non-fictionThe detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded.

During the attack on Polygon Wood Belgium on 20th September 1917 Pte Sandow displayed conspicuous gallantry - He was an operator on Amplification and Power Buzzer Station in a chain of communication and in the enemy barrage he patrolled and repaired lines and earths utterly regardless of personal danger. While in the performance of his duty his leg was shot away. He however completed his task. It was largely due to this man's effort that good communication was maintained. Private Sandow died of wounds on 22 September 1917 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Cream coloured citation with Australian Coat of Arms above black type contained in black border.Military Medal 1120 Private Roy Llewellyn Sandow 5th Australian Infantry Battalion attached 1st Australian Divisional Signal Company 1st Australian Divisionroy llewellyn sandow, polygon wood, belgium, 1917, ww1, 5th australian infantry battalion

Hand drawn Coat of Arms for the soldiers known as the Rats of Tobruk with signatures of those involved in the engagement between 5th April to the 22nd of October 1941 The drawing is signed by artist John DOWIE AM, SX6087 who served with the 2/43rd Battalion Signatories are: VX42389 Eric Hamilton, 2/32 Battalion; VX30189 F.Baldwin, 2/23 Battalion; VX34544, F.J.Mc.Intosh 2/24 Battalion; VX34554 W.Harrison, 2/24 Battalion; WX7281 P.Bone 2/25 Battalion; VX33719 Duke Goldsmith, 2/24 Battalion; VX41179 Harry Frazer, 2/24 Battalion; VX29652 A.R.Stribley, 2/24 Battalion; SX6367 Jack Foley, 2/43 Battalion; VX48340 Harry Jones, 2/23 Battalion; VX42317 Aub Jarrott, 2/24Battalion; VX28869 Rod Deering 2/24Battalion; VX15719 Ian F. Joss 7th Division AASC; VX19723 Len Dauria, 2/12 Field Regiment; NX35852 R.E (Snowy) Cornelius 2/13 Battalion; VX32559 Jim Gray, 2/24Battalion - James Cyril GRAY Born 6/1/1916 in Orroroo South Australia. Enlisted 28/5/1940 at Mildura. Awarded Military Medal for remarkable coolness, bravery and leadership at Tobruk on 24/4 and 1/5/1941. He was promoted to Sergeant on 14/8/1941, Lieutenant in November 1942 then Captain on 9/4/1945. He was wounded in action on 11/9/1943 and discharged on 20/12/1945. He married and had three children. He died on 10/4/1992 aged 76 and buried at Wangaratta Cemetery.This original drawing is by John DOWIE SX6087 who served with the 2/43rd Battalion during the second world war and is signed by the artist and soldiers from the 2/24th Battalion known as "Wangaratta's Own". John Stuart Dowie AM (15 January 1915 – 19 March 2008) was an Australian painter, sculptor and teacher. He was born in the suburb of Prospect in Adelaide, South Australia, and studied architecture at the University of Adelaide. During World War II, Dowie worked in the Military History Unit of the Australian Imperial Force, and as an assistant to Australia's official war sculptor, Lyndon Dadswell. As a soldier, he was one of the Rats of Tobruk. After studying art in London and Florence, Dowie returned to Australia. His work includes over 50 public sculpture commissions, including the "Three Rivers" fountain in Victoria Square, "Alice" in Rymill Park, the "Victor Richardson Gates" at Adelaide Oval and the "Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Memorial" at Adelaide Airport. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981 in recognition of service to the arts as a sculptor and painter. Dowie died on 19 March 2008, aged 93. There is a similiar version of the drawing on page 32 of the book Desert Sand and Jungle Green by Geoffrey Boss-Walker which is an illustrated history of the 2/43rd Battalion.Timber frame containing hand drawn Coat of Arms consisting of "rats" as shield supporters, crest with a swastika in the centre and motto surrounded by signatures.Signatures of artist John Dowie and soldiers engaged at Tobruk. The crest depicts a latrine and the motto reads NON FASCES SED FAECES (Latin translation - "Do not move but the dregs") rats of tobruk, coat of arms, 1941, john dowie

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment. The queen was resident at Government House Melbourne for nine days and during the time guard duties were shared by 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 3rd Division Royal Australian Artillery, 5th Infantry Battalion (Victorian Scottish), 6th Infantry Battalion (Royal Melbourne Regiment), 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse, 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Medium Regiment, 22nd Field Regiment and Melbourne University Rifles. Rare document relating to guard duty at Government House Melbourne mounted by a unit of the Citizen Military Forces from Victoria during a royal visit .Photocopy of a three page report prepared for period 1/2 March 1954 when 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment provided the guard at Government House Melbourne during the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The report lists the officer, 4 non commissioned officers and 20 other ranks comprising the guard together with timings and locations of the sentry posts. Also details of the guard duties, the general remarks at the conclusion of the guard period and the signatures of the Guard Commander, Captain LA Jackson 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and the Relieving Guard Commander Captain EJ King, 2nd Medium Regiment. queen elizabeth ii, royal visit 1954, government house, melbourne, guard, vmr

The 2nd Cavalry Division, a part-time force, was raised in Victoria in 1920. It consisted of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 8th, 13th and 20th Light Horse Regiments, and 5th Cavalry Brigade, 4th, 17th and 19th Light Horse Regiments. Black and white photograph of group of 19 bandsmen wearing light horse uniform and holding variety of musical instruments. Photo is mounted on chipboard backing. Engraved brass label in lower right corner.3rd Cavalry Brigade Bandmilitary, band, music, cavalry, light horse, victoria

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regiment drawn from the farming community of Tocumwal, personified the strength of citizen soldiering in rural Victorian and Southern NSW in the period following World War One and especially in the years immediately prior to the second World War. Building on the strength and enthusiasm of the Tocumwal Troop other Troops were raised at Finley, Berigan and Jerilderie. The Tocumwal Troop won the coveted Hutton Trophy in 1937 and 1938, defeating crack Troops from other States.Rare photograph of presentation of iconic RAAC trophy. Complements other items in the collection.Black and white photograph of two soldiers in Light Horse uniform with large trophy being Colonel G.A. Street MC presenting the Hutton Trophy to Sergeant H.G. Fyffe, troop leader of the Tocumwal Troop 20th Light Horse, winners of the 1937 competition. Sergeant Fyffe, later Captain Fyffe, 9th Division Cavalry Regiment served in North Africa and was awarded the Military Cross. hutton, light horse, fyffe, street, military, trophy

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. The Tocumwal Troop were winners of the Hutton Shield in 1937 and 1938. The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.Framed black and white photograph of Tocumwal Troop 20th Light horse with the Hutton Shield and other trophies.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regt (Tocumwal Troop). Soldiers named.tocumwal, 20th, light horse, competition, hutton

Pte Simmons was born in Kyneton. Died at the battle of Fromelles, July 1916.Fromelles. The battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916 was a bloody initiation for Australian soldiers to warfare on the Western Front. Soldiers of the newly arrived 5th Australian Division, together with the British 61st Division, were ordered to attack strongly fortified German front line positions near the Aubers Ridge in French Flanders. The attack was intended as a feint to hold German reserves from moving south to the Somme where a large Allied offensive had begun on 1 July. The feint was a disastrous failure. Australian and British soldiers assaulted over open ground in broad daylight and under direct observation and heavy fire from the German lines. Over 5,500 Australians became casualties. Almost 2,000 of them were killed in action or died of wounds and some 400 were captured. This is believed to be the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours during the entire First World War. Some consider Fromelles the most tragic event in Australia’s history. www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/fromelles Two WW1 War service medals with ribbons in a white presentation case. With black clothe lining. On the rim of each medal is: 4899Pte N T Simmons 59 Bn AIF The medals are labelled British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal 1914- 1918. On the inside of the lid is card inscribed: Posthumus award to 4899 Pte N T Simmons 59 Bn AIF. ww1 medals, british war medal, allied victory medal 1914- 1918, n t simmons, fromelles

Gold locket with chain. Engraved on the back: 'Presented to G.A. Baird by the scholars of the Derby school'. On back of locket: 'G.A.B' No date given on locket but information from family states that he was the head teacher of Derby State School in the early 1900's. George Alexander Baird was born at Oxley on June 5th, 1870, the son of Mary Ann Young McEwing and William Baird. He qualified for admission for teacher training in 1892. He is listed in the Electoral Roll for the Division of Bendigo in 1905, living in Derby and described as a school teacher. George Baird married Doreen Elizabeth Wellington on 28 December, 1940. He died in 1951.education, primary, derby state school

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. The Tocumwal Troop were winners of the Hutton Shield in 1937 and 1938. The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.Framed black and white photograph of Tocumwal Troop 20th Light horse with the Hutton Shield and other trophies.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regt (Tocumwal Troop) ...tocumwal, 20th, light horse, competition, hutton

Battery Quartermaster Sergeant Harold Bauerle served with the Albury Battery in the 1920s and 1030s. Shortly following Federation the military unit in Albury was redesignated No 4 New South Wales Battery Australian Field Artillery (AFA). It was under the command of Major John Wilkinson, an Albury solicitor and comprised about 100 citizen soldiers, 4 guns and about 40 horses. Training centred on the Albury Drill Hall located in Victoria Street. A reorganisation in 1912 resulted in the Battery being named No 17 Battery AFA. When war broke out in 1914 the Battery then under the command of Major Joseph Shellshear, and Albury doctor, offered its services as a trained artillery battery to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The Battery cooled its heels and continued to train till July 1915 when a second division was raised in the AIF and trained artillery was needed. When the call came 150 officers and men of the 17th Battery went into the AIF, many to the 13th Battery with Major Shellshear in command and others to other AIF batteries of the 4th and 5th Artillery Brigades. The 13th Battery was adopted immediately by the townsfolk of Albury as the Albury Battery. The Battery served in France and Belgium and was involved in all the major battles fought by the Australians perhaps most notably at Noreuil where the Battery found itself surrounded but continued to fight till eventually the enemy was driven back. Following the war members of the Battery nominated this battle as their most significant achievement and consequently a newly developed recreational reserve on the Murray River foreshore was named Noreuil Park. In 1919 the Battery resumed training as part of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia. Changes of title were frequent, first 27th Battery, then 60th Battery and finally 40th Battery AFA. Battery commanders included Captain Leslie Colquhoun, an Albury real estate agent, Captain Roy Collings, Albury town clerk and Captain Clifton Mott a newspaper editor. The Depression of the early 1930s almost brought about the closure of the Albury Battery but it survived through the intervention of the mayor, Alderman Alfred Waugh, who made direct representation to the Minister for Defence. When the Second World War erupted in 1939, the Battery was at full strength and a rich source of officers and trained men for the second AIF. Militia training of the few remaining officers and Albury adopted the 2/23rd Infantry Battalion which had been raised at the Showground. Following WWII, CMF soldiering recommenced in the form of an armoured regiment, the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. After nearly a half a century of service in war and peace the Albury Battery has faded and exists now in this collection of objects and images. This trophy is representative of community support for a Citizen Military Forces unit drawn from a regional NSW Town in the period between the World Wars.Silver cup with two handles mounted on Bakelite base being the McClure Cup for most efficient NCO in Albury Battery 1935-36 . inscription on side of cup."McClure Cup / for / Most efficient NCO / 1935-36 / won by / BQMS H.C. Bauerle"bauerle h c bqms, albury battery, mcclure cup

3rd Division cricket competition 57/60 BN premiers 1940 citizens committee Geo. Pizzey & son ltd + 11 other sponsors. Double handled with dragon head caps on handles., black based and tiered lid. Inscription engraved into front of trophy 3rd Division Cricket Competition 57/60 BN. -Premiers 1940- Citizens Committee Geo.Pizzey & Son Ltd Messrs H.Byron Moore Day & Journeaux Cox Bros/Aust./LTD Victoria Amateur Turf club A.W.Allen Ltd. G.N. Raymond Tty Ltd Felt and Textiles of Australia Ltd Broken Hill Propriatry Coy Ltd Carreras Ltd Pelaco Ltd 3 D B Bonehead College Kiwi Polish Pty Ltfregimental property, 57/60 bn, ww2, trophy, cricket, 3rd division

Awarded for Long and Efficient ServiceSilver Medal mounted on a decorative arm. Ribbon is made up of two 9mm Violet Bars set astride a 14 mm off white bar Obverse face has a St. George Cross with 5 stars inside of a belt surmounted by a crown. This is surrounded by the words Local forces Victoria. The Reverse of the medal has " For long and efficient service" embossed on itJ.W.Houston Able Seaman Port Melb Division N.B5/6 rvr, officers and sergeants mess, colonial, victorian

A copy of the photograph depicting "members of 2nd/5th and 2nd/6th Battalions rush ashore during a 6th Division invasion exercise, Port Douglas, North Queensland, 16th March 1944", the Photograph is in glass wooden frame.

The crown, kangaroo, and swords are fixed in the centre of the plaque, with "Third divisional field force group" in the bottom centre of the plaque

ill, maps, p.60.non-fictionA history of the Ballarat to Ararat railway in western Victoria and a lineside guide to the stations on the line. The book was issued by the Australian Railway Historical Society, Victorian Division on the occasion of the Centenary Celebrations of the opening of the railway to Ararat on the 5th April 1875.railroad construction - victoria - history, railway services: ballarat-ararat railway. victoria. ararat region