Stone from Abbey ruins at Mont St. Quentin, captured by the 21st Battalion A.I.F. on 1st Sept. 1918 & presented to the Myrtleford Sub-Branch by the Twenty-First Battalion Association, 20th November, 1971.The Stone is from the Abbey at Mont St. Quentin, captured by the 21st Battalion, 2nd Division A.I.F., on the 1st Sept. 1918. A Battle described by General Sir Henry Rawlinson, Commander, British Fourth Army as "The finest single feat of the War". During this Battle Sergeant "Alby" Lowerson, from Myrtleford was awarded the Victoria Cross for leading several men to capture a group of enemy machine guns that were holding up the advance. The Stone was presented in 1971 by members of the 21st Battalion Association, (named on the reverse side) to Myrtleford Sub-Branch R.S.L. Stone mounted on wooden board.Board inscribed with details of the mounted stone, with the names of those present on the reverse.world war 1, ww1, 21st battalion aif, 2nd australian division, western front, mont st quentin, sgt. a.d. lowerson v.c., myrtleford rsl

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

John Alexander Young V82835 DOB 14.10.1899 LieutenantAustralian War Medal 1939-1945 The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945. The stripes signify the dark blue of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, red to represent the service of the Army and the light blue of the Air Force J.A. Young V82835

WALTHALL Robert Barratt DOB 29/03/1899 CorporalAustralian War Service Medal 1939-1945 circular shape. The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force respectivelyN388579 R.B. WALTHALL The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’

VX 82280 MITCHELL, Douglas Private DOB 28/04/1918Medals on bar War Medal 1939-1945 Pacific Star 1939-1945 1939-1945 Star Australian Service Medal Africa Star with 8th Army badgeVX 82880 MITCHELL, D

Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and record the service given. The British War Medal 1914-20 was awarded as follows: Navy: 28 days mobilised service in Australia, at sea or overseas during prescribed periods. Army: Entered theatres of war during specified periods or left places of residence and rendered approved service overseas. Mercantile Marine: Awarded to the men and women of the Mercantile Marine who served at least six months at sea between 4th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. Licensed Pilots, Fishermen and crews of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities' Vessels, and of Post Office Cable Ships were also eligible. Those eligible also included members of women's organisations; persons on the staffs of military hospitals and members of recognised organisations who handled sick and wounded; and members of other duly recognised or other authorised organisations as specified in medal regulations. The qualification period of service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920. The ribbon has a wide central watered stripe of orange, flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are in turn flanked by two black pin-stripes, further flanked by two outer stripes of blue. The colours have no particular significance. The medal is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914 and 1918 are contained on the outside edge medal.GEORGIVS V BRITT OMN:REX ET IND:IMP: 2186 FRASER, Thomasbritish war medal, medal, first world war, world war one, ww1

1939 - 1945 Star War Medal 1939 - 1945 Pacific Star Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945HARDIE, Ronald Waiter Australian Army NX 173949 (N461719) DOB 28.5.1925 DOE 17.7.1943 19 Australian Infantry Battalion

Stories from Australian fighting men. Successor to "Active Service" and "Soldier On"Hardcover book, khaki green cover

With the Australian Army in the South-West PacificBrown hardcover booklogo in gold of soldier in jungle on front cover on inside front cover the name N.E.Gulliver

Vietnam War veteran An enthralling account of an Australian infantryman and his companions in the Vietnam War. On Friday 8th March 1968, 20-year-old Gary McKay lost the lottery. He was conscripted. From a comfortable and carefree life of surfing and rugby football, he was drafted into the deadly serious preparation for war in the jungles of South Vietnam. In Good Company is his story told in his own words. It begins with induction and selection for the officer academy for national servicemen at Scheyville, a six-month 'pressure cooker' course which produced second lieutenants ready to lead troops into action against the Viet Cong. It ends three and a half years later with a burst of NVA machine-gun fire during a battle among enemy-held bunkers in the hills of Nui Le. Here is a grass-roots account of the blood, sweat and tears shared by a rifle platoon in jungle warfare, a straightforward story of the fears and the camaraderie which soldiers experience in combat. Gary McKay fashioned this account from his experience in action, leading his platoon. The detail is provided from the 80 letters he wrote to his wife while he served. He wrote his story for the reader who wants to know what the soldier on the ground went through - in the fetid jungle, in battle. Anyone who wants to understand what service in South Vietnam meant to those who were there should read this book. 'Reading In Good Company leaves a vivid and disconcerting impression of how the Vietnam War smelt, felt and sounded. One of the most honest and affecting war memoirs which Australians have so far published.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times 'An enthralling, accurate account of infantry soldiering in the Vietnam era. Very readable; a must for those who have never experienced combat and a vivid reminder for all veterans.' - Major General M. P. Blake, AM, MC, former CO 5th Battalion RARGary John McKay MC (born 1947) is a writer and former Australian Army officer. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during the Vietnam War.[1] He later served as Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment between 1988 and 1990Soft cover non fiction book

Photographhorse, light horse, a.i.f, officer, australian infantry force, australia, ww1, world war 1, army, war

Capt M Higgins (Killed at Magdhaba Dec 1916)war, army, world war 1, ww1, australia, australian infantry force, a.i.f, soldier, captain m higgins

light horse, australian infantry force, a.i.f, australia, ww1, world war 1, army, war

light horse, horse, australia, ww1, world war 1, army, war, a.i.f, australian infantry force

Captain Talbot on a donkey. The donkey was often a figure of fun among soldiers in the Middle East. captain talbot, donkey, ww1, world war 1, light horse, soldier, australian, army, war

Warrant Officer Class One Ron Almond served on the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cadre staff before being posted as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in 1969. There he was posted as adviser to 17th Armored Cavalry Squadron. He later returned to 8/13 VMR as Regimental Sergeant Major. The AATTV was a specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was formed solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. Initially numbering only approximately 30 men, the size of the unit grew several times over the following years as the Australian commitment to South Vietnam gradually grew, with the unit's strength peaking at 227 in November 1970. Members of the team worked individually or in small groups, operating throughout the country from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the north. Later they were concentrated in Phước Tuy Province as Australian forces prepared to withdraw from Vietnam. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam; its members received over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, during its existence. The unit was withdrawn from Vietnam on 18 December 1972 and was disbanded in Australia on 16 February 1973. A total of 1,009 men served with the unit over a period of ten years, consisting of 998 Australians and 11 New Zealanders. Representative of a connection between Australian Army Reserve and South Vietnam.Wooden shield with coloured plastic emblem mounted at centre and engraved metal plate below.Presented to / 8/13 VMR OR's Mess / By Ex RSM 8/13 VMR / WO1 Ronald M Almond / 17th Armoured Cavalry Sqn / Advisory team 116 / Republic of Vietnam / May 1969-May 1970military, cadre, aattv, vietnam, cavalry, armour, almond

Helmet of a type worn by soldiers the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, commonly known by Australians as the Vietcong, was an armed communist political organization in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Its military force, the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, fought against the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War, eventually emerging on the winning side. The LASV had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory the Việt Cộng controlled. During the war, communist insurgents and anti-war activists insisted the Việt Cộng was an insurgency indigenous to the South, while the U.S. and South Vietnamese governments portrayed the group as a tool of North Vietnam. The helmet usually had a waterproof cover often with camouflage scrim.Representative if the uniform of the guerrilla forces opposing Australian forces in Vietnam.Sun helmet with red star mounted centre front.military, helmet, vietnam, vietnam war, guerrilla

All three men had a long association with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John Neale served in RAN during WWII; post war he joined 8/13 VMR as a trooper in 1948. He rose through the ranks to command the regiment in 1972-76, and later became Honorary Colonel. Ron Almond served in WWII; following the war he joined the Regular Army and served several postings to the Cadre Staff of 8/13 VMR including a post as Regimentla Sergeant Major. He also served with the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam. Bill Woolford served in the Royal Marines in WWII; post war he migrated to Australia joining the Victoria Police and was posted to Wodonga. He joined 8/13 VMR and served as Squadron Sergeant Major 'A' Squadron.Colour photograph of Colonel John Neale and former 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers Ron Almond and Bill Woolford at Buna Barracks 29 April 1990neale, almond, woolford, vmr, albury, aattv, buna barracks

This slouch hat was worn at the 75th Anniversary of Beersheba parade at the Australian War Memorial, 31 October 1992. VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse provided the Honour Guard under the command of Captain Kelvin Robertson. It was the first occasion on which slouch hats and plumes were worn by the regiment. In 1992, all Corps in the Australian Army were ordered to wear slouch hats. This was a reaction to the high incidence of skin cancer in soldiers. Berets were thought to offer inadequate sun protection. Slouch hats were not practical in AFVs. Not all crewmen had access to helmets, so berets continued to be worn in vehicles. Slouch hats were worn for parade ground and general barracks work. RAAC acknowledged its Light Horse ancestry by wearing the emu plumes. Life continued in this way till 2010 when the wearing of berets was banned. Special Forces were exempt because it was argued they had a special relationship with the beret. Armoured Corps was outraged. Their relationship with the ‘black hat’ went back nearly a century. Submissions and argument ensued until the current workable arrangement was reached where a CO can authorize the wearing of berets but recognising that the slouch hat is the formal Australian Army head dress. Slouch hat with emu plumes and silver Victorian Mounted Rifles badge over and red backing on turned up side.military, hat, plumes, vmr, robertson

British 1907 pattern bayonet and .303 Lee Enfield rifle was standard issue to the armies of many Commonwealth countries including Australia, in World War One (1914-1918), World War Two (1939-1945), and Korean War (1950-1953). In Australia it was replaced by the 7.62mm Self-loading rifle (SLR) in 1960.British 1907 pattern bayonet with leather scabbard with metal fittings. XOA and L 43 under 1907 with Slazenger on handleworld war one, weapon, bayonet, british, lee enfield

The 7.62mm self loading rifle (SLR) was introduced to the Australian Army in 1962 replacing the .303 Lee Enfield Magazine rifle. For Australia, the SLR was the main infantry weapon of the Vietnam War era (1962-1972).L1A2 bayonet for use with 7.62mm self-loading rifle (SLR), together with plastic scabbard.bayonet, weapon, slr

The members of the brass band are wearing army uniform from World War 1. A black and white photograph with a cream border of an army brass band made up of fourteen men.australian army, brass bands

Items contributed by service men, for their families at home.Hard back Green Material Cover, Print mostly in Khaki Except on Front where Khaki is in Green on Khaki Rectangle. Book 3 in series of 6 published for the Australian Military Forces by The Australian War Memorial Canberra A.C.T. during WW2.Khaki and Green with the Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Relates soldiers' experiences since October 1942 Covering the African desert and Papua Campaignsstawell ww2

This is the story of how the people of Boroondara experienced World War 1. It is a story of great loss, pain and struggle, but also a community that came together to provide strength and support to each other in dark and uncertain times.This is the story of how the people of Boroondara experienced World War 1. It is a story of great loss, pain and struggle, but also a community that came together to provide strength and support to each other in dark and uncertain times.australian army, australain imperial force, world war 1914-1918 casualties, world war 1914-1918 recruiting enlistments etc, world war 1914-1918 participation, world war 1914-1918 social aspects, world war 1914-1918 biography

Includes CD of Commemorative Ceremony of ANZAC (audio disc) An educational Resource developed by Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), to assist with learning about commemorating Australia's century of war service. Provides history of ANZAC Day commemorations, exploring Australia's changing perspectives about the ANZAC story. Provides guidelines for running ceremonies.An educational Resource developed by Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), to assist with learning about commemorating Australia's century of war service. Provides history of ANZAC Day commemorations, exploring Australia's changing perspectives about the ANZAC story. Provides guidelines for running ceremonies.anzac day, military history, modern, remembrance day, australian and new zealand army corps, world war, 1914-1918

A chance viewing of a headstone just south of Anzac Cove in a well-kept lawned cemetery of Australian digger's headstones prompted the research into Stephen James Sweetland of Box Hill and other local diggers and resulted in this book.A chance viewing of a headstone just south of Anzac Cove in a well-kept lawned cemetery of Australian digger's headstones prompted the research into Stephen James Sweetland of Box Hill and other local diggers and resulted in this book.Front page: stamped: DONATION FROM/ BLACKBURN RSL SUB BRANCH/ 2 DIGGERS WAY/ BLACKBURN VIC 3130(mr) stephen james sweetland, world war, 1914-1918, gallipoli, anzac cove, military history, army

Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white photograph of a lady, wearing a long dark coloured dress. She has short fair hair. There is a table beside her and a picture hanging on the wall behind her.nurses, scouts, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1918, writer, loch street, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick, assoc prof william (bill) bonwick, mr john bonwick, walter hugh bonwick

Doris Lilian Wright of 214 Union Road was a milliner but joined the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) in the early war years. The Women’s Australian National Service (WANS) was inaugurated in 1940. Training for members of the WANS included air raid drills, first aid, basic military drills, and even shooting, signalling, and mechanics. AWAS on formed on 13 August 1941 with the objective of releasing more men into forward areas. The Army was particular with its recruiting and four references were required; another stipulation was that teeth were in good condition. Doris was located at Elwood. Their training area was along the foreshore and one day to their great surprise there were crowds of American Marines – "the cream of the American Army". These were the first Americans to arrive in Australia to strengthen the defence of the country. The Americans soon went north and the AWAS went off to Balcombe on the Mornington Peninsula. At this time there were no uniforms for the girls only ‘giggle’ dresses – of a non-descript colour. They were not expected to appear in public in these and wore civilian dress. Japan had just entered the war and there were more urgent demands on restricted supplies. The formal uniforms eventually arrived.A black and white photograph of a lady in an army uniform and wearing a hat.union road, surrey hills, uniforms, clothing and dress, (miss) doris wright, australian women's army service

Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white studio photo of a lady in nurse's uniform with a cape and a veil on her head.mr walter bonwick, loch street, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1919, nurses, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick

Joan Mary Bray was born 6/9/1915 in Brisbane, the daughter of Herbert Edward Bray and his wife Grace (nee Shepherd) who married in Wisbech, Cambridge in 1892. The family lived at 5 Barton Street from the late 1920s. She completed her primary schooling at Auburn Primary by travelling there by the little black bus along Canterbury Road. She then went on to Mont Albert Central School and Melbourne Girls High. Locally she belonged to the 1st Surrey Hills Girl Guide Company at Holy Trinity Church. She trained as a nurse at Epworth Hospital and in 1941 served with the army at Gaza Hospital in the Middle East, then in New Guinea. From 1944 until the end of the war she was in Bougainville. Her mother died in Surrey Hills 29/9/1945 and her father moved to Hawthorn; he died in 1955. She had 3 older sisters: Eveline Grace (1893-1978) m Eric Benson; Violet Constance (1894-1983 - ? Sister Constance in mother’s death notice); Dorothy Maud (1896 - ? Sister Ursula in mother’s death notice). After the war she was a RSSL nurse, Matron of St Gabriel’s Baby Home in Balwyn, then Director of Nursing at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne. She resigned to be married. [No success in locating her marriage, presumed to be to UNKNOWN Wicks.]Black and white head and shoulders portrait of Joan Bray. She is wearing a plain shirt or jacket.barton street, mont albert central school, auburn primary school, melbourne girls high school, girl guides, 1st surrey hills girl guide company, nurses, nursing, hospitals, health services, australian army nursing service, world wars, 1939-1945, epworth hospital, st gabriel's baby home, eye and ear hospital, (miss) joan mary bray, matron joan bray, (mrs) joan wicks