ballarat, arch of victoria, world war one, ballarat avenue of honour

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service Corps. Photographic post card of the troopship Bahara A41This is the old "Bahara", A 41, passing down the canal on the way back to Australia. bakara troopship, harry holmes, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotograph of a ship the canal.A British monitor passing through the canal (blued out be censor)harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotographic post card of a British Battleship sailing down the canal.A British Battleship sailing down the canalharry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotographic post card of an Australian troopship.An Australian Troopship, A 55, passing up the Canal.harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, kyarra, henry smerdon holmes

Photograph portrait of an Australian soldier in uniform. He is James Sinclair Lochhead (VX58072). Lochhead was born on 11 January 1900 at Burnley, Victoria. His next of kin was Margaret Lochhead.lochhead, world war two, j.s. lochhead

Framed reproduction from a painting by John S. Sargent. Left to right: Sir W.R. Birdwood, General Smuts (South Africa), General Botha (South Africa), Lord Byng, Lord Rawlinson, Sir H.T. Lukin (South Africa), Sir John Monash (Australia), Lord Horne, Sir G.F. Milne, Sir Heny Wilson, Sir A.H. Russell (New Zealand, Lord Plumer, Sir J.S. Cowans, Lord Haig, Lord Ypres, Sir W. Robertson, Sir F.S. Maude, Lord Allenby. Sir W.R. Marshall, Sir A.W. Currie (Canada), Lord Cavan, Sir C.M. Dobell.world war one, sir w.r. birdwood, general smuts, general botha, lord byng, lord rawlinson, sir h.t. lukin, sir john monash, lord horne, sir g.f. milne, sir heny wilson, sir a.h. russell, lord plumer, j.s. cowans, lord haig, lord ypres, sir w. robertson, sir f.s. maude, lord allenby, sir w.r. marshall, sir a.w. currie, lord cavan, sir c.m. dobell.

Unlike most Australian armoured formations that served only in Australia, the 4th had been organised for “tropical” service and its regiments were equipped with Matilda tanks. Matilda tanks were ideal for supporting the infantry’s operations in the Pacific. In June the brigade moved to Southport, on the Gold Coast, but two months later was transferred to Madang, New Guinea, where it replaced the 1st Tank Battalion. (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U54340, accessed 07 September 2018)Gold shaped badge with pin with the Colour Patch of the Second 4th Australian Armoured Regiment.armoured, tank, war, chatham-holmes collection, samuel spittle, world war two, sweetheart brooch, 2/4 armoured regiment, armoured regiment, jewellery

Fronticepiece illlustration for the book 'Education Department Record of War Service'.harold herbert, education department war service, world war one, ballarat technical art school

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsColoured painting by A.R. Quinton on a post card from post war England.harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

world war two, tony saligari, antonio saligari, repatriation, costume, campbelltown, yandoit creek

Black and white postcard of the Tarbet Hotel, Loch Lomond Verso Dear Mother, Just this card to let you see where I am. I am not writing much. As my time is fully occupied at present. How are you all at home? Well I hope. Harold and I are at present in Glasgow and are having a good time. We left Gorden at Belfast and he is at present at London. I'll give you full particulars when in get backto the Coy. So goodbye for the present. With heaps of love to youall. From HarryTarbet Hotel, Loch Lomond Beautifully situated, overlooking the loch, and in view of the peak of Loch Lomond.harry holmes, loch lomond, scotland, world war one, gordon spittle

This set of photographs was found behind photograph #20316 when it was removed from its frame. The people shown are not identified. Thought that one maybe David Holmes and another Bill Holmes.Three small photographs of three soldiers set in brown patterned framing. The left one may be Henry Smerdon Holmes.chatham-holmes collection, soldiers, world war one, henry john holmes, jack holmes

Typed letters concerning students at the Ballarat School of Mines students by the Repatriation Commission. repatriation, commonwealth reconstruction training scheme, letterhead, disabled (social services) scheme, o.e. nilsson, t. coulter, vocational guidance report, alan coulter, frank griffiths, rehabilitation, air force, world war two, l.w. loveless, r.w. richards, dick richards, m.m. lynch

This letter was sent to Mr. Frank Tickle Esquire in Warracknabeal, in Victoria, to inform him that his son Lieutenant Frank William Tickle,M.C. 8th Battaslion, had been awarded the Military Cross. With reference to the award conferred as announced in the London Gazette dated 26th November, 1917. "For conpicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He led his company throughout with such fearless disregard of danger as to inspire his men to great effort. When they came under heavy shell fire he halted his men in shell holes, and went out to a flank and engaged the enemy with a machine gun. During the fight for the final objective he was again heavily opposed by a machine gun. He led his men forward with great gallantry and personally killed the entire gun crew and successfully captured the position. He set a splendid example of courage and determination."Letter in brown wooden frame with the Battalion colour patch attached to wooden surround under the glass.The letter has the Commonwealth of Australia emblem on the top of the page and was issued by the Department of Defence on the 17th September 1918, to notify Lieutenant F.W. Tickle's father the he had been awarded the Military Cross. It also has the citation for which the Military Cross was awarded. The paper backing on the frame is detiorating.world war one, letter, citation, military cross, lieutenant frank william tickle, m c, 30th august 1918, commonwealth of, australia, department of defence, frank tickle esquire, commonwealth of australia gazette, no 137, london gazette 26th november, 1917

Associated with BDR. Joseph Moore grouped framed certificatesPhotocopy of original dispatch notice for Military Medal to No 1272 BDR J. Moore, 13th F.A.B.No 1272, BDR. J. Moore, 13th F.A.B./ On 24th April, 1918 whilst the 51st Battery was/ in acrion N.E. of Cordie it was subjected to a very heavy hostile/ bombardment of H.E. and gas shells. This N.C.O.'s duries as a/ specialist required the maintenance of communications between the/ Battery an C.P. The line was frequently cut and required several/ trips, all of which took some considerable time. The whole area/ was very heavily shelled as was the vicinity of the C.P. and this/ N.C.O.'s tasks were performed under heavy shell fire ar great/ personel risk. Throughout the periods Bdr. Moore displayed great/ coolness and total disregard of personal danger thus setting a/ splendid examplemedal, 1918, military, moore, joseph, world, war, 1, corbie, 51st, battery, 4th, district

Contained in a frame with 3 other certificates associated to J. MoorePhotocopy of original certificate for Military Medal award to No 1272 Gunner J. MooreCoat of Arms on Top of page/ dated 8th June 1918/ To No1272 Gunner (a/Bombadier) J. Moore, Australian Field Artillery. I congratulate you on the gallant act by which you have won the Military Medal./Rawlinsom, Commanding Fourth Army.medal, australian, military, moore, joseph, world, war, 1, feld, artillary, bombadier

Is one of 4 certificates framed together in a frame 55cm W x 55cm H belonging to Bdr. Joesph Moore.Photocopy of original certificate of despatchThe War of 1914-1918/ Australian Imperial Force/ 1272 Gnr. (A.Bomdr.) J. Moore, 51st By Field Artilery./ was mentioned in a despatch from/Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. KT., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.J.E./ dated 7th April 1918/ for gallant and distinguished services in the Field/ I have it in Command from the King to record His Majesty's/ high aprreciation of the services rendered. (indecipherable signature)/ Secretary of State for War.1918, moore, joseph, world, war, 1, despatch, field, marsh, sir, douglas, haig, ioffice, 1914 1918

Smaller style rising sun hat badge or lapel badge that belonged to Lt. Frank William TickleAustralian Commonwealth Military Forcesmilitary, lt, frank, tickle, commonwealth, world, war, 1, australain, forces

Tin construction, with sections for eight glass panels (1 missing, 1 incomplete. Perforated tin panels top and base. steel wire bracket for holding or hanging on top. Steel wire sliding latches on top and base as well as one side, when both are unlatched all sides are hinged and lantern can be folded up for storage. Contains a candle (not original), 2 stamped tin labels.1) Use 1/2 candles only. 2) E.A. Harper & Sons/1916/Redfern N.S.W.lantern, , e, world, war, a, harper, son s, 1916, renfern n s w, candle, folding, one

Forms part of the A.J. (Blue) Roddy VX8007 Collection2 sheets of card used to make a menu, hand sketched xartoon on front in grey lead and ink of soldier leaning on a shovel. Inside is two menus. One is the ideal menu the second is the real menu, (Very Humerous) all hand written in ink. Brought home from POW camp by A.J. (Blue) Roddy VX8007Front page: 3rd POW/ Anniversary/ 1944/ Bottom Left corner: Notsch 10811/GW Page 1: MENU/ Hors-d'oeuores/Soup./ Consomme Minestrone Tomato Bouillon/ Fish/ Whiting Dover Soles Oysters./ Emtree/ Roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding/ Roast Pork and White sauce./ Grilled chops and peas./ Dessert. Peach Melba Fruit Salad and Cream/ Carlton Puding, Apple pie and Cream/ Ice Cream/ Coffee.// Page 2: Menu/ Horses Manoeures/ Etwas./ Yeatecomme,Tinned Tomato Bully./ Tons of it./ Salmon Red. Salmon Pink. Sardines Varied./ Enter./ Roast Bully and "Bengers" Yorkshire Pudding./ Roast Meat Roll and Horse radish sauce/ Garlic sausage Grilled spick and Etwas./ Desserted./ Rice Custard, custard,/ Fruit salad and klim, Notsch duff./ Currant Pudding and custard./ Cold klim./ Coffee - if lucky tea./ Captivity Plonk./ K.G.H. Schnapps, Soft Drinks/ Beer cocktails.of, world, war, prisoner, roddy, a j blue, menu, war11, notsch, 1944, stalag, xv111a

Letter written from (unknown) POW imprisioned by the Japanese on Morotai Island from 1942 - 1945 to (unknown) friend. Descriptive of life and treatment in POW camp. The island was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Morotai's southern plain was taken by American forces in September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai, and used as a staging point for the Allied invasion of the Philippines in early 1945, and of Borneo in May and June of that year. Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura was discovered in the Morotai jungle in 1974, as one of the WWII Japanese soldiers who held out subsequent to the Japanese military's surrender.Photocopy of letter, 4 pages, originally written in ink on (unofficial) Australian Red Cross form.Added to head of letter at a later date is inscription ' First letter written home for 3 1/2 years'.Top left hand- FOR SAFETY/ IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO:-/ The name of your ship or other ships in the convoy, or its escorts./The date of sailing, ports of call, or probable destination./ The description of troops, their loca-/tion or any other information/ which, if intercepted, would be of/ value to the enemy. In your Top right hand- Australian Red Cross Society/ (UNOFFICIAL)/ 25-8-45/ (added at later date 'Morotri Island')/ Alex, Have witten this especially/ as i don't wish our women folk to know the tougher side of life./Well Alex for the first/ 2 1/2 years as POWs we lived reasonably/ well, but the last 15 months was like /hell. Heres the worst lot of b-s/ you could find on earth, they worked /us from 7AM till 6 PM, & fed/ us on muck you wouldn't feed to/ Pigs. I'm nothing at all they would 2, pow, morotri island, morotai island, world war, prisoner of war, australian red cross society

The photo shows a view of the WW2 Z Special Unit's headquarters in Cairns.Z Special Unit and its operations were kept secret during WW2 and such photos may be rare.Sepia photograph On back: "House on the Hill" Cairns 1944 ZESz special unit - house on the hill - headquarters - cairns - world war 2

The WW2 Commando memorial cairn was unveiled at Tidal River on 15 November 1964 by the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria Lieutenant General Sir Edmund Herring. Former WW2 Commandos march under their Association banner to the cairn for the dedication ceremony.This was the first dedication of a significant WW2 Commando memorial. The Victorian Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Edmund Herring, unveiled the Commemorative Cairn that has become the de facto national Commando memorial.Rectangular colour glossy print photograph of former WW2 Commandos marching at Tidal River.From Don Bergmanww2, world war ii, australian commandos, independent companies, australian commando association, tidal river, wilsons promontory national park

gray plasticnon-fictionThe history of the New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company. This reprinted version contains a map of the dispositions of Spotting Stations August 1943, additional MID awards listed and some additions to the nominal roll. The New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company was formed in Port Moresby in late January 1942 and was granted “Separate Independent Establishment” status in October 1943. The company’s “founding father” was Major Don Small, who had witnessed Japanese air raids on Rabaul and realised that having lacked an effective early-warning system around New Britain meant that the defenders were taken by surprise. At the time, gaps had also appeared in the coast-watching communications network because the territory administration ordered the withdrawal of civilian wireless operators when Japan entered the war. The first influx of men into the company consisted largely of volunteers from the 39th Infantry Battalion, which was stationed at Port Moresby. Initial training was rudimentary, hasty, and was sometimes even carried out on en route to a new station. The first party of company personnel, or “spotters”, left Port Moresby as early as 1 February 1942, bound for the strategically important Samarai area, at the tip of Papua. In the first month of the company’s existence 16 spotter stations were established on the coast of Papua and in the mountains around Port Moresby. At the end of 1942 there were 61 operational stations being run by 180 men. The company’s high-water mark was in late 1944, by which time over 150 stations had been set up in Papua and New Guinea behind enemy lines. On 3 February 1942 the company issued its first air warning in Papua, when spotters at Tufi saw Japanese aircraft about to attack Port Moresby for the first time. The following month the company was responsible for the first Japanese killed in action in Papua by Australian ground forces, when spotters from Gona engaged the crew of a downed Japanese bomber. And in July 1942 the station at Buna signalled Port Moresby with news of the Japanese landings in Papua, marking the beginning of the Kokoda campaign. The dangers involved in the company’s work had also been made clear by this time. In July 1942 a party of spotters attempting to set up a station at Misima Island, off Milne Bay, was intercepted by a Japanese destroyer, resulting in the company’s first operational losses. Anticipating the direction of the campaign as a whole, the company’s focus moved north and north-west over the three years of its existence. In May 1942 a network was set up in the Wau area in association with the activities of Kanga Force. As part of the Wau network, spotter Ross Kirkwood audaciously constructed an observation post overlooking the Japanese airstrip at Salamaua. Kirkwood’s position was photographed by Damian Parer on the understanding that the pictures would not be published. They nevertheless appeared in a Sydney newspaper. The day after the publication of the photographs the observation post was attacked by the Japanese and Kirkwood was lucky to escape. In June 1944 the company’s headquarters were moved to Nadzab. By that time, spotter stations existed behind Japanese lines, as far north as Hollandia, and the company began to train Americans to perform similar work in the Philippines. In early 1945 the company moved to Balcombe, Victoria, where its members were posted to other units of the Australian Corps of Signals.world war ii, special operations, new guinea, new guinea air warning wireless company

non-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2

non-fictionThis book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonworld war ii, independent companies, australian commando, timor

non-fictionThe gripping story of a small force of Australian Special Forces commandos that launched relentless hit and run raids on far superior Japanese forces in East Timor for most of 1942. These Australians were the men of the 2/2nd Australian Independent Company – a special commando unit. Initially stranded without radio contact to Australia, the Japanese declared these beared warriors ‘outlaws’ and warned they would be executed immediately if captured. The Australians drawn mainly from the bush, were chosen for their ability to operate independently and survive in hostile territory. As film-maker Damien Parer said after visiting in Timor in late 1942, ‘these men are writing an epic of guerrilla warfare’. Expertly researched by Paul Cleary, who is fluent in Tetum, the main language of the indigenous group of East Timor, it contains black and white photos.ww2, independent company, timor, world war ii, australian commando