John James Barnes , 23 year-old labourer of Marong Victoria enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) 8 September 1914 and was allocated to 8th Light Horse Regiment. He had two years pre-war service with the light horse. He served on Gallipoli, was evacuated ill and subsequently returned to Australia. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. Good studies of soldier in World War One light horse uniformTwo black and white photographs of soldier of the 8th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) being No 487 Trooper John James Barnes, Machine Gun Section. One photo is more formal than other.John James Barnes / 8th Light Horse Reg / Reg No; 487barnes jj trooper, 8th australian light horse (aif), uniform, military

8th Australian Light Horse Regiment was raised following Federation from companies of the Victorian Mounted Rifles in North East Victoria. It was an all volunteer force of citizen soldiers. The annual encampment, usually conducted over the Easter break, was the culmination of training conducted in local areas throughout the year. Study of citizen soldiers in first decade following FederationDamaged black and white photograph of group of soldiers of the 8th Light horse Regiment at Seymour 1908.Seymour 1908. / Sgt W Luscombe 2nd right centre row. / Holder of the Local Forces Victoria Long Service and / Good Conduct Medal, also holder of the Colonial Forces / Long Service Medal. / Donated by I Errey Baddaginnie.seymour, light horse, luscombe

Lieutenant, later Major Robert Morrison was instrumental in raising the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Troop. The Troop consisted of serving soldiers of the regiment as an extracurricular duty and carried out numerous community and official activities including regal and vice-regal escorts.Good study of citizen soldier officer engaged in community activity.Black and white photograph of Light Horse officer on horseback with drawn sabre. He is Lieutenant Robert Morrison 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Lt Robert Morrison 1 Troop A Sqn 8/13 VMR leading Grand Parade Wodonga Horse Show Jul 1979morrison r major, heritage troop

A post card showing a scene from Gallipoli. Postcards were a common form of correspondence in World War 1. They were also good souvenirs as cameras weren't commonplace.Postcards were a very common form of communication in the first World War. This postcard also records Gallipoli for those who didn't have cameras. This type of souvenir would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1 and many had served at Gallipoli.Postcard with an image of ANZAC Cove. Several soldiers can be seen standing along the beach, while boats and supplies line the shore. world war one, gallipoli, souvenir

A postcard of Egypt from John Basil McLean, who signs himself Basil to his family. This item was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. Possibly these were with him during his time in the First World War and kept them as a mementos. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).An example of correspondence between soldiers and their home during World War 1. It shows that Australian soldiers took the opportunity to see parts of the world when they were serving overseas.Standard size postcard with image of a Pharoh statue (Roi Khephern) in Cairo Museum.Front - “CAIRE / Le Musee - Statue du Roi Khephern” Back - “UNION POSTALE UNIVERSELLE / EGYPTE / CARTE POSTALE / Ephtimios Freres, Port Said / Cai 190 / 54917 / N14 / At Sea / 31.12.16 / My dearest Mater / Just a few lines for the close / of the old year. We had our first wet day today. It was too wet for / church parade. The sunset this evening / was simply lovely. I wish you could / have seen it. With all good wishes / for 1917 to all from your loving Son / Basil.war correspondence, souvenir, world war one, mclean

A red hard covered book with gold and black title and illustration. 'Heroes of the United Service' by L Valentine with numerous illustrations. Fredericke Warne & Co, London & New York. C 1901. This volume covers articles of the exploits of a wide variety of British soldiers and sailors of all ranks. The aim of the author was to inspire the reader to be patriotic. Pages 256. Markings & Inscriptions: 'Presented by the Sisters of Mercy to Doris Kelly for general good conduct and proficiency as Dux of 5th class. The Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, Sandhurst Xmas 1901.'Page 38 contains a leaf -possibly used as a bookmarkL. Valentinehistory, naval, illustrated british history book

Neutron scans from ANSTO reveal that only portion of the animal, probably a cat, was wrapped in the mummy. Preliminary reports of C14 dating indicates that it dates from about 600BCE. It was discovered in the 1850s in Egypt. Many animals in ancient Egypt were deemed to represent a specific deity. Egyptologists have suggested that in the first millennium B.C. an act of popular piety was to place a mummified animal as a votive offering in a catacomb established at a cult center of that deity. Such an act may be expected to afford protection and bring good fortune. More recently, a close connection between the veneration of sacred animals and the worship of the king has been proposed, with the suggestion that these offerings were obligatory for religious officials and soldiers connected with certain royal cults. Interment of sacred animals was quite common in the Ptolemaic period (304-30 BCE) and continued well into the first half of the Roman period, or the second century CE. Cat cemeteries have been found throughout Egypt, and it is probably the Goddess, Bastet's association with her divine sisters in the wild, the malevolent Sakhmet and other lion-headed goddesses, that accounts for the presence of very large cat catacombs at Saqqara, Thebes, and Beni Hasan, where these leonine deities were particularly revered. There were several ways in which the cats were prepared for deposition; in the simplest cases the bodies were mummified and wrapped in linen strips, which were sometimes dyed different brown tones and woven to form geometric patterns. Usually the limbs were positioned close to the body, making a compact bundle but some mummies held lifelike poses. Egyptians considered certain individual animals to be living manifestations of a god, such as, the Apis bull. Individuals were mummified when they died and buried for eternal life, then replaced by another single living manifestation. Research on animal mummies shows that the majority of mummies found at the large animal cemetery sites are pre-adults who were purposely killed for use, sometimes by breaking the neck. Some mummies are 'substitutes' containing only a few bones or feathers or possibly sticks or sand. Mummified cat remains.

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Postcard sent to 'Dossie' (Dorothy Richardson, later Rogers) by her brother during World War 1.Dossie Picture of where we landed for you from your soldier brother Frank with love & good wishes from Egypt. xxxxxxxworld war 1, dorothy rogers, cairo

Geoffrey R Fink volunteered for military service in early 1940. He served initially with 3rd Division A.A.S.C. but was discharged as being in a reserved occupation at the Aircraft Production Commission. He resigned from the Commission and joined the AIF on 28 July 1941 and was allotted to 2/8th Armoured Regiment. He served with the regiment in New Guinea and on return to Australia was transferred to No 41 Landing Craft Company serving out the war in the South Pacific. Geoffrey Fink died 14 March 2008 aged 86 at Wangaratta Victoria.This object is a well provenance, in good condition and completeness, and is a fine example of the uniform worn by a soldier who served in the Second World War (1939-45) in an unusual combination of roles, armoured corps and water transport. Service dress winter jacket with 'Australia' metal shoulder titles, 'Rising Sun' collar badges, miniature 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment colour patches above Landing Craft Company colour patches. Overseas service chevron on right sleeve. Ribbon bar: 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal 1939-45. Jacket worn by VX60307 Trooper Geoffrey R Fink, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment and 41st Landing Craft Company, WWII. uniform, metal, fink geoffrey r mr

Officer's dress boot worn by Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC who served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse. He was promoted to the command of the regiment after l8 months' service, and finally to the command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.Representarive example of officer's dress boots from the 'between the wars' period. Well preserved example of the boot makers art, complete and in good condition. Owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.Brown leather officer's dress boots with strap-on spurs and leather instep patch and under sole chain. Matching left and right wooden stretchers with metal handle on spreader wedge. boot, street, spur, stetchers

Officer's stable boot worn by Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC who served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse. He was promoted to the command of the regiment after l8 months' service, and finally to the command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.Representative example of officer's stable boots from the 'between the wars' period. Well preserved example of the boot makers art, complete and in good condition. Owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.Leather and canvas boots with leather boot and canvas upper calf legging. Leather strap at instep and leather stiffened back seam to canvas section; Leather edging at top of canvas upper legging together with adjustable strap. Foot of boot is stabilised by a metal 'Dasco' insert. On metal heal protector "704603"boot, street geoffrey a brigadier

German gas mask brought back from Western Front as a souvenir by a member of 13th Battery AFA (Albury Battery) and included in a collection of memorabilia donated to the 8/13th VMR as the local citizen soldier force.Representative of a souvenir of the Great War brought home by a soldier from the Albury area. It is complete and in very good condition.Cylindrical metal canister with hinged lid and light fabric carry strap containing Gas Mask type GM15. Inside hinged lid are printed instructions for use of mask.gas, albury battery, german

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with white band denoting Light Horse of the pre WWI (1914-1918) period and possible for a time following the war until superseded by the red band.puggaree, headwear, light horse, uniform

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band often made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse or veterinary corps soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with deep maroon band denoting Light Horse or Veterinary Corps in the period between the wars.puggaree, uniform, light horse, headwear

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band often made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with red band denoting Light Horse of the period between the wars.puggaree, uniform, headwear, light horse

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West Pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Good study showing men of an armoured regiment from Victoria marching in Melbourne early in WWII (1939-45)Framed photograph of soldiers marching through Melbourne city street; crowds on both sides of street.Below photograph ""A Squadron 2/8th Armoured Regiment , Melbourne, 17th October 1941. Squadron Commander Major Jenkins. RSM Arch Martin"2/8th armoured regiment, melbourne

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Good study showing men of an armoured regiment from Victoria marching in Melbourne.Framed photograph of soldiers in armoured corps uniform marching through Melbourne city street; crowds on both sides of the street.Below photo "2/8th Armoured Regiment march through Melbourne 17 - 10 - 1941"2/8th armoured regiment, melbourne

Vietnam War veteran An enthralling account of an Australian infantryman and his companions in the Vietnam War. On Friday 8th March 1968, 20-year-old Gary McKay lost the lottery. He was conscripted. From a comfortable and carefree life of surfing and rugby football, he was drafted into the deadly serious preparation for war in the jungles of South Vietnam. In Good Company is his story told in his own words. It begins with induction and selection for the officer academy for national servicemen at Scheyville, a six-month 'pressure cooker' course which produced second lieutenants ready to lead troops into action against the Viet Cong. It ends three and a half years later with a burst of NVA machine-gun fire during a battle among enemy-held bunkers in the hills of Nui Le. Here is a grass-roots account of the blood, sweat and tears shared by a rifle platoon in jungle warfare, a straightforward story of the fears and the camaraderie which soldiers experience in combat. Gary McKay fashioned this account from his experience in action, leading his platoon. The detail is provided from the 80 letters he wrote to his wife while he served. He wrote his story for the reader who wants to know what the soldier on the ground went through - in the fetid jungle, in battle. Anyone who wants to understand what service in South Vietnam meant to those who were there should read this book. 'Reading In Good Company leaves a vivid and disconcerting impression of how the Vietnam War smelt, felt and sounded. One of the most honest and affecting war memoirs which Australians have so far published.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times 'An enthralling, accurate account of infantry soldiering in the Vietnam era. Very readable; a must for those who have never experienced combat and a vivid reminder for all veterans.' - Major General M. P. Blake, AM, MC, former CO 5th Battalion RARGary John McKay MC (born 1947) is a writer and former Australian Army officer. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during the Vietnam War.[1] He later served as Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment between 1988 and 1990Soft cover non fiction book

Possibly reinforcements to 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF training at Broadmeadows prior to proceeding ovrtseas.Good image of " soldiers at rest " during training WW1Black and white photograph mounted on card of eight soldiers enjoying a cup of tea. There are Bell tents and horses in the background.Imprinted across lower edge of card " J. Colquhoun Photo - Broadmeadows Camp 1915 - 1 Donald Street, Prahran ."

Joseph William Cairnduff (1876-1929) was born in Hobart, Tasmania. He married Ann Walker in 1900. When he enlisted on 19 August 1914 he was given SERN 4. At the time he was living at 'Tyne', 96 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. He was 5'5", 38 years old and employed as a civil servant. He had served for 5 years in the Senior Cadets and 3 years in the Australian Signallers. He was given the rank of sergeant in the Divisional Signal Company 1 and embarked for Egypt from Melbourne on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October 1914. Surviving service on Gallipoli and the Western Front, he returned to Melbourne leaving on board HT 'Wiltshire', 12 November 1916. He was discharged medically unfit. Joseph and Ann had a large family before he left for WW1: Ann Mary b.1901; James William Cotter b. 1903; Mathew Norman Banks b. 1904; Doris Jean b.1906; Claude James b, 1908; Elsie Edna b. 1910; Clive Bruce b. 1912 and Gladys Janet b. 1914. After his return he and Ann had more 2 daughters - Sylvia McLaren b. 1917 and Mavis Morley b. 1918, who commenced at Chatham Primary School in 1927 and 1928 respectively. Joseph and Ann are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0492). Joseph's twin brother, James Banks Cairnduff (SERN 571) also served in the AIF and is also buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0003). A studio portrait of a soldier in AIF uniform and a peaked cap. He is short and is standing with one arm straight and the other bend. He is holding what looks like a whip in the hand of the bent arm.In the hand of the donor: "1914" in ink in top RH corner. The centre: "Joseph W. Cairnduff / Before leaving for overseas / in 1914, firstly to Egypt / then Gallipoli, then Western / Front."joseph william cairnduff, first world war, signals company, guildford road, 'tyne', (miss) ann walker, (mrs) ann cairnduff, (mrs) mavis good

Joseph William Cairnduff (1876-1929) was born in Hobart, Tasmania. He married Ann Walker in 1900. When he enlisted on 19 August 1914 he was given SERN 4. At the time he was living at 'Tyne', 96 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. He was 5'5", 38 years old and employed as a civil servant. He had served for 5 years in the Senior Cadets and 3 years in the Australian Signallers. He was given the rank of sergeant in the Divisional Signal Company 1 and embarked for Egypt from Melbourne on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October 1914. Joseph was on Gallipoli from 5/4/1915; he proceeded from there to Alexandria on 24/10/1915. Surviving service on Gallipoli and the Western Front, he returned to Melbourne leaving on board HT 'Wiltshire', 12 November 1916. He was discharged medically unfit. Joseph and Ann had a large family before he left for WW1: Ann Mary b.1901; James William Cotter b. 1903; Mathew Norman Banks b. 1904; Doris Jean b.1906; Claude James b, 1908; Elsie Edna b. 1910; Clive Bruce b. 1912 and Gladys Janet b. 1914. After his return he and Ann had more 2 daughters - Sylvia McLaren b. 1917 and Mavis Morley b. 1918, who commenced at Chatham Primary School in 1927 and 1928 respectively. Joseph and Ann are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0492). Joseph's twin brother, James Banks Cairnduff (SERN 571) also served in the AIF and is also buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0003). A black and white photo of a group of 2 Australian soldiers sitting on wooden boxes under a slatted wooden low roof. They are at work on equipment of some kind. In the background are shelves with stores including a roll of cording and other materials in tins and boxes.On the rear in the hand of the donor: ""Repairing telephones / in Gallipoli" (in trench) / Dad on the left"joseph william cairnduff, first world war, signals company, guildford road, 'tyne', (miss) ann walker,, (mrs) ann walker, (mrs) mavis good, gallipoli, trenches

The badge design The League’s badge represents a readiness at all times to render service to Queen and country and to former comrades. It can’t be purchased and may only be worn by those who have served their country. The shield design is symbolic of the protection provided to those who wear it. Within the badge, red represents the blood ties of war that exist between comrades; white stands for the purity of the motives in joining the league – to render service without personal gain or ambition; and blue indicates a willingness to serve a comrade anywhere under the blue sky. The wattle represents Australia, with the leek, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock standing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.The collection of badges,medallion,issue diary and photograph shows what a soldier who served in WW1, received.It is good that this collection is still intact. Badge awarded to Driver of the 6th Field Ambulance, Malachy Sandy, no 3320,who enlisted March 6th 1915. RTA 14 Jan 1919.Metal badge with crown attached to top of badge.Two folded metal loop(for pin to attach to coat etc), soldered on back of badge. "1919" on crown."Australia" in red scroll along bottom of of badge.Engraved flowers top left and right below crown."Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League" on blue circular background surrounding embossed soldier holding rifles. On the back of badge is : "Copyright / 83978 / Prouds Ltd"sandy, malachy, badge, rsl, imperial, league

The collection of badges,medallion,issue diary and photograph shows what a soldier who served in WW1, received.It is good that this collection is still intact.thin paper certificate 165mm by 90mm"This is to certify that M Sandy Reg. no 3320 Rank DVE (DRIVER) Unit 6th field Amb. is a member of the R.S.S.I.L.A. and entitled to wear Badge no 51736 Address Bruthen E.Gippsland SIGNATURE FOR Secretary" At top and right hand side "BADGE Alexander Buildings, 27 Swanston street,Melbourne A447? Victoria Branch 1-4-1919 (written in pencil)malachy, sandy, certificate, rsl, badge

The collection of badges,medallion,issue diary and photograph shows what a soldier who served in WW1, received.It is good that this collection is still intact.metal badge with two pins on back for attachment to clothing"The rising sun and A.I.F." in centre of badge. "issued by Dept. of Defence Returned from Active Service" On back : "262896"sandy, malachy, a.i.f. badge, ww1

Anzac Day school children's medal, issued in 1916. The medal was struck by the Education Department of Victoria for distribution to school children in 1916 to commemorate the first anniversary of Anzac day. The Anzac forces first landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.The collection of badges,medallion,issue diary and photograph shows what a soldier who served in WW1, received.It is good that this collection is still intact.Round medallion with ring at top (for attachment)"For King and Country 1916 Dept. of Education Victoria Lest We Forget 25 April 25" written around circumference. In the centre : " ANZAC" within wreaths.sandy, malachy, medallion, dept of education

All seven items would have been used by Australian soldiers on a needs basis to keep their rifle in good working order.Although all seven items may have been used only infrequently in the field, they were crucial to keeping the rifle in good working condition when needed and so were instrumental in maximising the safebeing of the soldier whilst also permitting him to carry out his duties.All seven accessories required on a needs basis by soldiers to repair/maintain their L1A1 rifle. vietnam, vietnam war, weapons, equipment, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war