The 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (1st RANBT) was formed in Melbourne on 28 February 1915 and was intended to be a horse drawn engineering unit attached to the Royal Naval Division (RND), then serving as infantry on the Western Front. The term ‘train’, in its title, was a direct reference to the horse drawn wagons that would, in theory, form and move ‘in train’ to carry the unit’s heavy lumber, building materials and engineering equipment to the front. The unit was manned by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for whom there were no available billets in seagoing RAN ships. Many of the sailors serving in the 1st RANBT were rated ‘drivers’, and again, this refers to wagon drivers as opposed to motor vehicle drivers. Other seamen were rated as ‘artificers’ or ‘sappers’, the latter being a military term traditionally used to describe army engineers. Appointed in command of the 1st RANBT was Lieutenant Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, RAN. Bracegirdle was ideally suited to command the unit, having seen active service with the NSW Naval Brigade during the Boxer Rebellion in China as well as serving as a military officer in the South African Irregular Horse during the Boer War in 1901. He had also recently returned from German New Guinea where he had served as a staff officer in the joint Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) responsible for the capture of the German colonies in the Pacific in September 1914. Three hundred naval reservists, including 50 men who had recently served in New Guinea, were selected for the 1st RANBT and they began their training in horsemanship, engineering and pontoon bridging at the Domain in Melbourne. By late May 1915 a decision was made to send the unit to Britain to complete its training and then to join the RND on the Western Front. The plan, however, never eventuated. The complaints about the non-combatant work being done by the men had been raised in Federal Parliament and following consultation with the senior Australian officer in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, a recommendation was made that the unit be disbanded and its men used as reinforcements for the AIF. Consequently, Lieutenant Commander Bracegirdle was advised that his unit was to be dispersed; its men transferring to the AIF or being returned to Australia for discharge. On 27 March 1917 the 1st RANBT was officially disbanded.Oxidised brass anchor shaped collar badge.ww1, world war 1, first world war, ranbt, ran bridging train, royal australian navy bridging train, collar badge

Discharge certificate for VX77603 GNR Bernard Walter MAPLESONworld war 2, ww2, world war ii, wwii, discharge certificate, ras badge a323213

Cigarette cards issued post WW1 (Circa 1921) by the J.J Schuh Tobacco Company, Melbourne.Record of events during WW1Small cardboard box containing 21(3 duplicates) photographs of various scenes around the Ypres? area during WW1Magpie Virginia Cigarettes J.J.Schuh tobacco company Pty. Ltd. Tobacco House Melbourneworld war 1, ww1, world war one, ww one, cigarette card, magpie cigarette card

Wooden plaque with metal emblem.2 red cockerals above insignia crown with laurel leaves encircling E ii R. inscribed Royal Australian Engineers. 21 Const Sqd.

The name ILCHINKINJA was given to the Arunta Tribe messenger and was to summon young men for initiation. The name is derived from the Arunta words " ILACH " (a hand) and IKINJA ( to raise ). Best expressed by the phrase " The Beckoning Hand ".Metal statue on wooden plaque.Dandenong RSL 1977. From Dandenong Army Careers Information Centre. Depiction of Aboriginal stood on boomarang inscribed " ILCHINKINJA ".

The plaque depicts the Coat of Arms of the Australian Artillery Association. English meaning of the Latin Motto is "Whither right and glory lead".Metal and Timber Plaque.Metal shield of Dark Blue with light blue and red lightning flashes. Central depiction of a cannon with crown above. Inscribed "UBIQUE" with "QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT". Gold Bar under with inscription " III AD BTY (LT) RAA".

Wooden plaque with metal emblem attached.Crown over cannon balls with cannon barrel. Inscribed Australian Army Inspection Service.

"Lark Force" defended Rabaul made up of anti-aircraft, anti-tank and artillery batteries. Medical and supply units with 24 Squadron RAAF.Historical.Wooden plaque with metal emblem.2/22 Battalion Lark Force over Service Patch with Rabaul below. Service Number V X 37033 belonging to Pte. A.B.Bishop.