Brian Walpole, the author, was a Australian Commando and special operations operative behind enemy lines in New Guinea and Borneo during WW2. Brian was a commando with the Australian 2/3 Independent Company. He went to New Guinea in January 1943 and remained until the fall of the Japanese base at Salamaua in September. He fought on the Bobdubi Ridge. His commanding officer was the well-regarded George Warfe, whose portrait was sketched by war artist Ivor Hele. Brian blazed a trail through the New Guinea jungle which appears on some maps as Walpole’s Track, discovering and naming the ambush site Goodview Junction. Soon afterwards (July 1943) Goodview Junction was the scene of a key campaign victory which contributed to George Warfe being awarded the Military Cross.Brian’s Special Operations training mostly took place at Careening Bay (Western Australia) and Fraser Island (Queensland). He arrived in Borneo at the time of the 9th Division’s landing at Labuan Island, and took part in two SRD operations – Colt and Semut 3. After the surrender, Walpole's work continued as many of the Japanese did not recognise the surrender and continued to fight on. Brian relates how on the 14th of September 1945 while still an operative in SRD he was able to save POWs from certain death and after a firefight arrested 10 Japanese soldiers at Simanggang Borneo. He was alone and had been assisted in the battle by 20 headhunters from the jungles along the Rejang River. One of the people saved was a young nurse in her 20s, Lena Ricketts. ww2, australian special operations, australian commando, new guinea, borneo, world war ii

Copy of a very important document of an event on the 6th September 1945, that changed the course of the second World War. A copy of the Japanese Surrender Document, in a brown wooden frame, with ornate font in heading.Instrument of Surrender / of /Japanese Forces in New Guinea, New Britain,/ New Ireland, Bougainville / and adjacent Islands./ I, the commander in Chief of the Japanese Imperial/ Southeastern Army, hereby surrender to the General Officer/ Commanding First Australian Army all Japanese Imperial Armed Forces/ under my command in accordance with the instrument of/ Surrender issued by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and Government and// General Order No1 Military and Naval issued by the Japanese Imperial Headquarters./ I will henceforth and until otherwise/ directed by you or your successor carrry out the orders/ issued by you or your staff on your behalf to the best/ of my ability and I will take action to ensure that my/ subordinate commanders carry out the orders issued by/ your representatives./ (Japanese signature) General, Imperial jap... (indecipherable)/ Japanese Characters / Japanese Characters / Commander in Chief/ Japanese Imperial Southern Army/ Received on board H.M.S. Glory of Rabaul at/ 1130 hours sixth day of September 1945./ Signature Lieutenant General/ General Officer Commanding / First Australia Army. Caption on front of Document says "Copy of Surrender Document/ Donated by Mr. Clive Morgan/ of Mildura (formerly of Red Cliffs)ww2, surrender document, japanese, 6th september 1945

non-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2

1939 - 1945 Australian Army Sewing Kit. This kit is just one of many different brands of sewing kit - issued to Australian troops during the Second World War. Containing the standard requirements for uniform/clothing repair in the field. Items include:- assorted sewing needles,spare metal (quad hole) buttons and spare cotton/wool thread. Originally the "hold-all" (or pouch) was manufactured using leather, which was in plentiful supply in Australia and is quite durable. The major problem with leather however, especially in tropical or damp conditions - is it's susceptibility to moisture. This will then have an adverse affect upon the metal items contained within the kit, obviously resulting in corrosion to the metal sewing needles and buttons. This sewing kit hold-alls was manufactured from a khaki cotton or similar material. The metal thimble is missing.Standard issue sewing kit for Australian Soldiers serving in WW2 1939-45 in New Guinea and tropical areasA rectangular khaki cotton pouch containing wool and cotton threads, needles, metal buttons, folding stainless steel scissors that rolls up and is tied by two cotton bands.world war 11 1939-1945, cotton, khaki, soldier field kit, sewing kit, new guinea, army supply department, australian army, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham,

American and Australian trrops in New Guineaphoto, ww2, army

Sent from New Guinea. Sketches of natives on frontpicture, ww2, general

Hand draw sketch on cloth handkerchief by Private Edward CURRAN VX143967 - Born Wangaratta 6/6/1923 Service - CMF 23/1/1942-11/7/1943 AIF 12/7/1943-15/10/1945 24th Battalion Embarked 29/3/1943 for New Guinea. Cotton handkerchief depicting hand drawn sketch by soldier whilst on active service in New Guinea during second world war.Brown timber frame and beige mount containing sketch of a koala in a blue diamond above a boomerang on cloth Bouganville New Guinea 24th Battalion AIF "I Hold Fast" Plaque with inscription "Private Edward Joseph Curran 24th Infantry Battalion Australian Imperial Force - New Guinea and Bougainville"new guinea, ww2, 24 battalion, edward curran

Wooden artefacts from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. Different tribes living along the river produce magnificent wood carvings, clay pottery and other art and craft. Kundu is the Papuan general name used for drum. It is an hour glass shaped drum made of wood with a snake's skin as membrane. A handle is placed on the narrowest part of the drum. Often, the kundu is decorated with animal figures on its edges. - donated by John Nelson TAYLOR QX25010,2900269,3108420 who served in the AIF 19/1/1941 to 7/12/1945 - Regular Army Special Reserve 30/1/1952 to 29/1/1955 and the CMF 1/8/1959 to 2/1/1960. Rank on final discharge - Trooper 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John was deployed overseas to New Guinea from 17/10/1943 to 23/2/1945 and 5/5/1945 to 26/10/1945 and served in Korea and Japan from 5/3/1953 to 6/4/1954. A member of the Wangaratta RSL he passed away in January, 2021.Wooden artefacts from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. The Sepik area is well known for its sculpture masks shields and other artifacts. Many tribes use drums in rituals. Two decorative wooden face masks, one wooden Drum and one wooden Crocodilepapua new guinea, artefacts, wood, ww2

Hand made plaque commemorating 22 Repair and Servicing Unit RAAF 1943-45Rectangular timber top mounted on timber base which has inscription in gold coloured paint.This silver poplar is dedicated to 22 Repair and Servicing Unit, RAAF 1943-45 The unit serviced aircraft and transport in South West Pacific area, New Guinea, Cape Gloucester, Noemfoor, Morotaia, and Labuan LEST WE FORGET 22 R.S.U. Nazab, Cape Gloucester, Noemfoor, Morotai, Brunei Bay.22 repair and servicing unit raaf 1943-45, ww2

Roy Tobias MM Born 2/1/1924 at Wangaratta . He enlisted on 9/4/1942 and served with 57/60 Battalion in New Guinea during the Second World War. He was wounded by a gunshot wound to the left thigh. He died in 2001 at the age of 77 years.Timber frame surrounding green and brown print of four soldiers in a village.57/60 BTN in Action at Bougainville Loaned by 57/60 Btn Assoc. Donated by Roy Tobias M.M. 199957/60 battalion, bouganville, ww2

Photograph and medals belonging to Private John Leonard PARKER VX56265 2/23 Battalion AIF Killed in Action on 24/11/1943 during WW2. Buried at Lae cemetery in New Guinea. The 2/23rd Infantry Battalion was raised at the Albury Showgrounds in New South Wales in August 1940, as part of the 26th Brigade. Initially the brigade belonged to the 7th Division but in early 1941 moved to the 9th Division. The battalion did its initial training in Albury before moving to Bonegilla, Victoria, before sailing for the Middle East in November. The 2/23rd left Alamein on 2 December and headed back to Gaza in Palestine, where it participated in the 9th Division parade on 22 December. The battalion left Palestine in the third week of January 1943 and reached Sydney at the end of February. Reorganised for jungle operations, on 4 September the 2/23rd participated in the division's amphibious landing at Red Beach, north west of Lae. Shortly before the landing occurred, the invasion fleet was attacked by six Japanese fighters and three bombers. Most of the Japanese bombs missed the Allied ships but one bomb hit the landing craft carrying the 2/23rd headquarters - killing the battalion commander and the ship's captain. The landing craft, however, made it to shore and the 2/23rd participated in the subsequent fighting around Lae, Finschhafen, and Sattelberg. After Sattelberg, the 2/23rd continued to move inland, capturing Masangkoo, Kuanko, and finally on 9 December, Wareo. Brown timber frame with dark blue background containing photograph of soldier, three round and three star shaped medals and document with coloured crest."This scroll commemorates Private J. L Parker Australian Military Forces held in honour as one who served King and Country in the world war of 1939-1945 and gave his life to save mankind from tyranny. May his sacrifice help to bring the peace and freedom for which he died."private john leonoard parker, 2/23rd battalion, ww2, new guinea

MARSH VX132480 was born on 8/1/1915 at Bendigo and joined the Army May 1941, served with Survey Battery Unit at Buna and Finschaven New Guinea. Joined Wangaratta Sub-Branch 1946. Delegate to the 34th Dist. Board and delegate to State Conference on several occasions. Received Life membership in May 1970.Timber framed photograph of Sydney MARSHJOHN S. (Syd) MARSH john s. (syd) marsh, new guinea, wangaratta rsl, ww2, australian army

Collection of assorted Army standard issued books and personal papers including hand sketch of camp 'Kilo 89' in Palestine belonging to Private Alfred VONARX VX29295 who was born on 5/1/1901 at Docker Plains near Wangaratta. He enlisted on the 4/7/1940 at Seymour and assigned to the 2/7th Battalion which was deployed to the Middle East and later New Guinea.Soldiers Pay Book X 2, Bible & Meal Card, The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book, Clothing ration book and note book camp kilo 89, private alfred vonarx, vx29295, ww2, palestine

Pocket Book gifted by the Australian Comfort Fund to George Denis Parker VX123730 who served with the 6th Australia Infantry Training Brigade. He was deployed in February 1944 to New Guinea and assigned to HQ New Guinea Force Details Depot. Based in Buna, in Papua, they carried out garrison duties as well as patrols around the areas surrounding Milne and Nassu Bay. In May 1944, they moved to Lae. Parker returned to Australia in June 1944.An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Red canvas covered pocket book The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book Gift from the Australian Comforts Fund 1942australian soldier's pocket book, george denis parker, ww2, png

Map of the Kokoda Trail terrain to scale with approximate travel times depending on fitness and conditions.Black frame containing map of terrain in black on white paperThe Kokoda Trailkokoda, new guinea, ww2

Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road New Guinea drawn to scale by 2/1 Aust Fd Coy dated 23.7.43 and signed by soldiers together with related newspaper article. Hand sketched by Peter Muncey VX10042 a Draughtsman who served in the Middle East Ceylon and New Guinea with the 2/2 and 2/1 Field Coy Royal Australian Engineers. The sketch contains 26 signatures including:- S/Sgt Raymond Hector Ibbotson NX14112 who served in the Middle East and New Guinea Lt Col Jack Graham Wilson NX 130646Bulldog Track also known as Bulldog-Wau road was longer, higher, steeper, wetter, colder and rougher than Kokoda Track. In 1943 Australian Army engineers; the 2/1 and 2/16 Field Company RAE, 9th Australian Field Company (AIF), veterans of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Greece and Crete, the 1st and 3rd Australian Pack Transport Companies and local Papuan labour cut the road with pickaxes and dynamite over a period of eight months. During five months of operations over seventy per cent of the 2/1 Australian Field Company contracted malaria.Seventeen bridges were constructed; mostly single, but at least one with multiple spans. More than two thousand Australian army personnel and over two thousand Papuans and New Guineans were involved during nine months of construction. Thus the road, acclaimed as the greatest military engineering feat ever, was completed and for the only time in history motor vehicles crossed the high rugged mountains of Papua New Guinea. Carved brown timber frame with cream mount containing hand sketched map with soldiers signatures and two newspaper articles.Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road 23.7.43 2/1 Aust Fd Coy Newspaper - Diggers pushed on with pick and shovelbulldog-wau road, map, new guinea, ww2

Photograph of Wangaratta RSL Life Member Frank Ramage taken wearing WW2 Army uniform and slouch hat. Frank joined the C.M.F in 1943 and transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance A.I.F. in 1944 and discharged in 1946. He served in New Guinea and New Britain Frank Ramage joined the R.S.L. in 1956 and was made a Life Member in 1996Black plastic frame containing photocopy of photograph of soldier wearing slouch hat.frank ramage, 6th australian field ambulance, ww2, rsl life member, wangaratta rsl sub branch

This watch belonged to Alan Robert WEBSTER who was born on 11-1-1923 at Wangaratta. He enlisted in Melbourne and served with the RAAF 30 Squadron. He was killed on the 11-8-1944 when his Beaufighter A19-194 was hit by AA fire at Cape Simork, Dutch New Guinea while on a bombing mission. He is buried in the LAE Cemetery in Papua New Guinea. Gold coloured metal watch with square face and white plastic watch band.Engraved on rear of watch - ARW 409630 RAAFalan robert webster, raaf, 30 squadron, ww2, lae, png

Image mostly likely taken in the Middle East depicting group of eight soldiers eating and drinking at rear of stationary land rover. Soldiers' surnames are listed on rear with exception of one, entitled "self" and possibly Albert Robert WILLS VX5275, who sent image to parent/s. Soldiers possibly served with the 2/5 Infantry Battation which was raised in Victoria in 1939 and were deployed to North Africa and New Guinea.Black and white photograph of soldiers eating and drink at rear of stationary land rover.Handwritten on back - Taken whilst on the tour. Here we were 5-6000ft above sea level. Sgts Johnston, Ridge, ? Ptes ?Evans, Miller, Self, Murnane, ?Clem, Humphries Love Son xxxww2, 2/5 aust. infantry battalion, north africa, albert robert wills, sgt johnston, sgt ridge, private evans, private miller, private murnane, private clem, private humphries

Original AMF Certificate of Discharge certifying VX 142238 Private John Brian Murray born 27/10/1922 at Moyhu 57/60 Australian Infantry Battalion served with CMF 28/5/42 to 29/6/43 and AIF from 30/6/1943 to 8/8/1946 which included overseas service in New Guinea and Solomon Islands.Certificate recognises Private Murray's service in the CMF and AIF during WW2Cream coloured paper with black border with Australian Coat of Arms centre top of page. Certificate of Discharge - No 554111jb murray, 57/60 aust infantry battalion, certificate of discharge, ww2

Photographs located in personal items belonging to John Brian MURRAY VX142238 - Photograph of three crosses taken at Bomana Cemetery in Port Moresby where the following servicemen are buried: - Thomas Rutherford HOPE VX141789 born 8/12/1919 at Footscray served with the 57/60 Australian Infantry Battalion and died of wounds on 22/6/1945 at Bougainville; Maxwell FISHER VX149937 born 23/6/1911 at Wangaratta/Carboor - Acting Sergeant with the Australian Army Catering Corp attached to the 58/59 Australian Infantry Battalion and died of wounds on 17/6/45 at Bougainville; and Thomas Martin BROWN WX16690 born 19/4/1916 at Fremantle - Trooper with 2/4 Armoured Regiment attached 24th Infantry Battalion and Killed in Action on 28/4/1945 at Bougainville.Four small black and white unframed photographs 1. Male standing with white towel around waist in front of row of tents 2. Group of soldiers with hill in background 3&4 Identical photographs - three white grave crosses with soldiers behind. Grave sites of j b murray vx142238, thomas rutherford hope, maxwell fisher, thomas martiin brown, bomana cemetery port moresby, ww2, new guinea

Newspaper article reads - "Flamethrowers have a dual purpose for men of the AIF New Guinea - Above - an infantryman is burning out a Jap bunker during a successful attack on Mt Shiburangu in the Wewak area while At right - Pte T Nicholls of Bairnsdale (Vic) is shown using a flamethrower on mosquito-infested vegetation in the Maprik area. - Australian Official" Private T (Thomas) Nicholls of Bairnsdale - VX 80709 2/6 Aust Infantry Battalion Born 22/3/1923 Died 7/7/1945 buried at Lae Cemetery PNGCut out newspaper article containing two photographs with short story bottom left hand corner.Making it hot for the Japs - and the mosquitoes!flamethrower, new guinea, ww2, thomas nicholls, 2/6 aust. infantry battalion, lae

Hubert Sturzenhofecker was a German Lutheran Missionary from New Guinea, interned in Camp 3. After the war he returned to Germany.Picture of a lake, trees in the background, 5 ducks swimming on the lake. Painted on 3 ply wood & mounted in a brown wooden frame. Painted by Hubert Sturzenhofecker.Meinem Freundeww2, camp 3, illustrations, oil, hubert sturzenhofecker

The Kirsch and Rohl families were work in the missions in New Guinea. They were interned in Camp 3 during WW2. Photograph taken 7 March 1945. Back row (left to right standing): Friedrich Rohl, Karl Heinz Kirsch and Karl Kirsch; Front row (sitting) Marie Rohr, Adelhaid Kirsch (standing in front of Marie), Hedwig Kirsch, Marianne Kirsch, Babette Kirsch and Gerhard Kirsch (standing in front of Babette. Black and white photograph of a 4 adults and 5 children (3 standing and rest sitting) in front of a hut. Copy.kirsch family, rohl family, new guinea missions, internment camp 3