Showing 1287 items
matching military history australia
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Clunes Museum
Photograph
COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF BREEN, ALEX WEARING A W.W.1 AUSTRALIAN UNIFORM.local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF BINGHAM , G.A. WEARING A W.W.1 AUSTRALIAN UNIFORM.local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF PTE. BRUNSTON, H. WEARING A W.W.1 AUSTRALIAN UNIFORM.local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914/18
ORIGINAL LIGHT SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH OF H.E. HARVEY OF H.A.B. NO.26640 FEATURES SLOUCH HAT, COLLAR BADGE AND SHOULDER AUSTRALIA BADGE H.A.B. PROBABLY HEAVY ARTILLERY BATTERY.L 2857 H.E. HARVEY R.S.L. OF 2ND H.A.B. NO 26640local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914/20
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF E. OGIER. THE PHOTO FEATURES THE WINTER UNIFORM. CAP AND AUSTRALIA BADGE AND GREATCOAT.G.G. OGIER NEWS PRINT E. OGIERlocal history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, HORNBY / CLUNES, CIRCA 1916
ORIGINAL BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF R. HULL. FEATURED ARE THE ARMY CAP, AUSTRALIA BADGE ON CAP AND COAT LAPELS AND POCKETS, ALSO SHOULDER RIBBONS.HORNBY POSTCARD. TO UNCLE JIM & AUNTIE ELLEN MARCH 4TH. 1916.local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914/18
ORIGINAL BLACK & WHITE OF CLARANCE GERALD PARKINSON WEARING AUSTRALIAN WORLD WAR 1 ARMY UNIFORM, CAP AND LAPEL BADGES; LEG PUTTEES AND AMMUNITION BELT.PTE. CLARANCE GERALD PARKINSON - 7TH BATTALIONlocal history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914/18
ORIGINAL SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH OF PTE. ROONEY WEARING AUSTRALIAN ARMY UNIFORM OF WORLD WAR 1, CAP BADGE AND CROSSED FLAG INSIGNIA ON RIGHT SLEEVEPTE. ROONEY, RONNEY BANKlocal history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914 - 18
SEPIA TONED PHOTO OF PTE. J.S. CAMPBELL. TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY UNIFORM RISING SUN BADGES ON COLLAR LAPELS.PTE. J.S. CAMPBELL 2ND A.L.T.M.B. DIED BURIED ATBORRE MILITARY CEMETERY NTH HAZEL BROOK. NORTHERN FRANCE.local history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914/1918
LIGHTLY TONED ORIGINAL PHOTO OF JACK FOLEY. AUSTRALIAN UNIFORM WITH BELT AND CAP, PUTTEES, AND MILITARY BOOTS.JOE FOLEYlocal history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, CIRCA 1914 / 18
BLACK & WHITE ORIGINAL PHOTO OF PTE. P. McDONALD. AUSTRALIAN UNIFORM. MILITARY OVERCOAT. SLOUCH HAT WITH CHIN STRAP. PUTTEE LEGGINGS.TO MRS. McDONALD FROM - THE LATE PRIVATE P. McDONALD. DIED 3. FEB. 1919 ENGLAND. POSTCARD HORNBY CLUNESlocal history, photography, photographs, military -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
... , WILLIAMSTOWN, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA local history photography photographs ...THE CANNON WAS ORIGINALLY SITUATED IN VICTORIA PARK - LATER IN SHED AT TOWN HALL AND NOW KEPT IN HENRY BLAND ROOM AT CLUNES HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN FRASER STREET, CURRENTLY (2019) DISPLAYED AT SEAWORKS MUSEUM, WILLIAMSTOWN, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIAPHOTOGRAPH OF CLUNES CANNON ON WOODEN STAND - ABOUT 1938.CLUNES CANNON ON 'ROCKS'local history, photography, photographs, military -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book - Militaria, Australians at War, Key Dates & Data, since 1901 : By Richard Reid and Robert Pounds, 1999
1901 to 1998 Timeline of Military Engagements, social and political history Minor military events and commerative occasionsSoft Cover Sepia Photo on front of Soldiers in Tench Background Ship at Sea.Key dates and data since 1901, their service and heritage To Stawell Biarri Group from Nino & Ellenor Musuimeciwar, soldiers -
Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer Museum
Books, Two Australian Military History Books
... , Mulwala Two Australian Military History Books Books ... -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, The Australian Women's Weekly Knitting Book for Adults and Children
This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by the Australian Women's Weekly and contains knitting patterns. A date of c.1946 is given for this book as although it contains no military references, the first knitting pattern in the book is called 'The Rose of England' and is dedicated to 'the women who have watched and waited'.The Australian / WOMEN'S WEEKLY / Knitting Book / FOR / ADULTS and CHILDREN / Registered in Australia / for transmission by post / as a book. / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history world war ii, australian women's weekly, knitting, handicrafts - history, world war ii -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Medal - Framed medal, 22/04/1990 12:00:00 AM
The Gallipoli Star was presented to those who had fought at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 (Anzac Day) and those who had arrived subsequently to the initial landing. although Australian and New Zealand governments intended to issue the star the British government thought it unfair. So it was not issued until April 1990 when it was officially presentedBrass metal frame with a green background. At top is a cut out where the 'Gallipoli Star' medal rests. Medal has ribbon Yellow, red, blue,military history, army, numismatics, medals - military -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Uniform - Badge
Embroidered Patch badge for army uniform. Olive green background, rising sun symbol with red/gold crown and banner.The Army Australiamilitary history, army, costume, male uniform, military -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Uniform - Buttons, 1940 - 1960
Probably uniform buttons from World War 11 (1940_45) 0r after as world War 1 forces were referred to as Australian Imperial Forces.Three Brass & copper alloy buttons from a military uniform. Two large buttons and one small with a loop on back for sewing to uniform. Each button features relief text encircling the button edge and with an outline of Australia & Tasmania surmounted by an Imperial crown.Text on perimeter:'Australian Military Forces'costume accessories, haberdashery, military history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Uniform - Australia shoulder badge, 1914-1918
The badge came from the Mitcham RSL Collection after the sub branch closed on 16/01/2014Worn on the shoulder of a soldierBrass badge worn on the shoulder of an Australian WWI soldier.Indistinctnumismatics, badges, military history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - Box - Cigarette silks, 1911 - 1917
These type of cigarette silks were included in WD & HO Wills cigarette packets to induce women in particular to take up smoking.|The Word 'Cartophilic?|It is believed that this unusual word was coined in the 1920s by Col. Bagnall, an Englishman, who was the father of the hobby of cigarette card and trade card collecting. It is thought to be a combination of a Latin word, 'carto' meaning 'card and the Greek word 'philic', meaning 'love'.- lover of cards. The term originally related to the collection of the two types mentioned, however, our Society has included postcards in the range of items collected by our members.|The Cigarette Card|The cigarette card began its evolution in the United States of America, in the early 1880s as a plain piece of cardboard used by tobacconists to protect the cigarettes which were sold in that era, not in packets, but loosely. A purchaser would buy his cigarettes then wrap them in paper around the small piece of cardboard, which acted as a stiffener. In fact, for many decades, cigarette cards were known as 'stiffeners' in the USA.|The card depicting 'The Marquis of Lome' is reputed to be the first known cigarette card issued. This is thought to have been in 1879. It did not take long for an enterprising entrepreneur to recognise the advertising potential of the cigarette card, and, very soon, the cards began displaying popular images, often in sets. This had the effect of youngsters, wishing to complete their sets, harassing their fathers to buy a specific brand of cigarettes. The kids who collected cards in the days when they were being issued in the cigarette packets, would hang around outside the local tobacconist's shop, pestering the men who had just bought a packet of cigarette, with the cry: 'can I have the cig can mister?'|It is a proven fact that, here in Australia during the 1930s, at least one set had one card deliberately withheld and issued very sparingly. This card is No. 86 (Mrs Jack Crawford) in the Carreras 'Turf Personality Series'. Thus, in a set of reasonably easy cards to get, this one card is a constant source of frustration for the collector, and as such, commands a premium when it comes to price. It is not hard to imagine the young collector nagging his to Dad to keep buying 'Turf' cigarettes to enable him to finish the set.|From small beginnings the cigarette card soon gave rise to a booming industry in itself. Artists and writers were|employed to produce the cards, which were miniature works of art and served as little encyclopaedia's for the children of the day. By the 1930s cards were being issued in the countless millions. It has been stated, in one book on the history of cards; that 450 million sets of a series produced and issued by the prolific issuer of cards in the United Kingdom, WD & HO Wills. As each set contained 50 cards you would need a calculator with a very long result window to see the answer to how many cards of that series were in circulation.|Australia's involvement would appear to have its beginnings with the English and American firms who shipped their tobacco products here and the cards of American Tobacco Company (ATC) are found in great numbers in early Australian collections; many featuring Australian subjects, e.g. 'Australian Parliament a 1901 issue. Earlier U.S. sets depicting Australians included Goodwin & Co's, so called. 'Australian Series' with cricketers and Australian Rules footballers who were on the sporting scene during the 1880s. The caption of one of theses cards reads:|'W.Hannysee. Captain Port Melbourne Football Club' which enables us to pinpoint the year of issue to either 1889 or 1890.|On the Australian scene the first local manufacturer who issued cards seems to have been The National Cigarette Company of Australia Proprietary Limited, whose 'Tally Ho' packets contained cards from a series of thirteen featuring the touring 'English Cricket Team 1897-8' Of the few Australian manufacturers who issued cards, only two companies issued more the two sets.|Undoubtedly the cards issued by the Melbourne firm Sniders & Abrahams (later Sniders & Abrahams Pty Ltd) are the 'jewels in the crown' of Australian card issues. They issued some thirty-three series, with numerous sub-series and allied issues such as metal badges, metal football shields, celluloid flags etc., which ensured that the hobbyist had a vast range from which to collect. Sporting themes – football, cricket, horse racing – dominate, indicating the Australians' love of sport and the outdoors was as strong in those earlier times as it is today. Military, animals and birds themes were also to the fore, with a touch of culture being provided by 'Shakespeare', 'Dickens', actresses and even classical 'Statuary'. Humour was not forgotten with 'Cartoons and Caricatures', 'Naval and Cricket (double meaning) Terms' and the 'Jokes' series. Art and history were covered by the artist, S.T. Gill's 'Views of Victoria in 1857' while the stereoscopic 'Views of the World' expanded the collectors' knowledge of the world as a whole.|The Sniders & Abrahams series began in 1904 and by 1919 the company was in decline and was eventually taken over by G.G. Goode & Co. Ltd. This company produced one set only, the highly collectable 'Prominent Cricketer Series' issued in 1924. During the early to mid-1920s, J.J. Schuh Tobacco Pty Ltd issued eight series, again containing the popular subjects of sport and war. At least two provincial tobacconists, Lentens of Bendigo and Baillies of Warrnambool, issued private football series. The last series of cards issued by a truly Australian firm was Dudgeon & Arnell's '1934 Australian Cricket Team'.|The Australian market was not neglected by the English companies with WD & HO Wills, Godfrey Phillips and Ogdens all making their contributions. By far the most active issuer was the long-established company Wills, whose 'Cricketers' of 1901 heralded the flood of Australian series, which continued into the mid-thirties.|The onset of the 1939-45 World War sounded the death knell of the cigarette card and very few post-war issues were made, certainly not here in Australia.|The Trade Card|The Trade Card is a non-tobacco item used by manufacturers to promote and advertise their products, in the same way that cigarette cards were. It is uncertain exactly when they were first produced, but in the USA, non-collectable cards were issued by firms in the early 1800s. These were more akin to a latter day 'business card'. It was not until the 1850s, when coloured and pictorial cards were issued to advertise and promote products that the Trade Card|became a collectable item. Many beautiful lithographic cards were produced in this early era and they are very mu sought after by collectors. By the 1870s the issues of Trade Cards became more prolific and it is from this era that more cards are seen.|Again, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the first Australian Trade Card and it may be that the highly collectable and extremely rare 'American Candy Co's' - 'Pure Caramels' Australian Rules football card, issued i 1891, is the earliest series. This confectionery firm was located in Fitzroy, a Melbourne suburb. To date only two subjects have been seen.|Another early set was 'Flags', issued by F.H.Fauldings & Co. It featured testimonials of seven English cricketers who toured Australia with the 1894/5 Test team. Fauldings was an Adelaide based firm which manufactured medicinal toiletries, soaps and oils, using the distinctly Australian eucalyptus oil. During the 20th century a multitude of Australian businesses issued trade cards, with confectionery manufacturers such as Hoadleys, Allens, Sweetacres and Australian Licorice producing the majority of them. Again sporting themes dominated with the ever popular Aussie Rules football cards being the most numerous. Cricket issues ran a close second.|Apart from sporting cards, almost every subject imaginable was covered by the Trade Card, making it the most diverse and interesting branch of cartophilly. In contrast to the Cigarette Card, which had its demise prior to the Second World War, the Trade Card is still alive and well.|We all are aware of the long running 'Birds of Australasia' series put out by Tuck-fields Tea and 1 doubt if there is a kitchen drawer in Australia that has not got one or two of these informative and attractive cards floating about in it. These cards were first produced in the early 1960s and are still being inserted in that company's packets of tea. Such is also the case with Sanitarium Health Foods, manufacturers of the well known Weetbix, who began issuing cards, with a wide range of subjects, in the early 1940s and continue to do so.|The 1940s and 1950s saw the two breakfast food giants, Kornies and Weeties dominating the card scene. Kornies footballers were in production fora decade from 1948 to 1959. Four years later in 1963, we saw the start of four decades of Scanlens bubble-gum card issues, both football and cricket. In the mid 1990s, with the end of the Scanlens/Stimorol cards, the Trading Card came on the scene. These cards do not fit under the umbrella of the Trade Card, having been produced and marketed purely as a 'collectable' with no connection whatsoever to any product, which of course is necessary for an item to be classified as a Trade Card.|The earliest British postcard was issued in 1870 and was designed to send short messages; the stamp was printed on the card, therefore it did not require an envelope. It was considered by many to be lowering the postal standards because the texts were no longer private. However the cards were a great success as on the first day of issue in 1870, half a million passed through the London postal centre.|The first illustrated postcards are said to be those introduced by a French stationer in 1870. He realized that French troops fighting in the Franco-Prussian War needed to be able to send short messages to their families and designed a 'postcard' to suit the purpose. As many of the soldiers were illiterate they decorated their cards with sketches of their many activities at the front rather than writing; thus creating a picture postcard. Private enterprise soon saw the great financial possibilities of this new easy and attractive way of communication by post; also sending a postcard cost less than postage for letters. It was correctly assumed that postcards were likely to overtake letter writing in many instances.|Between 1875 and 1882 every state in Australia introduced official postcards, N.S.W. first and Tasmania last. Each state produced a simple type of postcard with a pre printed stamp allied to that state. The stamp side stated 'The Address Only To Be Written On This Side'; the reverse side sometimes carried a simple illustration or decoration with space fora short message, each state extolling their own state's virtues. In 1901, with the advent of Federation, the new Government became responsible for all postal services in Australia and produced postcards for sale in every state. With several mail deliveries each day in most towns, postcards were used for many purposes. One 1906 postcard, with an illustration of fruit, was sent from Mrs X in the morning to her greengrocer ordering her fruit and vegetables to be delivered that afternoon. Another lady asks her charlady to 'come this afternoon'.|Australian private enterprise also began selling pictorial postcards, most companies using the very experienced German printing works who were the worlds best in the field of lithography and fine detailed colour-printing. Many of these beautiful German cards still exist today, 100 years later. Australia did have a few fine printers but they were in the minority. Black and white postcards printed in Australia in the early 1900s were often of good quality e.g. postcards printed by 'The Bulletin', illustrating the works of 'The Bulletins' top artists.|Between c1903-09 The Melbourne company Osboldstone and Atkins etc. printed coloured reproductions of 46 J.A. Turner bush/rural life paintings, which were generally of good quality and became hugely popular and still sought after today. Like thousands of homes in Europe, Britain and U.S.A., many Australia homes had albums of cherished postcards, which were given pride of place for visitors to see and enjoy.|Postcard collecting remained popular but was changing with the times. About 1912 the Australian photographer George Rose of Melbourne began to produce topographical B/W real photographic postcards covering most of Australia and other photographers began to do likewise. These cards soon found their way into collections as well.|WWI and the horrors of war suddenly changed the world; postcards were still in great demand but the subject matter was far more serious. Thousands of postcards from the trenches in European war zones arrived in Australia to be included in family albums. Propaganda and recruitment messages were produced to encourage enlistment. Australian postcard producers began to create cards decorated with gum leaves, boomerangs, wattle etc., which were designed for sending to Australian troops serving overseas. Very few 'pretty' cards were available, as access to the Gentian printing works was no longer possible and exporting of postcards from Britain was very limited. By the end of WWI people had other more serious problems to contend with and the avid postcard collecting hobby declined, fold greetings took over and topographical photographic postcards became a small but steady income for the producers and newsagents etc. in every town.|Fortunately many of these old postcards still exist and are avidly collected by a new generation or postcard collectors. The Australian Cartophilic Society Inc. is one of four postcard/cigarette card organizations in Australia. They are, N.S.W. Post Card Collectors Society; Queensland Card Collectors' Society Inc. and West Australian Card Collectors|Society, and across the Tasman there is a New Zealand Postcard Society.|References:|Picture Postcards of the Golden Age A Collector's Guide by Toni & Valmai Holt. Picture Postcards in Australia 1898 - 1920 by David CookBox of Cigarette Silks ( 10 ) depicting animal motifs, which were placed in cigarette packets as an incentive for women in particular to smoke.|WD & HO Wills|Produced 1911 - 1917personal effects, smoking accessories, recreations, collections -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - Medallion, 2005
Medallion was minted to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War IIRound gold coloured medallion commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The front has a stylised map of Australia with 'World War II 60 years 1945-2005'. The back has the Australian Coat of Arms with 'World War II Service of Australia. The Medallion is contained in a black box with '60th anniversary of the end of World War II'. 'For Service to Australia'. A small brochure from The Royal Australian Mint.as above. On Box Australian Government - Department of Veterans' Affairs.military history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Swagger Stick
... HISTORY Army Australian Commonwealth Force Swagger Stick length ...Items from Mitcham RSL CollectionSwagger Stick length 70cm (27.5 inch) with 1.10cm Britannia Metal end with embossed badge: Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and 1.10cm Britannia Metal band at other end.Australian Commonwealth Forcemilitary history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - Army Tankard
Tankard to commemorate conflicts in which the Australian Army has been involved since and including World War I. From the Returned Services League, Mitcham Sub-Branch, 26 McDowall Street, Mitcham, cnr Harrison Street when it closed early 2014.Australian Army Tankard with Australian rising sun badge on front. Tankard is made of pewter with a glass base. On the tankard all the conflicts that the Australian fought in are commemorated from World War I to Vietnam.The Australian Army Tankard, World War I, World War I, Mesopotamia, Flanders, German New Guinea, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, World War II, North Africa, Crete, Malaya, S.W. Pacific, Timor, New Guinea, Java, Bougainville, Borneo, Greece, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam.military history, army, metalcraft, pewterware -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Watch Cover, 1942
Watch Protector owned by Louis Everett and used by him during World War II. It was previously in the Mitcham RSL collection.|Donated to the R.S.L. by Louis Everett's daughter Lyn Davey.Leather wrist watch protector. Brown leather watch band with a cover to protect the watch face. The cover has a metal Australian Commonwealth Military Force badge on it.Australian Commonwealth Military Forcesmilitary history, army, costume accessories, male -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Medal - War Medals
War Medals WWI|Cpl S.M.S. Chambers 548|Veterinary Corps A.I.F. Aust. Light Horse|Donated to Mitcham R.S.L.Rectangular box with glass lid, lined with green felt on base (Memory Box).|Two medals - British War Medal and Victory Medal.|Australian Light Horse - Veterinary Corps A.I.F (Regimental No. 548) belonging to Cpl S.M.S. ChambersBoth metals inscribed: 548 Cpl S.M.S. Chambers Vet C.P.S. A.I.F.|Medal 1: Gold coloured - 'The Great War for Civilisation 1914 - 1919'.|Medal 2: Silver coloured - Front 1914 - 1918; Back George IVs V Britain Rex EI IND IMP 002773 in Australia|Box metal coloured. Medals Minted.military history, army, numismatics, medals - military -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Flag - Australian Red Ensign
British Red Ensign. Red flag with Union Jack in the left hand top corner. Rope threaded through placket on left side of flag with toggle on one end.Tom Wright Captain O.M. Watts Ltd London W1military history, navy, flags, maritime -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - School Project, Memories of an Australian Soldier, 1/06/1997 12:00:00 AM
Photocopy of Luther College Year 10 history project describing several war memorials and researching the story of Sergeant Charles Samuel Hall whose name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial. He served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front but contracted tuberculosis and died at the Australian Military Hospital, Harefield Park in Middlesex. The report includes information about tuberculosis and relates the disease to the conditions in Gallipoli and in France. A report on the Battle of Pozieres is included. 70p. Maps. Photographs.hall, charles samuel, world war 1914-1918. battle of poziers, war memorials -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Certificate - Certificate of Exemption
... certificates military history army Australian Military Forces ...Belonged to the late grandmother of Sandy Robinson, Wife of Tony Robinson, MP, Member for Mitcham.Certificate of Exemption - to certify that Edward Pearce of 28 Deakin Street, Hampton, Vic, is medically unfit for service in the Citizens Forces under Defence Act 1903-1939.Australian Military Forcesdocuments, certificates, military history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book, Official History Of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 Vol xii.|Photographic Record of the War, 1923
Red covered book of photographs of Australians' activities during the Great War - 1914-1918.Mt. Gambier Christmas 1923.books, history/local history, military -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Certificate -Salute to the Gippsland Regiment
Refer also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Battalion_(Australia)Rectangular framed Certificate. Salute to the Gippsland Regiment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Shield in top half of certificate-: Defending Australia with rising sun badge then In commemoration of: No 52 surrounded by wreath with inscription on bottom Always Ready Gippsland Regiment 52nd Infantry Battalion (The Gippsland Regiment) "Always Ready" 1921-1930 1936-1942 Circle with white top half and light blue bottom half. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the Shield-: History of the 52nd Battalion. Tracing the ancestry going back to the "Gippsland Battalion of the Victorian Rangers, the Militia (CMF) 52nd Battalion was raised from the 2nd Bn/5th Australian Infantry Regiment (HQ Dandenong) as part of an overhaul of Australia's defences in 1920-21 that saw the reintroduction of compulsory military service. To afford it a proud identity ,the new battalion was assigned the same number as the 52nd/1st AIF which had performed with distinction in France ( Somme, Pozieres, Bullicort, Messine and Ypes to name just some). In addition the new battalion also inherited the Kings and Regimental Colours which, as part of the 52nd Bn/1st AIF's lineage including battle honours earned by 2nd Bn, Tasmanian Infantry Regiment in the Boer War, 1899-1902, and the same circular colour patch, horizontally bisected with white over blue halves. Later the 52nd officially received its regional title, "The Gippsland Regiment" and its motto "Always Ready". Digger prevailing during WW2 it was nicknamed "The Gippsland Bushrangers". The 52nd formed part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Militia (CMF) Division. With the reversion to voluntary citizen forces in1930,declining numbers forced an amalgamation with the 37th Bn to become 37th/52nd Bn. Then in mid 1936, an expansion and modernisation of the CMF, including the conversation of the Light Horse to motorised, allowed both battalions to separate and for the 52nd to expand into East Gippsland. In 1938, 52nd Bn was granted linkage with the "Queens Own Cameron Highlanders" and permission to use its Regimental March- "March of the Cameron Men'. When Japan entered the war in December 1941,the Australian Military Forces were fully mobilized, (part time to full time) for the defence of homeland Australia. While training at various locations in central Victoria, the militia became for many, a stepping stone into the AIF and other services, as well as a training unit for new conscripts. As part of our national defence preparations, in mid 1942 the 52 Bn relocated to Queensland as part of the 3rd Division, replacing the AIF 7th Div on the so called "Brisbane Line". However as the threat of invasion lifted, a restructure of army units saw the disbandment of the 10th Brigade and hence the 52nd in September 1942 and the revival of the 37th/52nd Battalion. The 52nds colours were returned to Melbourne, eventually being placed in the Shrine of Remembrance for safe keeping. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At bottom of the certificate- We thank the Berwick and Dandenong volunteers for their dedication and self sacrifice during the period 1921- 1942 in defence of our nation. (Signed) D W Shields President Dandenong RSL Sub Branch L Lucas President Berwick RSL Sub Branch Presented by the Dandenong and Berwick RSL Sub Branches November 2009.