This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 3426, of the 37th Battalion, (8th Reinforcements) who was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 12th August, 1918. Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', this plaque was given to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service in WW1. 1914-1918 Memorial Plaque In early 1920 it was announced that the next-of-kin of all Australian servicemen and women whose deaths were attributable to the First World War would receive a memorial plaque and scroll "as a solace for bereavement and as a memento". The memorial plaques were not uniquely Australian. In fact they were designed and produced in Britain and issued to commemorate all those who died as a result of war service from within the British Commonwealth. The idea for the plaques was originally conceived mid-way through the war. In 1917 a competition was announced to obtain a suitable design and 800 entries were eventually received. The winner, Mr. E. Carter Preston of Liverpool, England, was chosen in 1918. He was awarded a prize of 250 pounds. Mr Manning Pike directed the manufacture of the memorial plaques at the Memorial Plaque Factory set up at Acton, London. Some later plaques were also made at the Woolwich Arsenal. The cost of manufacturing so many plaques must have been considerable. Each plaque had the name of the soldier commemorated individually embossed (some were engraved) as part of the design. The full name was given without any indication of rank or honours to show the equality of sacrifice of all those who had lost their lives. The scroll designed to accompany the plaques was of thick paper, headed by the royal coat-of-arms, and bore the following message: "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those that come after see that his name is not forgotten". Underneath the message the serviceman or woman’s name, rank, honours and unit were written by hand in red ink. Because of the late arrival in Australia of the plaques many scrolls were sent out separately. A message from the King, "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War", was included with the scroll. The first plaques were distributed in Australia in 1922. Each plaque was sent out from Base Records Office at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne by second-class mail. Approximately 60,000 plaques were issued in Australia. Families of deceased members of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army Nursing Service also received plaques and scrolls This plaque is significant because it commemorates the death of an Australian soldier on active service in World War 1. It is representative of some 60,000 issued to next of kin of soldiers killed in World War 1. Although Richard Harness was living at 52 Victoria Street, Abbotsford when enlisted, together with a scroll from the King, it was donated by a Frankston Family.This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Australian Army private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 03426, of the 37th battalion, 8th re-inforcement. Harkness was killed in action on 12th August, 1918, near the French village of Proyart, during the 3rd Division's advance along the Somme Valley. further details can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51477 Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', these plaques were awarded to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service during WW1. refer to link for further information : http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/memorial_scroll/plaque.aspAround the edge are the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' On the righthand side of the plaque is the name of the soldier, in this case Richard Evans Harkness.commemorative, memorial, plaque, dead, man s, penny, king s, richard, evans, harkness

Pocket size book of New Testament & Psalms issued to U S Armed Forces from "The Gideons" International. With introduction page from The White House, Washington & Franklin D Roosevelt dated January 25, 1941. A title page headed "A Sacred Token" gives name of Private A.(Arthur) D.(Dean) Campbell. He was born at Melbourne on 31 March, 1917. it also provides his unit, being 2/55 Aust L.A.D. (Light Aid Detachment), AIF Australia and dated 3/6/1945A title page headed "A Sacred Token" gives name of Private A.(Arthur) D.(Dean) Campbell. He was born at melbourne on 31 March, 1917. it also provides his unit, being 2/55 Aust L.A.D. (Light Aid Detachment), army, ww2, new, testament, us, issue

Thomas Richard Cook Service number: 1732 Rank: Private Roll title: 1 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 8 Reinforcements (December 1914 - August 1915) Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918 Date of embarkation: 10 April 1915 Place of embarkation: Sydney Ship embarked on: HMAT Argyllshire Ship number: A8 Set of WW1 medals issued to T. R. Cook, note DCM + MM not included. 1) The 1914-1915 Star. Awarded for service on the establishment of a ship or unit in a theatre of war. A member awarded the 1914 Star could not be awarded the 1914-15 Star (this award). 2) British War Medal. Awarded for service as follows: • Navy - for 28 days mobilised service or to those who lost their lives in active operations before completing that period, between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. • Army and Air Force - entry into a theatre of war on duty, or who left places of residence and rendered approved overseas service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. • Mercantile Marine - at least six months service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. 3) The Victory medal. Awarded for service as follows: • Navy - those who were mobilised and rendered approved service either at sea between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 or on the establishment of a unit within a theatre of military operations. • Army - those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war. • Air Force - those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war outside the UK, served with an operational unit in the UK or overseas and had been actively engaged against the enemy, been employed in flying new aircraft to France or served on the complement of aircraft-carrying ships. A member Mentioned in Dispatches for service during World War 1 wears a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon. Only one emblem is worn no matter how many times a member may have been 'mentioned' 1) 1914-15 Star: Star with crown on top, with crossed swords, embossed with "1914-15" on obverse side, "1768/ Gnr T R Cook/ 1/Bn. A.I.F." 2)King George head and mounted warrioir on obverse. 3)Winged Brittania and obverse "The Great/war for/civilisation/1914-1919"medals, 1914 15 star, british war medal, victory medal, ww1 medals

An example of the standard issue Australian steel battle helmet worn by infantry during WW11, complete with liner and chin strap. The helmet is painted in army green and is stamped with the manufacture date of 1941. The adjustable inner lining is made of leather and rubber. It has a khaki webbing adjustable chin strap.Stamped 1941helmet, australian, 1941, ww2

Cape worn with the uniform of the nurses of the Australian Army Nursing Service during the World War 2 period. This cape is a crimson colour and was worn with the standard issue AANS summer uniform. The cape is worn over the uniform tunic and joined at the front by a hook and eye fastener. The cape has epaulettes on both shoulders with the insignia worn by an Army Lieutenant and has the standard semi circular "AUSTRALIA" insignia on each shoulder.