Part of the till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.A small booklet entitled 'With Him in the Garden' by Mrs E. Pfeifer - John 20:1-18 Cream paper booklet with a tree on the front.'With Him in the Garden' by Mrs E. Pfeiferbooks, religion

Medallion was minted to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War IIRound gold coloured medallion commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The front has a stylised map of Australia with 'World War II 60 years 1945-2005'. The back has the Australian Coat of Arms with 'World War II Service of Australia. The Medallion is contained in a black box with '60th anniversary of the end of World War II'. 'For Service to Australia'. A small brochure from The Royal Australian Mint.as above. On Box Australian Government - Department of Veterans' Affairs.military history, army

Tankard to commemorate conflicts in which the Australian Army has been involved since and including World War I. From the Returned Services League, Mitcham Sub-Branch, 26 McDowall Street, Mitcham, cnr Harrison Street when it closed early 2014.Australian Army Tankard with Australian rising sun badge on front. Tankard is made of pewter with a glass base. On the tankard all the conflicts that the Australian fought in are commemorated from World War I to Vietnam.The Australian Army Tankard, World War I, World War I, Mesopotamia, Flanders, German New Guinea, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, World War II, North Africa, Crete, Malaya, S.W. Pacific, Timor, New Guinea, Java, Bougainville, Borneo, Greece, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam.military history, army, metalcraft, pewterware

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

Medal awarded to Raymond Walter CLARK 4509 for service during WW2Australian Service Medal 1939-1945R.W. CLARK 4509world war 2

Awarded to German military personnel in WW2 for a first instance of bravery in combat.Silver and black Maltese Cross shaped medal with a red, black and white ribbon attached by a metal ring.1813 on reverse side and swastika above 1939 on the obverse side.world war 2, germany, bravery

From the Dobson farm house in Tasmania where it hung for seventy years. Mr Dobson was a member of the AIF in the Great War. Early World War One patriotic memorabilia

Display was constructed by the Rutherglen Historical Society for the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day. Each poppy represents one soldier. Those who returned and are buried at the local cemetery are shown at the top. The remainder represent those from the district who died overseas during the War.Wire mesh panel with an arrangement of knitted and crocheted poppies, each with a name attached, to commemorate World War 1 soldiers from the Rutherglen district.At top of display: "ANZACs at Rest in Carlyle Cemetery" Below the third row of poppies: "They didn't Come Home"world war !, world war i, anzac, memorials, poppies

Australian Commonwealth Military Forces gong from Egypt in 1940. This gong shows a link between the Australian military and Egypt in 1940. It is also an example of military craft skills and the creation of usable art by soldiers.Round brass gong engraved with Australian Rising Sun Badge and Egyptian motifs. Supported by a red wooden base. Gong attached to frame by green plastic-covered rope.Australian Commonwealth Military Forces / Egypt 1940egypt, wwii, world war two, australia, military

The Harburger Gummi-Kamm Co was a rubber manufacturer founded in Hamburg in 1870. The company produced engraved match-safes from vulcanised rubber.Small green rubber German matchbox. Box is engraved with mythological images - one side has Diana running and firing an arrow with her hunting dog at her side. The other side has two deer. The box has a hinged lid that opens at the top. One long side has a match striking area. the other is inscribed with the maker's company name. It is held together with brass screws.Harb Gummi-Kamm Comatches, match safe, mythology, germany, diana, war, military

Circa. 1940Steel inside completeLetter ( W ). printed on front of helmet.world war two, second world war, ww2, steel helmet, warden helmet, warden

Oval, black, metal, heavy, Red ring pullNo 36 M MK1 R.B.O 8-41 F.L.Hmills bomb, bomb, grenade, hand grenade, world war two, second world war, ww2

Prayer bottle. given to Pte. James Hone. in exchange for a cigarette during the war. Late WW11. Very small wooden shaped bottle with chain and ivory bauble.nil

Japanese Good Luck Flag was given to a soldier and was signed by dignitaries,family and friends often with short messages wishing the soldier victory,safety and good luck. We understand that it was deliberately dyed blue as they had lost the war and surrendered. This flag may have belonged to -Mr Sueji KOMAGI or KOMAKI Silk Dark blue flag with Red sun in middle. Appears to have faded and may have been dyed blue at later stage. Has faded. Many Japanese markings, inscriptions on the front of the flag. See 'notes' regarding translation.Many Japanese hand written inscriptions on face of the flag.Red sun in middle of flag 45cm in diameter. Believe message from people (relatives/community ) To Mr Sueji Komagi or Komaki. world war two, second world war, ww2, japan, japanese flag, japanese good luck flag

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

The Stinson L - 5 Sentinel was a World War 11- era liaison aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces, U.S Army Ground Forces, U>S Marine Corps and the British Royal Air Force. It was produced by the Stinson Division of the Vultee Aircraft Company (Consolidated - Vultee from mid- 1943). Capable of operating from short unimproved airstrips the L - 5 Sentinel delivered personnel, intelligence, and supplies to the front line. On return flights it carried wounded soldiers who were evacuated to rear area field hospitals for treatment. The L - 5 carried a pilot and observer. It had a length of 24.1 feet, wingspan of 34 feet, It had a maximum speed of 130 mph, a cruise speed of 100 mph with a range of 375 miles.The L - 5 was a significant asset to the allied war effort.Wooden propeller from Lycoming engine, with photograph of aircraft. Stinson L 5 Sentinal reconnaissance plane used in Korea and Vietnam. Propeller displayed from a similar plane.

Collected by a soldier during the First World War.Brown webbing belt with 14 brass shoulder badges mainly from British Territorial regiments, an Australian shoulder badge and three metal buttons pinned to itVariousww1, world war 1, first world war, british, metal badges, shoulder badges, british regimental badges, australian shoulder badges

Japanese ammunition used during WW2Cut down Japanese brass cartridge used as an ashtrayJapanese letters and a 6 and 8 inside a circleww2, second world war, world war 2, japanese ordnance, artillary, japanese artillary

Compendium used for correspondence during WW2This may have belonged to noted war correspondent and journalist Denis Ashton Warner 1917-2012. See notes section.Brown leather writing compendium containing two Japanese occupation $100 notes, three postcards, one newspaper clipping and 34 photographs of various subjects.Six of the photographs have writing on the back in two different hands. The postcard of a young woman is also inscriped.world war 2, ww2, second world war, postcards, photographs, military, japanese currency

Issued to Australian servicemen during World War 2.Creature comforts for men at warRound metal tin used for tobaccoWD & HO WILLS (AUSTRALIA) LTD SYDNEY, TRADE MARK and an 8 pointed star on lid. CAPSTAN NAVY CUT TOBACCO E FINE on base.tobacco, smoking, world war 2, ww2, second world war

Believed to have been made 1939/43. In 1904 the British Army adopted a new General Service (GS) pack saddle with an adjustable tree, known as the Mark V pack saddle. The main innovation was the adjustable tree created by having the front and back steel arches jointed to the wooden sidebars, which allowed them to turn to adjust to the size of the back of whatever animal carried the saddle, from the largest horse to the smallest donkey, and eliminated the need to manufacture saddles in different sizes. The saddle could be adapted, by the addition of hanging bars, or universal slats, to carry a wide variety of stores, tools and equipment, and also wounded men. The GS pack saddle was used in both world wars by both the British and Australian armies. The use of pack saddles was especially important in the campaign in Palestine during the First World War where wheeled transport was often not an option. Each machine gun carried by light horse units was transported on a pack saddle, and was accompanied by a second pack animal carrying spare ammunition. During the Second World War pack animals were routinely used by patrols, and larger units such as Norforce, in remote areas of northern Australia. The saddle shown here has two separate girths, which crossed under the animal's belly. Most later versions of the saddle used a shorter single girth buckled to a 'V' attachment, which was in turn buckled to the sidebars. Use of the 'V' attachment gave greater strength and stability to the saddle, and decreased 'rocking' of the load.

Data plate off a Second World War Japanese aircraftRectangular black and silver aluminium plate with a cardboard tag attached by stringThe plate has Japanese characters and numbers stamped on it. The cardboard tag has the following: Jap Zero Easter Friday 1943. shot down by Spitfire at Fenton NT crashed from 32,000ft, 2 Japs killed. Further writing is illegible.world war two, world war 2, ww2, ww11, japanese aircraft

Used as anti aircraft ammumition in WW237mm brass cartridge from WW237MM.M16, LOT 50035 Then a crest of some sort which is not readable. 43 F.A 1942 on the base and M23A?1 WC G-22579-47 1942 on primer.gunnery, ww2, world war two, ww two, ww11, world war !!, explosive, artillery

Anti aircraft ammunition used in WW2WW2 20mm Mark 2 cartridge with projectile end cut off20 MM MK 2 1943world war 2, ww2, world war 11, world war two, ammunition, anti aircraft, ww11

Steel box designed for carrying and storing ammunition. Painted Khaki Green in colour.Australian Government Explosive, Safety class 6. 665 Cart. 9MM BALL MK2Z CTN 4 - 4 - 67vietnam war, ammunition box, australian army

Medals of Private F.D. JonesBritish & U.N. Korea medals on card,00163.1 British medal Private F.D. Jones Kings Regiment. 00163.2 UN Medal. Korean medal Private F.D. Jones Kings Regiment . For service in defence of the principles of the charter of the United Nations.korean war, united nations, korea medal, medal, medals, un

Tri coloured fan on black wooden handle. The Australian National Korean War Memorial dedication, 17-18 April 2000. korean war, korean war veterans of korea, korean war memorial, commemorative fan