Showing 93 items
matching german forces
-
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Brown, SS : the blood-soaked soil : the battles of the Waffen-SS, 1995
... world war 1939-1945 - armed forces - germany... forces - germany The battles of the Waffen-SS in various theatres ...The battles of the Waffen-SS in various theatres are described in detail.Index, bibliography,ill, maps, p.192.non-fictionThe battles of the Waffen-SS in various theatres are described in detail.waffen ss - history, world war 1939-1945 - armed forces - germany -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, John Hetherington, Air-borne invasion : the story of the Battle of Crete, 1944
A contemporary account of the German invasion of Crete and the involvement of Australian forces in it.Ill, maps, p.135.non-fictionA contemporary account of the German invasion of Crete and the involvement of Australian forces in it.world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – greece, campaigns - crete - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Robert Kershaw, Sky men: The real story of the paras, 2010
From the 1930s through WWII to Afghanistan today, from total war to counterinsurgency, this history unravels and defines the intangible qualities that differentiate the "Sky Men" from other soldiers Seventy years ago the Parachute Regiment was formed - the army's elite air assault force was tough, well-trained, and designed to fight hazardous operations behind enemy lines with little or no backup. Dropping into the middle of enemy territory, these "Sky Men"- British, American, German, and Russian soldiers - engage in gruelling combat in the most dangerous conflict zones around the world. Ex-Parachute Regiment officer Robert Kershaw reveals the history of these airborne forces and their role during the most dramatic battles of the 20th century. He finds out what drives a "Sky Man" to take these extraordinary risks, and what marks these sky warriors out from ordinary soldiers. How do military paratroopers conquer the fear of jumping from aircraft at low level, by night, and frequently under fire? Has the helicopter replaced the need for parachutists in the 21st Century? Has the increasing lethality of anti-aircraft weapons made the airborne option redundant? These issues are examined alongside the personal experiences of the Soviet "Locust Warriors," German Fallschirmjäger, British Red Devils, American "devils in baggy-pants," and Les Paras. Based on letters, diaries, and exclusive interviews with soldiers from around the world, this book is full of vivid personalities and nail-biting action.Index, bibliography, notes, ill (b/w), p.348.From the 1930s through WWII to Afghanistan today, from total war to counterinsurgency, this history unravels and defines the intangible qualities that differentiate the "Sky Men" from other soldiers Seventy years ago the Parachute Regiment was formed - the army's elite air assault force was tough, well-trained, and designed to fight hazardous operations behind enemy lines with little or no backup. Dropping into the middle of enemy territory, these "Sky Men"- British, American, German, and Russian soldiers - engage in gruelling combat in the most dangerous conflict zones around the world. Ex-Parachute Regiment officer Robert Kershaw reveals the history of these airborne forces and their role during the most dramatic battles of the 20th century. He finds out what drives a "Sky Man" to take these extraordinary risks, and what marks these sky warriors out from ordinary soldiers. How do military paratroopers conquer the fear of jumping from aircraft at low level, by night, and frequently under fire? Has the helicopter replaced the need for parachutists in the 21st Century? Has the increasing lethality of anti-aircraft weapons made the airborne option redundant? These issues are examined alongside the personal experiences of the Soviet "Locust Warriors," German Fallschirmjäger, British Red Devils, American "devils in baggy-pants," and Les Paras. Based on letters, diaries, and exclusive interviews with soldiers from around the world, this book is full of vivid personalities and nail-biting action.great britain - history - military, great britain - parachute regiment -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Collins, The Australian people and the Great War, 1984
... - Sport and war in Australia - Australia Imperial Forces abroad ...World War I (1) - Gallipoli - Churches and the war - Empire loyalty - Women at war - Sport and war in Australia - Australia Imperial Forces abroad - German Australians - Rural Australia and the war.Index, notes, ill, p.242.non-fictionWorld War I (1) - Gallipoli - Churches and the war - Empire loyalty - Women at war - Sport and war in Australia - Australia Imperial Forces abroad - German Australians - Rural Australia and the war.australia - social life and customs -1914-1918, world war 1914-1918 - history - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Cavendish House, Hitlers panzers, 1983
... Germany - Panzer forces...-and-the-dandenong-ranges Armoured warfare - History Germany - Panzer forces ...Pictorial and textual descriptions om important German tank battlesIll, maps, p.63.non-fictionPictorial and textual descriptions om important German tank battles armoured warfare - history, germany - panzer forces -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Papermac, The lost battle : Crete, 1941, 1995
... troops - History The invasion of Crete by German airborne forces ...The invasion of Crete by German airborne forces in 1941Index, bib, ill, maps, p.350.non-fictionThe invasion of Crete by German airborne forces in 1941 world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - crete, parachute troops - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Carl Schultze, The British army of the Rhine, 1994
The British army in Germany after World War Two and its response to the fall of the Iron CurtainIll, p.66.non-fictionThe British army in Germany after World War Two and its response to the fall of the Iron Curtain occupation forces - united kingdom, north atlantic treaty organisation -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Painting - Painting, Oil, Centaur, 1945
Harry Gorry bid for & purchased on internet auction site. The seller's mother was putting these & other items up for auction. Her father, the seller's grandfather was Dr. Bruno Koenig, a German surgeon detained by Allied forces while fleeing New Guinea in 1941. He was detained & sent to be interned in Camp 3, Tatura. There he met the painter Cesare Vagarini & they became friends, thus 4 years later upon the end of the war Vagarini gave the surgeon the two paintings in thanks & in memory of their friendship. Dr Koening then passed the paintings down to his daughter, where they remained in the family for 60 years. The seller's mother decided it was time to sell & was happy that the paintings went to a good home, as the family was until now unaware of the connection between Vagarini and the Tatura Museum. Harry Gorry just happened to notice a familiar name in an auction that he came across by accident & purchased them for our benefit. (Most information copied from Tatura Bulletin article, April 2014).Oil painting, depicting mythological scene. Female figure (unclothed), holding a red cloth/ garment trailing behind her. Centaur / faun? walking beside her. Outdoor scene. Trees, mountains & cloudy blue sky visible in background. Sandy coloured soil. Painted on reverse of old "Choice Tea" box.(On back): 1945 Tatura; ... remember ..... and us, Cesare and Maria Vagarini; On back, on sticker: Va(r)garini, Tatura Internment Camp, 1945 "Choice Tea" stencilled on back, part of original box material.tatura, camp 3, cesare vagarini, camp 3 artwork, victorian internment camps, doctor bruno koenig -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Painting, Watercolour, 1939-1945
Harry Gorry bid for & purchased on internet auction site. The seller's mother was putting these & other items up for auction. Her father/ the seller's grandfather was Dr. Bruno Koening, a German surgeon detained by Allied forces while fleeing New Guinea in 1941. He was detained & sent to be interned in Camp 3, Tatura. There he met the painter Cesare Vagarini & they became friends, thus 4 years later upon the end of the war Vagarini gave the surgeon the two paintings in thanks & in memory of their friendship. Dr Koening then passed the paintings down to his daughter, where they remained in the family for 60 years. The seller's mother decided it was time to sell & was happy that the paintings went to a good home, as the family was until now unaware of the connection between Vagarini and the Tatura Museum. Harry Gorry just happened to notice a familiar name in an auction that he came across by accident & purchased them for our benefit. (Most information copied from Tatura Bulletin article, April 2014).Watercolour painting, depicting barracks at Camp 3. Picture showing fencing posts & bare ground in foreground, and row of huts in background, with 4 trees behind them. at bottom left of picture.tatura, camp 3, vagarini -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document and CD - Biography, Mary Henderson Gerstle et al, Bernhard Hermann Gerstle, 2013
Bernhard Gerstle & his family (parents & siblings) were German nationals working in Tehran, Iran upon the outbreak of World War II. In 1941, after the installation of a pro-British ruler to the Persian throne, all German nationals were targeted as threats to national security. The women and children evacuated to Stuttgart, Germany via Turkey, while the men were handed over to British forces. Bernhard was taken by ship (the SS Rona) to Bombay & then to Australia (on the SS Rangitiki). He was then marched in to Loveday internment camp 10, South Australia. In January 1945 the German & Italian internees at Loveday were transferred to Tatura Camp 1. Bernhard remained there until after the war & his eventual release, on 29th August 1946. Bernhard chose & was granted permission to remain in Australia post-war, as did many civilian internees, after their examination by a Committee of Inquiry which investigated their political leanings & other criteria for their supposed suitability as Australian residents. The biography also recounts his employment post-war, marriage in 1952 & his later naturalisation as an Australian citizen. Other material includes Gerstle family history from the perspective of Bernhard's sister & family, who remained in Stuttgart; background on the Gerstle family's Russian origins; and a biography of Oskar Speck, famous kayaker, amongst other things, who was interned along with Bernhard & who became good friends with the family; a brief historical background of the Allied forces/Persia invasion; and extracts of Tatura Camp 3 internee Helga Griffin's book, "Sing Me That Lovely Song Again". Black plastic A4 display folder. CD soft case with CD. Folder contains printed biographical information regarding Bernhard Hermann Gerstle. CD contains copies of same documents and also copies of photographs of Bernhard & the Gerstle family. Folder: Bernhard Hermann Gerstle/ Gerstle Family/ Loveday and Tatura Internment Camps 1941-1946/ Sydney 1946-1978/ Compiled by Mary Henderson 2013 CD: BH Gerstle; 1941 - Interned by British/ 1941-1946 - Internee at Loveday SA, Tatura VIC/ Sydney 1946-1978. camp 1, tatura, loveday, world-war-two, internment-camps -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Brooch, 1940s
The Wied family were settled in Palestine upon the beginning of WWII. Being of German nationality, they were considered a threat to security by Allied forces & were interned in temporary camps, before being shipped to Australia. In Australia they were interned in Camp 3, Tatura, a family camp for enemy nationals. Many of the internees came with few possessions. This item is just one of the handmade domestic items fashioned in the camp from largely scrap materials to give some home comforts in the initially barren surroundings of the camps, particularly to those interned with families and young children. Butterfly shaped brooch made from Paua shell. Fixed to a brass safety pin. world war ii, camp 3, palestine, tatura, jewellery, internment camps -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Ring, 1940's
The ring was made for the donor by her father in Camp 3, Tatura. The Wied family were settled in Palestine upon the beginning of WWII. Being of German nationality, they were considered a threat to security by Allied forces & were interned in temporary camps, before being shipped to Australia. In Australia they were interned in Camp 3, Tatura, a family camp for enemy nationals. Many of the internees came with few possessions. This item is just one of the handmade domestic items fashioned in the camp from largely scrap materials to give some home comforts in the initially barren surroundings of the camps, particularly to those interned with families and young children. Small brown metal ring, with a small heart soldered to the ring. camp 3, tatura, world war ii, internment camps -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Kay Dreyfus, Silences and Secrets: The Australian Experience of the Weintraubs Syncopators, 2013
(From back cover): "The Weintraubs Syncopators, international musical celebrities of the 1930s, embarked on a four-year journey across Europe, Russia and the Far East in exile from the antisemitic ideologies of the German Third Reich. This band of mainly Jewish musicians arrived in Sydney, Australia, in 1937. The decision of some of them to stay brought them into conflict with the aggressively protectionist Musicians’ Union of Australia. They gained employment at a high-end Sydney nightclub but when war came, were forced to come to terms with a change in their status – from celebrities to enemy aliens. Denounced for alleged espionage activities in Russia, three were interned and the band broke up. In this major recounting of the experience of the Weintraubs Syncopators, Kay Dreyfus pieces together the complex personal, social and political forces at work in this story of migration at a time of insecurity, fear and dramatic conflict." The Tatura group of camps were built after the beginning of World War 2, and held prisoners of war (enemy military) and civilian internees (enemy nationals, regardless of political affiliation, either living in Australia or in Allied territories overseas). The Weintraubs Syncopators' members were just some of the civilians caught up in the conflict. Paperback book. Glossy black front cover, black & white photo of group of musicians. Blue & white text. Back cover glossy white, black & white photo group of men standing over bass drum labelled "Weintraubs Syncopators". 305 pages. Dewey no. 781.65092weintraub, camp 1, tatura, internment camps, civilian internees, jazz, jewish community, world war ii, musicians, stefan weintraub, horst graff -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Clothing - Lederhosen, 1940s
Made by internee at Camp 3 for Rudolf Auer.Handmade mens shorts or lederhosen with straps or halter buttoned to waistband. 2 buttons on back are Australian Military Forces buttons.lederhosen, camp 3, rudolf auer, german traditional clothing -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed caricature, Nancy Wake, Unknown
Caricature image of war hero and Australia's most decorated servicewoman Nancy Wake Australian born Nancy Wake AC, GM, was the most decorated servicewoman of the Second World War. She was nicknamed the 'White Mouse' for her ability to consistently evade and outmanoeuvre the Gestapo as a secret agent for British forces.Brown timber frame containing caricature of female in uniform wearing a beretMedals and Decorations: France: U.S.A War Hero - Australia's most decorated woman Great Britain - George Medal/1939-45 Star Legion de Honneur Freedom Medal France & Germany Star Croix de Guerre Defence Medal/Victory Medal Medal de Resistancenancy wake, ww2, white mouse, australian servicewoman -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
WW1 Propaganda Postcard "Remember Miss Edith Cavell"
WW1 October 12, 1915 Miss Edith Cavell, British Nurse Killed in Belgium by a German Firing Squad Propaganda PostcardWW1 1915 Postcard Propaganda British forces Death by Firing Squad of Miss Edith CavellWW1 Propaganda postcard depicting the death of Miss Edith Cavell a British Nurse nursing in Belgium. Sepia coloured card mainly grey and white in colouring. Thin Cardboard type. Depicts a picture of the nurse (Edith Cavell) lying prostate after being killed by a German Firing Squad.Miss Edith Cavell murdered October 12th 1915, and in large capitals emphasizing the word MURDERED. ww1 postcard, miss edith cavell british nurse, killed by german firiing squad october 12, 1915 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Container - Cigarette Case, 1940's
Metal cigarette case. Map on front shows the U.S. Occupied Zone of Germany in the post war years.|Perhaps issued or sold to the U.S. Forces. There is a clip inside to hold cigarettes.U.S. Zone of Germanypersonal effects, smoking accessories -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Army Uniform, Jacket made in 1950 and trousers made in 1954
WW2 Army uniform (jacket and trousers) belonging to 1494723 MAJ Derek MATHER, Royal Military Police. Campaign ribbons on left breast are: 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 (Oak Leaf), General Service Medal 1918, Queen Elizabeth 2 Coronation Medal and the Efficiency Medal. Badge of the Royal Military Police on both lapels. Patch of the Cyrenaica District Middle East Land Forces on both shoulders. Lanyard of RMP on left shoulder.Army catalogue tags on both items -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Equipment - German Parachute Cord WWII
... Dandenong melbourne This rope was part of a German Parachute cord ...This rope was part of a German Parachute cord from the Second World War. German paratroopers, or Fallschirmjager, were often at the forefront of German military actions. Australian soldiers faced a Fallschirmjager assault during the invasion of Crete in 1941.German paratrooopers, or Fallschirmjager, were an elite unit within the German military. Australian forces faced the Fallschirmjager during the airborne invasion of Crete in 1941. This object has the capacity to tell the story of that engagement.A length of frayed rope taken from a Second World War German Parachute. Coiled, with black and red threads running through the structure.german, paratrooper, parachute, fallschirmjager, crete, 1941 -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Fort Queenscliff, 2015, 15/03/2015
Fort Queenscliff was established in 1860 when an open battery was constructed on Shortland's Bluff to defend the Port Phillip Bay entrance. The Fort, which underwent major redevelopment in the late 1870s and 1880s, became the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port Phillip Heads. Its garrison included volunteer artillery, engineers, infantry and naval militia, and it was manned as a coastal defence installation continuously from 1883 to 1946. The other fortifications and armaments around the Heads were completed by 1891, and together made Port Phillip one of the most heavily defended harbours in the British Empire. It is claimed that the first British Empire artillery shots of World War One were fired when a gun at Fort Nepean fired across the bow of the German freighter Pfalz, as she was attempting to escape to sea. The orders to fire came from Fort Queenscliff. It is alleged that the same gun, with a different barrel, also fired the first Australian artillery shot of World War II. By 1946 coastal artillery was outmoded, and the Fort became home of Army's Staff College. After the three Service Staff Colleges were combined in Canberra, it became the base for Army's Soldier Career Management Agency in 2001.Colour panoramic photograph of Fort Queenscliffqueenscliff, fort queenscliff, army, volunteer forces -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Fort Queenscliff, 2015, 15/03/2015
Fort Queenscliff was established in 1860 when an open battery was constructed on Shortland's Bluff to defend the Port Phillip Bay entrance. The Fort, which underwent major redevelopment in the late 1870s and 1880s, became the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port Phillip Heads. Its garrison included volunteer artillery, engineers, infantry and naval militia, and it was manned as a coastal defence installation continuously from 1883 to 1946. The other fortifications and armaments around the Heads were completed by 1891, and together made Port Phillip one of the most heavily defended harbours in the British Empire. It is claimed that the first British Empire artillery shots of World War One were fired when a gun at Fort Nepean fired across the bow of the German freighter Pfalz, as she was attempting to escape to sea. The orders to fire came from Fort Queenscliff. It is alleged that the same gun, with a different barrel, also fired the first Australian artillery shot of World War II. By 1946 coastal artillery was outmoded, and the Fort became home of Army's Staff College. After the three Service Staff Colleges were combined in Canberra, it became the base for Army's Soldier Career Management Agency in 2001.Colour panoramic photograph of Fort Queenscliffqueenscliff, fort queenscliff, army, volunteer forces -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Weapon - Bayonet (French), 1914 circa
Used with Lebel Model 1886 bolt action rifle and was the basic French infantry weapon of World War 1 (1914-1918). Probably brought to Australia by a returning soldier as a souvenir. Donated to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Collection when no longer of interest to family. Nickname 'Rosalie' by French soldiers, a reference to a popular song of the war years. Called French knitting needles by German soldiers.Fine example of World War 1 weaponry used by allied forces.French Model 1886/93 "Rosalie" bayonet, 500mm steel cruciform section blade with quillon (hook) and brass anodized handle.On Quilion "M 78124"rosalie, knitting needles, french, bayonet -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
In 1961, 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was equippedSergeant Peter Hartung, later Caprain with Humber trucks to fulfil an Armoured Personnel Carrier role. A troop comprised 3 vehicles, each with a 2 man crew, commanded by a Sergeant.Sargeant Peter Hartung, later Captain, served in WW2 with German Panzer Corps. Trooper lou Madjeric served with German Navy. After immigrating to Australia after the war they joined 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Collection of photographs showing an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces in the 1960s as it transitioned from wheeled armoured vehicles to tanks to M113 armoured personal carriers.Black and white photograph of seven soldiers lined up in front of Humber trucks" Trooper Vincent, Corporal Roberts, Troopers McCluskey, Doyle, Cameron, Madjeric, Sgt. Hartung. " -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Medal - Cawsey 13 ALH
The British War Medal was instituted on 26 July 1919 for award to those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918, both dates inclusive. The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.. Two world War medals awarded to Regimental No 1336 Trooper H P C Cawsey 13th Australian Light Horse. Medals are British War Medal 1914-1918 and Victory Medal.cawsey, 13th, light horse, world war one, wwi -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Medal - Pritchard World War Two group
The Atlantic Star was instituted in May 1945 to honour those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was intended primarily for award to those who served in shipping convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as to those who served on fast merchant ships which sailed alone. The Battle of the Atlantic took place between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945, as German U-boats attacked convoys transporting vital supplies from America and the Colonies to Britain. Warships of the Royal Navy and aircraft of the Royal Air Force escorted these convoys, hunted the U-boats and, despite some notable successes by the U-boats, eventually won a comprehensive victory in the Atlantic. Group of three World War Two medals awarded to J Pritchard Merchant Navy: Atlantic Star, Pacific Star and Australian Service Medal 39-45.atlantic, merchant navy, world war two, wwii -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - WWI aircraft in desert
The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. Black and white photograph of spectators round a downed German aircraft October 1917.German plane brought down Thallal Oct 1917world war one, wwi, aircraft, plane, thallal -
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Photograph
John Alexander Spence was born in Fremantle 2nd July 1893. In 1912 he joined the Australian Navy as a Stoker and was posted to H.M.A.S. Australia. He was on this ship when it sailed at the head of the convoy into Sydney Harbour in 1913. At the outbreak of WW1, his ship was sent to German New Guinea where he saw conflict with the enemy and received a gunshot wound to his hand. This required him to be returned to Australia and the Naval doctors considered him unfit for further Naval service. When his hand healed Spence joined the AIF on the 2 August 1915 and was posted to the 52nd Battalion and embarked on the “Benalla” on the 1 November 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 1 June 1916 on 9 September was promoted to Corporal and the next day to Sergeant. At Messines Ridge he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. At Dernancourt, a village near Villers he was awarded the Military Medal on 6 April 1918. Subsequently he was badly injured. He had captured four German soldiers and one Officer. While marching them back to the Allied lines the Officer grabbed one of the patrol member’s gun and fired three shots at Sergeant Spence which smashed his hip. Despite his injuries Spence managed to bring the Officer down with a revolver shot. On the 30th April he was repatriated to England and admitted to the Alexandria Hospital at Cosham. He did not return to the western front as his injuries were too severe. He returned to Australia on board the Somalia arriving home on the 21st December 1919. Before joining the forces he was a prominent amateur boxer, a pupil of the renowned heavyweight Bill Doherty. During WW1 he won the Army lightweight championship, competing against professionals as well as amateurs. He defended the title successfully for three successive years. On his discharge from the Army he fought under the name of Sonny Kidson. He also turned to coaching and had remarkable success having coached the Army and Navy boxing teams. John Spence died on the 20 November 1962 at Hollywood Repatriation Hospital aged 69. Post card sized photo of 3400 Sergeant John Alexander Spence DCM, MM, 52 Battalion AIF. Photo shows medal ribbons of Distinguished Conduct Medal (awarded June 1917) and Military Medal (awarded April 1918), 2 wound stripes, 5 service stripes, 52 Battalion AIF colour patch and soft style forage cap.spence, 52 battalion, aif, dcm, mm -
Clayton RSL Sub Branch
soft cover non-fiction book, D-Day As They Saw It, 1994
The extraordinary and compelling story of June 6, 1944 and the battle for Normandy is told here through first-hand testimonies from civilians and soldiers on both sides. D-Day: As They Saw It features classic accounts by soldiers such as Rommel and Bradley, together with frontline reports by some of the world's finest authors and war correspondents, including Ernest Hemingway and Alan Melville. Published to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings, highlights of this unique collection include the break-out from Omaha beach as told by the GI who led it, a French housewife's story of what it was like to wake up to the invasion, German soldiers' accounts of finding themselves facing the biggest seaborne invasion in history, a view from the command post by a member of Eisenhower's staff, combat reports, diaries and letters of British veterans of all forces and services, and accounts of the follow-up battle for Normandy, one of the bloodiest struggles of the warForeword by Field Marshall Lord Carversoft cover book -
Magnet Galleries Melbourne Inc
German plane being towed / Soldier's grave, mountjoy029.tif
Two photographs on a page from an albumSinai desert Damaged plane being towed in Grave of Lt. ....world war i, ww1, australian imperial forces., aeroplane, plane, world war 1, horse, horsemen, biplane, german, grave, sinai desert, tow -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Badge - WW2 fundraising badge, Tin hat badge, 1940s
Tin Hat Day was established in 1922 after the end of WWI. It raised funds to benefit returned soldiers who had fallen on hard times after the war and during the Great Depression. It continued on during WW2 and into the 1950s. This badge is c1940. The tin hat badge was modelled on the British steel combat helmet known as the Brodie helmet, designed and patented in London in 1915 by John Leopold Brodie. Colloquially, it had many names including the shrapnel helmet, battle bowler, Tommy helmet, tin hat, dishpan hat, tin pan hat, washbasin, and in the United States the doughboy helmet. The German Army called it the Salatschüssel (salad bowl).Tin Hat Day was a significant annual event over several decades. Badges such as are not rare; they were sold in large numbers but as ephemeral items relatively few of those sold were retained.A round metal badge with a domed centre, mimicking a stylised tin hat. Red with black inscription. It has a tab on the upper centre edge. This would have enabled it to be pinned through a buttonhole or similar.Centre: MY / TRIBUTE / TO THE/ FIGHTING / FORCES Around the rim: TIN HAT APPEAL / RSL WAR SERVICE FUNDworld war 2, fundraising, commemorative badge, badge, tin hat badge