Letters of condolence written to parents of "M.C. Townsend" KIA on sinking of HMAS SYDDNEY on 15/11/41. Refer to Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.1. Handwritten letter of Sympathy from John Lemmon, Parliament House, Victoria. Stamp of Legislation Assembly, Victoria on top. 2. Handwritten letter from Electoral office, Bendigo to parents, on folded over white piece of paper.1. Signed “John Lemmon”, Headed - Parliament House, Melbourne C1, and dated 11/12/41. 2. Signed “Tilbert J. Boyle”, Headed Electoral Office Bendigo and dated 2/12/41.hmas sydney, kia, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Letters of Sympathy to parents of Dental Surgeon "M.C. Townsend", KIA on HMAS SYDNEY on 15/11/41. Refer Cat No. 2323P for Townsends service.1. Handwritten letter from Dental Officer's Mess, Puckapunyal, Victoria on blank white paper. 2. Typed letter from Chaplain, Flinders Naval Depot to Mr. Townsend. 1. Signed “Eric Wollff” and dated 2/12/41. 2. Signed “Norman Symes”, Chaplain, RAN and dated 6/12/41.hmas sydney, kia, mervyn clive townsend, ww2

Letters of Sympathy from RAAF Units for Dental Surgeon "Mervyn Clive Townsend" lost on HMAS SYDNEY on 15/11/41. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.1. Handwritten letter on white paper. Paper headed with RAAF stamp and name of Military Base. 2. Handwritten letter on cream white paper. Royal Australian Air Force stamp in top left corner and name of RAAF Unit in right corner. 3. Handwritten letter of cream white paper. Stamp at top of bird with outstretched wings with crown at top.1. Listed from RAAF Station, Nhill, Victoria and dated 3/12/41, signed by “Edward Campbell”. 2. Listed No. 1 School of Technical Training, Radio Mechanics Course, Dated 1st December and signed “Allan Davis”. 3. Listed No. 2 METO Course, School of Technical Training and dated 3/12/41.hmas sydney, kia, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Letters of Sympathy from a range of Victorian school for Dental Surgeon M.C. Townsend, KIA with sinking of HMAS Sydney on 15 /11/ 1941. Refer No. 2313P for Townsends service.Seventeen (17) letters of sympathy from various schools around Victoria, primarily to the parents of "Mervyn Clive TOWNSEND".Varioushmas sydney, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

1. & 2. Two light blue shirts. They have two breast pockets. It has an epaulette. on each shoulder. It is held shut with 6 plastic buttons. The pockets are held shut with one plastic button each.1. Nil. 2. Written on the label is W326143. B. Williams.raaf, cadet uniform, female

This is a pair of blue trousers. It has a pocket on each hip. There is a zippered fly - held shut at the top with one black plastic button. There are two pleats either side of the fly.Written on label = W326143 B. Williams.raaf, long pants, uniform, female

Topics covered in notes include War Administration and Medical Evacuation Procedures. Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661, Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Plastic covered red two ring binder containing notes on miscellaneous topics. Text on pages is handwritten or printed in black type. Handwritten annotations in pencil. Pages are white and pink in colour.Handwritten on various pages: 'Annotations in pencil and black ink'.war administration, training notes, kevin john herdman

Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover - cardboard with Navy Blue buckram cover. Gold print on spine. Dust cover - paper, red and black print on front, spine, front and back flaps. Illustrated, front cover photograph in colour of a ship dockside. Back cover - photograph in colour of a portion of a ship in a seascape of water, sand and trees in background. 191 pages, cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated in black and white and colour photographs, maps and technical illustrations. Front end paper - handwritten greeting.Front endpaper - blue pen - handwritten, "TO DAD/ FROM VALERIE & IAN - FATHERS DAY 1981". books, navy cruisers

This Trolley was used by the Bendigo RSL Womens Auxiliary in the Soldiers Memorial Institute to set up tables for meals, functions etc. When the Auxiliary folded in 2001/002 it was then used by the Ex Service Womens Association many of whom were on the Auxiliary until about 2015. Trolley, rectangular shape timber construction, brown stained, has top and bottom shelf, 4 legs on metal castors.brsl, smirsl, trolley, wabrsl, auxiliary

This item was most likely presented to the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch at the Soldiers Memorial Institute. Given the style of the photograph it is possibly mid 1950"s.Photograph colour enhanced portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in a light yellow colour carboard backing. Text in black above and below the photograph."Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth", "Presented by Bendigo RSL Womens Auxiliary"brsl, smirsl, her majesty, auxiliary, wabrsl

Item in the collection of Gilbert John Mitchell (Jack) Pre WW2 Jack had service for a brief time in the 38th BN Bendigo No 447203. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31.1.1942 No 410686 age 20 years. Embarked for England on 6.1.1943 for further Training. Posted to 166 Sqd RAF Wellington Bombers then posted Operational to No 466 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Heavy Bombers. On 18.7.1944 he and his crew in MZ313 were on a mission to attack Railway Sidings at Vaires. This was new Aircraft on 11.6.1944. They were hit by Anti Aircraft shells exploding in the fuselage. The Bomb Aimer Flt/Lt Finley advised the crew to leave by parachute as it was possible the craft could disintegrate. The Pilot Officer R.J. Evans decided to try and get the aircraft back to England, once there they abandoned the craft which was seen to disintegrate in mid air. Both were awarded the DFC. Jack was taken POW and sent to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth on the Baltic Sea for Allied Airmen. The Crew were; Roger John Evans No 410202, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. Peter Hamiliton Finley No 412294, enlisted 22.6.1941 age 22 years. L.C. Abbott, British/Allied. G.J. Mitchell, POW. Keith Mossman Tranent POW, No 426402, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. J.P.T. Finn RAF (Paddy) T.W. Wild British/Allied. On 30.4.1945 The Germans vacated the Camp Jack was in and 2 days later the Russians released them and he was placed in a British Hospital weighing 6 stone. He arrived home in Sept 1945. He stayed in the RAAF No 033130 and served in No 35 Sqd flying VIPs. He was in the Berlin Airlift 1948 - 1949, he also went on exchange with the RAF and flew in No's 24 & 511 Sqd's one a transport the other VIP transport. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Flt/Lt on 6.7.1956 in No 11 Sqd. "Maunder and Sheean". In the article Jacks says that Lofty Maunder always had a joke etc when near the target to settle everyone down. The crew of Halifax LV875 were shot down by a Night Fighter near the target "Terngier" north of Paris 0n 11.4.1944. There was 157 Halifax's on the raid with 10 being lost. The Crew were; John Henry Maunder No 412562, Navigator, enlisted 19.7.1941 age 19 years 10 months. Brian Leo Sheean, No 409855, Wireless Operator, enlisted 1.10.1941 age 18 years. Research shows there were at least 3 more of the Crew KIA. Cecil John Bond No 420433, Pilot, enlisted 8.11.1941 age 19 years 11 months. John Neville Keys No 426112, Bomb Aimer, enlisted 23.5.1942 age 19 years 6 months. Clifford Young Warren No 427047, Rear Gunner, enlisted 26.4.1942 age 19 years 3 months. J.A. White, Flight Engineer, British/Allied. D.K. Messenger, Mid Upper Gunner, British/Allied. Newspaper article Herald Sun 19.4.2002, copy. Article re Jack Mitchell. The article has 6 photo insets 3 of Jack, 2 show Airmen beside an aircraft. The one with 2 Aircrew is "Lofty" Maunder and Jack. The article is mostly about "Maunder and Brian Sheean" mates of Jack. The inset photo of a women in uniform is believed to be "Maunders" English wife who he had married previously. Maunder and Sheean were KIA. "FLY THE FLAG FOR A MATE"newspaper, article, 466 sqd

Items in the collection re "Jack Mitchell". It is not sure if .1) was taken before the Mission. As per .2) The target was Berlin on 21.1.1944. There was 769 Aircraft on the mission which included 264 Halifax's of which 22 were lost. The Crew; Roger John Evans No 410202, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. (refer Cat No 7467) John Henry Maunder No 412562, Flt/Sgt, (refer Cat No 7467) Jack Mitchell, Flt/Sgt, (refer Cat No 7467) F. Greenwood Sgt British RAF. Sidney Robert McDonald No 413239, P/O, enlisted16.8.1941 age 19 years 3 months. Keith Mossman Tranent No 426402, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. (refer Cat No 7467) Patrick John Bourke No 426822, Flt/Sgt, enlisted 11.8.1942 age 21 years. (Later KIA on 11.4.1944, craft No HX274) Black & white photographs laminated. .1) Day light photo shows 7 Aircrew standing beside a Halifax Bomber before take off. .2) Night time photo showing 7 Aircrew standing beside a Halifax Bomber on return from a mission..1) "Jack Evans Flt/Sgt DFC, Jack Maunder Flt/Sgt KIA, Jack Mitchell Flt/Sgt POW, Frank Greenwood Sgt RAF, Bob McDonald Flt/Sgt, Keith Tranent Flt/Sgt POW, Pat Bourke Flt/Sgt KIA". .2) "Back from a raid on Berlin 21.1.1944. Same names but in a different order"photographs, 466, raaf, berlin

Items in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for full service details. Field Marshall Montgomery visited Australia in 1947. Jack Mitchell was flying VIP flights. The Berlin Airlift was called "Operation Pelican". The crew. Flt Sgt J.H. Moor No 418451 RAAF, discharged 25.3.1948. Flt Lt O.W, Friend No 406291 RAAF, discharged 5.2.1948 W Com H. C. Plenty No 03103 RAAF, DFC & Bar, discharged 2.2.1976. Flt Lt M Palmer (unknown at this point).1) Photo B & W laminated, shows "Montgomery" shaking hands with Jack Mitchell with 4 other Aircrew around. .2) Photo B & W laminated showing "Montgomery" standing with the same crew. .3) Photo B & W laminated showing the 5 Aircrew with "Montgomery", text at the bottom and on rear.At bottom, "Montgomery of Alamein" On rear, "Monty's crew - L - R - Flt Sgt J.H. Moor - Flt Lt O.W. Friend - W. Com H Plenty - Flt Lt M Palmer - Flt Lt G.J. Mitchell"photographs, montgomery

Item in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for his service details. Jack as per rear, front row 3rd from the left.Photo B & W Laminated showing a 2 engine aircraft with a large group of RAAF Aircrew, 1 row standing, 1 row sitting with a sign in front.On sign, "RAAF Squadron Berlin Airlift 14.9.48 - 29.8.49 - sorties 2002 - pounds carried ......... - flown ........ - passengers carried 6964". On rear, "RAAF Berlin Airlift - Squadron Lubeck Germany - Jack Mitchell - 3rd from left bottom row".photographs, berlin, raaf squadron, airlift

1. Blue drill cotton polyester skirt. It has belt loops at the waist. It has a side zip held shut with one button -colour deep blue. 2. & 3. Blue cotton/polyester skirts. They have belt loops with an installed belt. The belt has a silver chromed buckle. It has a side zip held shut with one black plastic button. It has a sewn in lining/petticoat. It has two pleats either side of the zip.3. Written on label, “W.326143. B. Williams”raaf cadet uniform, skirts, female uniform

Part of the "Kevin John Herdman", No. 397661, Collection. See Cat No. 5942P for details of his service record.Pair black stiffened canvas gaiters with leather straps including underfoot straps. Top and bottom edges trimmed with black leather. Brass fittings. Internal seams reinforced with blue leather.1 & 2. Stamped on inside in white: "C.G.C.F. D. (Upwards arrow) D, 1962, 3".uniform, gaiters, kevin john herdman

Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661, Collection. See catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Pair of black stiffened canvas gaiters with leather straps including underfoot straps. Top and bottom edges trimmed with black leather. Brass fittings. Internal seams reinforced with black leather..1) Stamped on inside in white: '(upwards arrow) ULC, 1967, SIZE 3, R' .2) Stamped on inside in white: '(upwards arrow) ULC, 1967, SIZE 3, L'uniform, gaiters, kevin john herdman

Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661, Collection. See catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Blue coloured soft card covered book with pages secured with staples. 91 pages with cut edges. Text in black type. Title on front cover in black type below an insignia for the RACT.Handwritten in blue ink on top RH corner of front cover: “K J HERDMAN”royal australian corps of transport, ract officers, kevin john herdman

Many years ago there was a large white wooden Cross used at Remembrance services. This sign was believed to have been placed with the cross.Small sign cardboard, white background with black text, "Mates of old - We humbly place the poppies on your Cross again"brsl, smirsl, mates, cross

The main centre piece of each badge has figures in, 1 & 2 have two figures Army & Navy, 3 & 4 have three figures Army, Navy, Airforce, 5 has four figures Army, Navy, Airforce, Female figure. The first 3 badges have a Kings Crown on, last 2 Queens Crown. The names listed as per on card .2) left to right. 3rd badge, R.J. Tyrer, refer Cat No 1813.5. 4th badge, K.C. Buckley, refer Cat No 1438. 5th badge, H Jackson, refer Cat No .............1) Cardboard covered with red felt with 5 RSL Badges attached in a row. One large and 4 small, 3 badges have a membership year clip on, all badges have difference's being text on or years used. .2) Card with details re each badge.Badges from left to right re text on/years in use. First two large & small. "Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League - Australia". 1st 1919 - 1922 2nd 1922 - 1941 3rd and 4th. "Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen's League - Australia". 3rd 1941 - 1966 4th 1966 - 1990 5th. "Returned & Services League Australia". 5th 1990 - current.brsl, smirsl, badges, rsl

This one appears to be Model 27 from the early 1950's. This radio was last used in the Office at the Soldiers Memorial Institute most likely pre 1990's.Radio, ASTOR brand, brown Bakelite frame, the glass face has two control knobs. The top line of stations covers Victoria to Tasmania followed by NSW, QLD & SA. At the bottom is 3 bands in red, blue, light green which cover Europe, USA. On the rear are two stickers relating to power, patents, use and licencing.1st sticker on rear, "Selex Decal Pty Ltd - No 5 - 217540", 2nd sticker, "Danger"brsl, smirsl, radio, astor

This sign was situated outside the Soldiers Memorial Institute building in Pall Mall Bendigo. It was in the centre space of the Portico. It was taken down approximately 1999 - 2000 due to damage. It was then put in storage and when the Renovations were completed to the SMI in 2018 it was then placed in what is now the Building/RSL/history room of the Bendigo Military Museum SMI.Sign, timber rectangular shape construction, illuminated face on both sides, faces are yellow background with red text "RSL BENDIGO", illumination is via one globe, at the top are two eyelets for holding in place.brsl, smirsl, sign, rsl bendigo

This sign was used in the Billiard room of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo RSL. Years ago when the Billiard room had a section divided off for part of a Caretakers Residence it was placed on the internal roof of the residence. It was mainly used at RSL meetings. When the RSL Meetings moved to the B&DRSL Club Inc it was used during the day when the Museum was open. After the renovations to the Soldiers memorial in 2018 it was placed in what is now the Building & RSL History room of the BMM.Sign, timber construction box shape, illuminated faces front and rear with the RSL Logo in colour. Illumination is via a single globe."Returned Services League Australia"brsl, smirsl, sign, rsl logo

This plaque was in the All Saints Cathedral in Bendigo to accompany the 38th Battalion Colours which were laid up there. The Battalion was referred to as Bendigo’s own. Refer Cat No 4435.2 for the Colours.Plaque rectangular shape all black colours with white text. The plaque is on a backing board.As per the photograph.38th, 38th colours, 38th bn

Refer Cat No. 7504, 7505, 7506, 4 book collection.Hardcover book. Cover - cardboard, with light brown buckram cover with dark brown print on front and spine. Illustration in dark brown - soldier in silhouette. End papers - illustrated brown and cream colour tones - maps back and front, 128 pages - cut, plain, cream colour paper, illustrated colour, black and white and sepia illustrations, photographs, paintings.books, army, ww2

Refer Cat No 7503, 7505, 7506, 4 book collection.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard, with dark green colour buckram cover. Light green print on front cover and spine. End papers - mid green colour with cream print. Illustration back and front. 204 pages - cut, plain, cream colour paper, illustrated in colour, black and white and sepia photographs, illustrations, paintings.books, army, ww2

Refer Cat No. 7503, 7504, 7506, 4 book collection.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard, with dark green colour buckram cover. Light green print on front cover and spine. End papers - mid green colour with cream print illustration back and front. 204 pages - cut, plain, cream colour paper. illustrated in colour, black and white and sepia photographs, illustrations, paintings. handwritten owners signature - front end paper. handwritten notes - on Editorial Note page.Front end paper - handwritten black ink - owner's signature "Lynette Smith/Johnson St/Ouyen" Editorial Note Page - handwritten grey lead pencil - 7 lines of very small almost illegible writing.books, army, ww2

Refer Cat No. 7503, 7504, 7505, 4 book collection.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard, with red colour buckram cover, gold print on spine and embossed illustrations on front cover depicting map, aircraft and tank. End papers - illustrated, sepia tones artwork with aircraft and landscape battle scene. 255 pages - cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated in black and white photographs, maps and battle diagrams. Handwritten inscription on page opposite Title Page.Page opposite Title Page - handwritten black ink inscription - "Wishing Kevin a/ Merry Xmas/ from/ Nathalie 1944".books, pictorial, ww2.

Letter of Sympathy sent to parents of "Mervyn Clive Townsend", Dental Surgeon on HMAS SYDNEY sunk 15/11/41. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.Handwritten letter in black writing on a single white sheet of paper. Writing on one side. Typed in location and address of sender in top right corner of page, in blue,Head: "The Vestry" "All Saints Cathedral" "MacKenzie Street" 'Bendigo". Dated 2nd Dec 1941.hmas sydney, letter of sympathy, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Letters of Sympathy from various businesses for the Dental Surgeon "Mervyn Clive Townsend", KIA on sinking of HMAS SYDNEY on 15/11/41. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.Various handwritten letters from different businesses to parents of M.C. Townsend. 1. From Commercial Bank of Sydney on blank white paper and black writing, dated Dec 1st '41. 2. From Longman's Green & Co Ltd, London, on Company letterhead note paper dated Dexc 1st 1941. 3. From Royal Standard Hotel - on white blank note paper dated 8th Dec '41. 4. From Hemingway & Robertson, Accountants, typed letter in black. Dated 4th Dec '41. 5. From J.A. Rodgers & Co - Wine Merchants - on white letterhead note paper, dated 1st Dec '41.letters, ww2, hmas sydney, kia, mervyn clive townsend