On December 16 1940 the 2/24th Battalion arrived at Dimra Camp in Palestine where they were based prior to and following the Siege of Tobruk in 1941. Whilst in camp the band entertained the troops.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 depicts soldiers playing brass instruments seated in two rows in a semi circle facing conductor in the open.Handwritten on rear 2/24 Band"Dimra Camp" prior to Tobruk 19412/24th battalion, ww2, middle east, palestine

Original black and white photograph of 2/24 Infantry Battalion which includes image of Frank Percival SAVILLE VX34912 Born 4/4/1919 Enlisted 27/6/1940 and served with the 2/24th Battalion. He was a POW interned in Italy and Germany camps between 1941-45 during WW2.Black plastic frame with green mount housing original black and white photograph of soldiers in four rows.Plaque -Presented by H A Saville on behalf of his brother Frank P Saville VX34912 2/24 Battalion2/24 battalion, frank saville vx 34912, pow, ww2

Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

made and used in camp 3 Tatura during WW2Fawn coloured, hand turned wooden egg cup exterior varnishedegg cup, wood, camp 3, tatura, glenk, handcrafts, woodcarving, domestic, items, food, drink, consumption

Made and used by internees in Camp 3 Tatura in WW2Macrame belt, woven in royal blue, green, yellow, red and brown cords. Two ties plaited in red and brown. Finished with a tassel each endbelt, macrame, camp 3, tatura, ruff, helmut, handcrafts, costume, accessory, clothes

Lieutenant Albrecht was interned in Dhurringile during WW2, the images are of articles found in his books by his son Otto Albrecht, who forwarded copies by email. Emailed photo of painting of Dhurringile Mansion, possibly painted by Lieutenant Krampe, pow who is thought to have painted the mural on the internal wall of the Mansion, and which depicted a stallion rearing over a lion. Emailed photo of Lieutenant Krampe, Lieutenant Rahm with Pastor Strellan from Bendigo, probably taken at Camp 1B at Christmas 1946. Emailed notice of Lutheran service given to POW's in Camp 1B, Christmas 1946.Emailed copy of a painting of Dhurringile Mansion in colour. Tree to left and part of tree to right. Yellow border around picture.down right side: by courtesy of Pastor Otto Albrecht POW 4100 bottom left side: Dhurringile (painting found in a book)lieutenant albrecht, dhurringile mansion, otto albrecht, lieutenant krampe, lieutenant rahm, pastor strellan, camp 1b

Handmade by internee in Camp 3 for his son. Handpainted by Georg Hoffmann in Camp 1.Wood carving of a girl carrying a basket. painted red/orange cloak over brown skirt, black shoes, red/orange bonnet. Standing on a triangular shaped green base with tufts of grass. A character from "The Little Goose Girl" from Grimms Fairy Taleswooden, drescher w, drescher p, hoffmann g, camps 1 and 3, tatura, ww2 camps 1 and 3, handcrafts, wodcarving, the little goose girl

Handmade by internee in Camp 3 for his son. Handpainted by George Hoffmann in Camp 1Wood carving of a boy. Painted orange and red dress, yellow shoes, crown on his head. Standing on a triangular shaped black base with a green, spotted yellow, frog at his feet. A character from "The Frog Prince" from Grimms Fairy Talesbox - carved, wood, drescher w, drescher p, hoffmann g, camp 3, camp 1, tatura, ww2 camps 1 and 3, handcrafts, woodcarving, toys, general