An accurate, absorbing account of the biggest unit level battle involving Australian forces in Vietnam. This saga in the histor of the modern da ANZACs exemplifies their spirit and indomitable corage, which has made the Australian "Digger" famous the world over.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, australian, battle of coral-balmoral, anzac, digger, fire support base

No matter how carefully unit histories are written, expense and time do not allow the stor of all participants to be told in full.australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion 6th, vietnam war, 1961-1975- regimental histories - australia, 6 rar/nz, operation lavarack, ooperation gisborne, operation mundingburra

A citation awarded to Australian Army Training Team Vietnam by the Secretary of the USA War Office. Meritorious Service in support of Military Operations. July 1962 to August 1969certificate, usa war office, aattv

Mustard coloured: Laminated certificate awarded to Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. Black bordered certificate with red ribbon emblem and black writing with yellow seal of USA War Office on bottom of certificate. Dated 09/02/1970.meritorious unit commendation

You know it's going to be hot when your brigade is referred to as a fireball unit. From May 1967 through May 1968, the Sky Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne were in the thick of it, humping eighty-pound rucksacks through triple-canopy jungle and chasing down the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam.united states. army. airborne brigade, 173rd -- history, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- regimental histories -- united states

The year is 1968 - The Tet Offensive has begun. Conscript James "Ned" Kelly os one of six men who featured in this dramatic Vietnam story. "Ned" is almost half-way through his sentenced "Tour of Duty", and is part of the specialist aviation unit, the Australian Army's 161 Reconaissance Flight.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, tet offensive, 161 recce flight, james "ned" kelly

A black and white photograph of Townsville, Qld 18/08/1968. The Minister of State for the Army, The Honourable Phillip R Lynch accompanied by his wife Leah arrive to attend the Trooping of the Regimental Colour on the occasion of the United States Presidential Unit Citation to D Coy , 6 Royal Australian Regiment.photograph, battle of long tan, 6 rar, the hon phillip lynch mp - minister for the army, presidential unit citation, d coy, gibbons collection catalogue

Brave lads is a long awaited unit history that fills a gap in the Australian military experence in South Vietnamaustralia. army. battalion, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- regimental histories -- australia, 3 rar

Information relevant to the Military Medal awarded to Corporal James Stuart Archbold, Service no:3790920, who served as a National Serviceman in Australian Force Vietnam Provost Unit from 26 Feb 1968 until 03 Jan 1969. Two printed pages telling the story behind the Citation awarded to Cpl James Stuart Archbold of the 'Award of the Military Medal' with colour image of him standing in front of an unnamed building in Army uniform.cpl archbold, military medal, archbold, citation

2nd Field Ambulance (Fd Amb) is a highly mobile unit whose role was the rapid collection of the sick and wounded. The white plastic banner held by two wooden poles has red writing on top with large print "2 FIELD AMBULANCE". A gold crest is in centre depicting a crown atop an insignia "Australian Army Medical Corps" with a snake wrapped around a pole. In blue print 1914 - 1918 with several countries listed below and 1939 - 1945 with several countries listed below. Bottom of the banner in blue writing 1966 -67 SOUTH VIETNAM.2nd Field Ambulancebanner, 2 field ambulance

Coloured poster in a black frame with a glass front ith a wooden back. Red, blue and yellow print. Army helicopter hovering over palm trees. There is a light shining onto soldiers. Map of Australia with Sydney Harbour Bridge and an Army Medal. In large print are the words "Welcome Home Conert" Date of concert and parade were from the 2nd - 4th October 1987List of activities: Unit Smokos, Parade through Sydney, Unit reunion, Free concert in Sydney Domain, 11am startposter, welcome home parade

These items contribute to an understanding of the experience of those who served during the conflict in Vietnam. A collection of 8 Air Mail letters in Australian Force Vietnam envelopes. Front: Miss Sue Richards/9 Seaview Crescent/Blackrock. 3193/VICTORIA/AUSTRALIA. Back Number 2788764/Name L/CPL R.J.Jeffrey/Unit DET 17 CONST SQN RAE/AFPO 4, S.V.N GPO SYDNEY/ N S W/AUSTRALIAletters, l/cpl rj jeffrey, 2788764, australian army, vietnam, sue richards

Program for a rally arranged by the City of St Kilda on 26 June 1940 at St Kilda Town Hall to recruit numbers and raise war savings. Includes a detachable application form for War Savings Certificates on the back page. One of the speakers at the rally was Gunner Harold Holt MHR, who later served as Prime Minister in 1966-67. Holt was elected to Parliament in 1935 at the age of 27. He enlisted in the Militia in February 1939, joining a part-time artillery unit for businessmen and professionals and, May 1940, without resigning his seat, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force with the intent of becoming a full-time soldier. He was posted to the 2/4th Field Regiment, holding the rank of gunner. Within three months his brief military career came to an end when three senior government ministers died in a plane crash, an election was called, and he was given leave from the Army to campaign. He was re-elected and then resigned from the Army in October 1940 upon being sworn in as Minister for Labour and National Service.Cream coloured paper, printed in blue on both sides, folded and perforated at the fold city of st kilda, world war ii, wwii fund-raising, harold holt, arnold colman

History has it that the origins of the Slouch Hat began with the Victorian Mounted Rifles; a hat of similar design had been worn in South Africa by the Cape Mounted Rifles for many years before 1885. The design of the Victorian Mounted Rifle hat originated from headgear of native police in Burma where Lieutenant-Colonel Tom Price had recognised its value. The Victorian hat was an ordinary bush felt hat turned up on the right side. The intention of turning up the right side of the hat was to ensure it would not be caught during the drill movement of “shoulder arms” from “order arms”. The Slouch Hat became standard issue headdress in 1903 and its brim position was mostly standardised. The slouch hat became a famous symbol of the Australian fighting man during World War One and continued to be worn throughout World War Two. Its use since that time has made it a national symbol.Slouch Hat - made of fur felt with an 8 fold hat band (puggaree) it has the blue/gold unit badge on the band denoting the 8th Light Horse brigade with a leather chin strap. The right hand side is held by a brass rising sun badge.army, slouch hat

Rectangular purple and white unit colour patch badgeUnit Colour Patches are a method of identification used by the Australian Army used to indicate which unit a soldier belongs to.Rectangular shaped metal badge with white glazed enamel border containing purple centrebadge, unit colour patch

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal unit on paradeAttached to rear - Changing of the Guard at Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940no 9 camp wangaratta, ww2, aboriginal soldiers, 1940

Article One - Charge! - image of members of the aboriginal group carrying out a baton charge Article Two - Officer's Tribute - image of aborigines at Wangaratta carry out ceremony of changing of the guard Article Three - Two Australians - image of Shirley Anderson, 8, of Wangaratta frequently entertains Diggers, singing and dancing. She visits camp nearly every day to chat with guard on duty. Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Images relates to the "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services. Three black and white newspaper articles adhered to cream paperWarrior Tradition Written in blue ink 28/12/1940no 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of a monument/cenotaph and lawn grave sites with white crosses.Handwritten on rear - Tarakan Cemetery2/24th battalion, wangaratta, tarakan

September 30,1945 - The official dedication service and unveiling of the Cenotaph at Tarakan War Cemetery The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of monument/cenotaph and catafalque party2/24th battalion, tarakan, cenotaph

The famous Tobruk Fig Tree was named because it marked the entrance to a network of underground caves used to treat wounded soldiers. It became known as the Fig Tree Hospital. The caves became a place where wounded soldiers could be stabilized before being transferred to the Australian General Hospital. The Fig Tree was the only feature in an otherwise barren desert and an easy target for German artillery who heavily shelled the site for several hours per day. A cutting from the tree was brought back to Australia and planted at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of four soldiers under large tree - one soldier in dugout under tree watching two stretcher bearers carry out wounded soldierHandwritten on rear - Fig Tree Tobruk 2/24th battalion, fig tree, tobruk

Unit colour patches on uniforms indicate soldiers are members of the 2/24th Battalion.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of group of armed soldiers at rest in open barren landscape Stamped on rear - resting en route2/24th battalion, wangaratta, middle east

image of soldiers wearing shorts loading stretcher into rear of vehicle most likely taken during the middle east campaign in 1941 one of whom is possibly Francis Williams VX 34295 of the 2/24th Battalion.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of seven soldiers of which four are loading a stretcher into rear of vehicle.Handwritten on rear - Tobruk 1941 Left Francis William ? ???2/24th battalion, tobruk, ww2, middle east

Black and white image of large sign in the desert/barren location. Sign reads DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE UNATTENDED IN ALEXANDRIA, OR IT MAY BE STOLEN.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of large warning sign in English in open barren landscape.2/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, alexandria

On 4 April 1935 the ship was launched by Elizabeth, Duchess of York, one of the daughters of the Earl of Strathmore, soon to become queen. In 1938 the ship brought the Australian cricket team, including Don Bradman, to England for the 1938 Ashes series On 31 March 1940, the vessel was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport, and served as a troop ship, with no major incidents in that role during the rest of the Second World War. The 2/24th Battalion raised in Wangaratta in July 1940 sailed for the Middle East on the troopship RMS "Strathmore" arriving in Palestine in December 1940.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced photograph of ship at seaStrathmore carried 2/242/24th battalion, wangaratta, rms strathmore, ww2

SATTELBERG AREA, NEW GUINEA. 1943-11-15. A PATROL OF THE 2/24TH. AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION LEAVING THE BATTALION LINES. SHOWN ARE: VX14320. PRIVATE A. W. M. CORCORAN. (1) VX75910 PRIVATE N. W. JONES. (2) VX33860 LIEUTENANT J. H. CAPLE. (3) VX75647 PRIVATE P. L. MATHIESON. (4) VX31579 CORPORAL R. W. WEBB. (5) VX75207 PRIVATE D. N. MUIR. (6) NX73554 PRIVATE H. T. ROCHE. (7) VX76785 PRIVATE R. W. RICE. (8)The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honourReproduced black and white photograph of armed soldier on patrol in jungle terrain2/24th battalion, new guinea, ww2

SATTELBERG AREA, NEW GUINEA. 1943-11-15. TROOPS OF THE 2/24TH. AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION EATING MEAL DURING A LULL IN THE BATTLE FOR SATTELBERG. THEY ARE: NX10044 ACTING SERGEANT Stewart COLDHAM. (1) VX68432 PRIVATE Harold ANQUETAL. (2) VX80603 PRIVATE Thomas. F. BRYCE. (3) VX41167 PRIVATE Samuel T. SHERLOCK. (4) VX28432 LANCE CORPORAL Kenneth G. NORRIS. (5) ACTING CORPORAL Ralph F. KENYON. (6) VX43055 SIGNALMAN Ernest W. HORNER. (7) NX33751 PRIVATE Arol. J. PEIRCY. (8) VX71588 SIGNALMAN Francis. J. KELLY. (9) VX26381 PRIVATE John BUNNETT. NX86910 SIGNALMAN Ronald E. AMERY. QX13958 SERGEANT James S. GREGORY. SX30255 PRIVATE Cyril MARSHALL VX29721 SIGNALMAN Martin W. REIDY.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honourReproduced black and white photograph of large group of soldiers having a meal. Soldiers are seated in the foreground and five standing behind. Nearly all have shirts removed.2/24th battalion, new guinea, ww2

LANGEMAK BAY, NEW GUINEA, 1943-10-28. MEMBERS OF THE 2/24TH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION BOARDING BARGES AT THE BEACHHEAD.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honourReproduced black and white photograph of soldiers on shoreline boarding barge2/24th battalion, new guinea, ww2

On December 16 1940 the 2/24th Battalion arrived at Dimra Camp in Palestine prior to and following the Siege of Tobruk in 1941The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of camel train on dirt track with white tents on right and small buildings and tents on left."Dimra Camp" handwritten on note adhered to rear.2/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, palestine

On December 16 1940 the 2/24th Battalion arrived at Dimra Camp in Palestine where they were based prior to and following the Siege of Tobruk in 1941. Whilst in camp the band entertained the troops.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph depicts soldiers playing brass instruments seated in two rows in a semi circle facing conductor in the open.Handwritten on rear 2/24 Band"Dimra Camp" prior to Tobruk 19412/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, palestine