This type of head dress was very commonly worn by British Commonwealth Forces in the Sub Continent and other tropical areas. This particular example would have been a common sight in Northern Australia during the time frame, as well as Africa, Middle East and the Pacific. It is a light weight ventilated helmet offering good air circulation via the vent in the top of the crown, and shade to the back of the neck. As well as protection by the peaked front for the eyes reducing glare, preventing sun and heat stroke. It also created an image of gentlemanly dress and pride in appearance. It conformed to an ideal and was considered quite fashionable and a little dashing, often worn at a jaunty angle, creating a rakish air, far from today's simplistic view of pure functionality and at as low as possible cost. Whether worn with a tropical uniform with jacket and trousers, or open necked shirt and shorts, the wearer was easily identifiable as British or one of the Commonwealth countries.WW2 RAAF Wolsley cork helmet. Helmet Khaki cotton six (6) panel outer, with three (3) fold pugaree. Colour patch on left side approximately 6cm X 5.5cm, Dark blue,2.5cm, Light blue, 0.5cm and Maroon 2.5cm. Tan leather trim around brim, tan leather chin strap. Traditional pith helmet four (4) hole domed type vent on top of crown. Beige leather sweat band pierced around the top and with a cotton cord adjustment threaded around. Fixed to shell in four points diagonally. Interior is also covered in Khaki cotton. Hand written in brown ink. A1917 F/Lt C KERR GRANTworld war two, head dress, helmet, pith, cork, cloth covered, leather trimmed, royal australian air force, officer, flight lieutenant, khaki, pith helmet, air force, tropical, hat

One of the most important and successful attacks on merchant ships inside an enemy harbour during world war two by English and Australian Commandoes or Special Unit Forces, launched from Australia. Nil deaths by the Commandoes were recorded, and 40000 tons of enemy ships were damaged or destroyed. To enlighten RSL Members and the public, the history of the MV Krait and the importance of our Military History. The newsletter has a typed story and pictures of members of M and Z Special Force. Krait took a small force on one of its missions and they sank about 38,000 tons of Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour in 1943. The newsletters front page has pink large writng on a white background. The word Krait and a photo of it on the Brisbane River. The newsletter is 4 pages with a photo of the men on board on page 2. Page 3 has another photo of the Krait. It is on loan from Mr.Jim Muir, world war two, pamphlet, short story, mv krait, motor vessel, singapore, singapore harbour, 1943

A woven belt of unknown origin, although the wording on it seems to have a French flavour to it. Adourned with a number of assorted minitary badges. This type of belt is/was common amongsrt Mounted Regimens and each one had its own unique colour scheme and pattern, making the units readily identifiable at a glanc. During conflicts it was a common practice to swap or souvenir varios badges and other items and adourn the belt as a record of travels.

Bugle Trench D2228 Copper and Brass Victor Class A, of British origin, with red lanyard and white metal mouth piece.

A short dress sword thought to be turkish, with pointed etched blade including a crescent and star motif and brass hand guard also with etched crescent and star motif.

Brass belt buckle similar in style to the German equivalent. Thought to have belonged to a Turkish Officer.It has an embossd Crescent and Star emblem.

Hand carved wooden cane depicting a Rising Sun Emblem, and the names of places visited and vessels traveled on. Including, K.M. MURRAY AANS 1917 HMS MOOLTAN COLOMBO ADEN SUEZ ALEXANDRIA PORT SAID and on the reverse, KANDY It is riddled with borer holes and is broken at the neck. The tassle is also suffering wear as it is a woven grass like material.

Bugle, Brass and white metal,1915, Prussian, with leather shoulder strap, marked F.SCHEDIWY, LUDWIGSBURG. With Embossed Imperial Eagle on bell. Taken from a German Soldier by John. E. Palethorpe, in WW1.

A waterproofed cloth trench map of the Becelaere area, including Polygon Wood and other severely contested areas.

Sword Bayonet, brass handgrip morticed to suit Martini Henry, "Yataghan" Style.

General issue Infantry Officers Sword 1897 Pattern, George V cypher on basket, manufactured by WW Greener, Birmingham, once used on the battlefield by officers, during conflicts up to and inclusive of WW1.

These Binoculars and case are thought to have belonged to an officer, however they also appear on the 'Vickers" website as part of the complete equipment schedule of a 'Vickers' machine gun sighting equipment. The case is a superior quality leather of robust construction and would be as serviceable today as when first made. The Binoculars are af high quality and would likewise be as servicable today.

Hand theatre made "trench art", utilising used artillery brass shell casings, of various calibres, hand made with such "tools" as were available at the time. They have been decoratively trimmed at the mouth of each with a "scalloped" pattern, the shallowest casing mounted on small arms casings as "feet" and the large casing inverted engraved and embossed with a depiction of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces "Rising Sun" badge.This "Dinner Gong" and "Striker" are significant Historically and Socially, as it is believed to be the only example of a dinner gong and striker made in theatre as contemporary "trench art" by serving members of this group. Around the top of the main part of the Gong are stamped the initials of the Australian members of the Royal Flying Corps at the time, it is of possible National historical significance, as they were such a small group at best, and a highly vulnerable group, quite likely to not survive the conflict. This group and their desendants went on to be a part of the formation of the Australian Flying Corps, the beginings of the Royal Australian Air Force. It relates to the embrionic stages of a part of the now Australian Defence Force.A commemorative Dinner Gong construted from Artillery Shell Casings of various sizes. The largest cut short at the bottom, mounted on rifle or machine gun casings cut short as 'feet'. A slightly smaller diameter inverted as the 'gong' with decorative engravings depicting, a Rising Sun emblem on a decorated back ground, 'AFC' (Australian Flying Corps) crowned wings, on the same decorated back ground. The open ends of these larger casings is 'scalloped' and decorated beautifully, while the closed ends have a 'pie crust effect around the flanged edge. There is a biforcated mount at the top to hold the 'striker' made from white metal ballastered rod with a wooden eliptical knob. On the top around the striker mount are stamped the initials of those believed to be the first Australian Aviators in the then AFC.

Gilt bronze lapel badges issued to men returned from WW1. these are the original ROAC badges which were issued on return from active service.

Leather Wallet. three part construction, embossed on the front cover with rectangular bordering with foilate designs in the upper right and left corners and a vertical eliptical lozenge in the top centre featuring a gilt 'swastika' design similar to the ancient Chinese symbol. The inside front leaf has the number 6018, and the name Jmes Lindsay

Woolen putees worn as lower leg protection. These were wrapped around the lower leg from the top of the ankle boot upwards and tucked into the top to offer some sort of protection from the elements, wire entanglements and to prevent loose clothing from becoming a hazard. Officers had high topped bootd and Mounted personal had leather leggings. These were for the rankl and file infantry and other members of the forces.

Robust leather leggings, wrapped around the ankle and calf from the boot top and fixed in place with the leather strapping coiled around the outside. These offered substantial protection to the lower legs of mouted troops such as, Light Horse, Mounted Artillery, and Mounted Field Ambulance. Tey are as readily identifiable with Light Horse as are the Emu Plumes, (Kangaroo feather) worn in the Pugaree.

A piece of equipment for the storage and carriage of extra ammunition. Made up of a shoulder strap with nine closeable leather pouches, each able to carry ten rounds of ammunition. Although in their day they were purely functional, they are still worn by flag and Guidon escorts in Royal Australian Armourd Corp Units to this day in recognition of the ties to their forebears. The only difference is they are now coloured black.

Gilt and white metal, this is thought to be an officers belt buckle. It has the imperial crown embossed in the centre surrounded bu a wreath at the bottom and the words 'GOTT MIT UNS' (God with us) above.

A plain belt buckle of the type worn by German troops in WW1. It has the Imperial Crown embossed in the centre and a wreath at the bottom and the words 'GOTT MIT UNS' (God with us) above.

An original Certificate of Service from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. Issued to 6/1511 Sergeant William Diamond, stating his service and locations and signed by the then Govenor General, 'Liverpool'

The F4E depicted was tasked to 'cold soak" Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles in the troposphere at 53,000 feetabove Darwin in a joint exercise for the RAAF and the United States Navy in 1972.The aircraft is being readied for flight by the aircrew and ground crew at RAAF Darwin.F4E at start up RAAF Darwin tarmac.Armed with Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Photograph taken from the aircraft nose showing raised cockpit canopies,groundcrew and aircrew readying the airrcraft for flight. Note air start is connected Aircraft Serial No. A69-217.f4e, raaf, missle, peace time, darwin, vietnam, noelryan

HMS Hood was one of the most powerful ships in the Royal Navy during ww2. She was sunk by the German Battleship Bismark with a loss of all hands on board.The main threat of the Bismark was to allied convoys, so an all out bid was made to find and sink her. Unfortunately she was too powerfull for the HMS HoodBlack and White photograph of HMS Hood under way. Crew are lined up from bow to stern for leaving harbour. HMS Hood hand written in white ink just below forward guns controllerhood, hms, world war ii, royal navy

curved ,silver-nickle instrument used by the bosun or boatswain of the vessel ( naval)arrowhead pointing towards upper apertureon right hand sidemaritime, boatswain, bosuns pipe, naval, welcome for visiting captains, officials, admirals

Preface extract: ... To commemorate the centenary of this important event and to assist in the recording of our local military history, the Mt Evelyn RSL Sub-branch is proud to publish this book as a worthy record for current and future generations. ... - Roger Boness, President, Mt Evelyn RSL Sub-Branch.Pre WW1 citizen soldiers one-week camp organised under Colonel John Monash at Lilydale, Vic. February 7th-14th 1914.

Printed paper booklet and three (3) paper poppy leavesFront cover has printed Title information and brief description of the event. Sixteen pages contain a Royal photograph and detailed description of organisation and programme of activities and instructions. Six original signatures of decorated servicemen appear on the front cover with five identified as follows: James Rogers VC (Boer War) James Newland VC (World War One) Robert Grieve VC (World War One) Roden Cutler VC (World War Two) Frederick Savage DSM (World War Two)

Embroidered cloths like this were sent home as souvenirs. Individual names were embroidered on the cloth.This is a square yellow silk cloth with pink fringing. It has an embroidered blue rising sun, under which are the words Australian Imperial Forces. On the lower edge of the cloth are the embroidered words ‘From Sergeant Frank McDonald’ It is also embellished with embroidered flowers.embroidered cloth, sergeant frank mcdonald