Crew of "M" for Mother, a Lancaster aircraft belonging to No. 467 Squadron RAAF in Bomber Command. The Squadron is based at RAF Station Waddington, and this crew is just preparing to take off on a raid over Berlin. Left to right: 417035 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt, later Flying Officer [FO]) John Warrington Scott of Ballarat, Victoria; 413558 Flt Sgt (later FO) George Edward Erickson of Sydney, NSW; 412890 Flt Sgt (later Flight Lieutenant [Flt Lt]) Albert Reginald Thomas Boys of Sydney, NSW; 11615 Sergeant (later Flt Sgt) Charles Edward Adair of Swan Hills, NSW (lost on operations over Germany on 23 September 1943); 414407 Flt Sgt (later Flt Lt) Bertram Raymond Jones of Wyandra, Queensland; 400444 Flt Sgt (later Flt Lt) John Hudson Wilkinson, (later Distinguished Flying Cross), (bending down) of Rutherglen, Victoria (lost on operations over Europe on 30 August 1944); Sgt E L Tull, RAF. From collection of photographs and cuttings dedicated to the memory of WILKINSON JOHN HUDSON : Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - WILKINSON HUDSON. The crew of “M for Mother”, a Lancaster bomber from 467 Squadron, preparing to take off on a raid over Berlin. John Wilkinson is standing at far right. Wilkinson was awarded the distinguished flying cross in March 1944 and tragically killed in action over Germany in August 1944. black and white photograph of seven airmen in front of Lancaster bomber planeRear of photograph - John Wilkinson on right standing behind man bent over pilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force, lancaster, 1944

Photograph of William Edward EMERY Born at Wangaratta on 6/1/1919 who was killed in action in Belgium during Second World War. Flying Officer William Emery 410593 lost his life serving with 460 Squadron RAAF over Belgium on 15 June 1943. He is buried at Heverlee War Cemetery, near Leuven, Belgium. Black and white photograph of male wearing forage hatwilliam emery, wangaratta, ww2, raaf, 460 squadron

King's Condolence Letter sent to family of Flight Officer William EMERY - killed in action in Belgium during WW2Cream coloured note paper with Royal Crest and signatureBuckingham Place Signed George RIwilliam emery, kia, belgium, ww2, raaf

Royal Australian Air Force Officer's Certificate of Service No 2575 issued to Flying Officer Owen Campbell MORTIMER 420235. Discharged 2/7/1945 at own request to resume civil occupation. Awarded 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Victory Medal and eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge.Cream paper with black print and type with emblem centre top contained within a black border and attached by staple top left corner to large sheet of paper.Royal Australian Air Force Officer's Certificate of Service No 2575 Rear - To the Secretary the Returned Soldier's League with compliments Dr Owen Mortimer 29th May, 1989owen campbell mortimer, raaf, ww2

Black and white image of Pilot Officer Wilkinson 400444 who was seconded from the RAAF to the RAF flying missions over Germany. His gallantry earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1944 for numerous successful missions over Germany. He was Killed in Action on 30th of August 1944.Brown and black marbled plastic frame containing black and white photograph of an Airman in flying suit, flying goggles on head and long gloves holding two round discs.Handwritten on rear - Flt Lieu John Wilkinson j h wilkinson, raaf, dfc, ww2

King's Condolence Letter sent to family of Pilot Officer John Hudson WILKINSON- killed in action in 1944 during WW2Cream note paper with Royal Crest letterhead containing message and signature in black type.Buckingham Place George RIkia, ww2, raaf, j h wilkinson, 1944

Rev Ira Menear (1901 - 1977). Born at Kapunda. Worked at the Kimba and Pt Neill mission stations on the west coast of South Australia before studying at the Brighton Training College and Adelaide University. Graduated B.A. Adelaide University 1928. After completing his theological training he was appointed to the Norwood Circuit before being appointed to take charge of the Methodist Inland Mission at Cloncurry. Minister at Crow's Nest, Gympie & Rockhampton 1936 - 1940. In 1940 he was accepted as a pilot officer in the RAAF, having been given leave of absence by the Methodist Conference. Menear enlisted RAAF air crew but was later transferred to the administrative staff. He rose from A.C.1 to the rank of Acting Wing Commander. He served in many parts of Australia, including the Darwin area. After the war Rev Menear took charge of the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Centre at Mount Osmond and later Mount Breckan, Victoria Harbour Rehabilitation Centre. B & W waist length studio portrait of Rev. Ira Menear dressed in his RAAF Flt. Lt. uniform."Seasons Greetings I Menear F/LT Control Officer Operations Room Pearce W.A."ira menear, methodist, minister, adelaide university, brighton training college, methodist inland mission, cloncurry, raaf, commonwealth rehabilitation centre

These goggles belonged to RAAF Pilot Francis Robertson who crash landed his trainee solo flight tiger moth into Nurse Carters home at Chiltern in 1943. Pilot Officer Robertson then went on to serve in New Guinea whilst flying Tiger Moths and Wirraways. WW2 significance with Francis Robertson having served in the New Guinea Campaign, flying Tiger Moths and Wirraways. Francis Robertson was also the trainee pilot who crashed his plane into Nurse Carter's residence at Chiltern in 1943. Leather and perspex flying goggles belonging to RAAF Pilot Francis Robertson WW1. The goggles are made of leather, reinforced rubber and protective vision perspex. pilot, world world 2, raaf, frank robertson, goggles

This cap potentially belonged to Ronald Edward Smith, Service number 419886. Date of birth - 30 Jun 1916 : Place of birth - MELBOURNE VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - SMITH ETHELThis hat holds representative significance as a generic RAAF officers forage cap. Further research into the potential owner could uncover other significance.Dark blue cap with medal ribbon attached to the side. RAAF eagle badge attached to peak of cap left hand side. Two buttons at peak of cap. The cap is lined with brown polished cotton twill and has a light brown cotton velveteen sweatband.Tag inside cap: 330 1944/Made in Australia / Size 1/8 Service number written in pen: 419886 (or 419856)raaf, australia, air force, cap, hat, beret, wwii, world war two

Wooden plaque with metal panel.Officers' Training School. Crown over Laurel Wreath.

Used by Air Gunner in RAAF during WW2, Probably in UK and EuropeNavy Blue WW2 Jacket with rank of Flying Officer complete with waist belt.

00070 .1 Rising Sun hat badge blackened no maker x1 00070 .2 Rising Sun collar badges blackened x 3 00070.3 Australian army buttons by K.G.Luke Melb. Blackened x 5 00070.4. As above. Medium 2. x6 00070.5. As above. Small. 1.5. X 10 00070 .6 Army Officer Pips Blackened x 13 00070. 7. Cloth slide on rank badges to a Captain x 2 00070.8. RAAF dark plastic buttons, no maker. x 8

00154.1 RAAF Liberator flying over RAAF Base Dubbo Strip 250 00154.2 Crashed RAF Mosquito near Narramine NSW at Strip 650 Duddo. 00154.3 Vulter Vengenance at Strip 650 Dubbo NSW 00154.4 Planes and staff at Dubbo. 00154.5 Crashed Tiger Moth suspended in trees. 00154.6 RAAF Base Dubbo Strip 250 00154.7. “. “. “. “. “ Stores Depot. 00154.8. “ Officers and other ranks thought to taken at Dubbo NSW WW2.

second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Members pay book no, 174429, RAF allowance book, RAAF certificate of service, RAF flying clothing card, Officers pay and allowances book

1179 Cloth officer's crown; 1179.1 Cloth British officer's crown; 1179.2 Cloth badge German insignia

Pilot Officers Uniform WW2uniform, ww2, raaf

Invitation to Sports Meeting at Michinhampton Aerodrome on ANZAC Day 25th April 1918 by Officers and Men of A.F.C.(part of COL049)documents, 1918, raaf

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

Date is that given by descendant Julia Thornton. William Ernest Palstra married May Aurunui Holdaway (1885-1964) in 1920; this was their first and only home. They had 3 children, Margaret, Jocelyn and William. The family were connected with the Canterbury Salvation Army Corps. William's father was a Salvation Army officer; he spent his early life in South Africa. Prior to marriage he lived in Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills. He was an air force officer. He joined the RAAF in 1925. The family was in London when William was killed on the maiden flight of the Airship R101 to Karachi. It crashed near Beauvais in France. His widow and children returned to live at 60 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. The donor Margaret Thornton was a daughter of William and May Palstra; one of her daughters, Julia Thornton still lives in the house in 2023. The houses across the road were demolished in the 1970s to build the Surrey Hills Salvation Army Church.This home is one of very few in the area which has been continuously owned by the same family over 3 generations. It is the only known image of the homes purchased and demolished by the Surrey Hills Salvation Army Church.Black and white photo of May Palstra with a baby, identified as Margaret, in a cane pram and with her fox terrier dog on the nature strip in front of her home. In the background can be seen the houses across the road. The road is unmade and the gutters are of bluestone construction.may palstra, margaret palstra, margaret thornton, julia thornton, may aurunui holdaway, guildford road, surrey hills, canterbury salvation army corps, demolished houses, babies, childhood

Given to Box Hill RSL as part of a fathers RAAF Uniform from Bomber Command. Uniform worn by Flying Officers from Australia. This hat has strong provenance as the name of the owner is written on the hat, with service number, and the family connection to the donor. Navy Blue/Black Band and Gold Emblem with name and number written on brim of hat. Leather binding. The number written on the hat is the service number for Maurice Anthony O'Keefe.Hand written on Brim: O'Keefe, MA/428470headwear, ww2, uniform bomber command

A Control Joy Stick presented to Pilot Officer Eric V. Read in 1937 after it was recovered from an aircraft he was flying had crashed in the Brisbane Ranges in December 1936. Eric Read was a 21 year old RAAF pilot who was on a flight over the Bacchus Marsh region to make meteorological observations. Read's plane came down in bad weather and crashed into a heavily wooded area of the Brisbane Ranges between Staughton Vale and Mount Wallace. An extensive air and ground search was conducted and after 32 hours Read was located, alive, but badly injured and unable to get out of the cockpit of the plane. He was first located from the air and then a rescue party was able to reach him through rough country and bring him to safety. Read recovered from his injuries and many years later gifted the control stick of the aircraft he had been flying as an item for the collection of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society.This item is of local historical significance as an object related to a notable aircraft accident and subsequent rescue of the pilot. It is also significant for its rarity as a surviving piece of aviation equipment from this era.Control or Joy stick mounted on a wooden base.aircraft, aircraft accidents, eric v. read

Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984 Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023. These lighters are part of his collection of memorabilia and artefacts.These items belonged to a respected member of the Wodonga community.A collection of 4 different cigarette lighters made from metal alloys. The brass lighter has a black cloth pouch.On long cylindrical lighters: Unicorn INT Made in China and Safety Instructions On silver lighter: An Appreciations from Stuart's Shepparton On brass lighter: Peter Jackson Brass No/ 6cigarette lighters, les cole

Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984 Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023.These patches belonged to a local Wodonga resident who was instrumental in establishing the Wodonga SES.A collection of cloth and embroidery uniform patches worn on the uniform of Leslie Cole who was a founding and long-term member of the Wodonga State Emergency Service. Oval badges all bear the Southern Cross and a crownAround oval badges: VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE On epaulettes: COMMUNICATIONS / L. COLEstate emergency service, wodonga ses