to anchor for the evening, she collided with the 10,364 ton, outward bound passenger liner, MV Duntroon, which struck her amidships on the port side. Duntroon’s captain had believed that she was on a parallel course to Goorangai and overtaking her. By the time he realised Goorangai’s true course, with Duntroon travelling at more than 17 knots, it was too late to avoid the collision. Goorangai was cut in two and sank in less than a minute with the loss of her entire crew of 24. Just six bodies were recovered in subsequent salvage operations. She was the first ship lost by the RAN in World War II.This event is still remembered by the community at an annual ceremony in Queenscliffe. The hat band holds Victorian Heritage Register number S294 / 151982A hat band of Signalman Jack Herbert RAN mounted on a display board containing a copy of a signed photograph of the HMAS Goorangai ships company and an extract of his service record.hmas goorangai, mv duntroon, wwii, royal australian navy, port phillip

Builder: Evans Deakin and Company. Launched: 8 April 1967. Patrol boat visited Port Fairy in 1979 & 1980First of class commissioned Coloured photograph of Naval ship moored in Port Fairy baypatrol boat, royal australian navy, defence force, hmas attack, port fairy

Royal Australian Naval Reservist 1915, possibly including local men.Black and white photographdefence, world war 1, local, men, reservists, ran, royal australian navy, drill hall, building, bank street

357 p., illustrationsnon-fictionWilliam George Monteith and his involvement with the Victorian and Australian Navy. australian navy history, australian naval ships, hmas cerberus, biography, william george monteith, navy, victoria

Ill, p.126.non-fictionThis is the story of the Royal Australian Navy's little ships and their personnelworld war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia, royal australian navy - history

Ill, maps, p.328.This book describes the life of a man, the late Commander J. H. Walker, and of his ship. HMAS Parramatta; both used to represent their service. Parramatta was one of the 'little ships' which made the great sacrifice in keeping the hard pressed garrison of Tobruk supplied. She went down fighting gallantly and in doing so added a glorious page to the naval history of our Empire. world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia, royal australian navy - history

Ill, p.197.non-fictionAn account of the older ships(The Scrap Iron Flotilla) of the Australian Navy in the Second World Warworld war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia, royal australian navy - history

Ill, p.221.non-fiction"The activities of H.M.A.S. Stuart, leader of the Australian destroyer flotilla (and later of the 10th D.F.) from ... September, 1939 until the end of July, 1941" - Author's note.royal australian navy - history, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia

This shirt was manufactured in 2004, and was presumably owned by a Beechworth local service personnel by the name of Cross. This piece of clothing would have been worn as part of the standard Royal Australian Naval Ratings uniform.White short sleeved shirt. Square collar with thin navy blue trim. A curved slit on either side of the lower edge (near the hip area) and an extra piece of fabric within each slit. A white label with inscriptions is stitched to the seam in the middle of the lower back seam. This has n written inscription beneath on the shirt fabric.Inscriptions on the label: CAN'T TEAR 'EM 8405-66-132-3767 R.A.N 2004 SIZE: 117 35% COTTON 65% POLYESTER GENTLE WARM MACHINE WASH. RINSE WELL. WARM IRON. DO NOT SOAK. DO NOT BLEACH. DRY CLEAN (A) MADE IN AUSTRALIA Written inscription under label: CROSSshirt, naval ratings, royal australian navy, navy

The Geelong Naval Reserve Band was active in the early 1900's. Having been formed and reformed many times, the band consolidated its presence in the town and performed at many concerts and parades. There were a number of brass bands in Geelong at the time.This photo represents one of the earliest pictures of this band. It isn't a well-known band in Victoria so any information on the band is scarce. However, activities of the band were noted in local Geelong newspapers.Rectangular black and white photograph mounted on card.W. H. Watts, Photogeelong naval reserve band, geelong, victoria, royal australian navy, brass band, geelong west brass band

This photograph was taken at the Triennial Congress, Melbourne. Frank Leslie Oliver served as chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne for 30 years from 1930 - 1960. He is in this photograph, second from right, with a cigarette in his hand. Also in this photograph, at the far right, is the Most Reverend F. Head, Archbishop of Melbourne. The photograph is a record of a historic conference of MTS representatives from Australia and New Zealand. , September 1-3 , 1936: Revd Wm Hoog (Brisbane) Revd W.H. Terry (Port Pirie) Revd H.C Cuthbertson (Adelaide) Revd W.R. Tyler (Melbourne) Mr J.W. Neill (Melbourne) Revd. F. J. Evans (Sydney) Revd Frank L. Oliver ( Melbourne MTS) F W Melbourne (Archbishop F W Head 1929- 1942) Mr J.C. Grahame (Hobart) Rev B.J. Williams ((Wellington NZ) Rev J.C. Clift (Fremantle)Frank Leslie Oliver served as chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne for 30 years from 1930 - 1960, including time served as chaplain with the Royal Australia Navy aboard HMAS Australia. He was a live-in chaplain and was supported by his entire family, including wife Moira, for whom a memorial window exists in the chapel. The Chaplains' Conference was held in 1936.Black and white photograph of a group of chaplains outside the Mission to Seafarers building in Flinders Street, Melbourne. Frank Oliver is second from right holding a cigarette in his right hand.Top left in blue ink (written by Padre Oliver): Australian MTS, Chaplains gathered in Triennal Congress, with most Rev.J Head, Abp of Melbourne. Top right corner in black ink: prior to 1939 In black and blue ink some names: Archbishop Head, Dad, Bill Tyler Port Melbourne, Padre Williams Wellington, Pat Neil Layreader Faded stamp in pink ink: Herald Feature Service, Melbourne A sticker with: Ret to B Kentroyal australian navy, mission to seafarers, anglican, frank leslie oliver, archbishop head, triennial conference, chaplains, herald newspaper, cigarette, robin kent, beverley kent nee oliver, chaplains conference, padre oliver, new zealand, pat neil, lay reader, bill tyler, port melbourne, reverend william wellington, chaplains group

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Crew members of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company refuel their aircraft. The Unit was unique as it consisted of half RAN Pilots and half US Army pilots. The unit was stationed at Bear Cat, 3 Corps areaphotograph, 135th assault helicopter company, australian navy pilots, united states army pilots, bear cat, 3 corps, gibbons collection catalogue, vietnam, crew members

non-fictionThis book is a record of those Australian servicemen who were awarded British and Foreign awards for service in South Vietnamroyal australian navy, royal australian army, royal australian air force, campaing service medal, 1 rar, 1 apc tp., 105 field battery, 161 fd battery rnza, 3 fd trp (rae), 1 aust log spt coy, 161 recce flight, army distinguished service order, armed force honour medal, air medal for valour, british empire medal, bronze star, civil actions medal, commander of the order of the bath, commander of the order of the british empire, conspicuous gallantry medal (flying), distinguished conduct medal, distinguished flying cross, distinguished service order, distinguished service cross, education and cultural service medal, ethnic monorities medal, gallantry cross, george medal, legion of merit, life saving medal, military cross, military medal, military merit medal, meritorious unit commendation, national defence medal with bronze star, national defence medal with silver star, national medal of merit (civil), the national order of the republic of vietnam, navy service medal, presidential unit citation, soldiers medal, silver star, social welfare medal, staff service medal, training service medal, united states air force outstanding unit award, united states navy meritorious unit commendation, united states navy unit commendation, victoria cross

Audacity means extroardinary boldness of courage. This book tells the stories of just some of he Australian men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.australian army, royal australian navy, royal australian air force, nurses, vietnam

Audacity neabs extraordinary boldness or courage. This book tells the stories of just some of the Australian, men and women who have shown audacity during wartime from 1899 to today.australian soldiers, australian army, royal australian navy, royal australian air force, nurses, vietnam

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of two Navy pilots from the Sea King anti-submarine helicopter on board "the Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney, delivering the 9th Battalion to war service. They prepare to take off on patrol once HMAS Sydney reached the waters off Vietnam.photograph, ran, wessex, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, anti-submarine, sea king, navy, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, australian navy pilots, sea king anti-submarine

Part of the uniform of Leading Wireman Allan Edward Beach. Part of the uniform worn by Beach, Allan Edward, Service no. 25718. Date of birth 6 Nov. 1913 - Box Hill Place of enlist - Melbourne -leading wireman Died 29 January 1981 Buried: Springvale Botanical Cemetery Copy of research - National Archives of Australia Two pleated silk ribbons, which form part of the uniform of Leading Wireman, Allan Edward Beach. See also NA5582 Tunic, NA5585 Trousers, NA5581 Dicky front, NA5578 Collar, NA5586 Lanyard, NA5589 Two Ribbons, NA5591 Hat band (HMAS), NA5583 Hat band (HMAS Cerberus), NA5593 Ribbon (HMS Repulse), NA5590 Ribbonroyal australian navy, world war ii, uniform, allan edward beach, sailor

Part of the uniform worn by Beach, Allan Edward, Service no. 25718. Date of birth 6 Nov. 1913 - Box Hill Place of enlist - Melbourne -leading wireman Died 29 January 1981 Buried: Springvale Botanical Cemetery Copy of research - National Archives of AustraliaWhite dicky front/panel/bib with square neckline edged with dark blue and with white ties. Part of WW2 uniform. See also NA5582 Tunic, NA5585 Trousers, NA5581 Dicky front, NA5578 Collar, NA5586 Lanyard, NA5589 Two Ribbons, NA5591 Hat band (HMAS), NA5583 Hat band (HMAS Cerberus), NA5593 Ribbon (HMS Repulse), NA5590 Ribbon royal australian navy-wwii, allan edward beach, allan beach

Part of the uniform worn by Beach, Allan Edward, Service no. 25718. Date of birth 6 Nov. 1913 - Box Hill Place of enlist - Melbourne- leading wireman Died 29 January 1981 Buried: Springvale Botanical Cemetery Copy of research - National Archives of Australia- Cotton cord lanyard (white) - With two knife lanyard knots See also NA5582 Tunic, NA5585 Trousers, NA5581 Dicky front, NA5578 Collar, NA5586 Lanyard, NA5589 Two Ribbons, NA5591 Hat band (HMAS), NA5583 Hat band (HMAS Cerberus), NA5593 Ribbon (HMS Repulse), NA5590 RibbonNilroyal australian navy, ww2 uniform, allan edward beach, allan beach, sailor

Part of the uniform worn by Leading Wireman Beach, Allan Edward, Service no. 25718. Date of birth 6 Nov. 1913 - Box Hill Place of enlist - Melbourne -leading wireman Died 29 January 1981 Buried: Springvale Botanical Cemetery Copy of research - National Archives of Australia Black silk ribbon which is folded & stitched. Part of the uniform of Allan Edward Beach. See also NA5582 Tunic, NA5585 Trousers, NA5581 Dicky front, NA5578 Collar, NA5586 Lanyard, NA5589 Two Ribbons, NA5591 Hat band (HMAS), NA5583 Hat band (HMAS Cerberus), NA5593 Ribbon (HMS Repulse), NA5590 RibbonNilroyal australian navy, ww2 uniform