After the First World War the defence of the Australian mainland lay with the part-time soldiers of the Citizens Military Force (CMF), also known as the Militia. The Militia was organized to maintain the structure of the First AIF and kept the same numerical designations. The Militia units were distributed in the same areas the original AIF units were raised. Consequently, Militia units were also known by the name of their shire. Thus, the Victorian 37th Infantry Battalion was the "Hunt Regiment", while the 52nd Infantry Battalion was the "Gippsland Regiment". Both were raised in 1921 and linked in 1930, forming the 37th/52nd Infantry Battalion. In 1937 the battalion was separated but merged again in August 1942, after Japan's entry into the Second World War and the subsequent reorganisation of the Australian Army. gold coloured metal frame with green mount containing 3 silver and 2 green badges 8 large and 7 small gold coloured buttons on tartan cloth background.37th-52rd Australian Infantry Battalion Affilitated with The Queens "Own" Cameron Highlanders 37th/52nd australian infantry battalion, cameron highlanders

The item is a record of George Frederick Pierce’s “Senior cadet Training” in the 67th Bn Bendigo Militia Bn from 21.6.1911 to 31.12.1914 prior to enlisting in the AIF. Refer cat No 4136P for his AIF service, DCM award and his death. Part of the collection of William (Bill) Thomason, refer Cat No 4136P.Record of Service book, 62 pages, khaki canvas covered with details relating to exemptions from training, change of address, equipment issue, medical examinations, fines and payments.On the front in ink, “George Frederick Pierce”, stamped in purple “67B Bendigo”, in ink “1895”.records, military, service

Refer to Cat 3163.Pocket sized booklet. Cardboard cover bound with 2 staples. There are 40 pages inside. These have details of the soldier, army equipment and his NOK - mother Ella May Backman of Cowangie.Front cover has written V64354 Pte Beckman, K.E.ww2, aust militia

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.

GEORGE VICTOR LANSELL is the longest serving President of the Bendigo RSL 1925 - 1952 and then 1954 - 57. He was awarded Life Membership and Life Membership with Gold Badge in 1956. This photo was originally hanging in the Billiard Room SMI. It was moved to the Foyer post 2000 to be with a plaque Cat No 8013. After the renovations to SMI 2016 -18 it was then placed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room". This is not the original photo that was placed in 1926. George Victor Lansell had prior service in the 67th Militia BN before WW1. He enlisted in the AIF with A Coy 38th Bn on 1.5.1916 age 32 years 7 months. He was appointed Coy Commander of A Coy. Embark for England 20.6.1916, hospital 19.8.1916 with Influenza, rejoin unit 25.8.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, WIA 1.12.1916 grazed by a bullet to right forehead, suffering from concussion and other complications he was returned to Australia on 12.5.1917 and discharged from the AIF on 11.8.1917. Timber frame painted gold, black & white portrait of Sir George Lansell wearing a suit and tie, RSL badge on coat. Below photo: "Sir George Lansell KB CMG VD MLC President Bendigo Sub Branch RSSAILA” 1926-1951"brsl, smirsl, 38th

The 11th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF was was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War It was first raised at Black Boy Hill Camp in Western Australia on 17 August 1914 and recruited from militia units. This picture of the 11th Battalion at the Cheops pyramid in Egypt in 1915 was taken just before the landing at Anzac Cove. Not many of the soldiers in this picture survived the 8 month campaign. After the Campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the 11th Battalion went on to serve with distinction in France and Belgium from 1916-18. They returned to Australia at the end of the war and disbanded on the 5 February 1919. The Battalion was awarded a Kings Colour for its service during the war which was held in the of custody the Militia 2/11th Battalion. Prior to leaving Egypt, a photograph of more than 800 original officers and men of the battalion was undertaken at the great pyramid of Cheops This picture was taken just before the landing at Anzac Cove during the First World War. Not many of the soldiers in this picture survived the 8 month campaign. This now famous picture of the 11th Battalion AIF at the Cheops pyramid in Egypt in 1915 is shown throughout military history displays and books the world over.Burgundy frame, black mounting, gold writing with a photo of 11th Battalion soldiers standing and sitting on the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. There are seven rising sun badges beneath photo.ANZACS at War. Fall an ANZAC Rise a legend. The 11th Battalion at the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. We will remember - Lest we forget. Limited edition 4438 of 5000.anzac, wwi, world war 1, cheops, pyramid, soldiers

Leslie Raymond Hughes initially enlisted in the Militia No V56193 then joining the AIF on 22.7.1942 No VX88615 age 23 years. On discharge from the AIF on 22.3.1946 he was a Pte in 2/1st Aust Gaurd Regt.Medal Set court mounted, group of (5) Re L.R Hughes (Militia and AIF) 1. 1939 -45 Star, replica, not engraved. 2. Pacific Star. 3. Defence Medal. 4. War Medal 1939 -45. 5. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45"VX88615 L.R Hughes"numismatics - medals, military

All boys aged 12 to 17 began Compulsory Military Training in Australia from 1912. The following year the militia was reformed with Ballarat East being allocated the 70th Infantry and Ballarat West being allocated the 71st Infantry. The 71st Battalion was known as the Ballarat West Battalion until changing to (City of Ballarat) Infantry with its depots reaching as far as Warrnambool. In this photograph of the prize winning 71st Battalion Bugle Band a young 16 year old Michael Taffe is a bugler and won several awards with the band and as a solo bugler. A record of the immediate post-war activities still popular in 1919-1920.Mounted photograph of bugle bandcity of ballarat infantry, 71st battalion, warrnambool, ballarat, michael taffe, ballarat west battalion, cadets., bugle band, awards, bugler