Original Military Medal awarded to Harold Pearson PREST Lance Corporal 1334 - 37th Australian Infantry Battalion On the 4th October 1917 East of Ypres, Belgium for conspicuous gallantry in action - After locating an enemy machine gun which was holding up the left flank, he single handed rushed the position from a flank and bombed and killed the crew of two men and captured the gun. His promptness and courage not only saved many casualties but enabled the advance to continue.The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land. The award was established in 1916, with retrospective application to 1914, and was awarded to other ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire"Blue velvet case with satin lining containing round metal medal with attached blue red and white striped ribbon and gold coloured plastic plaquePlaque -Military Medal awarded to 1334 Lance Corporal H P Prest 37/AUST INF For Bravery in the Fieldh p prest, ww1, mm, 37th infantry battalion

Many displaced people who migrated to Australia after World War 2 brought similar tubs with them as part of their luggage. The tubs were valued by the migrants because they were used for washing clothes and other laundry items, and for bathing children and even adults. The tub in our possession was brought out to Australia in 1950 by the Pierzak family who eventually settled in North Sunshine, Victoria. The following story about the Pierzak family has been provided by the daughter Halina Wlodarczyk (nee Pierzak). The father Stanislaw Pierzak was born on the 26th of July 1916 in Zbrza, and the mother Teodozja (Teodozia) Szalas on the 5th of March 1919 in Goleciny, both villages in the Kielce district of Poland. In 1940 they were both taken by the German Army to work as slave labour on farms in Germany. Stanislaw worked in the Saxonia area and Teodozja near Dillingen. The work was hard, and when Teodozja contracted pneumonia she was told that she would not be given any food if she did not work. After the war the displaced persons, as they were called, were settled in various barracks and camps organised by the United States Army. Stanislaw and Teodozja married in Gablingen, Bavaria, Germany, and Halina was born in the camp at Gablingen in 1949. The displaced people were given the choice of several countries if they wanted to migrate from war torn Germany, and so the Pierzak family chose Australia. The Pierzak family set sail from Naples, Italy aboard the ship General M. B. Stewart and arrived in Sydney on the 17th of April 1950. The men and women had to stay in separate quarters, and many passengers were so sick that they did not think they would survive the journey. In Australia they lived in migrant camps in NSW at Bathurst, Orange, Parkes and Cowra. To pay off their fares to Australia migrants were required to work under contract for 2 years. Stanislaw Pierzak worked in Broken Hill NSW returning to visit his family every 3 to 4 months. The son John was born in the Red Cross building at the Parkes camp in 1952. In 1953 the whole family moved to Melbourne and lived in a converted garage in Victor Street, North Sunshine. In 1954 the family bought a bungalow on a block of land in Compton Parade, North Sunshine, where eventually they built a house. Stanislaw Pierzak worked at Steelweld in Ashley Street, Braybrook travelling there on his bicycle, while Teodozja Pierzak found work at Smorgon in West Footscray. Stanislaw and Teodozja Pierzak lived in North Sunshine for the rest of their lives, and Mrs Pierzak always said that Sunshine was the best place in the world.Tubs like this which belonged to displaced people were highly valued possessions and are of historic significance. They were brought out to Australia after World War 2 by many migrating displaced families. The tubs were used for washing activities in the camps in Germany, and the migrant camps in Australia, and also when people lived in bungalows in Australia before they built houses with laundries and bathrooms.Oval shaped galvanised iron tub with two rigid handles, one at each end. The top of the tub is larger than the base. The galvanising is deteriorating in some parts which show a whitish appearance. There are some small dents, and a few chips in the galvanising where surface rust has appeared.The number 70 is stamped on both sides.washing tub, galvanised tub, laundry, bath, displaced persons, immigration, general m. b. stewart, galvanized tub, pierzak, galvanised wash tub

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 Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for mens garments. Several of these patterns could be knitted for use by the Armed Forces, including a balaclava and a splint cover for a Bohler Walking Iron (a type of splint used where the foot must not touch the ground or bear any weight, eg. in cases of ulceration). The back cover illustration depicts a man wearing a knitted cardigan, posed with an Australian Army slouch hat and standing in front of an encampment.Knitting Book (front cover) - Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 122, WWII. Knitting Book (back cover) - Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 122, WWII.No. 122 / 6D. / PATONS & BALDWINS' / SPECIALTY / Knitting Bookworld war ii handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, world war ii, handicrafts - history, knitting

Black and white postcard photograph of two men in Australian military uniform standing in front of a tent and some buildings.On back of photo: "Lt Tom 'Diver' Derrick, VC, DCM (right) with Lt Reg Saunders congratulating each other following their successful graduation from the Officer's cadet training unit, Seymour Victoria, 1944. Lt Saunders was the first Aboriginal Australian commissioned in the Australian army. Australian War Memorial"australian army, military officers, reg saunders, tom derrick

Image of three men who appear to be in Australian army uniform.uniform, drawing, frank harding, corfu castle, etching

WWI historic history.Bronze medallion presented to 2061 William Henry Elliott. Medallion is in commemoration of the men of ANZAC at GALLIPOLI in 1915 and in recognition of the great debt owed by all Australians. With the compliments of the Government of Australia. Medallion is round with a crown at the top.Cardboard box has typed address to Mrs L. Elliott, 59 Cleeland St, Dandenong from Central Army Records Office.W.H. Elliott. 1915 ANZAC. Simpson and his Donkey embossed at the back. Map of Australia and New Zealand with the stars of the Southern Cross embossed on the front.

Believed to have been made 1939/43. In 1904 the British Army adopted a new General Service (GS) pack saddle with an adjustable tree, known as the Mark V pack saddle. The main innovation was the adjustable tree created by having the front and back steel arches jointed to the wooden sidebars, which allowed them to turn to adjust to the size of the back of whatever animal carried the saddle, from the largest horse to the smallest donkey, and eliminated the need to manufacture saddles in different sizes. The saddle could be adapted, by the addition of hanging bars, or universal slats, to carry a wide variety of stores, tools and equipment, and also wounded men. The GS pack saddle was used in both world wars by both the British and Australian armies. The use of pack saddles was especially important in the campaign in Palestine during the First World War where wheeled transport was often not an option. Each machine gun carried by light horse units was transported on a pack saddle, and was accompanied by a second pack animal carrying spare ammunition. During the Second World War pack animals were routinely used by patrols, and larger units such as Norforce, in remote areas of northern Australia. The saddle shown here has two separate girths, which crossed under the animal's belly. Most later versions of the saddle used a shorter single girth buckled to a 'V' attachment, which was in turn buckled to the sidebars. Use of the 'V' attachment gave greater strength and stability to the saddle, and decreased 'rocking' of the load.

This book was written and illustrated in Gallipolli by the Men of Anzac for teh benefit of Patriotic Funds connected with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp.Leather covered book that was part of the reading room collection of the Old Colonists' Club, Ballarat.anzac, army, old colonists' club reading room, old colonists' club, w.r. birdwood, a.r. perry, a.l. pemberton, james sprent, hecor dinning, am park, n. ash, v.n. hopkins, e. cadogan, a. carruthers, f.c. dunstan, e.m. smith, george h. smith, kinismonth, w.r. wishart, w. otho hewett, david barker, c. leyshon-white, ted colles, r.t. goulding, f.j. leigh, charles bean, galipolli

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

SIGNALWOMEN An appreciation by an instructor (Sgt J.F. Larkins). Presented to Signalwoman Ruth Franklin after training in Melbourne 1942. After training, Ruth served on Rottnest Island as a communicator in the Plotting Room, Oliver Hill “Join the Corps of Signals”, the clarion call went forth, “Volunteer for the A.W.A.S. and let another man go north.” So you came into the Signals, in Australia’s hour of need, And let a thousand men go up the line, to meet the yellow breed. Where the lazy Yarra flows, through the green Victorian glade, They formed a school of Signals, to teach you in our trade, And the Old Ones, they were cynical, their tones were full of Jeers, “Women in the Signals! What rot!” But their moans have turned to cheers. You were tossed into the melting pot, that is an Australian Army camp. There weren’t many comforts, there were no electric lamps, There weren’t many blankets, it was cold in those tin huts, But the A.W.A.S. came up smiling; you had good Australian GUTS. The hours were long and wearisome, you were given lots of work, But we didn’t find a loafer, we knew not one to shirk. We made the pace a hard one, sometimes there were tears, But you lasses learned as much in months, as we men absorbed in years. You’re in the ARMY now; you all wear the Rising Sun, Sometimes you’ll be unhappy, but stick till the job is done. Time there will be, when the nerves are frayed, and all you do is bungle, Just feel the badge on your tunic, and remember your mates in the jungle. We wish you luck, and God-speed you on your way, And wherever war may scatter us, we’ll look forward to the day, When the final battle’s over and you’ve sent your last G.B., And the DIGGERS and the A.W.A.S. march in the parade of VICTORY. GB (Golf Bravo) is the sign off God Bless [G] DAH DAH DIT [B] DAH DI DI DIT Transcription of poem by Signals instructor Sgt JF Larkins presented to Signal Woman Ruth Franklin during Training in 1943. Read during 75th anniversary commemoration of proofing of Oliver Hill Battery, Rottnest Island. Computer printed on A4 bond paper.

The stones are a momento from Anzac Cove, the site of the Australian Infantry Force's landing in 1915.Landing at ANZAC Cove , 25 April 1915 Description As part of the attempt to seize the Gallipoli Peninsula in order to suppress the Turkish defences guarding the Dardanelles, military landings were made at Cape Helles at the southern tip of the peninsula (the main landing) and on the west coast near Ari Burnu. At this secondary objective two Divisions of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed in the darkness and faced rugged and difficult country. Units mixed up on their arrival rushed inland and became separated from the main force, which came under growing fire from the Turkish defenders. While Turkish reinforcements arrived, the ANZAC position became increasingly precarious as the assaulting force failed to secure their initial objectives. Falling back on improvised and shallow entrenchments the ANZACs held on for a crucial first night. By that first evening 16,000 men had been landed; of those over 2,000 Australians had been killed or wounded. www.awm.gov.au ANZAC Cove landingTwo smooth stones. Both would fit into the palm of a medium sized hand. One is dark, almost black, the other lighter, with a pinkish tinge.Catalogued as 108A and 108 Banzac cove, gallipoli

Diggers & Mining: The Diggers. Australia has promised Britain 50,000 more men will you help us keep that promise. Picture of kangaroo and soldiers on slide. Calling citizens to join army. Markings: VISAR COPYRIGHT SET - THE DIGGERS, 5. Used as a teaching aid.Visaireducation, tertiary, war

Stone from Abbey ruins at Mont St. Quentin, captured by the 21st Battalion A.I.F. on 1st Sept. 1918 & presented to the Myrtleford Sub-Branch by the Twenty-First Battalion Association, 20th November, 1971.The Stone is from the Abbey at Mont St. Quentin, captured by the 21st Battalion, 2nd Division A.I.F., on the 1st Sept. 1918. A Battle described by General Sir Henry Rawlinson, Commander, British Fourth Army as "The finest single feat of the War". During this Battle Sergeant "Alby" Lowerson, from Myrtleford was awarded the Victoria Cross for leading several men to capture a group of enemy machine guns that were holding up the advance. The Stone was presented in 1971 by members of the 21st Battalion Association, (named on the reverse side) to Myrtleford Sub-Branch R.S.L. Stone mounted on wooden board.Board inscribed with details of the mounted stone, with the names of those present on the reverse.world war 1, ww1, 21st battalion aif, 2nd australian division, western front, mont st quentin, sgt. a.d. lowerson v.c., myrtleford rsl

Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and record the service given. The British War Medal 1914-20 was awarded as follows: Navy: 28 days mobilised service in Australia, at sea or overseas during prescribed periods. Army: Entered theatres of war during specified periods or left places of residence and rendered approved service overseas. Mercantile Marine: Awarded to the men and women of the Mercantile Marine who served at least six months at sea between 4th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. Licensed Pilots, Fishermen and crews of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities' Vessels, and of Post Office Cable Ships were also eligible. Those eligible also included members of women's organisations; persons on the staffs of military hospitals and members of recognised organisations who handled sick and wounded; and members of other duly recognised or other authorised organisations as specified in medal regulations. The qualification period of service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920. The ribbon has a wide central watered stripe of orange, flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are in turn flanked by two black pin-stripes, further flanked by two outer stripes of blue. The colours have no particular significance. The medal is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914 and 1918 are contained on the outside edge medal.GEORGIVS V BRITT OMN:REX ET IND:IMP: 2186 FRASER, Thomasbritish war medal, medal, first world war, world war one, ww1

Stories from Australian fighting men. Successor to "Active Service" and "Soldier On"Hardcover book, khaki green cover

Warrant Officer Class One Ron Almond served on the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cadre staff before being posted as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in 1969. There he was posted as adviser to 17th Armored Cavalry Squadron. He later returned to 8/13 VMR as Regimental Sergeant Major. The AATTV was a specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was formed solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. Initially numbering only approximately 30 men, the size of the unit grew several times over the following years as the Australian commitment to South Vietnam gradually grew, with the unit's strength peaking at 227 in November 1970. Members of the team worked individually or in small groups, operating throughout the country from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the north. Later they were concentrated in Phước Tuy Province as Australian forces prepared to withdraw from Vietnam. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam; its members received over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, during its existence. The unit was withdrawn from Vietnam on 18 December 1972 and was disbanded in Australia on 16 February 1973. A total of 1,009 men served with the unit over a period of ten years, consisting of 998 Australians and 11 New Zealanders. Representative of a connection between Australian Army Reserve and South Vietnam.Wooden shield with coloured plastic emblem mounted at centre and engraved metal plate below.Presented to / 8/13 VMR OR's Mess / By Ex RSM 8/13 VMR / WO1 Ronald M Almond / 17th Armoured Cavalry Sqn / Advisory team 116 / Republic of Vietnam / May 1969-May 1970military, cadre, aattv, vietnam, cavalry, armour, almond

All three men had a long association with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John Neale served in RAN during WWII; post war he joined 8/13 VMR as a trooper in 1948. He rose through the ranks to command the regiment in 1972-76, and later became Honorary Colonel. Ron Almond served in WWII; following the war he joined the Regular Army and served several postings to the Cadre Staff of 8/13 VMR including a post as Regimentla Sergeant Major. He also served with the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam. Bill Woolford served in the Royal Marines in WWII; post war he migrated to Australia joining the Victoria Police and was posted to Wodonga. He joined 8/13 VMR and served as Squadron Sergeant Major 'A' Squadron.Colour photograph of Colonel John Neale and former 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers Ron Almond and Bill Woolford at Buna Barracks 29 April 1990neale, almond, woolford, vmr, albury, aattv, buna barracks

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of two soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer '. Trooper Pratt and Lance Corporal Van De Valde demonstrate how the F2 radio set could be carried. In addition the men would have webbing, pack and rifle to carry.

The members of the brass band are wearing army uniform from World War 1. A black and white photograph with a cream border of an army brass band made up of fourteen men.australian army, brass bands

Items contributed by service men, for their families at home.Hard back Green Material Cover, Print mostly in Khaki Except on Front where Khaki is in Green on Khaki Rectangle. Book 3 in series of 6 published for the Australian Military Forces by The Australian War Memorial Canberra A.C.T. during WW2.Khaki and Green with the Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Relates soldiers' experiences since October 1942 Covering the African desert and Papua Campaignsstawell ww2

Doris Lilian Wright of 214 Union Road was a milliner but joined the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) in the early war years. The Women’s Australian National Service (WANS) was inaugurated in 1940. Training for members of the WANS included air raid drills, first aid, basic military drills, and even shooting, signalling, and mechanics. AWAS on formed on 13 August 1941 with the objective of releasing more men into forward areas. The Army was particular with its recruiting and four references were required; another stipulation was that teeth were in good condition. Doris was located at Elwood. Their training area was along the foreshore and one day to their great surprise there were crowds of American Marines – "the cream of the American Army". These were the first Americans to arrive in Australia to strengthen the defence of the country. The Americans soon went north and the AWAS went off to Balcombe on the Mornington Peninsula. At this time there were no uniforms for the girls only ‘giggle’ dresses – of a non-descript colour. They were not expected to appear in public in these and wore civilian dress. Japan had just entered the war and there were more urgent demands on restricted supplies. The formal uniforms eventually arrived.A black and white photograph of a lady in an army uniform and wearing a hat.union road, surrey hills, uniforms, clothing and dress, (miss) doris wright, australian women's army service

This knitting pattern book was produced during 1939-45 by Patons and Baldwins' and contains knitting patterns for mens civilian and service garments. The front cover illustrates a knitted convalescent jacket (with extra room for bandages, etc) and there are other patterns suitable for men in the services which could be knitted for the Red Cross or Comfort Funds. The back is illustrated with a photo of two men (one in a flying cap, one in army uniform) reading a sign on a wall which states: "Don't help the enemy! Careless talk may give away vital secrets".Front cover, Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 120, WWII. Back cover of Patons and Baldwins Specialty Knitting Book no. 120, WWII.MEN'S SERVICE AND CIVILIAN KNITWEAR / No. 120 / 6D. / PATONS & BALDWINS' / SPECIALTY / Knitting Book / THIS IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CONVALESCENT JACKETknitting, world war ii, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd

Photograph of Salvation Army staff band at rehearsal for Carols by Candlelight. 30 men in Salvation Army Band uniforms watch their conductor during the musical session. This image was included in the 1975 Carols program.B/W photograph of Salvation Army band.Carols p.7. 69% 32 Cm widecarols by candlelight, salvation army band, colin wood

ISBN 0 85045 418 2

Private James Andrew Sutherland - VX59088 ,POW - Thailand (Burma Railway) and Changi.Paper certificate with "City of Prahran" as heading with Australian Coat of Arms. Blue and red border.To Private James A Sutherland. We have the honour on behalf of the Mayor, Councilors and Citizens of the City of Prahran to convey to you their highest appreciation and thanks for the action you have taken by voluntarily enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force for active service overseas in the war between Great Britain and her Allies against Germany. The honour and good name of the Commonwealth is in your hands, and we have every confidence that you will preserve the noble traditions already laid down by the men who constituted the Army of the first A.I.F. who served our country and distinguished themselves so worthily in the last Great War. We wish you God speed and a safe return to your Native land. Signed Wm M McIlwrick Mayor, J M Ellis Councilor and J Romaiu Town Clerk.