William 'Bill' Leo Larkin (b. 19.09.1898) was born in Hawthorn (Vic). [His World War I enlistment papers give details of the Hawthorn birthdate, as well as Ballarat, but his birth records state his birth as Hawthorn). After leaving St Patrick's College in Ballarat in 1917, he enlisted in the army serving in England and France. At the time of his enlistment in the army in the Second World War (17 April 1940), he was recorded as living in Kew. His service number was VX11459. The Sands & McDougall Directory of 1938 gives his address as 31 Fernhurst Grove. In the army he served in the Middle East and in New Guinea. He was to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1942. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in 1946. Enlistment Presentation Wallets were presented by the City of Kew from 1940 to men who enlisted in the war. Typically, these wallets are dated 1939, even though the enlistment may have occurred at a later date.Memento presented to citizens of Kew (vic.) on enlistmentRectangular brown leather single fold wallet with eight internal pockets. The front includes an embossed City of Kew logo and the words ‘Presented by the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Kew to W. L. Larkin on Enlistment for Active Service Abroad, 1939'.second world war 1939-1945, world war two, city of kew, william leo larkin, bill larkin, presentation wallets

This infant protectors was donated to the Kew Historical Society by officers of the City of Kew. It was presumably held by the City for protection against gas attacks.Rare piece of WW1 equipment designed to protect infants on the home front.A respirator designed by the US Army O.C.D to be used to protect a baby in case of a gas attack. The respirator comprises a green pliofilm bag with a draw-string to secure the bag after a baby was placed in it. A hose and hand-action pump provides air for the baby. The respirator includes a detailed description of how it is to be used and stored. infant respirator, gas mask, world war two

20th Light Horse Regiment serving in a infantry role was posted to Merauke on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea (now the Indoneasian province of Papua) in 1943. It was the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII. Sergeant Adrian Dunne, a native of Tocumwal NSW, was killed in action 12 November 1944. He was aged 25.Rare evidence of the service of the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in World War II (1939-45). Timber framed display panel containing Australian Commonwealth Military Forces hat badge (Rising Sun), 'Australia' metal shoulder title, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 British War Medal and 1939-45 Australian Service Medal; and Colour patch of 20th Light Horse Regiment, black over gold. Objects are protected by a Perspex front cover sheet. Sgt Dunne's name is spelled incorrectly on the panel.20th Light Horse / Sgt Adrian Dunn / VX81616 Tocumwal / Killed Dutch New Guinea 1943.military, world war two, wwii, dunn, merauke, new guinea

This tunic and cap were worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer CBE DSO & Bar, ED when Honorary Colonel 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1959-1960 Hammer had pre-WWII service with 8th Battalion and 17th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment. He served with the 6th Division in North Africa and Greece before becoming Commanding Officer of 2nd/48th Battalion. On return from the Middle East, Hammer commanded the 15th Brigade throughout two years of fighting in New Guinea and Bougainville. After the war, Hammer became Commissioner for Repatriation in Victoria and continued his military career in the Citizens Military Forces, commanding the 2nd Armoured Brigade and later 3rd Division. Open-neck officer's 'Blues' tunic with gold braided general's epaulettes and Major General's embroidered badges of rank; gilt general's buttons; red and gold braided aiguillette and white gloves. Uniform worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer when appointed as Honorary colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Medals awarded to Major General Hammer are Commander of the British Empire (CBE), Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Mentioned in Despatches (MID), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal, Efficiency Decoration (ED). General's peak cap with gold bullion hat badge and double row of oak leaves on peak. Medals on display are replica.8/13 vmr, military, hammer, honorary, colonel, general, world war two, wwii, cmf

In December 1941 8th Light Horse (Indi) converted from horse to mechanised initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 became 8th Cavalry Regiment. Served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded March 1944.This object is well provenance and, in its condition and completeness, is a fine example of unusual headgear worn by Australian armoured corps soldiers in World War 2 (39-45).Khaki heavy cloth beret with 'Rising Sun' badge and 8th Cavalry Regiment colour patch.beret, 8th cavalry regiment, wwii, uniforms, hats, world war two, second world war, world war 2, badges, insignia

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.This is one of a collection of pewters presented by officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side."20th Light Horse Regiment / Presented by / Lieut R G Pryor 16-10-39"pryor rg lieutenant, 20th light horse, engravings, presentations, mugs, light horse regiment, wwii, world war two, second world war, pre-war militia

The 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment superseded the 16th Light Horse in 1919. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941,the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded. The regimental association visited the 8/13th VMR Museum at Buna Barracks Albury on occasions. Well made plaque in fine condition commemorating a WWII Regiment.Stained wooden shield - shaped plaque with 8th Cavalry Regiment insignia and two engraved panels.Top panel " Presented to 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum Albury.". Lower Panel " From 8th Cavalry Regiment Victoria 1986."cavalry, 8th, world war two, wwii

Demobilization Procedure Book No. 4505 87 8th March 1948VX 60307 Fink Geoffrey Rolandmilitary, demobilisation, wwii, world war two, fink

Soldiers Record of Service bookVX 60307 Fink Geoffrey Roland ( 24 - 10-21 ) Clerk C/E Enlisted 28 - 7 - 41military, wwii, world war two, fink, service record

Australian Military Forces Army Drivers Licence number WO 5328 . 16 November 1942 - 26th May 1943VX 60307 Fink Geoffrey Rolandmilitary, wwii, world war two, licence, driver, fink

Soldiers Pay Book from 24 - 2 -45 --- 26 -3 45VX 60307 Fink Geoffrey Rolandmilitary, wwii, world war two, fink, pay

Soldiers Pay Book No. 273447 From 14 - 8 - 41 to 11 - 1 - 45VX 60307 Fink Geoffrey Roland military, pay, wwii, world war two, fink

Used by Lance Corporal W. B. Ashweirth - Signalman in the Australian Army who was held at Changi and later transferred to Osaka in Japan as a slave labourer.Combination military water bottle and panakin with [base metal] fold-away metal handleAustralian Coat of Arms and RIP 'Sig" mascot of 6th Line Section - Signals Regiment - Died at Changi Barracks on 27th February 1942. Also a 'love heart' showing WBA / EHAchangi, changi pow camp, pow, water bottle, world war two, second world war, wwii, ww2, changi barracks

Dated 1944, the kit contains some original issue items.General First Aid Kit containing: 3inch x 6yd bandage Sanax Antiseptic cream First Field Dressing Kaolin Powder sachet Electrolyte Powder sachet Triangular bandage 2inch x 6yd bandages x 2 Detergent impregnated cloth 6545-66-019-9802 Red Cross Logo First Aid Kit General Purpose for MT (CES 6007) Inside lid is a list of contents along with the matching serial no, unit of issue and quantity required in tinfirst aid kit, world war two, second world war, wwii, ww2

Escape scarf was issued to all military personnel, both army and airforce and personnel in theatres of war. The scarf was designed to provide information on escape routes if the soldier/pilot was captured. The scarf was donated to the RSL by Cedric Hamilton Chindit WW2.Unusual orange silk escape scarf with Burma and North Burma map. Colour may indicate that the scarf was primarily to be used for nighttime viewing.orange silk scarf with map of burma on one side and a map of north burma on the other side.One side - Central Burma Second side - North Burmaworld war two, second world war, ww2, wwii, scarf, burma, escape scarf

Phillippine To be awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal, a service member must have participated in at least one of the following actions:[2][3][4] Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from 17 October to 20 October 1944. An individual is considered to have participated in such operations if he landed on Leyte or adjoining islands, was on a ship in Philippine waters, or was a crewmember of an airplane, which flew over Philippine territory during the period. Participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces on Leyte and adjoining islands during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of 17 October 1944, to 2 September 1945. Participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces on islands other than those mentioned above during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of 17 October 1944, to 2 September 1945. Served in the Philippine Islands or on ships in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period.Purple Heart medals were awarded for soldiers injured or killed in WW2Medal Ribbon Noneworld war two, ww2, usa, usa ww2, ribbon, philippine liberation medal, occupation medal, purple heart

stories written by service personnel both men and womenkhaki green hardcover bookas you were, 1949, non-fiction, world war two, second world war, wwii, ww2

This was donated to the Glen Eira City Council Collection by Ron Fisher. The pin belonged to Ron’s father Syd and has been in the family until its donation. Syd was a WW2 veteran who joined up in Caulfield. The Mayor of Caulfield's Patriotic Fund was established in 1939 in conjunction with the Caulfield Returned Soldier's Club. Members raised funds by hosting dances in private homes and events at the Caulfield Town Hall. By 1944, more than £86,000 had been collected for the Fund.Small oval brass and enamel commemorative pin. Centre oval has blue enamel Australian flag, surrounded by the inscription "MAYOR OF CAULFIELD'S PATRIOTIC FUND". Red enamel scroll motif at rear. C-clasp fastening on reverse."STOKES MELB"caulfield patriotic fund, returned soldiers, world war two, wwii, fundraising, remembrance

Colour patch identifies the hat as belonging to a member of the 26th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, a CMF (militia) regiment raised around Geelong and western Victoria c.1939. First tasked with coastal defence in south-western Victoria and later Western Australia.rare example of headgear of a CMF regiment from Victoria mobilised for defence of mainland Australia during World War Two.Khaki slouch hat with colour patch on puggaree and rising Sun badge on turned up brim.Stamped inside band: V553 / 6 7/8 / 1942military, slouch hat, light horse, machine gun, world, world war two, wwii, cmf

Four men who served as National Servicemen in differing eras of Australian military history : 1929, 1939, 1957, & 1968national service, military, wwii, world war two, vietnam

The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded and men transferred to a variety of other units. A small number were trained in the use of Flame thrower equipment in preparation for service in the landings at Balikpapan and Tarakan .Black and white photograph of 12 soldiers dressed in khaki drill uniforms and wearing slouch hats and peak caps posed with two flame thrower devices. LHQ Flame Warfare Training Team. Taken at Ravenshoe Atherton Tablelands QLD. Includes Sgt George Wiltshire and seven sgts all with service through 8th Light Horse Regiment, 8 Recce Bn, and finally 8 Cav Regt A.I.F.military, 8 light horse, flame thrower, flame warfare, wwii, world war two

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Black and white proof photograph of 2/8 Armoured Regiment marching through Melbourne 17 October 1941military, melbourne, march, armoured, world war two, wwii, uniform

Mem bers of 2/8th Armoured Regiment at Family Day at Buna Barracks Albury 27 October 1991armour, reunion, 2/8th, albury, buna barracks, wwii, world war two

Black and white photograph of 20 Motor Regiment.Location not known.Photo is laminated.military, motor regiment, uniform, world war two, wwii

See also 3089.86. Information with that photo gives an alternative provenance: 8th Light Horse Regiment watering horses at a Murray River lagoon, South Corowa NSW, September 1939; Wahgunyah Troop, C Squadron - this side of lagoon, Lieutenant J. Nott on grey horse in water. The number of horsemen would seem to exceed that of a single regiment so the Torquay description would seem more probable.Black and white photograph ( laminated ) of 8th, 13th,20th, and 4thLight Horse Regiments watering horses near Torquay Victoria , March 1940.Picture taken about March 1940 when the 13th Light Horse from Gippsland, the 8th Light Horse from Upper Murray, the 4th Light Horse from the Western Districts and the 20th Light Horse from the Goulburn Valley were in camp near Torquay. Mr Cappur Webb of Glendoxey, Seymour, a member of the 20th said the picture must have been taken during and exercise about five miles north of Torquay. “We used to water our horses in that lake”, he said." light horse, torquay, wwii, world war two, military, horses

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.A4 sized booklet with stiff slip-on plastic spine, 16 pages, clear plastic front cover and card back cover. Covers the history of the regiment from Victorian Colonial period, Federation militia as 7th, 15th and finally 20th Light Horse, then conversion to 20 Motor Regiment and deployment to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea and lastly in the closing stages of the Second World War to 20th Pioneer Battalion.military, wwii, world war two, light horse, motor regiment, pioneer battalion, aif, merauke, new guinea

Lieutenant Des Martin was a member of the Wodonga Troop of the pre-WWII 8th Light Horse (Indi) regiment. He volunteered for the AIF, 12/6/1940 (VX31564) and served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion in Syria and New Guinea. He was discharged 11/2/1944 with the rank of lieutenant. He was a horseman of considerable repute and was the author of the book “Australia Astride”. He provided valuable assistance to the 8/13 VMR Heritage Troop when it was raised. Wearing this uniform, he rode with a group of former light horsemen leading ANZAC Day marches in Melbourne for many years.Half mannequin dress in service dress tunic with 8th Light Horse lapel badges, silver buttons, badges of rank and colour patches. Complemented with slouch hat with 8th Light Horse hat badge and emu plumes, and Sam Browne belt.military, anzac day, melbourne, martin, pioneer, vmr, light horse, world war two, wwii

The .30 caliber Browning Machine gun was the basic machine gun of US forces and became more common in British and Australian armoured when US tanks were adopted.Representative of US training manuals in WW11.Natural coloured covered booklet " War Department Basic FIELD Manual Browning Machine Gun Caliber .30 HB M1919A4 ( mounted in Combat Vehicles ) August 12, 1942."military, world war two, wwii, us, machine gun

The Owen Machine Carbine was designed and manufactured in Australia in 1942 when Australia was in desperate need of weapons.The OMC proved highly effective and remained in service till 1960s.Rare publication to accompanyweapon designed and manufactured in Australia during WW11Natural covered booklet " Owen gun Instruction Book " published by Lysaght's Port Kembla July 1942 to accompany weapons manufactured at te Company's plant. 42 pages and fold out sheet, stapled.military, owen, machine carbine, wwii, world war two, lithgow