This rope was part of a German Parachute cord from the Second World War. German paratroopers, or Fallschirmjager, were often at the forefront of German military actions. Australian soldiers faced a Fallschirmjager assault during the invasion of Crete in 1941.German paratrooopers, or Fallschirmjager, were an elite unit within the German military. Australian forces faced the Fallschirmjager during the airborne invasion of Crete in 1941. This object has the capacity to tell the story of that engagement.A length of frayed rope taken from a Second World War German Parachute. Coiled, with black and red threads running through the structure.german, paratrooper, parachute, fallschirmjager, crete, 1941

This is a small badge with a crown on top of a blue enamel oval and a blue enamel ribbon with the words "Issued by Dept. of Defence to Women of Australia for Duty Done" AIF is in the centre. It was issued to Rita Richards number 37351.A small blue badge with crown on top issued by the Department of Defence."...To Women of Australia/For duty done..."armed forces, 1940s, world war 2, military medals, george evans collection

John James Davis (J.J. Davis) was Australia's most decorated NCO in the Vietnam conflict. This plaque commemorates the deeds he performed and medals received.Framed ceremonial medal board for JJ Davis. The piece includes a service photograph of JJ Davis in uniform, a fabric patch with the Australian Coat of Arms, five metal pins and 13 replica medals as listed below. The information plaque states '5411313 WO1 J.J. DAVIS, SB St J, MM, JP - RAAMC - 30 JAN 1963 - 30 JAN 1986. The five metal pins are: 1. Returned Services League Australia 2. Returned Active Service 3. RAAMC 4. Royal Australian Army Medical Corps 5. Knife surrounded by laurel leaves. Replica medals included are: 1. Military Medal 2. Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, Vietnam 3. Vietnam Medal 4. Defence Force Medal with 1st Clasp 5. National Medal 6. Australian Defence Medal 7. St John 12 Year Long Service Medal with five year clasp 8. Silver Star (Unites States of America) 9. Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star (South Vietnam) 10. The Armed Forces Honour Medal (2nd Class) (South Vietnam) 11. Civil Action Medal (2nd Class) (South Vietnam) 12. Vietnamese Campaign Medal 13. ACT Emergency Service Medal (2003 Bushfires) john jams davis, john james davis, j j davis, vietnam, nco, photographs, portraits, badges, medals

photoworld war 1, anzac, ww1, soldiers, australian, australian imperial forces, uniform, fanfare, brass band

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. Following WWII service Sergeant Ron Braddy joined the Citizen Military Forces and served in 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of s0ldier in khaki drill shirt and beret with silver Rising Sun hat badge. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951. Ron Braddybraddy, 8/13 vmr, cmf

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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalitiesBlack and white photograph of soldier with map, Khaki drill uniform, w3b belt, beret, service ribbons.One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951.WO 11 Ernie Grantuniform, royal australian armoured corps, grant

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. The queen was resident at Government House Melbourne for nine days and during the time guard duties were shared by 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 3rd Division Royal Australian Artillery, 5th Infantry Battalion (Victorian Scottish), 6th Infantry Battalion (Royal Melbourne Regiment), 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse, 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Medium Regiment, 22nd Field Regiment and Melbourne University Rifles. Rare document relating to guard duty at Government House Melbourne mounted by a unit of the Citizen Military Forces from Victoria during a royal visit .Photocopy of a three page report prepared for period 1/2 March 1954 when 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment provided the guard at Government House Melbourne during the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The report lists the officer, 4 non commissioned officers and 20 other ranks comprising the guard together with timings and locations of the sentry posts. Also details of the guard duties, the general remarks at the conclusion of the guard period and the signatures of the Guard Commander, Captain LA Jackson 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and the Relieving Guard Commander Captain EJ King, 2nd Medium Regiment. queen elizabeth ii, royal visit 1954, government house, melbourne, guard, vmr

This style of beret with Rising Sun badge was worn by CMR armoured regiments until 1955 when the badge was replaced by silver regimental badges. 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.Representative of headdress worn by Citizen Military Forces soldiers in nearly 1950s.Black felt beret with silver Rising Sun hat badge as worn by 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1950 - 1954.headwear, beret, badge, rising sun, armour

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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of three soldiers standing in front of Doodlebug Scout Car, dressed in " tank" overalls and berets. 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." George Atkinson, Regt./Cadet, John Bullock.

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.Rare document covering the involvement of a Citizen Military Forces Regiment in the Royal Visit of 1954.Three page document issued by Headquarters 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles giving instructions for street lining at Benalla on 5th March 1954 on the occasion of the Royal visit.

William 'Lauchie' McGrath, an accountant with Australian Mercantile Land & Finance (AML&F), enlisted in AIF in September 1914. He was posted to 8th Light Horse regiment with the No 268 and rank of trooper. He rose through the ranks, serving at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine reachin the rank of Captain/Adjutant of the regiment. 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. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. McGrath wrote the History of the regiment (See 3091.901) Following his return to Australia he took up farming in the Upper Murray, On 10 February 1924, a community picnic was being held at a creek below his Jingellic homestead when a maniac armed with a rifle came out of the scrub and proceeded to shoot indiscriminately int the party. No reason was ever given but it was presumed that he wanted to kill one man who was not among the five he hit. McGrath got the women and children into the creek and organised the other wounded - he had already been hit in the chest - into cover before running over open ground for his rifle in the house. In all he stopped five bullets but the gunman bolted once McGrath appeared with his own weapon.Some weeks later he was captured getting milk from a dairy and declared insane. One of the five victims died that day, one some months later, one had to use a stick for the rest of his life and McGrath was forced to give up the farm and return to his old job as an accountant. He was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society of NSW and the silver medal of the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of NSW. The latter body felt the water in the creek made it appropriate to also make the award. McGrath enlisted again in World War Two, serving firstly as 2/ic Broadmeadows Camp and later 2/ic the Officer Commanding 12th Garrison Battalion. Framed black and white photograph of mounted officer with tents in background.Across lower edge of frame "Capt. McGrath. MC.. MID. 8th Australian Light Horse"mcgrath, 8th, light horse, garrison, royal humane society nsw

Group photograph taken shortly prior to departure for overseas. 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. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.Black and white photograph of C Squadron, 8th Australian Light Horse. Photo is mounted on backing card.'C. Squad. 8th Light Horse' and 'Darge Copyright'military, uniform, light horse, broadmeadows

Used by Victorian Mounted Rifles and other Colonial Volunteer units equipped with Martini Henry rifle.Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian Military forces.Yataghan sword bayonet, blade 585mm, black Guttapercha handles and leather scabbard.WD ( Crown ) 59" , 5/18 and "7/82"military, colonial, yataghan, sword, bayonet, victorian, vmr

The M7 bayonet was introduced in 1964 for use with the M16 rifle. It was issued to Australian troops during the Vietnam conflict 1962 - 1972.Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian military forcesUS M7 bayonet , blade 170mm length, Plastic handle. Scabbard Green Plastic.On blade " US M7 Cometta " On scabbard " US M8 A1 "bayonet, vietnam war, m16

This pattern bayonet, which affixed to a .303 Lee Enfield rifle was standard issue to Australian forces in World War 1 ( 1914 - 1918 ), World War 2 ( 1939 - 1945 ) and the Korean War ( 1950 - 1953 ).Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian Military forces.British pattern 1907 bayonet, with wood hand grips blade 430mm long, with leather scabbard with steel fittings and leather bayonet frog.ON handle " A- 93061 " On blade " 1 - 1922 Lithgow "wwi, wwii, korea, world war one, world war two, lee enfield

This type of bayonet was common issue for the French Army in World War 1 (1914-1918). Part of a collection of edged weapons, some relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian military forces, others are souvenirs brought home by returning soldiers.French Model 1892 Berthier bayonet, 527 mm long fluted steel blade, with metal scabbard. On ring - "AE 30556"france, berthier

8th Light Horse conducted a training camp at Corowa Showground in September 1939. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.Black and white photograph mounted on pineboard of B Squadron 8th {(Indi ) Australian Light Horse, Corowa 1939B Squadron Indi Light Horse, Corowa 1939light horse, corowa, military, cmf

This pattern bayonet which affixed to a .303 Lee Enfield rifle was standard issue to Australian forces in World War 1 (1914-1918), World War 2 (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953). Leather bayonet frog might indicate WWI light horse issue.Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian Military forces.British pattern 1907 bayonet, blade 430 mm long with wood hand grip and leather scabbard and leather frog.Blade " 7. 17 Wilkinson" Frog " Dexxil Don 1917"military, bayonet, world war one, world war two, korea, light horse

Bayonet designed to fit the .577" calibre Enfield "3-band" rifled Infantry muskets.Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian Military forces.British pattern 1853 Enfield Socket bayonet, 450mm long triangular section bladeT Preston Manchester 1 Mweapon, colonial, victoria, bayonet, enfield

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. 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 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.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regiment drawn from the farming community of Tocumwal, personified the strength of citizen soldiering in rural Victorian and Southern NSW in the period following World War One and especially in the years immediately prior to the second World War. Building on the strength and enthusiasm of the Tocumwal Troop other Troops were raised at Finley, Berigan and Jerilderie. The Tocumwal Troop won the coveted Hutton Trophy in 1937 and 1938, defeating crack Troops from other States.Rare photograph of presentation of iconic RAAC trophy. Complements other items in the collection.Black and white photograph of two soldiers in Light Horse uniform with large trophy being Colonel G.A. Street MC presenting the Hutton Trophy to Sergeant H.G. Fyffe, troop leader of the Tocumwal Troop 20th Light Horse, winners of the 1937 competition. Sergeant Fyffe, later Captain Fyffe, 9th Division Cavalry Regiment served in North Africa and was awarded the Military Cross. hutton, light horse, fyffe, street, military, trophy

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. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.Framed compilation of five black and white photographs of members of 8th Australian Light Horse in Egypt in 1918.8th, light horse, egypt, world war one, wwi, shannon, mclaurin

Thomas Caradoc Rose Price CB was born in Tasmania 21 October 1842. Following a distinguished military career in India, in 1885 he was tasked with raising Victoria's military forces. The mounted arm was the Victorian Mounted Rifles. Contingents of the VMR served in the South African War 1899-1902. Colonel Tom Price commanded the 2nd Victorian contingent, 1900. Following Federation, the companies of the VMR were reorganised into Australian Light Horse regiments. Colonel Tom Price died in Melbourne 3 July 1911 aged 68 and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. It was said of Price that “He made the regiment”, but he insisted “The Regiment made him and made his, a household name.” Hard bound book entitled "Heroes and Gentlemen: Colonel Tom Price and the Victorian Mounted Rifles" by Winty Calder.boer war, victoria, mounted rifles, light horse, price, calder

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, as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon return to Australia in 1945 it was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and disbanded at the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.Folded Christmas Card made for 20th Motor Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles) while serving in Dutch New Guinea 1944.In manuscript on inside cover "From Ted / Mr & Mrs F Pearce"world war two, wwii, 20th, light horse, motor regiment, new guinea, merauke

This is a supplement to Winty Calder's earlier work 'Heroes and Gentlemen'. Thomas Caradoc Rose Price CB, often known as Colonel Tom Price, was an Australian soldier, and acting commandant of the Commonwealth Military Forces in Victoria in 1902. Joining the British Indian Army in his early years, he served 20 years in India before returning to Australia. In 1885, he raised the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and was instrumental in establishing the concept of light horse units within the Australian Army. In 1900, he led a Victorian contingent during the Second Boer War, and was the only Australian officer during that war to command a force of British regulars. He remained in the Australian military after the war, serving in Queensland until 1904 when he was medically discharged. He retired to Victoria again and died in 1911 at the age of 68.Soft cover book with adhesive binding on spine, A4 size, 56 pages being a collection of addresses and letters of Colonel Tom Price, compiled by Winty Calder, published by Jimaringle Publications 1985. Gift letter on reverso of front cover.Presented to the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Royal Australian Armoured Corps as a memorial to Colonel Tom Price and the original Victorian Mounted Rifles and as a tribute to the men who carry on a fine tradition. Winty Calder 4 October 1985.price, calder, vmr, victorian mounted rifles

non-fictionTranscription of diaries and notebooks of Trooper Harry Turner, 8th Australian Light Horse 1915-18 give a vivid account of a light horseman participating in the battles on the desert campaign 1916-1918.world war one, wwi, egypt, palestine, light horse, turner

VX 42774 Captain H G (Bob) Fyffe, a grazier from Tocumwal, NSW, served with the Tocumwal troop of the 20th Light Horse prior to WWII (1939-46). He enlisted at the outbreak of war and served with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942 Captain Fyffe commanding a composite squadron manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war. 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, as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon return to Australia in 1945 it was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and disbanded at the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.Silver plated tankard with engraving on side.20th LH / Officers Mess / Presented by Lieutenant H G Fyffe fyffe, 20th, light horse

This shirt was worn by Staff Sergeant Maurice Miles 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. SSgt Miles had World War Two service prior to joining the Citizen Military Forces (CMF)Jungle green shirt with rolled sleeves, yellow lanyard on right sleeve, metal VMR shoulder titles, Staff-Sergeant rank insignia, ribbon bar: British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Efficiency Medal with rosette, and National Medal.world war two, wwii, miles, vmr

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

Lieutenant Colonel Archibald McGibbon McLaurin, 8th Light Horse died of illness at Beirut Lebanon 23 November 1918.. Part of a collection of photographs taken by an unknown photographer serving with 8th Light Horse Regiment in Middle East 1916-1918.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. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.Black and white photograph of cross marking the grave of Lieutenant Colonel A. McLaurin , 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

The Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised in 1885 as the mounted arm of Victoria’s colonial defence forces. Companies were recruited in rural centres across the State, members of country rifle clubs forming a significant component. They were semi-professional: only a small allowance was paid to members. Members were required to provide their own mount. Mounted riflemen were not cavalry, not being equipped with lance or sword. They were trained to fight with rifle and bayonet after dismounting. Horses enabled rapid and far reaching manoeuvrability. Upon Federation, the VMR companies became Australian Light Horse regiments.Rare photograph of mounted Victorian colonial soldier.Black and white photograph of Victorian Mounted Rifles trooper mounted on his horse. His side arm is a Yataghan sword bayonet indicating he would be armed with a Martini-Henry rifle.victorian mounted rifles, vmr, uniform, bayonet, horse, military, colonial