The Ordnance QF 25-pounder was the major British field gun and howitzer during the Second World War. Many Commonwealth countries used them during WW2 and Australia produced the guns at General Motors Holden. They were renowned for their rapid rate of fire and when firing at maximum range (12,253m -13,400yds) one gun could have up to 5 shells in the air at once. In North Africa during WW2, they were sometimes called upon to act as anti-tank guns. A shortened and lightened version of the gun was made in Australia and used in jungle operations.Steel conical projectile25 PR MK 1 L35 ME 11/54

895.1 - Printed card, inviting Mr. R. Wearne to a WW2 or WWII Memorial Service at Malvern Depot on 16/6/1946. Arranged by The Employees of Malvern Tram Depot" and signed by F. H. Dye, Depot Delegate. 895.1 - Printed sheet, folded on off white paper, three sides, with a border on the front page, "Order of Service", Malvern Tramway Men and the Second World War, Unveiling Ceremony. Honouring the memory of two soldier's from Malvern Depot, J. Giggins (killed 1941) and W. E. Armstrong (who died as a PWO in 1943).hand written informationtrams, tramways, world war 2, malvern depot

LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LT GEN) FUSATARO TESHIMA, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, JAPANESE SECOND ARMY, SURRENDERED TO GENERAL SIR THOMAS A. BLAMEY, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ALLIED LAND FORCE, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA. A SURRENDER CEREMONY WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9 1945 AT 1 CORPS SPORTS GROUND ON MOROTAI. LT GEN TESHIMA WAS ACCOMPANIED BY CAPTAIN TOYIMA, WHO SIGNED FOR THE JAPANESE NAVY. The surrender of Imperial Japan was announced on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. There were a number of surrender ceremonies including Morotai on September 9 1945,Black plastic frame containing cream coloured paper documents x 3 on black background.Donated by Jean Hughes of Wangaratta on behalf of her husband ROWLAND J HUGHES VX 51510morotai, japanese surrender, ww2

Written and typed war diary, service and personal certificatesww2, second world war, ww two, war diary

Photograph album belonging to Eric Gibson Hamilton Born 20/12/1919 at Tallangatta in Victoria - VX42389 2/32nd Inf Bat AIF. It contains over 300 black and white images/photographs taken during WW2 in the Middle East at Tobruk, Libian Desert,Syria, Aleppo, Damascus,Beirut, Egypt, Palestine,Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Gaza. Images include battles, cemeteries, ruins, cities and local way of life. Inside rear cover is a photograph of large group of nurses from the 4th A.G.H. Below each image is a hand written text in white ink. There are two images of "Jock Sparks"This photo album was created by Serviceman Eric Hamilton. The photos document Eric’s personal war experiences taken at various locations in the middle east during the second world war.Dark Blue leather bound album with red leather strap and silver plastic claspInside front cover - Eric Gibson Hamilton VX42389 2/32nd Inf. Bat. A.I.Fphotographs, ww2, middle east, eric hamilton, 2/32nd infantry battalion

The original South Wangaratta Primary School served the district for over 110 years and closed in December 1985 before moving to new premises. When the school closed in 1989 and with the demise of the South Wangaratta Hall due to flooding in the 1990's the Honour Board was wrapped in a blanket and stored in a shed for the best part of 10 years before being donated to the Wangaratta RSL for safekeeping and permanent display. South Wangaratta School and District Honor Board lists names of students who served during WW2Timber Honour Board with two columns consisting of twenty one names in gold paint.School and District South Wangaratta. Roll of Honour. Second World War 1939-45world war 2, south wangaratta, honour board

Australian born Nancy Wake AC, GM, was the most decorated servicewoman of the Second World War. She was nicknamed the 'White Mouse' for her ability to consistently evade and outmanoeuvre the Gestapo as a secret agent for British forces. Brown timber frame containing caricature of female in uniform wearing a beretMedals and Decorations: France: U.S.A War Hero - Australia's most decorated woman Great Britain - George Medal/1939-45 Star Legion de Honneur Freedom Medal France & Germany Star Croix de Guerre Defence Medal/Victory Medal Medal de Resistancenancy wake, ww2, white mouse, australian servicewoman

Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Second World War recruitment poster. Released in 1941 before Japan had entered the war, at a time when many Australians were reluctant to enlist to fight on the other side of the world. James Northfield (1887 - 1973) was an Australian graphic artist active from the 1910s through to the 1960s .Northfield created a series of patriotic posters during World War IIDepicts a man donning a uniform, rifle in one hand, his civilian clothes lie in heap on the ground behind him.Full text; Join the AIF: This is serious! Enlist Nowrecruitment poster, ww2, james northfield

The striking image on the poster shows men crowded on the deck after the successful action against the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni on 19 July 1940. On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. The faces of many of the 645 servicemen who died in Australia’s greatest naval tragedy feature on this special poster produced to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of the HMAS Sydney. For more than six decades the location of the Sydney had remained a mystery until the wreckages of both HMAS Sydney and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser Kormoran were discovered around 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia. The sinking of the Sydney and the loss of all her crew in the Second World War is the single greatest naval tragedy Australia has experienced in Australian waters.Black plastic frame with grey mount containing poster/photograph of Navy crew on ship and in foreground. top left corner - Lest We Forget Bottom of print - HMAS SYDNEY 19 November, 1941 hmas sydney, ww2, 19/11/1941, kormoran, ran

Hand draw sketch on cloth handkerchief by Private Edward CURRAN VX143967 - Born Wangaratta 6/6/1923 Service - CMF 23/1/1942-11/7/1943 AIF 12/7/1943-15/10/1945 24th Battalion Embarked 29/3/1943 for New Guinea. Cotton handkerchief depicting hand drawn sketch by soldier whilst on active service in New Guinea during second world war.Brown timber frame and beige mount containing sketch of a koala in a blue diamond above a boomerang on cloth Bouganville New Guinea 24th Battalion AIF "I Hold Fast" Plaque with inscription "Private Edward Joseph Curran 24th Infantry Battalion Australian Imperial Force - New Guinea and Bougainville"new guinea, ww2, 24 battalion, edward curran

Binoculars used in the fieldKhaki coloured canvass case with carry strap containing metal Binoculars Serial number 150918 Binoculars prism No 2 Mk 2, magnification x6. O.S, 108 M.A. world war two, second world war, binoculars, binoculars prism no 2 mk 2, wwii, ww2

Oral history interview with Jock Read (1915- 2010) conducted by Diana Bassett-Smith of Eltham District Historical Society. Peter Bassett-Smith and possibly Gwen Orford also in attendance. The interview includes discussion of Jock's family history and connection to Eltham, including his attendance at Eltham State School starting 1921, childhood memories including games he played, memories of Eltham High School, recreational activities, milking, money earned, local transport, neighbours, effect of the Depression, local shops, involvement with the Church of England and more. Recording contains significant amount of noise. 0:00 Introduction including the clarification of Jock's name as Frances and backstory of his parents being from England 3:15- 5:00 Commences talking about home life and childhood 3:38 Talking about family immigrating to Australia His father immigrated to Australia when he was 6 4:05 Jock was born in and lived with his parents in Brunswick before moving to Eltham during the 1920s 4:55-7:44 Permanently moved to Eltham and started at Eltham Primary School in 1921 Talking about books used at school, and games played at school such as marbles, cricket and football 8:45 Moved into Eltham High School after finishing at Eltham Primary 9:50 Week and weekend activities including: Milking cows and doing milk runs on horseback before school 13:15 Most common mode of transport was using horse drawn vehicles and walking 14:50 Discusses impact of depression on family: Father had previously started a business but the depression had a large impact on that 16:10-18:00 Facilities that Jock had • Used hurricane lamps and candles- no electricity • Woodfire • Milk and bread were delivered • Greengrocer- George Bird? 25:22 Left Eltham high school in 1930 26:00 Begins discussing involvement with the church of England 31:46 Electricity did not come to Eltham until 1926 Jock described it as an exciting event 33:00-34:00 Describing the rented house, he was living in- small wooden cottage 35:00 Discussion around starting a mail run round areas of Eltham 38:40-42:35 Enlisted in the navy during WW2 • Navel cadets in 1934 • HMAS Vampire • Served as a seaman gunner Audio Compact Cassette Tape ACME C90 XHG Converted to MP3 file; 55.1MB, 0:42:35audio cassette, audio recording, diana bassett-smith, eltham, jock read, oral history, read family, elham primary school, eltham high school, eltham primary school, 1920s, brunswick, depression, church, st margaret's church, housing, ww2, second world war

1. & 2. Relate to letter sent by Alva Bennetts which can be found in Cat No. 9872.3. Part of the Bennetts Collection. See Cat No. 9726P for details of service for "Alva Marie Bennetts".1. Two page booklet with black and white illustrated front cover. Title and publishers logo in black. Text on pages in black type. Cover and pages fastened with a staple on top LH Corner. 2. A4 sized single page letter with text in black type. Australian Coat of Arms on top LH corner. Text below Coat of Arms in orange type.2. Handwritten signature in blue ink at bottom of letter.bennetts collection, alva bennetts, returned servicewomen, ww2

Trench art in the form of a model plane made out of 303 shells acquired during the second world war in New Guinea by Syd Marsh.Silver/bronze coloured metal object in the shape of a model P38 plane made out of 303 shellsNiltrench art, ww2, new guinea

This badge is an example of 'sweetheart' jewellery from the Second World War. Often worn by female relatives, girlfriend or wife, the brooches were a symbol of pride, support and affection for a loved one serving in the armed forces. They could be purchased by the women themselves or given as a gift by servicemen Silver coloured metal brooch depicting soaring eagle with pin at backOn rear of tail stamped STG SIL - sterling silverbrooch, airforce, raaf, ww2

Rowland James HUGHES VX 51510 born 2/1/1911 at Wangaratta. Enlisted 6/3/1941 and was deployed to the Middle East in 1941 and Morotai in May 1945 during the second world war. He served in the Signal Corp and 1st Australia Tech Maintenance Section. The images depict the formal signing of the surrender of the Japanese Forces at Morotai on September 9 1945.The surrender of Imperial Japan was announced on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. There were a number of surrender ceremonies including Morotai on September 9 1945,Black plastic frame containing photocopy of 7 photographs on cream coloured paper document on black mount.Donated by Jean Hughes of Wangaratta on behalf of her husband ROWLAND J HUGHES VX51510morotai, ww2, japanese surrender

One of several illustrated envelopes without letter sketched by soldier/s during the second world warCream paper envelope with sketch of a soldier standing in front of desk with officier seated behindBottom left corner - "Whats this I hear about you coming on parade without your gaters" ww2, envelope art

Presented "In Appreciation of Service/ rendered in the/ Second World War 1939-45".Certificate - appears to be an original certificate on thick paper which has been laminated. Red and dark blue print on beige background surrounded by colour illustrations - red, white, and blue flag, the Australian Coat of Arms; Navy, Army and Air Force badges, laurel leaves and scroll work.Certificate presented to "LAC E.R. Bassett" by the "Citizens of California Gully".certificate, ww2, raaf, lac e.r. bassett

WWII historical significance from the African CampaignWWII African Campaign brass tankard from 1943 describing various battles carried out by the 8th Army. Possibly trench art.Engraved with various battles carried out by the 8th Army. Also engraved with The North African Campaign ends on the 13th May 1943.ww2, second world war, world war 2, world war ii, tankard, mug, african campaign

3 Military Medals WWII with ribbons. 1939-1945 Service Medal; 1945 Defence Medal; and 1939-1945 War Medal.Medals are inscribed with VX12390. Name of recipient A.J. Bond. ww2, world war 2, war medal, defence medal, asm 1939-1945, australian service medal 1939-1945, second world war

WWII historical significance.Medals were awarded to V501832 Cyril Theodore Hunt. Date of enlistment 24 Sep 1942. Date of discharge 18 Dec 1945. Served with 8th Australian Field Company (Royal Australian Engineers).Four WWII medals with ribbons. 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal, 1939-1945 Australian Service Medal, Returned from Active Service medal No. A273676 and RSL membership from 1959 No. V104624.V501832 CT Hunt.world war 2, ww2, second world war, medals

WW 11 Battalion Jacket.Pte. R. P. Herbertson. VX 12782 ?.Color patch Triangular white background with Red and Navy inside.world war two, ww2, wwii, second world war, khaki jacket, jacket, uniform