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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Flag - House flag, Messageries Maritimes
The first Seafarers Service was held on 23 October 1905 in the St Paul's Cathedral in London to celebrate the Centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson on 21 October 1805. Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith launched the first Seafarers Service two years later and the first service was held on Sunday 10 November 1907. National and house flags are used during the annual Seafarers Service. Messageries Maritimes was a French merchant shipping company. It was originally created in 1851. In 1977 it merged with Compagnie générale transatlantique to form Compagnie générale maritime. In 1996 CGM was privatized and sold to Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) to form CMA CGM.The service continue to reflect the full range of the maritime activities in Australia. Representatives come from the Royal and Merchant Navies, the commercial world, shipping companies, mission and philanthropic societies, veterans’ associations, labour unions, youth and leisure organisations, but anyone is welcome to attend.Large red rectangular flag with large M.M in black on a white diamond shape.Messageries Maritimes written in black penflag, seafarers service, messageries maritimes, m.m., shipping company, house flag -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Allan Charles Quinn, 5 June 1949
This photograph was taken on the 5th of June, 1946, and shows the ruins of the St intent church built between 1490 and 1556 in a Gothic style and was known for its vast dimensions. The church also had the uniqueness of owning a bell tower that had not been completed. The building was heavily damaged by a bomb fell in the choir level May 31, 1944 during the Allied strikes announcing the landing. The ruins are still standing today. Allan has also written letters home from this period, describing France as a "mess" at this time. This photograph was exhibited by the Mission to Seafarers as part of the exhibition "Letters from Abroad" in 2012.This is a photograph from the Allan Charles Quinn collection which is a collection of letters and photograph depicting aspects of life at sea for a young man in the era immediately following World War II.Black and white photograph of the ruins of a gothic church bombed during the Battle of Normandy in 1944. It shows the arch of the church left standing in the foreground, with a tower in the background. There is a narrow white boarder about the image.On reverse: ROUEN 5-6-49 handwritten in blue ink. Below this is a mark "ItI" in pencil.allan quinn, photograph, france, ruins, church, letters-from-abroad, rouen, normandy, ww2, wwii, world war two, 1939-1945, battle of normandy, st vincent church -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Allan Charles Quinn, 5 June 1949
... travelling through France in mid-1946. It was taken in the medieval ...This photograph is one of a series taken by Allan while travelling through France in mid-1946. It was taken in the medieval city of Rouen, a city heavily damaged by the Allied bombings during the Battle of Normandy in May 1944 and shows a cob house, typical of the period. There are several letters relating to this journey.This is a photograph from the Allan Charles Quinn collection which is a collection of letters and photograph depicting aspects of life at sea for a young man in the era immediately following World War II.Black and white photograph of a historical building and street scape in Rouen.On reverse: ROUEN 5-6-49 handwritten in blue ink. Below this is a mark "ItI"in pencil, written sideways.allan-quinn, photograph, rouen, france, ww2, battle of normandy, normandy, cob house, middle ages, medieval -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Allan Charles Quinn, Rouen Centre, Amiens, Paris, 6 June 1949
... -quinn photograph rouen france normandy ww2 battle of normandy ...This photograph is one of a series taken by Allan while travelling through France in mid-1949. It shows the Saint-Ouen Abbey Church from Rue d'Amiens- Rouen. Rouen, a medieval city was heavily damaged by Allied bombings during the Battle of Normandy. There are several letters relating to this journey.This is a photograph from the Allan Charles Quinn collection which is a collection of letters and photograph depicting aspects of life at sea for a young man in the era immediately following World War II.A black and white photograph taken on the 5th of June, 1949, of Saint-Ouen church built in the 14th century in Rouen, France. The sign to the right of the foreground reads: ROUEN CENTRE / AMIENS PARIS and probably indicates the photograph was taken from Rue d'Amiens (Amiens Street). The photograph shows the level of demolition of the city during World War II.On reverse: PARIS 6-6-49 handwritten in blue ink. below this is a pencil mark, similar to "ItI".allan-quinn, photograph, rouen, france, normandy, ww2, battle of normandy, 1939-1945, saint ouen abbey, amiens, paris -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, British Queens Medal 1896-97
The Queen's Sudan Medal was awarded British and Egyptian forces which took part in the Sudan campaign between 1896 and 1898. Initially mainly with Egyptian troops but after two British brigades were attached. This campaign is often described as "The reconquest of the Sudan". Some countries like Italy, Germany, France or Belgium were expanding their African colonies, which Sudan could be one, the British decided to occupy it. One of the most famous battles was the Battle of Omdurman where Lt. Winston Churchill fought Its a circular, Silver or Bronze made medal, 36.5mm diameter. The obverse has the legend "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX" and the crowned effigy of Queen Victoria. On the reverse a plinth inscribed "SUDAN" supported by Nile lilies where Victoria sits holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch and behind her are the British and Egyptian flags.medal sudan -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Gaiters, Estimated 1914; Early 20th Century
These type of gaiters were used by soldiers who would have been attached to the Light Horse Regiments. No other men other than soldiers in the Light Horse Regiments wore these gaiters as they were part of their uniform and added protection of their lower legs when riding their horses. All levels for AIF people wore these gaiter from Privates to Officers. There seems to be several types of gaiters which were lace ups or had straps over the outside of the gaiters or some were just done up with the buckles at the top. It is unknown it the ones we have would have had straps on the outside or if this was a choice of the wearer. Towards the end of WWI many of the light horse regiments combined with each other as their numbers became less and eventually with the advancement of military weapons the use of horses in war battles become less and were not needed in consequent world wars. These gaiters are historical significant to world war one and the light horse regiments especially the 4th and 13th Regiments. Men from the the Kiewa Valley went off to war and fought with the these regiments. Henry Higginson fought with both the 4th and 13th LHR in France. Sydney Stewart fought with the 4th LHR in France and was killed in France aged 20 years of age. A few of the young men that left from Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley went into the Light Horse Regiments as they were farmers that had experience with horse. Even though the AIF said they just did not automatically put country men into the LHR . Despite not having provenance of these gaiters the fact that men from Tawonga were in the light horse regiments, and only men from the LHR wore these gaiters it would be safe to say they would have been from some one in the local area that fought in WWI who owned these. Therefore they are representative of gaiters from the LHR and have excellent interpretive capacity as KVHS have a photo of Henry Higginson wearing his uniform which clearly shows his gaiters similar to these ones.One pair of brown leather gaiters with buckle at top. Seam at ankel. Left gaiter has strap missingmilitary, army, horse, gaiters -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Ronald William Inglis, Lest we forget the Western Front : a guide to following in the footsteps of the first AIF in Britain, Belgium and France, 2010
A guide to sites and memorials relevant to the first Australian Imperial Force in Britain, Belgium and France in the First World War170 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.), ports. ; 30 cm.ISBN 9780646519920australian imperial force, war memorials, world war 1 battle fields -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
MAP TO ACCOMPANY HEAVY ARTILLERY SCHEME FOR MOBILE WARFARE".....marked with 'Lanes' and Corps/Division Boundaries, Ordnance Survey, 1:40,000, France. Sheet 62c, Dec 1917. (centring on Peronne and Mont St Quentin), December 1917
Shows detail of Artillery Planning in the area of Peronne & Mont St Quentin. Inscribed "Map to accompany H.A. Scheme for Mobile Warfare". Marked with 'Lanes' and Corps/Division Boundaries.The donor, Staff Sergeant R.O. (Bob) Snape, Reg No 8651, enlisted as a Stretcher Bearer in 1915 but, because of his secretarial skills was employed in HQ positions as soon as he arrived in France and as a stenographer who worked as Confidential Clerk to General Sir John Monash from June to December 1918; and subsequently, for General Sir Talbot Hobbs until June 1919. The map was very likely directly used in the planning of the 1918 battles such as Mont St Quentin.Original Item recovered from possibly Australian Corps HQ, probably between the Armistice, 11 November 1918, and June 1919, when Staff Sergeant R.O.(Bob) Snape was repatriated. Shows detail of Artillery Planning in the area of Peronne & Mont St Quentin. Inscribed "Map to accompany H.A. Scheme for Mobile Warfare". Marked with 'Lanes' and Corps/Division Boundaries.snape collection -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Royal Victoria Pilgrimage Committee et al, Never Forget Australia: Australia and Villers-Bretonneux 1918-1993, 1994
Yellow soft covered book with the cover featuring a carved timber memorial.non-fictionvillers-brettonneux, world war 1, world war one, french, amiens, charles rosenthal, keith murdoch, henry rawlinson, hobbsm pompey elliott, ferdinand foch, john monash, red baron, von richthofen, tanks, 5th australia division, harold elliott, sadlier, marshall, aboriginal diggers, bill egan, australian armt band, ypres, robinvale, robin cuttle, frederick birks, gas, 58th battalion, tom brain, dick bowman, william james -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Statement of the Distribution and General Account Current of the Prize Money Granted to the British Army for the Battle of Waterloo and Capture of Paris in the Year 1815, 1815
The Napoleonic Wars were a period of conflict from 1803-1815, caused by unresolved tensions following the end of the French Revolution. Coalitions of European powers fought against Napoleon Bonaparte and the French army, who were defeated at the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th June 1815, in Belgium. The conclusion of the battle would mark a period of sustained peace for Europe, that would bring with it cultural and technological innovation. This document in illustrative of the prize money awarded to different groups of soldiers following the Capture of Paris, separated into different classes. The first class consisted of General Officers, the second of Field Officers and Colonels, the third of Captains, the fourth of Subalterns, the fifth of Serjeants and the sixth of Corporals, Drummers and Privates. The Commander in Chief of the Army also received £61, 178/3/ 5 1/2. In addition to the money given to these classes, which approximately totaled £486,246 / 18/ 1 3/4, a total of £30,000 was paid to the Bank of England and £7,204 / 16/ 7 1/4 was paid to the Chelsea Hospital, to a grand total of £558,940/ 12/ 3. This money given to the Chelsea Hospital was part of the Army Prize Money Act 1814 (54th Geo. 3 c. 86, 14th July 1814), which when passed through parliament entailed that any prize money unclaimed or forfeited would be paid to the Chelsea Hospital. The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a charitable institution which provides support to war veterans and has existed since the reign of Charles II. The document goes into further details of the payments made to specific regiments, who include members of the British cavalry and artillery, rifleman, staff corps and foreign soldiers enlisted to aid with the campaign. The award of prize money following battle was meant to serve as an incentive for aggression and victory, in addition to helping deter looting of the deceased possessions. A paper watermark '1810' on the handwritten document suggests it is an original, and therefore was probably in the possession of a battle participant, most likely of a higher rank. The provenance of the document is unknown but one possibility is through former Ballarat School of Mines staff member Hester Darby, whose parents were Ernest Darby and Leah Hynam. Her maternal line boasted a Battle of Waterloo veteran. A number of handwritten pages 48 cm. x 34.5 cm. (slightly larger than A3) which has been folded in half, and in half again. When attempts were made to tape the torn document together, one page was taped in the wrong order. The top of the third page aligns with the bottom of the fourth page, the top of the fourth page with the bottom of the third. Corrections to this have been made in the transcript. DESCRIPTION ON DISCOVERY: "BALLARAT - Copy of an historic document of prize money paid after the battle of Waterloo and capture of Paris in 1815 has been found among old papers at the Ballarat School of Mines. The full amount of prize money was stated at "£558,913 10/10." Scores of regiments had their shares varying probably, according to the numbers. The document will be retained in the School of Mines Museum, ... (Age, 21 March 1941)The paper has an 1810 watermark on the paper as well as a watermark for S&C Wise. duke of wellington, waterloo, battle of waterloo, napoleon, napoleon bonaparte, british army, paris, darby, veteran, 1815, prize money, waterloo verterans, hester darby -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard - Postcard - black and white, Le Moulin, Messines, c1914
Mesen (Messines in French, historically used in English) is a city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises of one main settlement, the town of Mesen proper. (Wikipedia) Two large battles were fought at Messines during World War One. Black and white postcard of a windmill at Messines, Belgium. chatham-holmes family collection, windmill, messines, moulin, world war, world war 1, world war one, belgium -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard - black and white, Westoutre Church, France, c1917
Westouter Churchyard and Extension is located 12 Kms south-west of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the N375 Dikkebusseweg. The village of Westoutre (now Westouter) remained in Allied hands from the early months of the First World War to the Armistice, but in the summer of 1918, after the Battles of the Lys, it was within 2.4 Kms of the front line. The Churchyard and Extension was used by field ambulances and fighting units at intervals from November 1914 to September 1918. It contains 98 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and three German graves.(http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/westouterchurchyardandextension.htm, accessed 11/07/2014) The only Australian buried at the Westoutre churchyard and extension is Gunner J. GRANT (2420) 30/09/1917 Australian Heavy Artillery Australian II. F. 12. (http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/westouterchurchyardandextension.htm, accessed 11/07/2014)A WW1 Australian soldier's memorabiliaBlack and white postcard of a church at WestoutreUitgever: Sansen-Vannest, Poperinghe Westoutre - De Kerk - L'Eglise - Churchwestoutre, westouter, chatham-holmes family collection, france, church -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard - Sepia, The "Fighting Fifth" after the Battle of St Eloi, c1916
Holmes Family WW1 memorabilia. 06 Apr 1916 - The Battle of St Eloi Craters, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Major Operation. “… the British had been patiently tunnelling since August (1915) at nearby St Eloi, about three miles south of Ypres, and adjacent to the Canadian trenches. Throughout the winter, the tunnelling crept ever closer to a dominant German-held feature dubbed “The Mound.” When the tunnels were completed in early March, tons of explosives were emplaced in six locations and on March 27, 1916, at 4:14 a.m. the charges were set off. Two German companies were wiped out and large sections of the German trenches were destroyed, but the British 9th Brigade’s attack faltered and became a bloody close-quarters slugging match, with the last bomb crater captured only on April 3.” (Zuehlke, Mark. Daniel, C. Stuart. The Canadian Military Atlas. The Nation’s Battlefields from the French and Indian Wars to Kosovo. Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited. Toronto. 2001 p. 125)A number of World War One soldiers, members of the Northumberland Fusiliers celebrate after the battle of St Eloi. Some or wear tin helmuts.The "Fighting Fifth" (Northumberland Fusiliers) after the battle of St Eloi"chatham-holmes family collection, fighting fifth, northumberland fusiliers, tunneling, explosion, crater, world war one, postcard -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plant specimen - Wood Sample, Herbst, 1759-1765
... the battle, Nelson was shot by a French musketeer and he died shortly... the battle, Nelson was shot by a French musketeer and he died shortly ...The piece of oak wood sample inside the case was obtained from Mr. H Cooper during the time he served as a shipwright for the British Royal Navy on Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, in 1891. By that time the H.M.S. Victory was around 100 years old having been built in 1765 and was currently in dry dock undergoing restoration. Cooper’s skills as a shipwright would have been well employed during this period. HMS Victory was and still does undergoing continuous restoration to preserve her for display as a museum ship, due to the vessel's significant naval history. It was during that time of early restoration that Cooper obtained the piece of Oak from HMS Victory believed to be from the ships hull. Cooper was in Australia in September 1891 serving on the HMS Wallaroo, a British Auxiliary Squadron commissioned to serve as part of the British Royal Navy contingent, tasked to operate in Australian waters. The photograph included with the donation of the wood sample is a portrait of Mr H Cooper taken in 1895 in Sydney. The inscription on the photograph describes him as a skilled shipwright from the H.M.S. Wallaroo, depicting Cooper as a young man in Royal Navy uniform, with the emblem of a petty officer third class. While Cooper was stationed on the H.M.S. Wallaroo in Sydney he presented the display case, containing the wood sample from H.M.S. Victory, as well as the exhibit labels to Charles Harding, ("Chas") late of the Royal Australian Navy. Harding had been based at the H M Naval Torpedo Depot at Williamstown, Victoria. Although not mentioned, it is believed the two men met whilst serving together in Australia in their respective assignments. It could have been a retirement gift from Cooper to Harding with the photograph of Cooper likely included with the case, and gifted to Harding in 1895, as the date on the photograph indicates. One of the exhibits labels indicates that Harding had the item on display whilst serving at the Naval Torpedo Depot in Williamstown. The label indicates: "This piece of Oak is part of the hull of H.M.S. “Victory” Lord Nelson’s renowned Flag Ship, which took such a prominent part in the Battle of Trafalgar. 21st October 1805. Exhibited by Charles Harding, H.M.V. Naval Torpedo Depot, Williamstown.” After Charles Harding died in 1931 the case containing the sample of oak from H.M.S. Victory was donated by his son Reg Harding to Mr. Murphy in 1962. The display case has since become a treasured item at Flagstaff Hill. A newspaper article dated 1905 included with the donation mentions that the city of Hamilton in Victoria was shortly expecting a mounted piece of the H.M.S. Victory, to be included in the city’s commemoration of the centenary of the "Battle of Trafalgar". Battle of Trafalgar: On October 21, 1805, twenty-seven British ships of the line led by Admiral Lord Nelson aboard HMS Victory defeated thirty-three French and Spanish ships of the line under French Admiral Villeneuve. The battle took place in the Atlantic Ocean off the southwest coast of Spain, just west of Cape Trafalgar, near the town of Los Caños de Meca. The victory confirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century and it was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from the prevailing naval tactical orthodoxy of the day. Conventional practice at the time was for opposing fleets to engage each other in single parallel lines, in order to facilitate signalling and disengagement, and to maximise fields of fire and target areas. Nelson instead arranged his ships into two columns to sail perpendicularly into the enemy fleet's line. During the battle, Nelson was shot by a French musketeer and he died shortly before the battle ended. Villeneuve was captured, along with his ship Bucentaure. He later attended Nelson's funeral while a captive on parole in Britain. Admiral Federico Gravina, the senior Spanish flag officer, escaped with the remnant of the fleet. He died five months later from wounds sustained during the battle. It was prior to this battle that Nelson had issued his now-famous final orders to his ships in 12 separate flag-hoists “England expects that every man will do his duty”. This wood sample is historically significant for its association with Admiral Lord Nelson the Battle of Trafalgar. Through Nelson’s leadership and unorthodox battle tactics, he secured not only a victory against the French and Spanish but reaffirmed Britain's naval supremacy opening the way for Britain to continuing the policy of colonisation of many countries including Australia.Wood sample adhered to the base of a hinged wood and glass display case. Wood is a sample of oak taken from the hull of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, the HMS Victory, built in 1765. The case also contain two exhibit labels pinned above the wood sample. Other items donated with the display case, and relating to the wood sample: an 1895 photograph, a 1905 newspaper clipping, a 1962 donor's letter (two pages), and a handwritten exhibit label with a border of red lines. Photograph Front: printed- "Herbst" "28 Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Sydney", handwritten - "Mr Cooper", "see back". Back: handwritten - "Mr H Cooper, skilled shipwright, H.M.S. Wallaroo 1895" Exhibit labels still in the case: Left: handwritten- “PIECE OF OAK FROM THE HULL OF H.M.S. VICTORY”, Right: typewritten- “This piece of Oak was originally obtained by Mr. H. Cooper, skilled shipwright on H.M.S. “Victory” & afterwards on H.M.S. “Wallaroo” on the Australian Station in 1895, when he presented this exhibit to me. Chas. Harding, Late Victorian Navy.”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, oak, hms victory, vice-admiral lord nelson, horatio nelson, lord nelson, oak piece, piece of oaknelson, battle of trafalgar, maritime technology, ship relics, 18th century warship, british royal navy, h cooper shipwright, hms wallaroo, herbst hyde park sydney, charles harding, hmv naval orpedo depot williamstown, sir home popham’s telegraphic code, admiralty official day signal book -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), Major-General John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres - South Africa
French was born in Kent in 1852. He had a brief service in the Royal Navy before becoming a cavalry officer. He distinguished himself on the Gordon Relief Expedition and was rapidly promoted. French became a national hero during the Second Boer War. He won the Battle of Elandslaagte near Ladysmith, escaping on the last train as the siege began. He commanded the Cavalry Division, winning the Battle of Klip Drift during the march to relieve Kimberley. In Cape Colony he conducted Counter-insurgency operations. Attained the rank of Field Marshall. Awards he received: Knight of the Order of St Patrick, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. French died in Kent in !925, aged 72. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.1st earl of ypres, john french, second boer war, gordon relief expedition, cavalry, battle of klip drift, battle of elandslaagte, cape colony, counter insurgency operations, field marshall, knight of the order of st patrick, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, order of merit, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), Major-General Sir Archibald Hunter - South Africa
At the outbreak of the Second Boer War, Major General Hunter was on the staff of Sir George White's Natal Field Force during the Battle of Ladysmith in Natal. He led a small raid against some of the Boers' guns, disabled them and relieved the town. Promotion followed and he became General Officer Commanding 10th Division. The Division was sent to join Lord Roberts' army camped at the captured Orange Free State capital. Hunter led them in the march on Pretoria. Once Pretoria was captured they still had to deal with Guerrilla Warfare and Hunter was sent south as overall commander of five columns that converged on the Free State army camped at Brandwater Basin, forcing the surrender of 4,314 Boers led by Marthinus Prinsloo. He was awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Territorial Decoration Legion of Honour (France)Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardssecond boer war, major generl, archibald hunter, natal field force, battle of ladysmith, general officer commanding, sir george white, guerrilla warfare, orange free state, brandwater basin, marthinus prinsloo, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, knight grand crossof the royal victorian order, legion of honour (france) -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson, 1st Baron Rawlinson - South Africa
Rawlinson served with distinction in a field command in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902. He was in Western Transvaal during early 1902 and led a column taking part in the Battle of Rooiwai, the last battle of the war. Following the end of hostilities he returned to England. Rawlinson, for his commands and the battles and wars he was engaged in during his career was awarded many times. Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, 1917; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1918; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, 1919; Baron Rawlinson, of Trent in the County of Dorset, 1919. Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour of France, 1916; Order of Danilo, 1st Class of the Kingdom of Montenegro, 1916; Obilitch Medal in Gold of the Kingdom of Montenegro, 1917; Order of St George, 4th Class of the Empire of Russia, 1917; Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold of Belgium, 1917; Croix de Guerre of Belgium, 1918; Croix de Guerre of France, 1919; American Army Distinguished Service Medal, 1919; Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, 1924. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.rawlinson, second boer war, western transvaal, battle of rooiwai, 1st baron of trent, dorset, knight grand cross of the royal victorian order, knight commander of the order of st michael and st george, knight grand cross of the order of the bath, grand officer of the legion of honour france, order of danilo 1st class of the kingdom of montenegro, obilitch medal in gold of the kingdom of montenegro, order fo st george 4th class of theempire of russia, grand officer of the order of leopold of belgium, croix de guerra of belgium, croix de guerra of france, american army distinguished service medal, knight grand commander of the order of the star of india -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Document, Life history of Sgt. William Carroll, (estimated); early -mid 1990
This short history is in a display of photos and a copy of a letter written home by Sgt Carroll to his Aunt.A brief written life history from birth to death of William Carroll service Number 815. As written by a member of Red Cliffs R.S.L. in consultation with the family.Born in Wangaratta in 1891, was a drover and boundary rider in Queensland when enlisted.Sgt. Carroll was one of the original members of the 21st Battalion, 6th Brigade, 1st AIF, which was formed at Broadmeadows early 1915. The battalion embarked from Melbourne on the Uylsses on the 8th May 1915 enroute to the Middle East. Saw action Middle East> Gallipoli>Middle East to reform and reorganise > Western Front> Somme> Bullecourt> Ypres> Somme> Mont St. Quentin> Villiers Bretonneux> Hamel Mutiny./ Sgt. Carroll was twice wounded in action (at Fluers and Broondseinde)and was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, with a Sgt Cozens (No 825 also original member, on the 15th September 1916, for exceptional zeal in the performance of their duties and coolness in action, which had a great affect on the moral of their mem. He was discharged medically unfit with gun wounds to his left knee and back. Of the full Battalion strength of the original Officers and men, there were 16 Officers and 24 Or's left. 21st Battalion left buried on foreign soil 47 Officers and 827 Or's. It was the highest decorated Battalion of the 6th Brigade. Listed are some of the Battles and Misfortunes that Sgt. Carrol survived to return to Australia. Torpedoed on the troop ship Southland enroute to Gallipoli 1915;/ First Australian troops to Garrison Cairo; First Australian Infantry Unit into line in France; Last out of the line; Staging a successful mutiny; 21st Battalion was disbanded in 1918. Sgt. Carroll was given block 276 Red Cliffs, he sold his block in 1982. He was interested in Community affairs and was involved in ADFA, RSL, Mildura Club, and Mildura Show Society and was the third last Red Cliffs Soldier Settler to die. He was in his 100th year.medal, distinguished, battalion, aif, 21st, 6th, brigade, 1st, mutiny, gallipoli, wangaratta, 1891, boundary, rider, ulysses, middle, east, western, front, conduct -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Collage, Collage of WW1 photos of E. H. Rowe, 1st April, 2001 (exact)
This is part of the E.H. Rowe Collection.A brown wooden frame, containing 7 photos and a history of Ernest Henry Rowe. The frame has a small plaque on the bottom front.Photos from left-top to bottom: (.1) 1 Australian Divisional Headquarters- Orderlies, Grooms & Police- Derna Camp - Egypt 1914/ (.2) Two Pals and Ernie Rowe -Pyramids, Egypt, 1914/ (.3) Morning fatigues- Derna Camp- Egypt, 1914/ Main Photo: (.4) Officer Cadet Ernest Henry Rowe/ Queens College, Oxford, England/ October 1917./ Top right to bottom: (.5) Recovering at Al Hayat Hospital- Egypt after being wounded at Lone Pine Battle, Gallipoli, in August 1915./ (.6) The boy from the Bush- heading to France with Engineers- 1916./ (.7) The Sphynx and Pyramids - Egypt - 1914/ Plaque: To The Red Cliffs R.S.L. / from/ The Rowe Family of Red Cliffs/ 1st April, 2001. camp, australian, ww1, 1, gallipoli, henry, egypt, ernest, rowe, derna, divisional, headquarters, queens, college, oxford, lone, pine -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Collage, Collage of WW1 photos, Post WW1
There is no information with this collage other than what is on the photos, it is unknown who put it together, who owned it, or who donated it.An old black wooden frame containing 12 WW1 photos which have been beautifully displayed in the frame, surrounded by hand made wooden lattice and leaves decor. Typed on the bottom of each photo is a description of the photo.Top Left to right. ( .1) British Infantry practicing an attack. (.2) Australians parading for the Trenches. (.3) 'Tommy' at home in German duggouts. Next Rowe Left to Right. (.4) London Scottish going to their trenches. (.5) Happy 'Tommys' wearing Hun Helmets. (.6) A galant Rescue under fire - This man saved 20 lives like this. Next rowe down, Left to right: (.7) Firing a heavy Howitzer in France. (.8) Loyal North Lancs Regiment cheering when ordered to the trenches. (.9) Thirsty German prisoners in their barbed wire cage. Bottom rowe Left to right (.10) Highlanders Pipe themselves back from the trenches. (.11) Decorating a Canandian on the Field of Battle. (.12) A 'Fag' after a fight.france, ww1, british, photos, infantry, north, collage, lancashire, regiments -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book - 6th Div, Shawn OLeary, To The Green Fields Beyond:The story of the 6th Division Cavalry Commandos
The 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 Rollnon-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 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document, Certificate of Discharge 1st AIF Alonzo Sheldrake Box 22/5/1917 2pp, 1917
Alonzo Sheldrake Box 1851- 1958 was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who migrated from Sussex England 1850 and established a market garden in the area of Henry Dendy's 'Special Survey 1841 Brighton, in the Parish of Moorabbin County of Bourke. Alonzo was a pavier, who laid blue stone for drains, and enlisted in 1914 to serve in Gallipoli, and France . He returned to Bentleigh 1917 and married Mary Louisa Closter 1918 . Alonzo Box was a member of the pioneering Box family who emigrated from Sussex England 1850 and established market gardens in the the Parish of Moorabbin, County of Bourke. Alonzo Box enlisted in the 1st AIF in 1914 and served in Gallipoli and France. Document, Certificate of Discharge No. 1054 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force 1917, Alonzo Sheldrake Box Sergeant as Printed by Government Printer box george b 1808, box william, box elizabeth avis, box alonzo sheldrake, closter mary louisa, wedding dress box cottage museum, paviers, road building, world war 1 1914-1918, gallipoli, somme battles, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, early settlers, bentleigh, mckinnon, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Photo Album Montage
Early Aviation, RFC France WW1, RAF 20-30's, old sea planes, Battle of Britain,. Graf Spreephoto -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - ACC LOCK COLLECTION: SEPIA PHOTO OF AN OPEN FIELD AND FOREST, POSTCARD, 1914-1918
Postcard,WW1, sepia photo of what could have been a battle field with a forest in the background. Smoke is seen rising above the trees. Location not known. Handwritten in pencil on the back - G37 and GSpostcard, ww1, france, battlefield -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Will Davies, Last one hundred days : the Australian road to victory in the First World War, 2018
In March 1918, with the fear of a one-million-man American army landing in France, the Germans attacked. In response, Australian soldiers were involved in a number of engagements, culminating in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux and the saving of Amiens, and Paris, from German occupation. Then came General John Monash's first victory as the Commanding Officer of the newly formed Australian Corps at Hamel. This victory, and the tactics it tested, became crucial to the Allied victory after 8 August, the 'black day of the German Army'. On this day the major Allied counteroffensive began, with the AIF in the vanguard of the attack. The Australians, with the Canadians to the south and the British across the Somme to the north, drove the Germans back, first along the line of the Somme and then across the river to Mont St Quentin, Péronne and on to the formidable Hindenburg Line, before the last Australian infantry action at Montbrehain in early October. Fast-paced and tense, the story of The Last 100 Days is animated by the voices of Australian soldiers as they endured the war's closing stages with humour and stoicism; and as they fought a series of battles in which they played a pivotal role in securing Allied victory. Collapse summaryIndex, bibliography, notes, ill, p.340.non-fictionIn March 1918, with the fear of a one-million-man American army landing in France, the Germans attacked. In response, Australian soldiers were involved in a number of engagements, culminating in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux and the saving of Amiens, and Paris, from German occupation. Then came General John Monash's first victory as the Commanding Officer of the newly formed Australian Corps at Hamel. This victory, and the tactics it tested, became crucial to the Allied victory after 8 August, the 'black day of the German Army'. On this day the major Allied counteroffensive began, with the AIF in the vanguard of the attack. The Australians, with the Canadians to the south and the British across the Somme to the north, drove the Germans back, first along the line of the Somme and then across the river to Mont St Quentin, Péronne and on to the formidable Hindenburg Line, before the last Australian infantry action at Montbrehain in early October. Fast-paced and tense, the story of The Last 100 Days is animated by the voices of Australian soldiers as they endured the war's closing stages with humour and stoicism; and as they fought a series of battles in which they played a pivotal role in securing Allied victory. Collapse summary world war 1914- 1918 - campaigns - western front, western front - australian participation - 1918 -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Peter Fitzsimons, Fromelles and Pozières : in the trenches of hell, 2015
In the Trenches of Hell On 19 July 1916, 7000 Australian soldiers - in the first major action of the AIF on the Western Front - attacked entrenched German positions at Fromelles in northern France. By the next day, there were over 5500 casualties, including nearly 2000 dead - a bloodbath that the Australian War Memorial describes as 'the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history. Just days later, three Australian Divisions attacked German positions at nearby Pozi�res, and over the next six weeks they suffered another 23,000 casualties. Of that bitter battle, the great Australian war correspondent Charles Bean would write, 'The field of Pozi�res is more consecrated by Australian fighting and more hallowed by Australian blood than any field which has ever existed . . .' Yet the sad truth is that, nearly a century on from those battles, Australians know only a fraction of what occurred. This book brings the battles back to life and puts the reader in the moment, illustrating both the heroism displayed and the insanity of the British plan. With his extraordinary vigour and commitment to research, Peter FitzSimons shows why this is a story about which all Australians can be proud. And angry.Index, bibliography, notes, ill (maps), p.816.In the Trenches of Hell On 19 July 1916, 7000 Australian soldiers - in the first major action of the AIF on the Western Front - attacked entrenched German positions at Fromelles in northern France. By the next day, there were over 5500 casualties, including nearly 2000 dead - a bloodbath that the Australian War Memorial describes as 'the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history. Just days later, three Australian Divisions attacked German positions at nearby Pozi�res, and over the next six weeks they suffered another 23,000 casualties. Of that bitter battle, the great Australian war correspondent Charles Bean would write, 'The field of Pozi�res is more consecrated by Australian fighting and more hallowed by Australian blood than any field which has ever existed . . .' Yet the sad truth is that, nearly a century on from those battles, Australians know only a fraction of what occurred. This book brings the battles back to life and puts the reader in the moment, illustrating both the heroism displayed and the insanity of the British plan. With his extraordinary vigour and commitment to research, Peter FitzSimons shows why this is a story about which all Australians can be proud. And angry.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - western front, world war 1914-1918 - australian participation - fromelles and pozieres -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Paul Ham, Passchendaele : requiem for doomed youth, 2016
Passchendaele epitomises everything that was most terrible about the Western Front. The photographs never sleep of this four-month battle, fought from July to November 1917, the worst year of the war- blackened tree stumps rising out of a field of mud, corpses of men and horses drowned in shell holes, terrified soldiers huddled in trenches awaiting the whistle. The intervening century, the most violent in human history, has not disarmed these pictures of their power to shock. At the very least they ask us, on the 100th anniversary of the battle, to see and to try to understand what happened here. Yes, we commemorate the event. Yes, we adorn our breasts with poppies. But have we seen? Have we understood? Have we dared to reason why? What happened at Passchendaele was the expression of the 'wearing-down war', the war of pure attrition at its most spectacular and ferocious. Paul Ham's Passchendaele- Requiem for Doomed Youth shows how ordinary men on both sides endured this constant state of siege, with a very real awareness that they were being gradually, deliberately, wiped out. Yet the men never broke- they went over the top, when ordered, again and again and again. And if they fell dead or wounded, they were casualties in the 'normal wastage', as the commanders described them, of attritional war. Only the soldier's friends at the front knew him as a man, with thoughts and feelings. His family back home knew him as a son, husband or brother, before he had enlisted. By the end of 1917 he was a different creature- his experiences on the Western Front were simply beyond their powers of comprehension. The book tells the story of ordinary men in the grip of a political and military power struggle that determined their fate and has foreshadowed the destiny of the world for a century. Passchendaele lays down a powerful challenge to the idea of war as an inevitable expression of the human will, and examines the culpability of governments and military commanders in a catastrophe that destroyed the best part of a generation. Collapse summaryIndex, bibliography, notes, ill (maps), p.565.non-fictionPasschendaele epitomises everything that was most terrible about the Western Front. The photographs never sleep of this four-month battle, fought from July to November 1917, the worst year of the war- blackened tree stumps rising out of a field of mud, corpses of men and horses drowned in shell holes, terrified soldiers huddled in trenches awaiting the whistle. The intervening century, the most violent in human history, has not disarmed these pictures of their power to shock. At the very least they ask us, on the 100th anniversary of the battle, to see and to try to understand what happened here. Yes, we commemorate the event. Yes, we adorn our breasts with poppies. But have we seen? Have we understood? Have we dared to reason why? What happened at Passchendaele was the expression of the 'wearing-down war', the war of pure attrition at its most spectacular and ferocious. Paul Ham's Passchendaele- Requiem for Doomed Youth shows how ordinary men on both sides endured this constant state of siege, with a very real awareness that they were being gradually, deliberately, wiped out. Yet the men never broke- they went over the top, when ordered, again and again and again. And if they fell dead or wounded, they were casualties in the 'normal wastage', as the commanders described them, of attritional war. Only the soldier's friends at the front knew him as a man, with thoughts and feelings. His family back home knew him as a son, husband or brother, before he had enlisted. By the end of 1917 he was a different creature- his experiences on the Western Front were simply beyond their powers of comprehension. The book tells the story of ordinary men in the grip of a political and military power struggle that determined their fate and has foreshadowed the destiny of the world for a century. Passchendaele lays down a powerful challenge to the idea of war as an inevitable expression of the human will, and examines the culpability of governments and military commanders in a catastrophe that destroyed the best part of a generation. Collapse summary world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - western front, france - campaigns - passchaendaele -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Patrick Lindsay, Our darkest day : the tragic Battle of Fromelles and the digger's final resting place, 2011
This abridged edition of the bestselling 'Fromelles' includes the recent discovery of the largest mass war grave since the Second World War, the recovery of the missing Diggers' remains and the names of those who have been identified, as well as the opening of the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in 2010.Index, bibliography, ill (maps), p.248.non-fictionThis abridged edition of the bestselling 'Fromelles' includes the recent discovery of the largest mass war grave since the Second World War, the recovery of the missing Diggers' remains and the names of those who have been identified, as well as the opening of the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in 2010.world war 1914 - 1918 - campaigns - western front - fromelles, war graves - france -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Peter Stanley, Men of Mont St Quentin : between victory and death, 2009
In the hands of Peter Stanley, one of Australia's leading military historians, a famous battlefield in France becomes unforgettably connected with Australian men and their families in the long aftermath of the Great War.Index, notes, bibliography, ill, p.298.non-fictionIn the hands of Peter Stanley, one of Australia's leading military historians, a famous battlefield in France becomes unforgettably connected with Australian men and their families in the long aftermath of the Great War.australian army - 21st battalion - 9 platoon - history, world war 1914-1918 - 2nd battle of the somme -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Antony Beevor, D-Day : the battle for Normandy, 2009
Even Stalin was awed by D-Day. 'In the whole history of war, ' he wrote to Churchill, 'there has never been such an undertaking.' Those who took part in the great cross-Channel invasion, whether soldier, sailor or airman, would never forget the sight. It was by far the largest invasion fleet ever known.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.592.non-fictionEven Stalin was awed by D-Day. 'In the whole history of war, ' he wrote to Churchill, 'there has never been such an undertaking.' Those who took part in the great cross-Channel invasion, whether soldier, sailor or airman, would never forget the sight. It was by far the largest invasion fleet ever known.world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - france, operation overlord