Why the name 'Rats of Tobruk'? A former British citizen William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw-Haw, broadcast Nazi propaganda during World War II. His announcement ‘Germany calling, Germany calling’ was a familiar sound across the airwaves, broadcasting misinformation from Hamburg. During the Tobruk siege, he often referred to the men defending the garrison at Tobruk as “poor desert rats of Tobruk, who live like rats and will die like rats. The Australian soldiers loved the term ‘Rats of Tobruk’ and adopted it as a badge of honour. Calling themselves the ‘Rats of Tobruk’, they turned the derogatory comments back against the Germans. William Joyce was eventually captured and returned to Britain, where he was later hanged for treason in January 1946. This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A plastic and enamel badge of the Rats of Tobruk Association mounted on a wood base. The logo appears to be one of only a small number to use the acronym R.O.T.A above the more common Association Logo.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk

Items in the collection re Ron Bollard VX14150, refer Cat No 5919P for his service details.Drink coasters, 2 off in a plastic bag with paper sealer via two staples, coasters are round timber with details central in black on yellow back ground with a map of Tasmania, scroll at top, Rats of Tobruk logo with lettering under.On Coasters, "Rats of Tobruk Association World Convention 1989", Launceston Tasmania Australia"souvenirs, tobruk, coasters

The stained glass memorial window was dedicated 12 April 1987. Dean Collection, refer Cat No 4575P1. The programme consists of 4 sheets of A.4 paper, when folded in two forms 16 pages. The cover is a yellow colour. The front cover has an image of St John's Church, the Rats of Tobruk Association logo and the title words. The rear cover has a black and white image of "A Weary Digger" drawn by Ivor Hele. Inside is a coloured photograph (15 x 10 cms) of the memorial window. The rest of the programme has the introduction and the church service by Rev. John E Webster B.A. LTh. Bendigo. 2, The programme is the same but without the coloured photo.ww2, rats of tobruk association

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

Sand was used in funerals when it was sprinkled on the coffin during a funeral for veterans of the Battle of Tobruk by the Rats of Tobruk Association. Items part of the collection of "William Anthony Theodore DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.Small jar bottles mostly containing white sand from Tobruk. Three bottles are brown glass and five bottles are clear glass. All jars have a silver tin lid. Two of the jars label but all are of the same size and shape.Some jars labelled "Bex" tablets Paracetamol.tobruk, funeral services, william anthony theodore dsm

Arthur Lock was enlisted with the 2/23rd Battalion in World War 2. After the conclusion of the war, he was an active member of the Rats of Tobruk Association and the 2/23rd Infantry Battalion Association. This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A blue tie featuring the Tobruk T colour patch adopted by the 2/23rd Battalion from 1942 until the unit was disbanded in 1946.world war 11, tobruk, 2/23rd battalion, arthur lock

Arthur Lock was a Rat of Tobruk and served as President of the Albury Rats of Tobruk Association. 14,000 Australians were in Tobruk during the siege. On return to Australia the veterans looked to maintain the ties created amongst those who were in Tobruk during the siege and to ensure their needs were supported. In 1944, the Rats of Tobruk Association, NSW was established. This was followed by the establishment of the Victorian Branch on 2nd October 1945. Other branches and sub-branches were established across Australia and a Federal Council was established in 1946. With the passing of the survivors of Tobruk, most branches have been wound up with the exception of the Victorian branch. Since 2012 the Rats of Tobruk Association Inc. has opened up affiliate membership to descendants and relatives of the original "Rats" in order to preserve their legacy.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A Christmas card produced by the Rats of Tobruk Association. It includes an image of St. Anthony's Church, Tobruk taken in 1941.world war 11, rats of tobruk, rats of tobruk association

Items part of the collection re "William Anthony THEODORE DSM", PM2981. Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.1. Certificate to Bill Theodore for Services to Rats of Tobruk Association. On top Emblem of Association with words of Appreciation below in black writing - signed by President and Secretary surrounded by grey stylised patterns on white paper. Framed in black frame with gold trim and staples string on back to hang. 2, Similar Certificate awarded to wife - Jean Theodore with same description but frame is brown.Both signed by President & Secretary. Certificate says "In Recognition of Meritorious Service Rendered to the Rats of Tobruk Association”william anthony theodore dsm, tobruk, association, certificates

The Tobruk Seige medal - known as the "T'' Medal was issued to Australian, British, Indian, New Zealand and Polish troops who saw action at Tobruk between April and December 1941. T shaped Silver Medal with Tobruk Seige 1941. The ribbon is khaki with light blue and maroon stripes. The medal is issued by the Rats of Tobruk Association. That makes it un-official. It is however recognised. M. Davis (recipient) on rear side of medal.

Medal issued by Polish Government to all forces who served in Tobruk, WW11, with Polish forces. This medal was issued to Frederick Lloyd CARLETON VX33476, 2/23rd Batt AIF. Refer Cat No 142.7 (medals) for his service history..1) Polish medal connected to Tobruk, has white eagle on front, four-pointed shape; on blue, black, green, white & red cloth ribbon, metal bar at top. .2) Red leatherette case lined with red velvet and white satin. In Polish, on rear of medal, "1939 Polskie Sily Zbrojne na. Zachoozie 1945" (Polish Armed Forces in the West) In relief on front of ribbon - "Tobruk" White eagle on front is national symbol of Polandnumismatics, medals, military, containers

"THE RATS REMAIN" The Siege of Tobruk, 1941. Item in the collection re Ron Bollard VX14150, refer Cat No 5919P for his service details.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard with adhered paper cover. red print on front and spine on yellow colour background. Illustrated - sepia toned photographs from back through to front cover - armoury in battle scene. 256 pages - cut, plain, glossy white. Illustrated black and white photographs. End papers - front and back illustrated in colour - map of "Tobruk Defences (12 Jan 1941). This is a pictorial book.books, military history, ww2, tobruk

Owner and donor details, see Cat. No. 5836.3.Hard cover book with dust cover. Cover - cardboard with navy blue buckram. Gold print on spine. Dust cover - paper, black colour print on yellow background, front and spine. Front illustration - black print of RAN portrait. Back cover, sepia tones, photograph of trucks and boats dockside. 384 pages, cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. End papers front and back - maps.books, military history, ww2, ran, autobiography

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.712.non-fictionAbout 1300 Australians died in the desert campaigns of World War I, while another 3500 died in North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. Thousands more carried the wounds of war for the rest of their lives. Countless families were left behind to mourn the dead and comfort the injured. A ripple effect of grief passed down the generations. This is the story of Australia's desert wars as never before told. Using letters, diaries, interviews and unpublished memoirs, Desert Boys provides an intensely personal and gripping insight into the thoughts, feelings and experiences of two generations of Australian soldiers. In many cases these were fathers and sons going to successive wars with all the tragedy, adventure and hardship that brought.australian army - desert campaigns, desert warfare - 20th century

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.580.non-fictionPeter FitzSimons, Australia's most beloved popular historian, focuses on one of the seminal moments in Australian history: the Battle of tobruk in 1941, in which more than 15 000 Australian troops - backed by British artillery - fought in excruciating desert heat through eight long months, against Adolf Hitler's formidable Afrika Korps. During the dark heart of World War II, when Hitler turned his attention to conquering North Africa, a distracted and far-fl ung Allied force could not give its all to the defence of Libya. So the job was left to the roughest, toughest bunch that could be mustered: the Australian Imperial Force. the AIF's defence of the harbour city of tobruk against the Afrika Korps' armoured division is not only the stuff of Australian legend, it is one of the great battles of all time, as against the might of General Rommel and his Panzers, the Australians relied on one factor in particular to give them the necessary strength against the enemy: mateship. Drawing on extensive source material - including diaries and letters, many never published before - this extraordinary book, written in Peter FitzSimons' highly readable style, is the definitive account of this remarkable chapter in Australia's historyworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, siege of tobruk

Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.224.non-fictionTimothy Hall tells the real story of Tobruk, the follies and bravery, the unexpected humaneness of both sides, the mutual respect of opposing armies locked in siege warfare and their common enemy - the North African desert.world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, siege of tobruk

Index, maps, p.414.non-fictionMarch 1941. The Allied forces have suffered one brutal defeat after another. For Hitler's forces the conquest of Egypt, and the rich oil fields of the Middle East, lie next on the horizon. All that stand in their way are a few Australian brigades defending a town called Tobruk. For eight months the Australian Imperial Forces defended the North African coastal fortress, battling almost unbeatable odds in the dust and the heat of the Libran desert. Under the command of General Morshead, the troops used unorthodox methods and sheer grit to withstand the superior might of General Rommel's elite 'Afrika Korpsworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, siege of tobruk 1941

Index, ill, maps, p.829.non-fictionThe North African campaigns at the siege of Tobruk and the victory at El Alameinworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa, world war 1939-1945 - australian involvement

Official history of WW2

Red Book

Bookaustralia, army, division 9th., battles of tobruk 1941-42, pictorial works, world war 1939-1945

Book

Ill, maps, p.216non-fictionAn account of the battle for Tobrukworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa, long range desert group - operation agreement

Ill, map.p.292.non-fictionThe travels of Frank Clune in the Middle East in World war twoaustralian comforts fund, travel and description - middle east