Directions for the knitting of standard socks for men in active service during WWI. Issued by the Lady Mayoress's League, Melbourne, in September 1915. The Lady Mayoress's League, or Lady Mayoress's Patriotic League, was formed on 7th August 1914 by Lady Hennessy, Lady Mayoress of the City of Melbourne. The League was formed to supplement the official supplies issued to each soldier by providing 'comforts' such as socks and food packages, and by 1915 was the recognised agent in Victoria for the reception and despatch of all gifts other than those sent privately. In September 1916 it became part of the Australian Comforts Funds, an Australia-wide umbrella organisation formed from individual state-based organisations of this type. Folded single sheet of white paper that has discoloured with age, printed in black on both sidesthe lady mayoress's league, wwi fund-raising

Wangaratta Comfort Fund final Meeting Report dated 18th December 1945 and 2 x Lists of Camouflage Nets sent to CWA Headquarters dated 24th and 31st of August 1943 2 x newspaper cuttings 3 page photocopy of handwritten notes dated 13th August 1941 detailing gift of Autoclave (medical apparatus) for use by the AIF presented by the then Mayor of Wangaratta Cr J F Dundas and President of the Wangaratta Branch of RSSILA Mr W Law The ACF provided a source of comfort, support and encouragement for the troops abroad and offered a means for women at home to contribute to the war effort and identify with the men in the trenches. The ACF acted as a vital link between home and the battlefields. The Australian Comforts Fund officially closed on the 27th June 1946. Typed and photocopied handwritten notes.Wangaratta Comforts Fund.comfort fund, wangaratta, ww2

This black and white image taken of Australian soldiers at the Headquarters of the AIF Overseas Training Brigade based at Longbridge Deverell in Wiltshire England prior to distribution of Comfort Funds Xmas Boxes in 1918. One of the soldiers in the image is Private Llewellyn EVANS 5335 of the 24th Battalion. EVANS was born on the 9/8/1879 at Moyhu in Victoria. He was a farmer and enlisted on the 8/2/1916 at the age of 36 years. He embarked on the 1/8/1916 and was wounded twice, first in 1917 receiving a gunshot wound to the right leg and again in 1918 receiving a gunshot wound to the right arm and leg. He returned to Australia and was discharged on 30/4/1919.Sand Hill (Longbridge Deverill)- Sand Hill camp was built in 1914 to accommodate infantry units. Australian troops arrived at Longbridge Deverill in October 1917, when their Overseas Training Brigade was moved from Perham Down and established there to train soldiers who had recovered from illness and wounds for a return to active service. Brown timber frame containing photograph of large group of soldiers and band members in an open field.Distribution of "Comfort Fund" Xmas Boxes to A.I.F. Longbridge Deverall, March 1918 comfort fund, ww1, llewellyn evans, 24th battalion, longbridge deverill

Certificate of appreciation dated 30/6/1946 presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund by RSS & AILABlack plastic frame containing certificate with black and red writing below two symbols and picture of a buildingThe Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia Presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund in grateful appreciation of meritorious service rendered to the RSL War Service Fund during 1939-1945.comfort fund, ww2, wangaratta, certificate

Soldiers pocket book issued to Leonard Francis MULDOON VX10046 .Born on 14 July 1909 at Condoblin NSW. Enlisted 23 January 1940 at South Melbourne Served during WW2 An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Burgundy colour imitation leather cover book held together with bandaids pocket book, ww2, muldoon

For issue to WW1 soldiers both abroad and back in Australia on leave. Issued to Australian troops both overseas and on leave from 1916 on for the duration of WW1. Brass Pencil Case with slide out pencil, miniature. AUST COMFORTS FUND is etched onto the external face of the pencil casebrass pencil case and pencil miniature, australian comforts fund, ww1

Issued during WW2 for women to knit items of clothing for men on Active ServiceProvided comfort for men on Active Service in inhospitable areasRectangular tan coloured 12 page booklet. Has a RED six pointed star on the cover with A.C.F printed inside it.Page 8 has the #7 crossed out and substituted with #6. Page 12 has a three inch rule added in pencil.knitting, clothing

This knitting booklet was used by Margaret Betty Williamson and her mother to knit items to be distributed to the Australia personnal of the Army, Navy and Airforce during World War 2. Parents owned the Clarkefield Store and Post Office.A small slightly tattered cream booklet with black printing and a red star shape on front cover.front cover "Guide to Knitting/Standard Socks..."1940s, world war 2, knitting, george evans collection

literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Hard cover with dust cover. 336 pages with black and white prints

Women at home were encouraged to knit "comforts" for servicemen. In WW2 this was not as successful as during WW1 because a) women had a wider range of wartime jobs that limited their time for knitting and b.) Knitting wool was rationed. The Comforts Fund produced its own pattern book that included patters for various socks, stockings, pullovers, scarves, balaclavas suitable for all branches of the armed services.Knitting for Soldiers Knitting Patterns. Fifteen page booklet, supplement to the Australian Home Journal; contains knitting patterns for soldiers WW2. Black and white illustrations. Incudes patterns for socks, gloves, mittens, pullover and head wear.lydia chancellor collection, history, knitting, ww2, australian home journal

The Melbourne Argus on the following Day reported on the event: "MILITARY CONCERT. A sequel to the military sports gathering recently held on the Melbourne Cricket ground was provided last night at the Town Hall in the shape of a military concert, at which the prizes won at the sports were distributed. The proceeds of both fixtures will go to further the Y.M.C.A.'s work of providing winter comforts for troops on active service. Additional aid to the fund will be forthcoming from the sale of the handsome souvenir programmes the cover ol which is a replica of the A.N.A. roll of honour, and depicts the landing on Gallipoli. The charge made was an indefinite I one, with an irreducible minimum of six-pence." (Source: The Argus, 26 Jan 1916, p. 9)Military Concert, Melbourne Town Hall, 25th January 1916. 4 page program illustrated on the cover with an image of Australian troops landing at Gallipoli. Also included are the coats of arms of the Australian States at the time. The insert (Image 2016.0461a) includes details of the performances and performers. The best known of the performers at the concert was Horace Stevens.first world war (1914-18), gallipoli, military concerts -- melbourne -- 1914-1918

Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, has an extensive reference library, of which this book is a part. Volumes in the library are used by members for research into aspects of local history and/or to support the Society's collections of pictures, maps, fashion and artefacts. Reference books have entered the collection through donation, presentation, collection and purchase.Booklet advising on standards for knitting items for soldiersaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945

Ill, map.p.292.non-fictionThe travels of Frank Clune in the Middle East in World war twoaustralian comforts fund, travel and description - middle east

Ill, p.366.non-fictionA history of the Australian Comforts Fundworld war 1939-1945 - civilian relief, australian comforts fund

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war

non-fictionOne of a series of travel books produced by Frank Clune. This volume details his travels and observances in the Middle East during 1942. Clune was an honorary commissioner of the Australian Comforts Fund. Clune allegedly “left a very bad impression” on General Sir Thomas Blamey for his ‘irregular methods and indiscreet utterances’ about the British ‘only playing at war’. Blamey therefore ensured that Clune was subject to military censorship. Royalties from this book and funds raised during a lecture tour promoting it in 1943 were donated to the Australia Comforts Fund to whose voluntary workers it is dedicated. world war 11, world war 1939 - 1945, middle east