This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 3426, of the 37th Battalion, (8th Reinforcements) who was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 12th August, 1918. Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', this plaque was given to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service in WW1. 1914-1918 Memorial Plaque In early 1920 it was announced that the next-of-kin of all Australian servicemen and women whose deaths were attributable to the First World War would receive a memorial plaque and scroll "as a solace for bereavement and as a memento". The memorial plaques were not uniquely Australian. In fact they were designed and produced in Britain and issued to commemorate all those who died as a result of war service from within the British Commonwealth. The idea for the plaques was originally conceived mid-way through the war. In 1917 a competition was announced to obtain a suitable design and 800 entries were eventually received. The winner, Mr. E. Carter Preston of Liverpool, England, was chosen in 1918. He was awarded a prize of 250 pounds. Mr Manning Pike directed the manufacture of the memorial plaques at the Memorial Plaque Factory set up at Acton, London. Some later plaques were also made at the Woolwich Arsenal. The cost of manufacturing so many plaques must have been considerable. Each plaque had the name of the soldier commemorated individually embossed (some were engraved) as part of the design. The full name was given without any indication of rank or honours to show the equality of sacrifice of all those who had lost their lives. The scroll designed to accompany the plaques was of thick paper, headed by the royal coat-of-arms, and bore the following message: "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those that come after see that his name is not forgotten". Underneath the message the serviceman or woman’s name, rank, honours and unit were written by hand in red ink. Because of the late arrival in Australia of the plaques many scrolls were sent out separately. A message from the King, "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War", was included with the scroll. The first plaques were distributed in Australia in 1922. Each plaque was sent out from Base Records Office at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne by second-class mail. Approximately 60,000 plaques were issued in Australia. Families of deceased members of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army Nursing Service also received plaques and scrolls This plaque is significant because it commemorates the death of an Australian soldier on active service in World War 1. It is representative of some 60,000 issued to next of kin of soldiers killed in World War 1. Although Richard Harness was living at 52 Victoria Street, Abbotsford when enlisted, together with a scroll from the King, it was donated by a Frankston Family.This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Australian Army private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 03426, of the 37th battalion, 8th re-inforcement. Harkness was killed in action on 12th August, 1918, near the French village of Proyart, during the 3rd Division's advance along the Somme Valley. further details can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51477 Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', these plaques were awarded to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service during WW1. refer to link for further information : http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/memorial_scroll/plaque.aspAround the edge are the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' On the righthand side of the plaque is the name of the soldier, in this case Richard Evans Harkness.commemorative, memorial, plaque, dead, man s, penny, king s, richard, evans, harkness

Letter to serviceman (Neil ?) from the President of the Returned Sailor's Soldier's and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, Frankston Branch. Signed by P Langford as Presidentletter, document

Portrait of Thomas Richard Cook, 7465, who departed overseas 9/1/1915 and returned to Australia on 22/9/1919Studio portrait of World War 1 soldier, Thomas Richard Cook, seated on stool, with cane.Notation on obverse, "Thomas Richard Cook/TPI Pensioner Deceased 23/3/74/Presented to RSL/from Mrs V Cook/Phone 783 1193"ww1, portrait, soldier, thomas richard cook

A standard Australian Army issue kitbag used by soldiers to carry essential equipment such as bedding, toiletries, spare clothes, etc. This kitbag (also referred to as a 'sausage kit' was issued to James Ellis Liebe, service number VX21644.Liebe J E VX21644

Pocket book size with buff grey linen hardcover imprinted with black lettering. Example of the New Testament that was presented to members of the Victorian Contingent of the Australian Imperial Force during World War 1. The inside front cover has a label insert with a printed message "Printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society and signed Fred G Barley, Gen Sec. Melbourne 1916". The opening pages have a blue stamped imprint with the following inscription "Presbyterian Soldiers' Institute Royal Park Camp" in an oval shaped border. Book published by the British and Foreign Bible Society, 146 Queen Victoria Street, London. The front cover has the following inscription in black print, "NEW TESTAMENT".

Small, packaged First Field Dressing issued to Australian and British service personnel during World War 1. The package is made of a tough, protective (waterproof?) fabric and comes complete with a safety pin for use as a bandage. These were carried by soldiers and used for initial treatment of wounds. This item has a printed label with instructions for use and was packaged by John Tye & Son, London in May (?) 1917.There is a label affixed to this item with the following inscription printed in black: "War Office", "Medical Division", "First Field Dressing", "JOHN TYE & SON, London, May (?) 1917"world war 1, ww1, dressing

Printed paper booklet with information and details relating to military service. This booklet has been used to record details such as training, awards, equipment issues, leave taken, medical information and family contacts. This booklet has a folded page insert slip which has been pasted in the 'record of personal issues' section. This booklet is showing signs of extensive use and is in very poor condition.AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES Soldier's Record of Service Book A.A.B. 83 (introduced July 1943)

Example of Australian Army standard issue belt worn by soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. The belt is jungle green in colour with multiple mounting points for special clips which hold a variety of pouches.

Example of Australian Army standard water canteen complete with carrying pouch issued to soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. The pouch and canteen are jungle green in colour and are worn attached to the webbing belt issued to defence personnel. refer item 00289.1.

Example of Australian Army standard issue mess cup for holding cooked food used by soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. The mess cup is lightweight alloy designed to fit the standard issue water canteen also issued. The cup has a folding handle for ease of carrying and can be used to carry hot food.

Example of Australian Army standard issue belt worn by soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. This belt is fitted with a pouch for carrying the standard water canteen and is complete with the standard issue water canteen and mess cup.

Example of Australian Army standard issue water canteen carried by soldiers during the 1990s. The water canteen is jungle green in colour and is carried in a special pouch made from camouflage material. The water canteen fits into a mess cup which is also carried in the pouch.

Example of Australian Army standard issue ammunition pouch carried by soldiers during the 1990s. This special pouch made from camouflage material. The pouch can carry a set of folding dixies which are used for carrying and eating prepared food.

Example of Australian Army standard issue small gear pack carried by soldiers during the 1990s. This pack is commonly referred to as a 'bum pack' and is made from camouflage material. The pack is used to carry a variety of items of equipment.

Example of Australian Army standard issue pouch used by soldiers to carry a water canteen during the 1990s. The pouch made from camouflage material and can be attached to other webbing equipment by the use of special clips.

Example of Australian Army standard issue small pouch carried by soldiers during the 1990s. This special pouch made from camouflage material. The pouch would typically be used to carry a compass or wound dressing.