Showing 1531 items
matching wwii
-
Ballarat RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
Collection of Items collected from 88� Mile Camp (WWII)
souvenirs, ballarat rsl, ballarat -
Tramways/East Melbourne RSL Sub Branch - RSL Victoria Listing id: 27511
Tool - Australian Machete
Used for clearing way when traversing thick scrub or jungle, long grass. Cutting down saplings, bambooPlastic Handle with safety rope, Steel blade,Scabbard with claspaustralian machette as used in wwii, korea, malaysia, vietnam -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Social
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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of men, women and children on social occasion at Buna Barracks, Albury. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951.Sgts' Mess Xmas Party. 1. Bill Purcell. 2. Ken Kotthoff "cmf, albury, citizen soldiers, wives, children, post-wwii -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
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.The 8th/13th Collection of photographs showing early evolution of an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces as it progressed from WWII equipment and uniforms to post-war equipment and uniforms. Silver regimental hat badges are worn in place of Rising Sun badge. Black and white photograph of a soldier sitting on a large motor cycle with trucks and tents in the background.One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Tpr. V. Martin " -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Red Robbie
Lieutenant General Sir Horace Robertson, Commander Southern Command, presenting a trophy to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Pearson, Commanding Officer of 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse at Puckapunyal, 1954Good study of soldiers of post-WWII CMF; safely stored.Black and white photograph of an officer in peak cap presenting a silver cup to an officer wearing a beret." Sir Horace Robertson 1954 "military, robertson, pearson, pwlh, puckapunyal -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
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.Collection of photographs showing early evolution of an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces as it progressed from WWII equipment and uniforms to post-war equipment and uniforms. Silver regimental hat badges are worn in place of Rising Sun badge.Black and white photograph of Staghound Armoured Car wheel-hub deep in flood water' 1956 Staghound Armoured Car settling. Exercise in Chiltern/ Rutherglen area. " -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
8/13 VMR was equipped with Ferret Scout in 1959. 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.Collection of photographs showing early evolution of an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces as it progressed from WWII equipment and uniforms to post-war equipment and uniforms. Silver regimental hat badges are worn in place of Rising Sun badge.Black and White photograph of Ferret Mk11 Scout Car parked in front of a building at Puckapunyal -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
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.Collection of photographs showing early evolution of an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces as it progressed from WWII equipment and uniforms to post-war equipment and uniforms. Silver regimental hat badges are worn in place of Rising Sun badge.Black and White photograph of White Scout Car heavily bogged on exercise in Chiltern Forest. Four so;diers digging the vehicle out." 1956 White Scout Car bogged in Chiltern area. " -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
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.Collection of photographs showing early evolution of an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces as it progressed from WWII equipment and uniforms to post-war equipment and uniforms. Silver regimental hat badges are worn in place of Rising Sun badge.Black and white photograph of Staghound Armoured Car heavily bogged on exercise in Chiltern Forest near Albury. Has formation sign of 2nd Armoured Brigade on right mudguard." 1956 Staghound Armrd ( sic ) exercise in Chiltern / Rutherglen area " -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Weapon - Kukri
A weapon issued to Ghurka servicement. Often purchased as a souvenir by returning servicemen from Southeast Asia and later donated as a Mess decoration.Representative of souvenirs from WWII.Large knife with inward turned blade traditionally carried by Gurkha soldiers. Sheath is wood covered by leather. Includes two much smaller knives which fit into the top of the sheath.Blade is engraved with decoration.kukri, gurkha -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Functional object - Saddle cloth 13th Light Horse
Saddle blankets matching regimental colour patch were used by light horse regiments in the period between the wars, 1920-1940. Following WWI (1914-1918) the 13th Light Horse (Gippsland) was raised as a Citizen Forces unit and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Representative of the Light Horse in the period following WWI and the beginning of WWII.Red coloured saddle blanket with white piping and embroidered number '13' and letters 'LH' near lower right edge.military, horse, saddle, light horse, 13 light horse -
Wangaratta High School
WWII replica Two-up Sets
Two-up was a betting game played by soldiers in WWI and is played on Anzac days to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers in the war effort.Two sets of two pennies. One set has a black leather case for the coins and the other has a brown wooden kip and rules sheet -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Printed display item WWII, Post WW2
Reprints of newspapers circa WW2 -
Melbourne Legacy
Film, A Weekend at Somers, 1964
A black and white film about Legacy camps, that was first shown at Legacy Club Night, 24th June 1965, with 200 people present. Last shown at Legacy Somers Camp, 14th April 1967, with 120 present. It is 23 min long and documents the routine and activities of a typical weekend at Somers, ending with a speech by Melbourne Legacy President I.W Anderson, who was President in 1964. Commentary Geoff McComas, Photography Garry Jones. This film has been digitised to preserve its content. Melbourne Legacy gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria for making this possible.Rare footage of activities run by Melbourne Legacy for boys post WWII which indicates how many children Legacy cared for both in Victoria and nationally and shows the dedication of Legatees in providing this careGreen circular tin containing 10 inch reel in regular 8 mm film. B/W and sound. Tin has cover with details of film inside, including title, running time, and some credits. Inside the tin cover there is a place of showing list, starting at 24th of June 1965 at Legacy House Club Night.Top of tin has cover with the following: MELBOURNE LEGACY / “LEGACY HOUSE” / 293 Swanston Street, Melbourne, C.1 FILM / “A WEEKEND AT SOMERS” / Black and White - Running Time 20 mins. Commentary by Geoff. McComas / Produced by B.C.J.P Return to Executive Officer “Service to Widows of Ex-Servicemen and their Children”somers camp, junior legatees -
Melbourne Legacy
Film, Legacy, 1964
A black and white film about Legacy camps, made in the 1960s it shows the routine and activities for Junior Legatees at a typical camp weekend. There is an address by the then President Ian Anderson (1964). Commentary Geoff McComas, Photography Garry Jones. This film has been digitised to preserve its content. Melbourne Legacy gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria for making this possible. See also Cat No 00006 which is a second copy of the same film and has been digitised by DamSmart 6/11/2019.Rare footage of activities run by Melbourne Legacy for boys post WWII which indicates how many children Legacy cared for both in Victoria and nationally and shows the dedication of Legatees in providing this care.Blue plastic cover with 800 feet 16mm film inside. Paper classification on cover, taped on.Cover info is as follows: CINE SERVICE PTY, LTD. / Telephone 69 7346 / 235 MORAY STREET, SOUTH MELBOURNE TITLE "LEGACY" PRODUCED FOR MELBOURNE LEGACY COLOUR / BLACK AND WHITE (tick next to box) / RUNNING TIME 20 mins. Blue handwriting reads: Please return to Melbourne (Legacy) 293 Collins St, Melbournesomers camp, junior legatees -
Melbourne Legacy
Film, "His Other Family - A Legacy"
10 minute sound and colour, which has faded to red. Begins with an unseen business man asking his secretary to ring his wife to tell her he will be late and is going to visit one of his other families. We see him driving his car, which is full of smoke from his pipe, whilst the narrator explains what Legacy does. The Legatee sheds his coat and trilby hat to play cricket with the fatherless son before having tea and cake with the widow whilst her story and that of her two children is told - details of the Legacy assistance are given. The film then moves to Legacy House where exercise classes are taking place and the smoking pipe makes a reappearance. Information about Legacy's work for the health and wellbeing of Junior Legatees is given, as well as details of the Mother's Club. The film shows the many Legacy committees at work before moving on to holidays organised for Junior Legatees at a beach side cottage - there is no indication of which city is featured at this stage but the beach could be Bondi. Widows are shown meeting at Legacy House, and then we see more elderly widows at Lady Gowrie House. Kyle Williams House for convalescent children is featured and is located near Sydney, which would indicate that the film is about Sydney Legacy. Archbold House, a hostel for girls, and Glen Mervyn House for boys are also featured, as is Cull House for boys undertaking apprenticeships. The film notes that there were 88,000 widows and children in Legacy's care, and the pipe smoking Legatee is seen driving the fatherless boy to tennis practice before the film concludes by saying that Legacy is contributing to the future of the nation. This film has been digitised to preserve its content. Melbourne Legacy gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria for making this possible.A visual record of life in Sydney after the war and the huge number of children to have lost their father in WWII. The commitment of Legacy to giving them a better childhood and the amount of work done by Legatees is impressive.Khaki coloured film cannister with yellowing label.Handwritten 'John Gray Prods' and 'His other family - A Legacy' / '16mm Comp E/Color Print'sydney, residences, junior legatee -
Melbourne Legacy
Journal - Newsletter, Legacy Girls' Club Monthly Bulletin, 1936-1937
A newsletter for Legacy girls begun in March 1936 intended to record the doings of the Girls' Club. Included articles, poems, competitions and letters to the Editor. Ceased in May 1937 due to lack of support. In June 1936 it was decided to charge 1d per copy, increased to 1 1/2d in 1937. 00078.1: No. 1, 24 March 1936 00078.2: No. 2, 21 April 1936 00078.3: No. 4, 30 June 1936 00078.4: No. 5, 28 July 1936 00078.5: No. 6, August 1936 00078.6: No. 7, September 1936 00078.7: No. 8, 9 October 1936 00078.8: No. 10, 2 March 1937 00078.9: April 1937 00078.10: May 1937 00078.11: Christmas issue (date not known)Demonstrates the activities specifically of girls in the pre-WWII period and their social expectations. References to Enez Domec-Carre. Girls club newsletters on foolscap paper, black and white, some cardboard, some stapled or pinned (subsequently removed), usually 4 pages. Possibly incomplete.newsletter, girls' club, girls' classes, activities -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Register, Junior Legacy Honour Roll
Names, addresses and comments about the WW2 service of 244 members or ex-members of Junior or Intermediate Legacy on service known to the Honour Roll Committee. There are individual cards to record the details of each junior legatee and their service at 00222. This list is a compilation of the names and addresses from those cards.A record that links Junior Legacy members with active service in the Armed Forces during WWII.White foolscap paper with black type x 5 pages of carbon copy, on yellowing paper, single sided.honour roll, junior legatee -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Memoir, Slim Wrigley [Bert's story] : Memoir of Legacy widow, Xanthoula Wrigley, 2018
The story of Herbert (Slim) Wrigley who fought in Greece in 1941 before being injured and captured. He escaped from a PoW camp near Thessaloniki and was sheltered by the Papadopoulos family in Ritini where he met Xanthoula who he ultimately married. His exploits as a partisan are detailed before he returned home to Melbourne in 1944. Xanthoula's life and family are also recorded in detail. Bert and Xanthoula were married in 1951; Bert died in 1995 and was survived by his wife who became a Legacy widow and is still with us in 2018.Brings to life the story of one of the people Legacy was set up to help, as well as giving an insight into the consequences of WWII for the people of Australia.Two .pdf files put together by Xanthoula and donated to Legacy.memoir, world war two -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Functional object - Tray
The MV Duntroon was involved in a collision that quickly sank the HMAS Goorangai with all hands in 1940 at Port Phillip Heads. First Royal Australian Navy ship to be lost with all hands in WWIISmall metal tray with shipping line logo 'M S Co. MV Duntroon' on raised badge in centreMS Co MV Duntroonmv duntroon, hmas goorangai -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Equipment - Harpoon
Harpoon belonged to Cappy Felman, one of several fishermen from Barwon Heads post WWIIMetal Harpoon tip missing handlefishing, harpoon -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Instrument - Bearing compass hand held
Formerly of Station Works, Wakering Road, Barking, Essex, Henry Browne & Son were important British compass makers. The company was founded in the nineteenth century in Barking and London. They were respected English instrument makers who made fine quality compasses, ships clocks, inclinometers, sextants and chandlery items for over 140 years. Their "Dead Beat" compass, which was well dampened to reduce oscillation, was fitted to many Allied ships during the Second World War. Sestrel was their famous Trade Mark brand. The company was sold to John Lilley & Gillie Ltd and SIRS Navigation, both UK companies, in 1993. Example of a hand held compass used in WWIIA Sestrel hand held bearing compass with wooden handle in own glass fronted, wooden container.Sestrel Henry Browne & Son Ltd Barking Londoncompass, navigation -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph, 13th Light Horse, 1935
Indictative of light horse dress and training in period immediately prior to WWII.Black and White photograph in wood frame with gilt surround of soldiers in Light Horse uniform posed in ranks for a group photograph.On plaque at centre lower edge of frame "13th Light Horse"; on reverse of frame "2nd Division Cavalry School, Broadmeadows 20th September 1935"2nd division cavalry school, 13th light horse, broadmeadows -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph, Officer of the Light Horse c.1939
Lieutenant Des Martin took part in many Anzac Day Marches in Melbourne riding with a small group leading the march.Uncommon post-WWII photograph of a mounted officer of the Light Horse. Has added significance because the uniform is held in the 8th/13th VMR Collection.Coloured photograph with green fibreboard mount of Lieutenant Des Martin of Wodonga in Light Horse uniform on horseback.Officer of the Light Horse c. 1939. The tunic and Sam Browne belt was worn by Lieutenant Des Martin ( pictured ) of Wodonga who served in the 8th Light Horse Regiment in the pre-war militia and the 2/2 Pioneer BattalionAIF during WW11martin des lieutenant, 8th light horse regiment -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Decorative object - trophy, 1938 circa
The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. The regiment was still horse mounted in 1937 when this trophy was awarded to the Mansfield Troop. Fine example of a trophy awarded to a Citizen Military Forces sub-unit drawn from a country town in northeast Victoria prior to WWII. Silver cup with no handles and bakelite base being a trophy for snap shooting in 20th Light Horse Regiment.20th Light Horse Regiment Shoot / Snap Shooting / won by / Mansfield Troop / 1937mansfield, shooting, light horse, 20th -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Plaque
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Well made plaques commemoration WWII armoured regiment.Two stained wooden heart-shaped plaques with Royal Australian Armoured Corps badge above scroll and enamel 2/8th Armoured Regiment Association badgeOn scroll " 2/8th Armoured Regiment Association "2/8th armoured regiment, 41 landing craft company, 42 landing craft company, 43 landing craft company -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph, 1941 circa
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Historically significant image of officers of armoured regiment drawn from Victoria in early years of WWII, but suffers from poor quality reproduction.Framed photocopied photograph, possibly taken from a newspaper, of 26 Officers of 2/8th Armoured Regiment AIF. Names are listed above and below the image.Above photo:"List of names: Lieutenants: - Bazeley,MM, Merrett, Gait, White, Menzies, Leslie, Miller, Jackson" and below photo:- "Captain Ahou, Lieutenants Charley, Tait, Captains McCallum, Newnam, Trickey, MaCourt MM, Moreton, Callaway, Wilson, Patterson Lieutenants Watson, Taylor, Maxwell [A Squadron], Major Archer [B Squadron], Lieutenant Colonel Miller MC [Commanding Officer], Major Broadbent [C Squadron] Major Ryan [Headquarter squadron], A, B, CO, C , HQ"2/8th armoured regiment -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph, October 1941
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West Pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Good study showing men of an armoured regiment from Victoria marching in Melbourne early in WWII (1939-45)Framed photograph of soldiers marching through Melbourne city street; crowds on both sides of street.Below photograph ""A Squadron 2/8th Armoured Regiment , Melbourne, 17th October 1941. Squadron Commander Major Jenkins. RSM Arch Martin"2/8th armoured regiment, melbourne -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Menu, September 1991
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak. Captain Ken Menzies, son of Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies served with the Regiment and consequently Dame Pattie became patron of the Regimental Association after the war.Rare document associated with an armoured regiment of WWII (1939-45) autographed by the patron Dame Pattie Menzies.Folded coloured card being Menu and Program for luncheon held at the Melbourne Bowling Club, Windsor, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the 2/8th Australian Armoured Regiment. Enamel lapel pin attached to front cover.Autograph of Patron on front cover Dame Pattie Menzies GBE "Pattie Menzies "; on back cover "Ian (Kilty) McKay / Lorna McKay" and "Pattie Menzies"2/8th armoured regiment, menzies pattie dame -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Wallet, 1941 circa
Geoffrey R Fink volunteered for military service in early 1940. He served initially with 3rd Division A.A.S.C. but was discharged as being in a reserved occupation at the Aircraft Production Commission. He resigned from the Commission and joined the AIF on 28 July 1941 and was allotted to 2/8th Armoured Regiment. He served with the regiment in New Guinea and on return to Australia was transferred to No 41 Landing Craft Company serving out the war in the South Pacific. The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Representative of gifts made to old boys serving in WWII (1939-45) by a school association. Forms part of a comprehensive collection relating to one soldier.Leather pay book cover presented by Old Geelong Grammarians to VX 60307 Trooper Geoffrey Fink, 2/8th Armoured Regiment together with presentation certificate.Signatures on presentation certificate " Leigh Falkiner, J.S.Cook" and third signature unreadable.2/8th armoured regiment, 41 landing craft company, fink geoffrey r mr, old geelong grammarians