Showing 1274 items
matching australian military history
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Watch Cover, 1942
Watch Protector owned by Louis Everett and used by him during World War II. It was previously in the Mitcham RSL collection.|Donated to the R.S.L. by Louis Everett's daughter Lyn Davey.Leather wrist watch protector. Brown leather watch band with a cover to protect the watch face. The cover has a metal Australian Commonwealth Military Force badge on it.Australian Commonwealth Military Forcesmilitary history, army, costume accessories, male -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Medal - War Medals
War Medals WWI|Cpl S.M.S. Chambers 548|Veterinary Corps A.I.F. Aust. Light Horse|Donated to Mitcham R.S.L.Rectangular box with glass lid, lined with green felt on base (Memory Box).|Two medals - British War Medal and Victory Medal.|Australian Light Horse - Veterinary Corps A.I.F (Regimental No. 548) belonging to Cpl S.M.S. ChambersBoth metals inscribed: 548 Cpl S.M.S. Chambers Vet C.P.S. A.I.F.|Medal 1: Gold coloured - 'The Great War for Civilisation 1914 - 1919'.|Medal 2: Silver coloured - Front 1914 - 1918; Back George IVs V Britain Rex EI IND IMP 002773 in Australia|Box metal coloured. Medals Minted.military history, army, numismatics, medals - military -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Flag - Australian Red Ensign
British Red Ensign. Red flag with Union Jack in the left hand top corner. Rope threaded through placket on left side of flag with toggle on one end.Tom Wright Captain O.M. Watts Ltd London W1military history, navy, flags, maritime -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - School Project, Memories of an Australian Soldier, 1/06/1997 12:00:00 AM
Photocopy of Luther College Year 10 history project describing several war memorials and researching the story of Sergeant Charles Samuel Hall whose name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial. He served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front but contracted tuberculosis and died at the Australian Military Hospital, Harefield Park in Middlesex. The report includes information about tuberculosis and relates the disease to the conditions in Gallipoli and in France. A report on the Battle of Pozieres is included. 70p. Maps. Photographs.hall, charles samuel, world war 1914-1918. battle of poziers, war memorials -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Certificate - Certificate of Exemption
... certificates military history army Australian Military Forces ...Belonged to the late grandmother of Sandy Robinson, Wife of Tony Robinson, MP, Member for Mitcham.Certificate of Exemption - to certify that Edward Pearce of 28 Deakin Street, Hampton, Vic, is medically unfit for service in the Citizens Forces under Defence Act 1903-1939.Australian Military Forcesdocuments, certificates, military history, army -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book, Official History Of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 Vol xii.|Photographic Record of the War, 1923
Red covered book of photographs of Australians' activities during the Great War - 1914-1918.Mt. Gambier Christmas 1923.books, history/local history, military -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Certificate -Salute to the Gippsland Regiment
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. -
Unions Ballarat
The story of conscription in Australia, Jauncey, Leslie Cyril, 1935
An account of World War I conscription conflicts. Relevant to history of World War I and opposition to military conscription.Paper; book; 365 pagesbtlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, world war i, conscription, military, anti-conscriptionism -
Unions Ballarat
Homebush Boy - A Memoir, Kenneally, Thomas, 1995
Autobiography of Australian author, Thomas Kenneally. From the first paragraph: "For this is not an exhaustive tale of boyhood but of the one reckless, sweet, divinely hectic and subtly hormonal year. That is, in my case, 1952. It seems to outweigh the other years, to be the most succulent and the most dangerous."Autobiographical interest. Relevant to Australian literary history.Paper; book. Front cover: full-colour photograph of a child in a military uniform; white text. Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, kenneally, thomas, kenneally, thomas michael, memoir, autobiography, 1952 -
Unions Ballarat
Enemies within : Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Sandline Crisis: the inside story, O'Callaghan, Mary-Louise, 1999
Julian Chan's government attempted to resolve the Bougainville Civil War using diplomatic means and eventually by military force. These attempts brought down the Chan government.Relevant to the political history of Papua New Guinea and the region. Paper; book. Front cover: black background; black and white military photograph; black and white text.Front cover: author name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, chan, julian, chan, sir julian, prime ministers - papua new guinea, sandline crisis, sandline affair, civil wars, politics, history, bougainville civil war, papua new guinea -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Booklet - Personal Documentation Booklet, WWII, Australian Military Forces, 1944
Belonged to THOMPSON NORMAN VOISEY JAMES who served in WWII. His service Number - VX111547 : Date of birth - 17 Feb 1918 : Place of birth - WONTHAGGI VIC : Place of enlistment - IN THE FIELD WA : Next of Kin - THOMPSON A According to inscriptions within the book, Thompson was discharged on 27 December 1945. His home address was 10 Clarke St Prahran VIC. He was a fitter and turner and went on to work for EA Machin & Co 535 Elizabeth St Melbourne as a mechanical fitter after the war.Small brown rectangular booklet containing personal documentation of NV Thompson VX111547, including passport size photo x 2, enlistment details, training records, medical history, Q record, record of leave. The cover has only handwritten inscriptions in blue ink and pencil. Stored within a brown coated canvas storage pouch with single flap.Multiple inscriptions both typed and handwritten. Front cover: "N.V. THOMPSON" in blue ink. Below that, 'Mrs Vera Evans / 403 Nth Terrace / West Burnie / Tasmania / Plumber / Wilson St Burnie" in pencil. -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Equipment Bugle, Unknown
The Charge at Beersheba is said to be one of the last Cavalry Charges in military history. A key point in Australian history during WW1.Brass Bugle stamped on the top " Australian Light Horse Charge at Beersheba October 31st 1917".As above. Information stamped onto the bugle could have been added at a later date. -
Unions Ballarat
Strange Birds in Paradise : A West Papuan Story, Nicolai, Jamie, 2009
Blurb from the back: While the Indonesian army continues to dominate the indigenous inhabitants of West Papua, Hill-Smith records the fate of West Papuans trying to maintain village life against a backdrop of covert military violence. In the West Papuan highlands, Hill-Smith - an Australian writer, cartoonist and comedian - hears stories of escape, oppression and exile and listens to the defiant songs of murdered musician and independence hero Arnold Ap. Together with friends Donny Roem, a recent exile, and Jacob Rumbiak, a child soldier in the West Papuan resistance movement, Hill-Smith returns to Melbourne to record outlawed folk songs with renowned Australian rock musicologist David Bridie. An extraordinary story of an imaginative, adaptable culture confronting tyranny with the joyful power of art, music and self-expression.Relevant to the history of West Papua and the Indonesian military presence and violence. Use of music to draw attention to the issues faced by West Papua.DVDFront cover: Title, rating (M), picture of winged West Papuan Man with guitar, "Winner Best Doco SBS IF award 2010". Back cover: Precis of content, website for producer company, names of contributors, directors, editors, etc.btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, west papua, indonesia, war, songs, animations, military violence -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, Lakes Post Newspaper, 1/03/1996 12:00:00 AM
Also a black and white photograph taken at the same time at New Works Jetty another R I B shown in distance Nine members were involved in training 04877.1 10 x 15 cmBlack and white photograph of Cpl Amir Tito Mick Allen and Giz McKechnie of Australian Army training in a Rigid Inflatable boat on Cunninghame Arm Lakes Entrance Victoriamilitary history, people, r a a f, world war 1939 - 1945 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Australian War Memorial. Treasures from a Century of Collecting, 2012
Tells the story of one of the most significant military history collections in the world. Covers Gallipoli to the jungles of Vietnam, from two world wars to peacekeeping operations and current conflicts. Written by Nola Anderson.Book: Dark mustard hard cover book with title done in white print on front; side has title, author and Australian War Memorial emblem. Dust cover is white thick card with title and author printed in white on a back drop of the memorial plaque and poppies. Side has same background and same print as on book; back cover has 3 paragraphs of writing in white, Australian War Memorial emblem. 612 pages.australian war memorial, second world war, war in the pacific, korea, vietnam, australia's peacekeeping commitments, conflict in the middle east -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - McGrath, 1918 circa
William 'Lauchie' McGrath, an accountant with Australian Mercantile Land & Finance (AML&F), enlisted in AIF in September 1914. He was posted to 8th Light Horse regiment with the No 268 and rank of trooper. He rose through the ranks, serving at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine reachin the rank of Captain/Adjutant of the regiment. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. McGrath wrote the History of the regiment (See 3091.901) Following his return to Australia he took up farming in the Upper Murray, On 10 February 1924, a community picnic was being held at a creek below his Jingellic homestead when a maniac armed with a rifle came out of the scrub and proceeded to shoot indiscriminately int the party. No reason was ever given but it was presumed that he wanted to kill one man who was not among the five he hit. McGrath got the women and children into the creek and organised the other wounded - he had already been hit in the chest - into cover before running over open ground for his rifle in the house. In all he stopped five bullets but the gunman bolted once McGrath appeared with his own weapon.Some weeks later he was captured getting milk from a dairy and declared insane. One of the five victims died that day, one some months later, one had to use a stick for the rest of his life and McGrath was forced to give up the farm and return to his old job as an accountant. He was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society of NSW and the silver medal of the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of NSW. The latter body felt the water in the creek made it appropriate to also make the award. McGrath enlisted again in World War Two, serving firstly as 2/ic Broadmeadows Camp and later 2/ic the Officer Commanding 12th Garrison Battalion. Framed black and white photograph of mounted officer with tents in background.Across lower edge of frame "Capt. McGrath. MC.. MID. 8th Australian Light Horse"mcgrath, 8th, light horse, garrison, royal humane society nsw -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Uniform - Framed plumes
The practice of wearing emu plumes in hats began with the Queensland Mounted Infantry. It is thought to have begun when the unit was engaged in suppression of the Shearers’ Strike of 1891. It remained a Queensland tradition till 1915 when other AIF units of the Light Horse began to do the same. After some dispute and discussion, the practice was approved provided the soldiers paid for their own plumes. Some regiments did not take up plumes: 6th and 7th LH continued to wear wallaby fur puggarees; 4th LH refused plumes because of the association with anti-unionism. The post-war militia adopted plumes and today all Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) regiments wear emu plumes in slouch hats. In the 1950s 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and some other RAAC regiments wore an emu plume tuft behind the regimental badge on black berets. Framed Emu feathers with the use of, with news item on history of the Light HorseKangaroo feathersmilitary, light horse, queensland, plumes, emu, wwi, world war one, hat -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Award - history trophy, 1993 circa
This trophy was presented to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles to be presented to the officer presenting the best essay or military history presentation by Captain John McLean, a serving office with the regiment between 1958 and 1993. It was only presented twice and probably lapsed soon after the linking of the regiment with 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse; 1992 Lieutenant H Burvill, 1994 Lieutenant M Jarrett. The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Fine example of efforts to promote the study of military history by regimental officers.Octagonal wooden plaque with octagonal brass medallion of Sir John Monash and plastic plates recording donor and winners of annual competition."Monash trophy awarded for V.M.R. Officer best annual essay or military history presentation. Presented by Captain J.F. McLean R.F.D. E.D. 1958 - 1993 'Peace is having friends with weapons' "officer, military history, vmr, mclean, monash -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Document - History VMR South Africa
The Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as the mounted arm of the Victorian Colonial defence force in 1885. It was under the command of Colonel Thomas Caradoc Rose (Tom) Price (1842-1911). Price was born in Tasmania, educated in Hobart Town and at Scotch College, Melbourne, before entering the East India Military College, Addiscombe, England. He was commissioned on 7 July 1861 in the Madras Infantry and began twenty years’ service in India with several regiments, retiring in April 1883. On his return to Victoria he was tasked with raising of a force of one thousand, to be known as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the Permanent Military Forces. Companies of the Victorian Mounted Rifles were raised in rural districts throughout Victoria. The soldiers were paid a small annual allowance and were required to provide their own horse. Many members served in contingents to the Boer War. After Federation the VMR was gathered up into the Australian Light Horse. Photocopy of a single page typed document relating to the Victorian Mounted Rifles in South Africa 1899-1902.light horse, vmr, south africa, boer war, history -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Book, An introduction to the study of the principles of war
An introduction lecture to the study of the principles of war drawing on examples from history.Green soft covered booklet, 22 pages, thermal binding.non-fictionAn introduction lecture to the study of the principles of war drawing on examples from history.history, principles, war, macklin -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Book, Tanks against Japan
A series of study notes covering the military campaign in Papua and New Guinea during the Second World War.Green soft covered booklet, 46 pages, compressed plastic binding strip.non-fictionA series of study notes covering the military campaign in Papua and New Guinea during the Second World War.wwii, new guinea, papua, world war two, history, graham, japan, tank, india, burma, borneo -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Book - Roll 2/1st Light Tank
Published by Mostly Unsung Military History Research.Soft cover booklet, " 21st Independent Light Tank Squadron, Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll " Six pages,staple boundtank, roll, wwii, world war two, aif -
Wangaratta High School
Rats of Tobruk Association Shield, 1945
The Rats of Tobruk Association, Inc, Victoria was formed in September, 1945. The Association was open for those Servicemen who had Served at, and during, the Longest Siege in British Military History - the Siege of Tobruk - 240 Days, between April10th and December 10th 1941 in WW2 and who were fortunate enough to return to Australia at the end of hostilities. Of approximately 14,000 Australians involved in the Siege of Tobruk, 559 were KIA, 2450 were WIA and 941 became a POW. Brown wooden lacquered shield with the Rats of Tobruk Association symbol (brown rat on gold circle with white ad gold scrolls surrounding with the name of the association printed upon) overlaying a yellow T below a crown. Below the symbol is the motto 'no surrender'.THE RATS OF TOBRUK ASSOCIATION NO SURRENDER -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book, Australia at Arms, 1955
... History of Australian military forces WW1 and WW2... melbourne History of Australian military forces WW1 and WW2 ...History of Australian military forces WW1 and WW2 -
Melbourne Legacy
Book, AUSTRALIA'S RECORD, c.1920
Pictorial and written record of Australian generals in World War 1. From Trove it is 'Record of the Australian Imperial Force in the Great War 4th August 1914 - 28th June 1919' by J.W. Sanders. Published in approximate 1920. More details to be added. TBA and check locationShows British and Foreign honours bestowed on generals, and commands held in the Australian Army during World War 1.A bound green ledger of Australia's generals in the first world war.Title printed in capital letters and underlined with an arc, gold lettering. Badge of the Rising Sun and inscription underneath badge (AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES) printed in gold lettering.world war one, australian imperial force, history -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: ORDER OF AUSTRALIA BOOKLET
Brochure pertaining to the Order of Australia. The inside shows the variations of medals including Soverign's Badge, Companion (AC)~ General Division, Officer (AO) ~ Military Division, Member (AM) ~ General Division, Medal Of the Order (OAM) ~ Military Division.person, individual, peter ellis oam -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES 38TH BATTALION AIF PRESENTATION OF COLOURS JUNE 11, 1916, 11th June, 1916
Card and Paper Booklet Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 38th Battalion Australian Imperial Force. Presentation of Colours by His Excellency The Right Hon. Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, P.C. G.C.M.G. Governor-General and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia, on behalf of The Citizens of Bendigo Sunday June 11, 1916 at 3pm. Regimental Staff: Lieut-Colonel C.H. Davis Commanding; Major R.O. Henderson 2nd in Command; Captain A. Fraser Adjutant; Captain J.M. McCusker Medical Officer; Captain R.M. Marks Quartermaster, Captain W.N. Gunson Chaplain; R.S.M. Warrant Officer P.S. Spark; R.Q.M.S Warrant Officer P.J. Telfer Orderly Room Sergeant H.W. Joseph; Band Sergeant J.J. Coe; Armourer Sergeant A.Runting. On Parade with Colours:- Lieut, F.E. Fairweather King's Colours; Lieut, J.H. Moore Regimental Colour. Companies Present (A. Company) - Captain G.V. Lansell, O.C; Captain R.E. Trebilcock; Lieut F.E. Fairweather; Lieut, L. Lipshut; Lieut, W.J. Collins 2nd Lieut C.H. Peters. (B Company) Captain L.L. Smith, O.C; Captai, E.F. Moore; Lieut, H. Dench; Lieut, E. W. Latchford; 2nd Lieut, F.C. Morrison; 2nd Lieut, F.R.B. Martin. (C: Company) Major G. Hurry, O.C., Captain J. Akeroyd; Lieut, R.D. Tyres; 2nd Lieut, J.L. Whitehead; 2nd Lieut W. Maxwell; 2nd Lieut H. McColl. (D Company) Captain A.J.A. Maudsley O.C.; Captain H.F. Selleck; Lieut J.H. Moore; 2nd Lieut W.L. Bogle; 2nd Lieut W. Williams; 2nd Lieut A.L. Reid. (Reinforcements) 1st/38th Lieut W.H. Orchard, O.C.; Machine Gun Section 2nd Lieut J.B. O'Donnell. T.E. Green, Hon. Secretary.bendigo, clubs, australian imperial force 38th bat -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - PHOTO OF JAMES MADDERN IN BLACK AND WHITE AND DESCRIPTION OF MILITARY UNIFORM
Black and White Photocopy of a portrait photo of James Maddern in military dress, taken by S.T. King, in Williamson St Sandhurst. Uniform description: red shirt with gold buttons and braid, red hat on shelf, dark navy pants, white sash, belt and gloves, sabre and spurs. ? Local Regiment. No date.Photographer S.T. King Williamson St Sandhurst?australia, military, bendigo photogrpher s.t. king, harcourt granite quarries j. blight and co. proprietors envelope supplied documents -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Vehicle - Kayak, Commandos
The remarkable story when 74 soldiers fought in vain to save the lives of their mates off Portsea as 3 soldiers died. Tragically, Privates Roger Wood and Edward Meyer, and Warrant Officer George "Taffy" Drakopoulos, died. Please Note: "The Rip" is also known as "The Heads", which is a dangerous stretch of water connecting Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. This is the only entrance for all shipping into Port Phillip Bay and to and from the Port of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Kayak of a similar type as those used during the ill-fated army exercise with loss of life in the rip.rip disaster, commandos, kayak, military history - army -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BASIL WATSON
Basil George Watson was an aviation pioneer born in Bendigo 12/10/1893. The family moved to Melbourne when he was a child. In 1914 he went to England to work as an engineer for the Sopwith Aviation Company. He also took flying lessons and received his licence in 1915. He now worked as a test pilot for Sopwith but when a crash rendered him unfit for military duty, he returned to Australia in late 1915. He designed and constructed his own biplane in the back yard of his Elsternwick home. At the end of 1916 he tested his plane by flying from Point Cook to Bendigo and then to Melbourne. This included an aviation display in Bendigo. He followed this by flying to Warnambool 25/1/1916. He then set up an experimental airmail flight from Melbourne to Mount Gambier. On 28th March 1917, Watson was demonstrating aerobatics for the entertainment of AIF servicemen at Point Cook, when his plane collapsed and fell into the ocean close to shore. Unfortunately, Watson was tangled in the plane's wires and died. On hearing of his death, the bells of St Pauls in Bendigo and the Bendigo fire bell tolled.A paper detailing the life of Bendigo pilot Basil Watson, one of the first Australian pilots. 4 pages.aviation, basil watson, sopwith