On 22 June 2013, Corporal Cameron Baird was a 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces soldier when he led his platoon into a known Taliban stronghold to back-up another Australian unit under heavy fire. In the prolonged firefight, Cameron was mortally wounded. In 2014, Cameron's bravery and courage under fire saw him posthumously awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, our highest award possible for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Cameron Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment. THE COMMANDO reveals Cameron's life, from young boy and aspiring AFL player, who only missed out on being drafted because of injury, to exemplary soldier and leader. Cameron's story and that of 4RAR and 2nd Commando personifies the courage and character of the men and women who go to war and will show us the good man we have lost. australian special forces, commandos, afghanistan, 2nd commando regiment

Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.187.non-fictionThe biography of Capt George Ingram VC, MM, the last Australian VC recipient of the First World War. From country childhood in Bagshot and Seville to a gunner with the Australian Garrison Artillery and the Tropical Force's Matupi Battery. He then served with the 24th Battalion AIF on the Western Front where he was awarded the Military Medal and the Victoria Cross. After the war he became a soldier settler, an original Shrine Guard and during World War Two he served with the Royal Australian Engineers. Throughout his life he carried the physical and mental scars of his service in the war.soldiers - victoria - biography, george ingram - biography

ill (maps), p.416.non-fictionRoden Cutler's list of honours is long and impressive, but it is his sole decoration, the Victoria Cross, that marks him as a hero. Colleen McCullough vividly shows us the life and times of the young soldier who came back from the war determined to continue to support his mother, but, having lost a leg, with no idea how to do so. Yet by the age of 29 he was the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, and went on to achieve a distinguished diplomatic career including 15 years as the Governor of New South Wales. His story is embedded in Australian history, and part of it. diplomats - australia - biography, governors - new south wales - biography

index, ill, maps, p.343.non-fictionThe the compelling story of Lieutenant Joseph "Darkie" Maxwell DCM, MC and Bar, VC – the second highest decorated Australian soldier of the First World War."A flash blinds me... We are lost in a chaos of flying mud... Smoke, filth,confusion, racket! I spit and splutter and swear... Oh Christ! I think I'm flamin' well dead." This is the compelling story of Lieutenant Joseph "Darkie" Maxwell DCM, MC and Bar, VC – the second highest decorated Australian soldier of the First World War. Meticulously researched by historian John Ramsland, Maxwell's colourful life is traced from his childhood on the Hunter coalfields until his death at age 71 in a soldier's settlement home in Matraville Sydney. Maxwell was a vivid storyteller who wrote Hells Bells and Mademoiselles, telling of his experiences in the war. In telling Maxwell's story, Ramsland has uncovered many forgotten documents to piece together an extraordinary life of an extraordinary man.wold war 1914-1918 - campaigns - western front, joseph maxwell - biography

Index, bibliography, ill, p.393.non-fictionJohn Hamilton, bestselling author of Goodbye Cobber, God Bless You and Gallipoli Sniper, has written an extraordinary account of Throssell's life: winner of the Victoria Cross, due to his bravery on Gallipoli; husband to novelist and committed socialist Katharine Susannah Pritchard; and fallen hero, thanks to his public denunciation of the war. The Price of Valour details the battles in Gallipoli and Palestine, and a provides a compassionate and intimate portrait of a real Australian hero.gallipoli campaign - personal narratives, hugo throssell - biography

Bibliography, ill, maps, p.455.non-fictionContinues the story of Albert Jacka, VC - soldier, legend and friend. Coming home is bittersweet and the memories and experiences of war are never forgotten. It is through the eyes of Jacka VC that we see a glimpse of how survival away from the trenches becomes an emotional battle on the homefront.albert jacka 1897-1932, soldiers - australia - biography

Index, bib, ill, maps, p.304.non-fictionThe story of Arthur Sullivan VC and other Australian soldiers who enlisted in the Great War but went on the fight in the Russian Civil Warmilitary participation - australia, russian civil war - history

Index, ill, p.244.non-fictionThe dramatic story of an Australian soldier who was awarded the VC for his extraordinary bravery in Vietnam, only to return home to spend years struggling with depression, alcohol and prescription drugs, before turning his life aroundvietnam conflict - australian involvement, vietnam conflict 1961-1975 - personal recollections

. Framed black and white photograph of WO 2 Ray Simpson, Maj Bill Bryden, WO 2 Marty McGaughlin, Col Wood USSF in uniform with drinks as WO 2 Simpson is advised of his award of the Victoria Cross. Saigon June 1969wo 2 ray simpson, victoria cross, photograph

A black and white photograph of - On the edge of the 'Iron Triangle' in War Zone D North West of Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, a 1 RAR digger hit by a VietCong Sniper is treated by Battalion Dr Maj Mike Naughton prior to being Casevaced by an American Dustoff helicopter. (1966)photograph, 1 rar, hue, iron triangle, bien hoa, maj mike naughton, gibbons collection catalogue, viet cong, wounded serviceman

Framed b/w photograph of captured Sapper swimmer in Vung Tau in 1969.vietcong sappers, audio, cdt-3

Black and white photographphotograph, black and white

Framed colour Photograph of Keith Payne and Jack Morrison standing in front of Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Honour Roll Board at Melbourne University Regiment 31/07/1992photograph, keith payne, jack morrison, aattv

In May 1969, Warrant Officer Second Class Keith Payne was leading a company of Montagnard soldiers near Ben Het, Vietnam. The company was overrun by a superior force of North Vietnamese regular soldiers, and when the skirmish was over many of Payne's men were left behind, wounded, disoriented and at the mercy of the enemy. 1961-1975 - veterans - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - psychological aspects, payne, keith, wo keith payne, victoria cross

This small bronze statute depicts Neville Howse rescuing a soldier from the battlefield during the Boer War. In 1900 while accompanying a group of infantry at Vredefort, Howse noticed a British trumpeter fall. As the soldier lay injured under heavy fire, the surgeon galloped to his rescue. His horse was horse shot dead from under him but undeterred, he continued on foot until he reached the man. The soldier had been shot through the bladder so Howse dressed his wounds and carried him to safety. For this brave action, Howse was awarded the Victoria Cross, the first medical person to achieve this honour. The son of a doctor who served in the Crimean war, Neville Howse (1863-1930) was born in Somerset, England. He migrated to Australia and set up medical practice in Newcastle and later, in Taree, NSW. Upon deciding to become a surgeon, he returned to the UK to undertake Fellowship of the Royal College before travelling back to NSW in 1899. In the same year Great Britain went to war with the two Boer Republics of South Africa and Howse volunteered for service. ARTIST Donated to the College in 2000 by Queensland Fellow, Neville Davis, the commissioned work is by Brisbane physiotherapist, Peter DornanBronze statue 45cm in height, on a granite base. The statue depicts Neville Howse bent over carrying a wounded soldier

From the battlefields of Korea, Malaya and Vietnam to the struggle for veterans' welfare, Keith Payne has never shied away from a fight.soldiers - australia - biography, payne, keith vc, military history - (australia, vietnam, s. korea)

Bloody untouchable. He'd be one of the best soldiers the Australian Army has ever had and he was a pretty good Rugby Union winger, fast, hard and tough. that's how he lived his life.simpson, ray, 1926-1978, australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion, 3rd, australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion, 2nd

A black and white photograph of 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, Vampire Helicopter pad,, US Army Dustoff 45 casavac helicopter, delivers wound VietCong, South Vietnamese Army Interpreter and medics en route to triage, background medics receive other wounded.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, vampire helicopter pad, dustoff, viet cong, medic, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Diggers from 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) carry a wounded VietCong prisoner around the mountain at K76A Hospital captured during Operation Marsden. The enemy soldier led the Intelligence Officers and their support to many caves and underground cachesphotograph, 6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, operation marsden, nui may tao mountain, vc prisoner, gibbons collection catalogue, intelligence officers

A black and white photograph of Medics watched by a South Vietnamese Army Intelligence Officer, prepare a wounded enemy VietCong soldier for treatment in the triage at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau (note text is missing from the bottom of the photograph)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, vc soldier, gibbons collection catalogue, south vietnames army intelligence, medic

A black and white photogaph of a wounded VietCong soldier lying on a track where he fell after endeavouring to escape after a contact with D Coy 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) on the 20th June 1969, during Operation Lavarack.(l to R0 Cpl R Bunting, Pte T Spriggs, 2Lt A.G. Valentine, Cpl D.J.Severn and Cpl G.V. Robinson.photograph, d coy, 11 platoon, 6 rar/nz, operation lavarack, cpl r bunting, pte t spriggs, 2lt a valentine, cpl d severn, cpl g robinson, gibbons collection catalogue, viet cong

A black and white photograph of a wounded enemy VietCong soldier is being taken to the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam by two Corporal medics. A South Vietnamese army interpreter/intelligence officer is close by. (note text is missing from the bottom of the photograph)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, medic, viet cong, south vietnames army intelligence

A black and white photograph of - In the triage at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South vietnam, watched by an Australian Military Policeman, two South Vietnamese Army Intelligence Officers question an enemy female VietCong prisoner while an Australian officer signs a document.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, military police, viet cong, prisoners, gibbons collection catalogue, south vietnamese intelligence officer

Freemason Lodges in Victoria were numbered in the order they were founded. The Balaclava Lodge was 162 and is now defunct. Dance cards became popular in the Victoria era. They were often worn looped around the woman's wrist and had a pencil attached (note the small hole for this at the bottom corner of this card).Folded card printed in gold and blue, being dance card for the Annual Ball of Masonic Lodge 162, Balaclava Lodge, held in St Kilda Town hall on 3 September 1896. List of officers of the lodge printed on the back of card. Inside the card is a list of dances and, in handwriting, the names of dance partners.Names of dance partners, written in pencil. On the back of the card are notes, apparently written much later when the card was donated to the SKHS: 'Gran', 'Mrs Tierney', (illegible).freemasons, dance card, balaclava lodge, st kilda town hall, 19th century

Notice of a meeting of citizens, convened by the Mayor of St Kilda, to raise funds for the widow and child of the late Albert Jacka, former St Kilda Councillor (from 1929) and Mayor (1930). The meeting was held in the St Kilda Town Hall on 25 January 1932. Albert Jacka had collapsed on 14 December 1931 after a council meeting and was admitted to Caulfield Military Hospital. He died on 17 January 1932 at the age of 39. Albert Jacka is most well-known for his military service in WWI, having received the Victoria Cross medal for his actions during the Gallipoli campaign and two more decorations for his bravery on the Western Front. He received a hero's welcome on his return to Melbourne in January 1920 and an estimated 50,000 people turned up to watch his funeral procession to St Kilda Cemetery, where he was buried with full military honours. On 29 January, the appeal committee, chaired by Brigadier-General Brand, decided to call for donations to the Albert Jacka Fund by 29 February. The Fund had two objectives: 'In the first instance, the erection of a simple, suitable and inexpensive memorial stone over the grave of the dead hero, and secondly the placing of the residue of the fund in the hands of trustees for the benefit of his widow and child.'White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.albert jacka, city of st kilda, jacka appeal

Hard cover book with coloured photos