Badge commemorating the Sandakan death marches, one of the worst atrocities suffered by Australian troops during WWII.Australian prisoners were sent to Sandakan in 1942 to build an airstrip. At first they were treated reasonably well. Gradually, however, rations were reduced and bashings increased. By late 1944, with Allied forces advancing toward Borneo, the Japanese decided to send about 2,000 Australian and British prisoners westward to Ranau, in Borneo’s rugged interior. Weak and sick prisoners staggered for about 260 kilometres along jungle tracks. Many died on the way, their bodies never recovered. Those unable to continue were killed; those too weak to march had been left behind in Sandakan, where all died or were killed. Only six – all Australians – out of about a thousand sent to Ranau survived the war. The Sandakan “death march” remains the greatest single atrocity committed against Australians in war.Circular badge with green background and black text and figures. Six soldiers are silhouetted next to a tree. Safety pin clasp on back."LEST WE FORGET" "Sandakan Ranau / Death March"pow, world war two, death march, sandakan death marches, borneo

White soft covered book with red and black printing. Red "rising sun". Previously called A Night of a Thousand Suicides.Cowra - The Night of a Thousand Suicides cowra, japanese pow's, japanese pow excapes

Very historical significance. Robert was part of a group of 500 Servicemen captured as P.O.Ws.at Padang Sumatra. The POWs were accommodated in 6 long barracks buildings that ran side by side. They were behind an 8 foot high wall containing a parade ground, sports ground, Japanese Officers and guards quarters. The POWs were put to work on the infamous Sumatra Railway. Part of that group were: Richard Winston Annear WX13468. Alfred John Burgess WX15756. Clifford Dudley Squance WX16885. Arthur Melville Magill WX16886. Harold Mervyn Smith WX17448. Robin Roy Semple WX7532. Edward Mason Hopson WX9241. Cecil George Quinn WX9285.Large grey framed photographs with shoulder patches, service stripes and Service Medals. Photographs are of Robert Frederick Nelson VX8212 2/29th A.I.F and Betty Emily Louise Collins A.C.W 110082 W.A.A.F. Service Medals for Robert are The Pacific Star, 1939 - 45 Star, 1939 - 1945 War Medal and 1939 - 1945 Service Medal. Service Medals for Betty are 1939 - 1945 War Medal and 1939 - 1945 Service Medal. Engraved metal nameplates with names and Service numbers at top and bottom.

This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are the some well known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display. Further research found that one of the AIF comedians, Harry Smith, had a catch phrase, 'You'll never get off the Island' which became almost the watchword of the prisoners throughout the captivity. That ties with the phrase etched around the outside of the violin, "We'll never get off the island."A very valuable piece of equipment brought back from World War II now on display in Legacy House function room.Violin (00078.1): Violin case (00078.2): Bow (00078.3): Bag of violin parts (00078.4):Around the edge of the instrument's body: "We'll never get off the island" On the front body of the violin: "AIF concert party"; "P.O.W. camp Singapore" Names inscribed on the front body of the violin in columns from left to right: Ray Tullipan, Fred Stringer, Herb Almond, L Jacques, Keith Harris, Jack Garrett, Dave Goodwin, H Sabin, Fred F Brightfield, Jack Boardman, Ern Warne, Ern Banks, T Hoffman, Roy P Arnel, Harold W Reid, W Middleton, Douglas Matthews, Bob Picken, Harry Smith ('appy Harry), Ted Druitt "VIOLIN PLAYED BY" VX30301, (DVR) R S Arnel AIF Concert Party in POW Camp Selerang and Changi Gaol Singapore 1942-1945; T Mack O.C and Producer Harry Tennall; Jack Smith; Walter W Dains; Keith C Stephens; C E Trotter; W Sullivan, Syd Piddington; John Nibbs; Doug Peart; John Wood; Jack Geoghegan; Berry Barton; Barney Bolton; Tom Hussey; Kim De Grey; Clarrie Barker; Ron Caple; Russ Bradon; Bernard McCaffrey; Bart Galbraith; Charles Wiggins; Stan “ Judy” Garland. Rear of Violin has inscriptions top to bottom, left to right. Hans???en; Dutch Concert Party; H.S. Van der Linden; M Bark; B Freunbusch; F Horguine; H. J. Hurgarden; Lt H. J. Scholer (Violin); H.A.F. Pet; M Van Dyk; W J Witte; G H Fransen; E Ewig; M Ruwart (Hypnotist); A V Korem(Dancer) C N Rob (Violin) C H Kuipers (Guitar); W C Emmenes (Cellist) L H R???? (Violin) British Concert Party Alex????; P Holland ( “ Dutchy” Accordian); Wray Gibson :AH!; E J Bawer (Drums); Clem (Lofty) Relf(Clarinet); Bill Williams (Piano); Ken Luke; Ronald Searle; Charles Dobman “Good Luck”; Dan Harts(”Professor”); Gil Mitchell ( Violinist); John Fitzgerald; E Botor (Tenor Horn); Ronald Lewis; Ronnie Horner; Robin Wilbury; Jack M Wood ( Producer); Denis A S Houghton (Bass); C J Buckingham; Stan Mesurier; E B Dobson USA Concert Camberts Party Don Smith; Owen Baggett; Denis Roland; Stan Willner; Albert “ HAP” Kelley (Trombone); Joe Manella; Charles Kelleher. Internal manufactures tag “ “Excelsior” Brand Specally made for the Tropic and reputed for good ton and workmanship Made in Czechoslovakia”changi violin, pow

Used by Lance Corporal W. B. Ashweirth - Signalman in the Australian Army who was held at Changi and later transferred to Osaka in Japan as a slave labourer.Combination military water bottle and panakin with [base metal] fold-away metal handleAustralian Coat of Arms and RIP 'Sig" mascot of 6th Line Section - Signals Regiment - Died at Changi Barracks on 27th February 1942. Also a 'love heart' showing WBA / EHAchangi, changi pow camp, pow, water bottle, world war two, second world war, wwii, ww2, changi barracks

Private SILVEY, John Robert William VX 41717 DOB 28.4.12hand written notes recalling Private Jack Silvey's experience as a POW in Changi from 1942-19453 copied pages of hand written notes written 20.5.1945 in Japan Record of PW movement

A newspaper article with a photo of veteran Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. Mr Geoghegan was a Prisoner of War in Changi prison. He remembered playing in the concerts that the violin was used in. His signature is one of many, that had signed the violin. Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942.A record that the violin was of importance to many people during their internment.Newspaper article about the Changi violin published in The Age 26 July 1989.changi violin, pow

A booklet compiled of accounts relating to Changi POW Camp during the Japanese occupation of Singapore. In particular the three YMCA representatives that stayed with the 8th division as welfare workers, despite being offered the opportunity to leave on one of the last ships to leave the island. The accounts were about their service and were used by the YMCA in this booklet to promote their organisation. This booklet was kept in the Legacy Library.Accounts of war time experiences were collected as part of the Legacy library collection.Booklet of buff coloured pages in brown cover about experiences in Changi Camp x 8 pages.world war two, prisoners, pow

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates the story of George Knocks who joined Legacy and left a bequest that made a difference. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. A longer version of the story is in the Weekly Bulletin - 29 Sept 1964. George was described as a lonely ex-seaman who migrated to Australia after the first world war. He learnt about Legacy and the work with widows and children. 'He joined up as a Legatee and from that day, the pattern of life changed greatly for George. He became absorbed in his new environment and spent most of his time with the children. The mothers founding him a rugged, but completely trustworthy friend.' When George died he was mourned by many Legacy friends. His left his property to four comrades, as trustees to use in continuing Legacy's work. As a result, a great many people in Legacy's care were helped, in all sorts of ways. One of them was Barry. Barry's father had died as a POW in a Japanese prison, and his mother had lost all her possessions in evacuating from Malaya. Barry had a disability and in time a new treatment was found, but it was expensive. Then Legacy came to aid Barry with money from the George Knocks fund. After long series of operations and treatments Barry made a wonderful recovery. While the fund ran out during the treatment, the last cost was met by The Stanley Savige Memorial Trust, which was a fund raised by the members of Legacy to honour the memory of their former leader. Barry went on to prosperous work, self sufficiency and a lovely marriage. Due partially to Legatee George Knocks, his bequest and the support of Legacy. More information on George Knocks includes his passport and a longer version of his story. See 02151 and 02152 and 02153.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s and the story of the life of a legatee.Yellow foolscap page x 2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Title 'One Man's Legacy''press release, promotion, bequests, george knocks

A photo of Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. The photo appeared in an article in The Age in 1989. One photo also appeared in the President's Highlights report in 1989. The caption of that photo says, 'Pensive thoughts for ex-prisoner of Changi Prison, Jack Geohegan when, as a guest of Melbourne Legacy, he was reunited with a very special possession kept in Legacy's care. Jack, whose signature is one of many, had not seen the violin since his days at Changi.' Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are some well-known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display by his widow Mrs Florence Arnel in 1983.A record of a poignant reunion, Jack Geoghegan knew the violin while in Changi Prison and posed for photos on the Shrine to tell the story in The Age. Black and white photo x 3 of the Changi Violin at The Shrinechangi violin, pow, jack geohegan

A photo of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080). Unsure when this photo was taken. Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are some well-known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display.A record of relationship of Weary Dunlop with Legacy.Black and white photo of Sir Weary Dunlop with the Changi violinchangi violin, dunlop

Ill, p.391.non-fictionThe bestselling memoir of life as an Australian POW on the notorious Thai-Burma railway. Rohan Rivett was a journalist in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese in 1942. He escaped south - across the treacherous Bangka Strait - to Indonesia, but was soon captured and became just one of thousands of POWs struggling for existence in a Japanese camp. The struggle was to last for more than three years. Behind Bamboo is unflinching in its honesty and haunting in its realism. It is a vivid, compelling testament to the Australians' will to survive and their unassailable spirit in the face of the most callous inhumanity. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - japan, burma railway

Frederick Birkin No VX32484 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 25.6.40 age 24 years. Attached to 2/22nd Batt known as “Lark Force” they were stationed in Rabaul awaiting a possible attack by the Japanese. The attack came in early 1942. Birkin was taken POW and his death was on 1.7.42. Numbers escaped, others were massacred at the TOL Plantation and many more of the total Force and civilians lost their lives on the Japanese prison ship “Montivedeo Maru” which was sunk by an American Submarine on 1.7.42. A small number survived this. The cards were all written on the back with name and number of men in Birkins unit prior to embarkation to Rabaul. All were traceable as to their fate or transfer to another unit prior to embarkation. Refer also 182.2, 183. Set of playing cards, red in colour, with 2 white figures sword fighting. Owned by Frederick Birkin.Cards have been written on reverse, in ink, by colleagues of Fred Birkin.documents, cards, personal effects, leisure activities

The items in this Archival folder relate to Arthur Edmund TRANTER V50166, VX52843 POW, his wife Pat and Daughter Brenda. There are two more Archival folders, Cat No's 7957.2 & 7958.2. Refer Cat No 7944 for A.E. Tranters service history..1) Black Archival folder container. .2) Black Archival folder, 3 ring binder with plastic inserts. This has the following: 1. Certificate of Service 2nd AIF 1941 - 45 2. Certificate of service CMF 1939 - 1941 3. Corporals certificate 38th BN 1939. 4. Certificate relating to a "mention in Despatches" 5 &6. Letters re the awards of the "Efficiency Medal" 7. Black and white photo with "Streader, Drake and Tranter" 1939. 8. Ships menu "TMS SIBAKAK" Sept 1941. 9. 2/29th BN reunion menu 50th Anniversary. 10. Document on "How to learn Morse Code". 11. Document, Grant of a War pension, Tranter 1951. 12. Document re War pension Payments. 13. Document re "Return to Civilian life for POW"s. 14. Exercise book from Singapore with names re 2/29th BN. 15. Cartoon copy, Medan Melbourne Frog Cup 1942. 16. Hand drawn sketch black pencil of "Tranter" by E.W. Porter 17th Dec 1942. 17. List of recommendations for an "MID" re POW's in captivity. 18. POW working party list and casualties 8.3.1944 at "Atjeh". 19. POW casualties on the "Harukiki Maru"26.6.1944. 20. Eight newspaper cuttings re casualty lists and War news. 21. List of Australian POW's in Sumatra. 22. Menu Sheraton Hotel 2/29th BN Reunion. 23. Five photos of the Tranter Family re wife Pat and Daughter Brenda. 24. 2/29th BN Xmas card 1942. Card, General Base AIF Malaya 1941 - 42. 25. Twenty four POW Post cards via Australian/Japanese Red Cross. 26. Nineteen telegrams re "Welcome home 1945" 27. Two photos re "Welcome home, Shire of McIvor. 28. Letter written at sea to Pat and Brenda. 29. Welcome home luncheon menu Shire of McIvor 8th April 1946. 30. Letter dated 15.9.1945 to Pat and Brenda. album pow, documents, tranter

Colour front cover, drawn image of people carrying a pole with a rectangular bucket suspended on the pole, the people wear hats and the sky is an orangey colour. Back cover has some quotes from nurses featured in the book as well as a blurb describing the book. Book is covered in clear contact.non-fiction"Hunger and humiliation were just some of the privations endured by those members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who were captives of the Japanese during World War II. Of the thirty-two held in Sumatra and on Banka Island, twenty-four survived the severe physical conditions in the prison camps. Another group captured in Rabaul were held in Japan, where the cold was as bitter as their hunger. This is the dramatic account of those Australian nurses, of their struggles and their support for each other through the long years of war and captivity. In includes the horrifying story of Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor of the callous massacre on Banka Island where twenty-three women were ordered into the sea and shot. It records the degradation of the daily 'tenko', the starvation and appalling lack of hygiene, but also tells how the women were at times able to rise above these miseries through their concerts and the soaring harmonies of the voice choir. Catherine Kenny interviewd many of the nurses and collected photographs, diaries and letters from the Australian War Memorial as well as from the women themselves." Blurb on back cover of book.wwii, world war 2, world war two, japan, pow, pows, prisoners of war, prisoner of war, australian army nursing service, mitliary nursing, australian army

Colour front cover, drawn image of people carrying a pole with a rectangular bucket suspended on the pole, the people wear hats and the sky is an orangey colour. Back cover has some quotes from nurses featured in the book as well as a blurb describing the book. non-fiction"Hunger and humiliation were just some of the privations endured by those members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who were captives of the Japanese during World War II. Of the thirty-two held in Sumatra and on Banka Island, twenty-four survived the severe physical conditions in the prison camps. Another group captured in Rabaul were held in Japan, where the cold was as bitter as their hunger. This is the dramatic account of those Australian nurses, of their struggles and their support for each other through the long years of war and captivity. In includes the horrifying story of Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor of the callous massacre on Banka Island where twenty-three women were ordered into the sea and shot. It records the degradation of the daily 'tenko', the starvation and appalling lack of hygiene, but also tells how the women were at times able to rise above these miseries through their concerts and the soaring harmonies of the voice choir. Catherine Kenny interviewd many of the nurses and collected photographs, diaries and letters from the Australian War Memorial as well as from the women themselves." Blurb on back cover of book.wwii, world war 2, world war two, japan, pow, pows, prisoners of war, prisoner of war, australian army nursing service, mitliary nursing, australian army