The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.This is one of a collection of photographs featuring a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period immediately prior to mobilisation for World War 2 (1939-1945).Black and white photograph of soldier in Light Horse uniform: slouch hat with plumes: tunic with collar badges" belt and bandolier" jodhpurs boots and leggings. Part of 20th Light Horse collection.20th light horse, uniform

Shield shaped wooden plaque with a British Army Territorial medal, an artillery corps badge, and an engraved metal plate attached.Alfred Samuel Hazelgrove passed away January 1996. This medal was bequeathed to the SS&A Club upon the death of Mr Hazelgrove, a loyal member of the Club. The SS&A Club has passed the medal onto the Army Museum to be held in trust.wwii, world war two, territorial, british, hazelgrove, ss&a

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, superceding 15th Light Horse, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.Metal hat badge with red cloth backing of the 20th Light Horse Regiment (VMR).goulburn, vmr, 20th, light horse

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, superceding 15th Light Horse, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.Metal hat badge of the 20th Light Horse Regiment (VMR).goulburn, vmr, 20th, light horse

Uniform worn by Major Charles Stening when serving with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. He had World War Two service (SX 1412) and service with United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) 1951.Battledress jacket, shirt and tie. Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) shoulder titles, Major badges of rank, blue platted lanyard, ribbon bar: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence medal, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service medal 1939-45, United Nations medal and Efficiency Decoration (ED). Blue UN beret.united nations, world war two, wwii, sinai, stening, un, unmogip

Henri John ARCHER was born in Brunswick Victoria, Australia, on 27th May 1907, to parents William Thomas and Hetta (née LAWSON) ARCHER. In 1934, Henri married Stella Florence COLLER, and they had 3 children. Living in Balwyn, Victoria, and employed as an Insurance Superintendent, Henri commenced full-time duty as an officer in the Citizen Military Forces from 7th July 1940, until 20th February 1941 (number V7097). His appointment in the rank of Major with the 7th Infantry Battalion was due to him having served part time as an officer in the CMF since 1927. On 21st February 1941, Henri joined the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed as a Major, with the number VX39872. Following the completion of various armoured corps training courses at Puckapunyal, he was taken on strength with the 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment. On 17th April 1943, Henri embarked for service in New Guinea, for a period of 2 months. He again embarked on 3rd September 1943, for service in Rabaul, returning to Australia on 6th February 1944. Following the end of the War, on 8th May 1946, Henri was appointed as a member of the War Crimes Courts with HQ 8MD, and embarked for duty with the War Crimes Trials in Rabaul two days later. Henri returned to Australia on 15th August 1946, and was subsequently transferred to the Reserve of Officers (Armoured Corps) list for the 3rd Military District (Victoria) on 27th November 1946. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration, as well as the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 War Medal and the Australia Service Medal. He was also issued Returned from Active Service Badge number A343705. Henri died in Melbourne on 27th July 1971, aged 64, and his ashes are interred in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Banksia Wall ZJ, Niche 01. (Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records kept by Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria, the National Archives of Australia, and Find A Grave website. )Photograph mounted with timber frame. Some manuscript inscriptions of reverse.HENRI JOHN ARCHER / VX39872 / B 27 MAY 1907 / ENL 7 JULY 1940 / DISCH 26 NOV 1946 / OC A SQN 2/8 AAR [and] PURCHASED FROM EBAY / MAY 2024 [followed by signature undecipherable]wwii, armour, 2/8 armourned regiment, war crimes, rabaul, cmf

Worn by Lieutenant J.Allard during World War Two.Khaki felt beret with small Rising Sun badgeallard, beret, wwii, second world war

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment. Many officers and senior non-commissioned officers had previous service in World War Two.Khaki battledress jacket and trousers. Jacket has Victorian Mounted Rifles shoulder titles, Major badges of rank and ribbon bar showing wearer had qualified for Efficiency Decoration (ED) i Citizen Military Forces and had served in World War Two.vmr, uniform, world war two, wwii, cmf, citizen military forces

Brass badge with crown on top, wreath sides and letters RAAF in centre.badges, wwii, world war two, raaf

16 mm Black and white film with sound produced by Southern Cross Films, Perth. It begins with archival film from WWII, explains the meaning and symbolism of the Legacy badge,and shows young girls taking the Legacy oath. There were 1900 orphans in W. Australia and the film explains the origins of Legacy. Perth Legacy's Board of Management is shown and care of children - health and fitness - is explained. Also shown are the January seaside camp activities, annual Christmas picnic with 1000 guests, and a Legatee visiting one of his families with helpful advice. Craig House, Perth Legacy's co-ed residence is featured, followed by the annual presentation of debutantes. 10 mins 41 sec.A visual record of life in the 1950s and the huge number of children to have lost their father in WWII. The commitment of Legacy to giving them a better childhood and the amount of work done by Legatees is impressive.Blue metal canister and film on a spool labelled as The Legacy Story. The 16mm film runs for 10 mins 41 secs.Canister lid exterior, Label, HERSCHELLES FILM LABORATORIES, East Melbourne, Australia SUBJECT, “THE LEGACY STORY’, copy, length 404’ reel no. Canister base exterior, Label from Legacy Club Melbourne. 45 Market St, Melbourne, C.1. Typed label say '16mm Sound film of Perth Legacy's Activities. Purchased by Melbourne Legacy with Perth Legacy's permission and with authority of L/tee Morrie Tonkin and Board of Management of Melbourne Legacy. June 1965. I.E.L.'legacy promotion, activities, junior legatee, marketing

Three widows standing in the forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance and a photo of the elderly lady on her own. Her name is Mrs Winifred Fotheringham who helped launch the 1990 Legacy week as she was the oldest Legacy widow and had reached 101 years of age. Two newspapers used the photos on 4 September 1990. The Age used the three ladies with a caption. The Sun featured Winifred in a large photo on page 3. The article mentions her husband Archie, was shot four times in World War 1 but managed to live to the age of 83. Her son lost his life in World War 2 at the age of 23 while flying a mission over Germany and he was shot down. Legacy helped her after her husband died and she would be alone if it wasn't for Legacy. It mentions that Legacy hoped to raise $1.6 million to help the 23,000 ageing widows in their care. The photo of the three widows was featured in the 1990 Presidents report published with the Annual report. The caption says: 'Three generations of Legacy widows, WWII Mrs Dorothy Latta, 102 year old Mrs Winifred Fotheringham and Vietnam widow Mrs Barbara Leach.' Mrs Fotheringham is also seen at Anzac Commemoration service for students in April 1990 (item 00845) in the same outfit but with her badge on the other lapel. She is also in 01045 and 01553 when she was 101 and being promoted for Legacy Week.A record of a Legacy widow being photographed on on a visit to the Shrine.Black and white photo x 2 of three ladies at the Shrine.Pic 3 in black pen on reverse.widows, legacy promotion

The MV Duntroon was involved in a collision that quickly sank the HMAS Goorangai with all hands in 1940 at Port Phillip Heads. First Royal Australian Navy ship to be lost with all hands in WWIISmall metal tray with shipping line logo 'M S Co. MV Duntroon' on raised badge in centreMS Co MV Duntroonmv duntroon, hmas goorangai

20th Light Horse Regiment serving in a infantry role was posted to Merauke on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea (now the Indoneasian province of Papua) in 1943. It was the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII. Sergeant Adrian Dunne, a native of Tocumwal NSW, was killed in action 12 November 1944. He was aged 25.Rare evidence of the service of the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in World War II (1939-45). Timber framed display panel containing Australian Commonwealth Military Forces hat badge (Rising Sun), 'Australia' metal shoulder title, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 British War Medal and 1939-45 Australian Service Medal; and Colour patch of 20th Light Horse Regiment, black over gold. Objects are protected by a Perspex front cover sheet. Sgt Dunne's name is spelled incorrectly on the panel.20th Light Horse / Sgt Adrian Dunn / VX81616 Tocumwal / Killed Dutch New Guinea 1943.military, world war two, wwii, dunn, merauke, new guinea

Worn by VX45541 Lieutenant Louis A Jackson who served with 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment in Australia and New Guinea during WWII. Following its return from New Guinea in 1944, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment had a change of role and was redesignated Numbers 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies and served in Pacific Islands till the end of the war. In 1947, Louis Jackson joined the Citizen Forces (CMF) and served as a captain in the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. This uniform is a well provenanced, representative example of WWII clothing as worn by an officer of an armoured regiment. Service dress winter jacket with 37 pattern webbing and belt, and revolver holster. Jacket has lieutenant rank insignia, 'Australia ' metal shoulder titles, 'Rising Sun' collar badges, colour patches of 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment AIF, ribbon bar for 39-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 39-45 and Australian Service medal 39-45. Overseas service chevrons on right sleeve.uniform, 2/8th armoured regiment, jackson

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

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

Head gear of the 20th Australian Light Horse Regiment. This regiment was raised post-World War One (1914-18) with headquarters at Seymour Victoria and depots in towns in the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern New South Wales. The regiment changed its role to infantry during World War Two (1939-45) and served in Dutch New Guinea, It was the only light horse of the militia period to serve outside Australian territory during WWII.Representative of the headgear complete with emu plumes and regimental badge of an historic Australian Light Horse regiment which existed between 1920 and 1945.Khaki fur felt slouch hat with emu plumes, seven fold puggaree and bronze 20th Australian Light Horse bat badge with red felt backing.hat, plumes, 20th light horse

This tunic and cap were worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer CBE DSO & Bar, ED when Honorary Colonel 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1959-1960 Hammer had pre-WWII service with 8th Battalion and 17th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment. He served with the 6th Division in North Africa and Greece before becoming Commanding Officer of 2nd/48th Battalion. On return from the Middle East, Hammer commanded the 15th Brigade throughout two years of fighting in New Guinea and Bougainville. After the war, Hammer became Commissioner for Repatriation in Victoria and continued his military career in the Citizens Military Forces, commanding the 2nd Armoured Brigade and later 3rd Division. Open-neck officer's 'Blues' tunic with gold braided general's epaulettes and Major General's embroidered badges of rank; gilt general's buttons; red and gold braided aiguillette and white gloves. Uniform worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer when appointed as Honorary colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Medals awarded to Major General Hammer are Commander of the British Empire (CBE), Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Mentioned in Despatches (MID), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal, Efficiency Decoration (ED). General's peak cap with gold bullion hat badge and double row of oak leaves on peak. Medals on display are replica.8/13 vmr, military, hammer, honorary, colonel, general, world war two, wwii, cmf

In December 1941 8th Light Horse (Indi) converted from horse to mechanised initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 became 8th Cavalry Regiment. Served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded March 1944.This object is well provenance and, in its condition and completeness, is a fine example of unusual headgear worn by Australian armoured corps soldiers in World War 2 (39-45).Khaki heavy cloth beret with 'Rising Sun' badge and 8th Cavalry Regiment colour patch.beret, 8th cavalry regiment, wwii, uniforms, hats, world war two, second world war, world war 2, badges, insignia

In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light Horse was the only one of the pre-war light horse regiments to serve overseas in WWII.This object is well provenance and, in its condition and completeness, is a fine example of unusual headgear worn by Australian armoured corps soldiers in World War 2 (39-45).Khaki heavy cloth beret with 'Rising Sun' badge and 20th Motor Regiment colour patch.beret, 20th light horse, 20th motor regiment

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.Well made plaques commemoration WWII armoured regiment.Two stained wooden heart-shaped plaques with Royal Australian Armoured Corps badge above scroll and enamel 2/8th Armoured Regiment Association badgeOn scroll " 2/8th Armoured Regiment Association "2/8th armoured regiment, 41 landing craft company, 42 landing craft company, 43 landing craft company

This was donated to the Glen Eira City Council Collection by Ron Fisher. The pin belonged to Ron’s father Syd and has been in the family until its donation. Syd was a WW2 veteran who joined up in Caulfield. The Mayor of Caulfield's Patriotic Fund was established in 1939 in conjunction with the Caulfield Returned Soldier's Club. Members raised funds by hosting dances in private homes and events at the Caulfield Town Hall. By 1944, more than £86,000 had been collected for the Fund.Small oval brass and enamel commemorative pin. Centre oval has blue enamel Australian flag, surrounded by the inscription "MAYOR OF CAULFIELD'S PATRIOTIC FUND". Red enamel scroll motif at rear. C-clasp fastening on reverse."STOKES MELB"caulfield patriotic fund, returned soldiers, world war two, wwii, fundraising, remembrance

Colour patch identifies the hat as belonging to a member of the 26th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, a CMF (militia) regiment raised around Geelong and western Victoria c.1939. First tasked with coastal defence in south-western Victoria and later Western Australia.rare example of headgear of a CMF regiment from Victoria mobilised for defence of mainland Australia during World War Two.Khaki slouch hat with colour patch on puggaree and rising Sun badge on turned up brim.Stamped inside band: V553 / 6 7/8 / 1942military, slouch hat, light horse, machine gun, world, world war two, wwii, cmf

This uniform was worn by Lieutenant Colonel J Allard who commanded 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1959-1962. Col Allard had served in the pre-WW2 militia, then in 2/4th Armoured Regiment (AIF). Following the war he joined the CMF and served as 2i/c 4/19 PWLH prior to taking command of 8/13 VMR. He maintained close contact with the Regimental Association and following his death in October 2018 at age 98 his family donated this uniform to the museum. The uniform was known as 'mess undress' but served as formal winter dress until 'mess dress' was made available in 1970s. Mannequin dressed in Blues uniform with beret and 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge with emu plume tuft behind badge. Uniform has 8/13 VMR regimental buttons, lieutenant colonel badges of rank and WWII service ribbon bar. military, uniform, allard, vmr, blues

This form of winter dress for the Australian Army replaced the WWII style tunic c.1952. The silver regimental badge replaced the silver Rising Sun on the black beret in 1955.Mannequin dressed in battle dress uniform with boots, belt and beret. Hat badge is 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.military, uniform, armour

Lieutenant Des Martin was a member of the Wodonga Troop of the pre-WWII 8th Light Horse (Indi) regiment. He volunteered for the AIF, 12/6/1940 (VX31564) and served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion in Syria and New Guinea. He was discharged 11/2/1944 with the rank of lieutenant. He was a horseman of considerable repute and was the author of the book “Australia Astride”. He provided valuable assistance to the 8/13 VMR Heritage Troop when it was raised. Wearing this uniform, he rode with a group of former light horsemen leading ANZAC Day marches in Melbourne for many years.Half mannequin dress in service dress tunic with 8th Light Horse lapel badges, silver buttons, badges of rank and colour patches. Complemented with slouch hat with 8th Light Horse hat badge and emu plumes, and Sam Browne belt.military, anzac day, melbourne, martin, pioneer, vmr, light horse, world war two, wwii

The 13th (Gippsland) Light Horse, a Citizen Military Forces unit was raised following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Khaki woolen tunic with colour patches of 13th Armoured Regiment, metal buttons, Rising Sun collar badges and metal 'Australia' titles; fabric ribbon bar and overseas service chevrons.military, wwii, world war two, tank, gippsland

Frame containing (a) RAAF Badge - (b) photograph of LAC W. D. Thomas RAAF - (c) Service medals WWII L-R (1) 1939-45 Star (2) Pacific Star (3) War Medal 1939-45 (4) Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 (5) Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 (d) Metal tag: RAAF badge and inscriptionRAAF badge (LHS) 128683 LAC William Downton Thomas/ Royal Australian Airforce/ Active Service World War II 1939-1945

WWII Battle Dress and accoutrements comprising: Jacket Service Dress with 'Australia' shoulder slides (2), 'Rising Sun' collar/lapel badges (2) brass buttons (7) trousers, boots (pair) with leather laces, we belt and brass, gaiters (2) water bottle, haversack and ammunition bags (2)