The Siege of Tobruk Medal was originally available to Australian, New Zealand, British, Indian and Polish troops who saw action during the Siege of Tobruk, between April and December 1941. The medal was commissioned and issued by the Rats of Tobruk Association in 1977. The medal was available to 18 BDE, 24 BDE, 26 BDE, 2/1 PIONEER's and other miscellaneous units. Some RAAF, Free French Air Force and Canadian personnel attached to the Royal Navy were included.This is not an official medal. Commemorative medal issued on the 50th Anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk, in clear plastic presentation case. Surround. Siege of Tobruk. 1941 - 1991 50th Anniversary 1941 - 1991tobruk, rats of tobruk

The medallion was presented in 2005 by the Australian govt. to veterans who served in 1939- 1945. 2005 being the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2.Medallion in a presentation case with information relating to the issue. World War 2, 60 years, 1945 2005 Obverse depicts Commonwealth coat of arms, reverse design symbolises Navy, Army and Air Force through depiction of sea, land and air. 60th anniversary, ww2 service medal

Darwin was bombed by Japanese fighter bombers from Feb 1942 until Nov 1943. On 19 February 1942 Darwin itself was bombed. Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians. On 3 March Broome, in Western Australia, was strafed. In succeeding months air attacks were made on many towns in northern Australia including Wyndham, Port Hedland and Derby in Western Australia, Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory, Townsville and Mossman in Queensland, and Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Despite popular fears these raids were not the precursor to an invasion but they did serve to interrupt the use of Darwin's port facilities. The raids also tied up anti aircraft defences and air force units that would have otherwise been sent to more forward areas. The Bombing of Darwin www.awm.gov.auFolded metal to cover a match box top and bottom and one side. Would leave one side of the box exposed to strike a match. Lettering on top and bottom created by letter punchFront: Zero Mitsubishi Fighter Shot down over Darwin 19/2/1942 Back: From Frank to Dad.ww2, souvenir, darwin

This is an example of the British Brodie Pattern Mark 11 steel helmet. This style of helmet was worn during WW2 by all three services, Army, Navy and Air Force although colour schemes did vary.An example of standard issue WW2 equipment worn by all branches of the Australian services.Camouflage green outer, webbing chin strap, black fabric adjustable lining. Metal rim around outer edge. Appears unused..ww2 equipment

Air-Force clothing issue.Blue cloth cap, black band, badge centre front. Black fabric strap above the peak, fastened with two brass buttons decorated with crown and Air Force wings. Leather insert, top of inside cap lined with clear plastic.Badge: RAAF surrounded by wreath and crown.Inside crown of hat: logo of Australian Government Clothing Factory. Size (broad arrow) 57.

These are the recollections of Alan Menere (1915 – 2001). Alan grew up in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, and moved to Bendigo while in his early 20s. There he met some like-minded young men who enjoyed challenges and matters mechanical. Flying was the adventure of the time, and they decided to give it a go. There was no intention to be on the leading edge of gliding technology. The challenge was to fly, and by their own efforts. They were aided in this by the embryonic regulatory arrangements covering light aircraft construction and flying, a sense of optimistic can-do, and the cavalier estimation of risks that goes with being in your early 20s. The events described here took place against a darkening political background. Alan and his mates were politically aware, very left wing, and viewed the gathering storm in Europe with apprehension. They could see from early on that war was coming, and it would change everything. Prevented from joining the Air Force by his red-green colour blindness, Alan joined the Army the day after the Pearl Harbour attack. He served in an Armoured Reconnaissance Unit in Western Australia, then with the Army Education Service in New Britain. After the War he joined the Commonwealth Public Service. He moved to Canberra, but his Bendigo habits stayed with him, as he built sailboards and carved propellers, to the admiration of his sons. Alan developed macular degeneration in his mid-60s. He retired to Port Stephens, fishing and socializing when he wasn’t tinkering with wing-sails for his catamaran. As he could touch-type, he quickly learned to use a computer. Very aware that he was the last member of the Bendigo group still alive, he resolved to set down his flying experiences. The images he selected are included, but there are many more from the Bendigo days.A CD entitled "Alan Menere - Recollections of Gliding in Bendigo in the late 1930s". The CD contains 33 documents consisting of one word file, one PDF file (entitled "The Urge to Fly") and the rest are of either photos of the Bendigo Gliding club or generally around Bendigo itself. Also included are some paper clippings of accidents that happened and description of flights.history, bendigo, bendigo gliding club, alan menere

Elizabeth Morrison, was born in 1874 and died in 1963, aged 89 years. She was the schoolteacher at Warrigal until she married the donor's grandfather and moved to Melbourne to take up residence with him. Her husband Edward was a porter on the train from Melbourne to Adelaide. Together they had three children: two boys and a girl.  The donor's father was the youngest who was born in 1911.  The eldest son, Kenneth Morrison, was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church, and an Air Force Chaplain during the Second World War, while the daughter was a spinster who owned a few haberdashery and children’s clothing stores. The donor's father had a newsagency in Bridge Road, Richmond. He and his wife lived in Carson Street, Kew for about 50 years and had four children, two of whom were to become lawyers, another a surgeon and the final child social worker/family therapist.The donor's father lived until he was 100 years of age.Copy of a photograph of the owner of a 19th Century dress in the collectionPhotocopy of a photograph of Elizabeth Morrison (nee Fitzgerald) in c.1892. australian fashion - victorian era - 1890s, elizabeth morrison

The Australian Comforts Fund was established in August 1916 to co-ordinate the activities of the state based patriotic funds, which were established earlier in World War I. Mainly run by women, they provided and distributed free comforts to the Australian 'fit' fighting men in all the battle zones. They became divisions of the Australian Comforts Fund. The Council of the Fund comprised two delegates from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and one from the states of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The Executive headquarters was located in Sydney. It ceased operation on 10 April 1920 and was reconstituted in World War II in June 1940 and ceased operation again on 27 June 1946. The state bodies in World War I were: New South Wales: the 'Citizens' 'War Chest' Fund; Queensland Patriotic Fund; South Australia: League of Loyal Women; Tasmania: 'On Active Service Fund'; Australian Comforts Fund, Victorian Division; Victoria League of Western Australia. During World War II the state bodies were called : The Lord Mayor's Patriotic and War Fund of New South Wales; the Australian Comforts Fund, Victorian Division; the Australian Comforts Fund, Queensland Division; the Australian Comforts Fund, Tasmanian Division; the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund SA Inc; the Victoria League Camp Comforts Fund ( W A ) Australian Comforts Fund commissioners conducted its activities in the field, holding honorary rank as officers of the Army or Air Force.World War 1 publication for the home front with Kew listingsVoluntary War Workers Record, compiled for the benefit of the Australian Comforts Fund - 1918. Price - 1/6. the publication includes sections on Kew.australian comforts fund, australian comforts fund (victoria)

John Alexander Young V82835 DOB 14.10.1899 LieutenantAustralian War Medal 1939-1945 The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945. The stripes signify the dark blue of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, red to represent the service of the Army and the light blue of the Air Force J.A. Young V82835

YOUNG, John Alexander V82835 LieutenantAustralian Service Medal The medal features an effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words "THE AUSTRALIAN SERVIE MEDAL 1939-1945". Ribbon The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes and edge stripes, one of dark blue and one of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian nature of the award and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Army, Navy and Air ForceJ.A. Young V82835

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of three soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR using a whip antenna to establish communication with their base while on patrol during exercise ' Northern Explorer.'

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Lance Corporal R. Van De Velde, ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer' September 1988. LCpl Van De Velde has a collection of Pandamus Palm nut prematurely ripened by fire near King River Northern Territory.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of jaggered basalt rock covering most of high country SSW of Tindal RAAF Base, Northern Territory. Photo was taken to illustrate reports of patrols during Exercise " Northern Explorer" September 1988.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Two colour photographs of sink holes/rock depressions cbserved while on patrol during Exercise " Northern Explorer. These features offered the only shade when temperature was 41oC.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Captain C. Carrington, earing hat, and Sergeant Koschel of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise " Northern Explorer." Flood debris caught high in tree branches indicate water level during wet season on Ferguson River, Northern Territory.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Captain C. Carrington sheltering from 41o sun during Exercise " Northern Explorer."

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Lance Corporal R. Van. De Velde picking native figs on bank of Ferguson River, Northern Territory during Exercise "Northern Explorer." Soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR had received instruction of bush food by Major Les Hiddens aka ' The Bush Tucker Man. '100 mm x 100 mm

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of four members of a vehicle patrol of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR at Ferguson River, Northern Territory, during Exercise 'Northern Explorer."

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of vehicle patrol of ' A " Squadron 8/13 VMR accessing the viability of a crossing point of Ferguson River during Exercise ' Northern Explorer. The patrol decided the Armoured Personnel carrier could descend the shale bank but not climb out again.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of two soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer '. Trooper Pratt and Lance Corporal Van De Valde demonstrate how the F2 radio set could be carried. In addition the men would have webbing, pack and rifle to carry.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Rare example of a patrol report conducted by soldiers of a Victorian Army Reserve regiment while exercising in Northern Territory.Report of reconnaissance patrol conducted by soldiers of 'A' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles during Exercise 'Northern Explorer, Northern Territory. 13 pages plus sketch map.