During World War 2, more than 14,000 Australians fought at Tobruk (Libya), during the historic 242 day siege. These men became famously known as the Rats of Tobruk. After returning to Australia, the Tobruk siege servicemen looking for comradeship, established the Rats of Tobruk Association. Around 1944, active branches and sub-branches were started in every state. In more recent times, these branches and subbranches have been wound up owing to the declining numbers of surviving veteran members. The only exception has been the Victorian Branch, which has now operated for over 70 years.Large blue cloth banner housed between two timber poles. In the centre of the banner there is a crown above a grey,black and yellow T shape overlaid by a crest with a kangaroo in a yellow circleRats of Tobruk Assoc GV & NE Sub Branchrats of tobruk, ww2

Cutting shears used in 1907 by William Cox. Travelled to England and worked for a tailor in the West End, London for a year. Returned to Australia, married in 1908 and opened a tailoring shop in 1910. Bernard Arthur Hooke, husband of donor, Phyllis Hooke, was Chairman of Advisory Committee 1973 - 1996Heavy steel, black handled cutting shears; 36 cm longWilkinsons Makes|Sheffieldtrades, tailoring

2/8the Armoured Regiment, 2nd AIF, was raised in 1941; saw service in New Guinea in 1943-44; returned to Australia and disbanded to form Nos 41, 42, 43 Landing Craft Companies RAE which saw service in South West Pacific 1944-45.Honour Board 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment 'Died on Active Service.' Timber board finished with gloss varnish. Lettering is in gold paint with red paint lines. Names listed are: Arthur Sprunt, Bill Allen, Wally Rowe, Johnny Bourke, Bob Kennon, John Dalley, Peter Lawrence, Gordon Roy and Stan Johnson.military, honour board, 2/8 armourned regiment

Postcards were a common form of souvenirs for soldiers who were travelling either during World War 1, or just after, or while returning to Australia. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.Postcards were a very common form of communication in the first World War. This postcard also records Gallipoli for those who didn't have cameras. This type of souvenir would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1 and many had served at Gallipoli.Postcard showing black and white image of the bridge at Rodah, Guizeh (Giza). Several figures and a tram are also pictured crossing the bridge. A black postal stamp in the top left quadrant of the postcard indicates it was posted from Cairo. The back of the postcard contains a message. Based on the date and location it was posted from, the text could be Egyptian Arabic or it could be Pitman shorthand.Front - “(Guizeh) Nouveau grand pont de Rodah - (Guizeh) New large bridge at Rodah.” Back - “J/15/1912/ CARTE POSTALE / M J?. Hinaul / 20 Rue de Landrecies/ Le Cateau (Nord)/ France/ Ghino Dukich, 21 Rue Nubar Pacha - Le Caire, Egypte/ Serie A No. 25. Reproduction interdite” Stamps - Postes Egyptiennes/ Un Millieme”souvenir, war correspondence

James Douglas No 2669 enlisted 8.8.16 in the 6th reinforcements to the 60th Batt AIF aged 39 years 8 months. Embarked for England 2.10.16, hospital 5.2.17 with Tonsilitis, WIA 9.8.18 GSW right Thigh severe, returned to Australia 8.11.18 with Debility, discharged from the AIF 29.1.19. Medals, court mounted, set of (2) RE J. Douglas. 1. War medal 1914 -19. (Replica, not engraved) 2. Victory Medal. "2669 T- Sgt. J Douglas 60 BN A.I.F"numastics - medals - military, metalcraft

Frank Fisher went to Japan as part of Australian Contingent of Occupying Forces after World War 2. Family - wife Ethel, Children Valma 15, Joycelyn 13 and Bruce joined him in 1947, living in Hiroshima Prefecture until 1949. Frank returned to Australia about 1951.Black and white photo of Frank Fisher in World War 11 Uniform. Photo taken in Japan.fisher, frank, bruce

Grant of Charter given by Victoria R.S.L. Head Office to Sub Branches to carry the name Lara R.S.L. Sub-Branch Inc. dated 16th May 2007.Grant of Charter for Lara R.S.L. Sub Branch to be Incorporated. Dated 16th May 2007. Refer to record number 250 Lara collection for reference to original Grant of Charter dated 1928. Grant of Charter - The Returned Services League Lara Sub-Branch dated 16th May 2007Grant of Charter - The returned & Services League of Australia Limited issued 16th May 2007charter, rsl, rsl victorian branch, lara rsl, 2007

Gilt bronze medallionIssued by Dept of Defence. returned from Active Service. Australian Military Forces. 211591

Stephen Spokes No 3870 enlisted on 16.6.16 in 9th reinforcements 29th Batt aged 43years 9 months. Embarked for England 19.9.16, embark for France 16.1.17, hospital 30.3.17 with Chronic Rhuematism, returned to Australia 22.7.17 classed with Rhuematism and Flat feet for home service. Discharged from the AIF on 2.11.17.Medals, brass plate mounted, set (2) re S Spokes. 1. War Medal 1914.19. 2. Victory Medal."3870 Pte S Spokes 29 BN A.I.F"medals, military, history

Period covered by diary from April 1915 until Fyfe's return to Australia in February 1916, includes Gallipoli operations. Letter outlines details and circumstances of the death at Gallipoli of John (Jack) Henry Cartwright (Taylor's son). Fyfe embarked again from Melbourne in October 1916 and was a POW in Europe.Handwritten copy (sixty two pages) of WW1 diary of Peter Fyfe (709 - 14th Battalion). Sheets enclosed in a Scottish Union & National Insurance Company cover. Two-page letter dated June 1916 to Mrs Margaret Taylor of Korumburra.gallipoli, diaries, peter maurice fyfe, 14 battalion, prisoners of war, john henry cartwright, margaret taylor

Postcards dated 1917 sent to Private J W ELLIS 5334 during WW1. Born: Rupanyup. Home Town: Nyarrin Occupation: Farmer Enlisted 1915 aged 37 24th Battalion Fought on the Western Front. Wounded and returned to Australia 16/4/1918. Buried at Wangaratta Cemetery Ten postcards - five coloured postcards and five black and white postcards Three photographs of soldiers, one seated, one standing and one on horseback. One photograph of female. Four envelopes Twenty-five photographsPhotograph of female has handwritten inscription on front - Yours Sincerely Theresa 7-8-1916 Two envelopes address to J W ELLIS and one to Miss Jean Heap 21/25 photographs have handwritten inscriptions on rear and dated between 1915-1917j.w. ellis, 24th battalion, ww1

Part of the collection of "Thomas Edward Silk". Enlisted 12/6/16 age 31 to 9th Reinforcements, 29th Battn. Embarked 19/9/16 to England then to France 17/12/16. Injured with (PB) Peripheral blood 18/7/17 and returned to Australia 21/1/18.Set of 4 embroidered postcards in various states of repair. Cream coloured ornament edges stuck onto postcard backing, some with embroidery centres. 1. Message on back dated 25/10/17 addressed to Mother with embroidered picture on front including flags and message. 2. No message but front has embroidered image of flowers and a message. 3. Message on back to Mother dated 10/7/17. Embroidery on front has come off. 4. Message on back to Mother dated 6/10/17. Embroidery on front has mostly come off.1. Message embroidered "Greetings from France" dated 25/10/17.thomas edward silk, ww1, france, postcards

Correspondence from Bert/Robert Stanley Harper on overseas service to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk. Robert Stanley Harper, enlisted 19th April 1915, served as 1692 as Pte RS Harper with 22nd Infantry Battalion, Sailed on "HMAT 64 Demosthenes' Fought at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Bullecourt and returned to Australia in 1919.Original documents written by Robert S Harper to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk during WW1. 001802.1: London Bridge, London, 001802.2: St James Palace, London, 29th August 001802.3: Embroidered insert, Good Wishes 001802.4: Mt Lavinia, Colombo 001802.5: Gladys and pansy 001802.6: Marseilles001802.1: Weymouth, 8th Jan 1917 001802.2: London, 29th August 001802.3: In France 001802.4: Colombo 001802.5: 001802.6gladys holmes, postcard, ww1, bert/robert harper, byaduk, tuck's post cards, gallipoli,pozieres, bullecourt

George Frederick Boxall (1051 8th Battalion H Company), a miner from Bendigo, embarked from Melbourne on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914. He returned to Australia on 8 May 1916, having suffered "shell shock" from a bomb blast on Gallipoli in September 1915.Hustlers Mine photograph inscribed on rear : "at the mouth of the shaft after the accident at Great Extended Hustlers"ww1, george frederick boxall, mary jane boxall, mary jane johnson, william henry johnson, 8th battalion, linton percy clarence rudd, allan tathorn moffat, robert carter, photographs, letters, great extended hustlers mine, shell shock

Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch local community contributions being acknowledged by a Certificate of Appreciation for Aid to Mental Welfare dated 5/07/1989.Evidence of Lara RSL Sub-Branch local community contributions being acknowledged by a Certificate of Appreciation for Aid to Mental Welfare dated 5/07/1989.certificate of appreciation awarded by The Returned Services League of Australia - National Executive to Lara RSL Sub-branch for recognition for Aid to Medical Welfare dated 5th july 1989.Topped by an official RSL Badgeand on the bottom right is the official seal signed by National President and National Secretary.the returned services league of australa - national executive, cerficicte of appreciation, aid to medical welfare

Details of the famous 11 Battalion photo posing on the Cheops Pyramid at Mena 10 miles from Cairo. Also includes a brief history of the Battalion campaigns. Background watermark of the photo of troops on the pyramid. The Battalion returned to Australia at the end of war and was disbanded on 6th of February 1919. Awarded a Kings colour for its service.Famous photo of the 11th Battalion (800 men) posing on the Cheops Pyramid on the 10th of January 1915.Rectangular framed print which describes the famous photo of the 11th AIF Battalion posing on the cheops pyramid (Catalogue item 807)Printed details of the famous 11 Battalion photo posing on the Cheops Pyramid at Mena 10 miles from Cairo. Also includes a brief history of the Battalion campaigns. Background watermark of the photo of troops on the pyramid11th battalion cairo cheops blackboy hill cheops cairo egypt ypres somme

This photograph shows a young Australian soldier, Baden Powell Buckland of Yea, who enlisted when 17 years old. He made it to England before his true age was known and returned to Australia. He re-enlisted after his 18th birthday. This photograph was taken during his first enlistment.Digital copy of black and white photograph. "No.6770. Pte B.V. Buckland. 19th Reinfts, 23rd Battalion, 17-3-1917"charles marshall, world war 1, baden powell buckland

This badge was purchased by members of the Geelong Cycling Club during the mid 1930s. This particular badge was owned by Morrie Saunders who was a track cyclist before the war and after in the 1950s. He was the member of the League of Bouganville Wheelmen (who held cycling races in New Guinea after WW11 while waiting to be returned to Australia.)A small number of these badges were made and now they are very rare.Small metal enamelled badge in red, gold and blue. It has gold wings coming from the centre of an oval."Geelong West Cycling Club"badge, geelong west cycling club, morrie saunders, bouganville wheelmen

L.Cpl. Harold Pearson PREST 1334 served with the 37th Infantry Battalion in World War 1 and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry action on October 4th 1917 at Ypres. He enlisted at Wangaratta and records indicate he resided at that time in Roy Street Wangaratta. Harold returned to Australia on 20/12/1917. Brown timber frame containing photograph of male in civilian attire wearing World War 1 RAS Badge and Military Medal.Noneharold pearson prest, 37th infantry battalion

Cutting shears used in 1907 by William Cox. Travelled to England and worked for a tailor in the West End, London for a year. Returned to Australia, married in 1908 and opened a shop in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Mrs Hooke's husband, Bernard Arthur was born at Wandinong, Canterbury Road, Blackburn and was Chairman of the Advisory Committee 1973 - 1996Long tailor's cutting shears, 35 cm. in lengthR. Henish Inventor, U.S.A.trades, tailoring

Cutting shears used in 1907 by William Cox. Travelled to England and worked for a tailor in the West End, London for a year. Returned to Australia, married in 1908. Opened a shop in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Mrs Hooke's husband, Bernard Arthur was born at Wandinong, Canterbury Road, Blackburn and was Chairman of the Advisory Committee 1973 - 1996Tailor's cutting shears, 34 cm longtrades, tailoring

3163 Pte W J Smith enlisted in to the AIF on 29 September 1915 and embarked from Fremantle on the Argylishire. On arrival Pte Smith was take on strength to Pioneer Training Battalion and was then transferred to 5 Pioneer Battalion. Pt Smith returned to Australia on the Berrima and arrived on 02 January 1919, was discharged on 22 March 1919.This Victory Medal is the original that was issued to 3163 Pte W J Smith.Victory Medal. Round bronze Medal , with ribbon.3163 Pte W J Smith. 5 Pnr Bn. A I F On the reverse of the Medal - The Great War for Civilisaztion 1914-1919.3163 w j smith, 5 pn bn, ww1

"John Patrick Kelly", No. 2077 enlisted 26/5/15 in 3rd Reinforcements 24th Battalion, age 28. Embarked 26/8/15 to Gallipoli 12/10/15 and to France 26/3/16. Wounded 5/8/16 GSW to shoulder. Returned to Australia 16/10/16 and discharged 6/5/17.Stained booklet, brown cover, 16 pages inside covering instructions, soldier's details, details of promotions or demotions and details of cash payments and will.On front - written in faint ink "Patrick Kelly...1/6 2077" Inside front cover written "John Patrick Kelly, No. 2077, 3/24 Battalion, 6th Brigade."pay book, ww1, france, john patrick kelly

Harold Hall enlisted in G Coy 10th Batt AIF on 24.8.14. Hospital on Gallipoli with Diarrhoea 9.5.15. WIA 7.8.15 GSW to the head. Transferred to 7th Field Ambulance 25.5.16. Hospital with Diarrhoea 26.12.16. Hospital with Scabies 10.4.17. Promoted to L/Cpl 25.1.18. Returned to Australia 21.4.18 for Staff duties. Discharged from the AIF 27.8.18. Medal set, court mounted, set of (3) re H. Hall. 1. 1914-15 Star. 2. War medal 1914-19. 3. Victory medal."270 L/Cpl H Hall 10 Bn A.I.F."medals, military

Certificate relates to Frank Harry WEAVER No 643. Enlisted on 25.5.1915 32nd Battalion aged 21. Discharged 8.12.1915 being medically unfit - eyesight. Enlisted 1.8.1917 in 10th Reinforcements 5th Pioneers No 3926. Embarked 3.10.1917 for England, transferred to 32nd Battalion England on 2.1.1918. Returned to Australia for discharge with Trachoma on 15.2.1918 not due to misconduct.Certificate of Discharge, D516. Yellowed parchment paper, details re name, rank, regiment no, enlistment & discharge dates, physical description. All print in black, hand written in black.certificates, discharge,

Lancelot George Edward Cleaver No 33 enlisted in the 38th Batt HQ AIF on 23.2.1916 age 33 years 9 months. Embarked for England 20.6.1916, hospital at sea 11.7.1916 with Influenza, embarked for France 22.11.1916, hospital 2.12.1916 with Influenza, hospital 26.8.1918 with PUO, returned to Australia 4.12.1918 classed Asthmatic, discharged from the AIF on 22.2.1919. Medals, court mounted, set of 2 re L G E CLEAVER 1. War Medal 1914-19, replica not engraved 2. Victory Medal2. 33 PTE L G E CLEAVER 38 BN AIFmedals, military, history

Andrew Campbell No 2053 enlisted in the 3rd reinforcements 38th Batt on 24.3.1916 age 25 years 3 months. Embark for England 25.9.1916, embark for 20.12.1916. WIA 4.3.1917 GSW’s Back and left forearm, return to Australia records stating SW’s left Thorax, left arm, hand and Buttock, discharged from the AIF 21.3.1918.Cardboard cover in light green with 2 inset photographs, Andrew Campbell & Charlotte Egan. The book is re the letters Andrew wrote to his sweetheart Charlotte (Chatty). The book is accompanied by photograph's document, etc.books - correspondence, military history - army

John Leonard Stanley Hammill No 1351 enlisted in the AIF on 14.8.14 in 2nd reinforcements 7th Batt age 22 years 2 months. Embarked for Egypt 2.2.15, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, WIA 8.5.15 GSW to arm, hospitalised in Malta then England, returned to Australia 8.10.15, discharged from the AIF 26.6.16. Refer 368P, 369..1) 50th Anniversary Medallion Bronze circular in shape One side has a crown a top of Simpson and His Donkey with leaf arrangement, under them a scroll with lettering “1915 ANZAC” Other side a crown over a map of AUST/NZ with a southern cross with a scroll with space for an Individual name' .2) Black case with purple felt lining for 396.1.J.L.S HAMMILLnumismatics-badges-military, commemorative, anzac 50 years

WW1 diary, notes and photographs of Private Herbert William Cripps. Covers the period from October 1916 until October 1919. Includes a list of "autographs" of participants collected by Cripps on the evening before the attack on St Quentin Canal. Cripps departed Melbourne onboard HMAT Nestor 2 October 1916, and returned to Australia in January 1919. Black, soft-covered notebook, loose-leaf notes and (four) photographs. WW1 diary of Herbert Cripps (2660 - 60th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement).herbert william cripps, 60 battalion, 58 battalion, photographs, diaries, st quentin canal