Soft cover with dust cover. Cover - paper, white and blue print on front and back. Illustrated in colour, flag, laurel leaves, column with silhouette of a soldier and cross. Dust cover - waxed tissue paper, beige, stapled to booklet. Pages (no page numbers), cut, plain, white, illustrated black and white photographs.booklet, military history, ww1, anzac

Covers the arrival of the Land Headquarters Cartographic Company at Fortuna Villa in 1942 until the disbandment of the Army Survey Regiment in 1996. Written by Valerie Lovejoy as part of her Masters degree at La Trobe University, BendigoUnit History of the Army Survey Regiment by Valerie Lovejoy, ISBN: 0-646-42120-4, 234 pages, 9 Chapters, 6 Appendices, Black and White photographs, Colored map extracts, Colored cover jacket, hard cover, nominal roll of Unit members.On first page, "Donated to Bendigo RSL Museum by Ex Fortuna Survey Association Inc 21 April 2022"royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Juvenile fiction, diary of a 14 year old soldier to land at ANZAC Cove 25th April 1915. The book is dedicated to the Fighting 10th/1st AIF, 3rd brigade and Clifford Claudias Schroder 1st Div Signal Company.Book, soft cover cardboard, dark green and black print on front, spine and back covers, front cover illustrated B & W photograph of “Troops landing at Gallipoli Cove Gallipoli 1915”, back cover has small black silhouette of a slouch hat.books military, history, juvenile fiction, ww!

Each postcard folder was sent to a Mss B Murdoch by F.G.Davey, .1) features New York City, .2) Kansas City, .3) Salt Lake City. Part of the Frederick Gardner Davey DFC RAAF collection. Refer Cat No 3536P for his service records.Postcard folders, set of three containing coloured illustrations depicting city scenes, each folder cover and back depicts a city scene, titles are printed in colour in various fonts, each front cover has a space for an address and postage stamp, on the inside cover of each is a history of each city.On all three covers in black ink, “Miss B Murdoch 123 Wattle street, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia”. On inside cover of .3) handwritten in black ink, “Fondest love, yours truly”postcards, souvenirs

All cards written by Alfred G Ferris No 2156. Refer Cat No 4183.3P for his service details..1) Letter Card, “Commonwealth of Australia”, card board, hand written in pencil, dated 3.8.1916, rear has image of Port Pirie SA. .2) Letter card, Commonwealth of Australia”, cardboard, hand written in pencil, dated 8.6.1916, rear has image of Mt Buffalo Vic. .3) Letter card, “Commonwealth of Australia”, cardboard, hand written in pencil, dated 2.5.1916, rear has image off a Troopship.All To “Mrs W Ferris Terrick Terrick via Pyramid”letter cards, ww1, military history

"The Sir John Monash Centre tells the remarkable story of Australia's men and women who served on the Western Front a century ago"Soft cover, cardboard, front and back covers, yellow and white print on front cover and spine, 220 pages, B & W and colour, maps, photos, paintings.books, military, history, wwi

"This is a revised edition of the original 1919 Regimental History" "From the beaches of Anzac Cove to the gas ridden trenches of the Western Front" "The pyramids to the rolling plains of Stone Henge" "Ground traversed by the Twenty-Second (Victorian) Infantry Battalion during World War One"Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover cardboard with grey coloured buckram , gold coloured print on front and spine. Illustrated with purple over red diamond colour patch. Dust cover, paper, pinkish/orange glossy coloured background, purple coloured print on front, spine and back. Illustrated with purple over red diamond colour patch (small) front and back and black and white photograph of a group of soldiers 'somewhere in France. 245 pages, cut, plain, semi gloss white. Illustrated - black and white photographs and maps.Front fly leaf - printed donation label - "Donated by 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941-43) Association Inc www.39battalion.com" Top right front flyleaf - printed label with handwritten in black ink "No. 120 of 500"books, military, history, wwi

Stories from the 8th Division Australian Army Medical Corps under Malaya Command, WWII. The 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941-1943) Association donated four books of Military History: Cat. No. 4474 With the Twenty-Second Cat. No. 4475 Carrying On Under Fire and in Captivity Cat. No. 4476 Mod Revisited Cat. No. 4477 Forward With The FifthHard cover - cardboard with dark blue glossy coloured background. White print on front, spine and back. Front illustrated black and blue toned photograph of 6 Medical Corp Soldiers in uniform. Back, photograph of trestle bridge on Thai-Burma Railway. Front and back figleaf and end papers illustrated with grey/blue and white maps. 559 pages, cut, plain, white. Illustrated black and white photographs, portraits, maps, drawings.Opposite Title Page - printed donation label - "Donated by 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941 - 1943) Association Inc, www.39battalion.com” Association Inc. www.39battalion.com"books, military, history, wwii

Stories from the 39th Battalion 1941-43, Kokoda to Gona. 70th Anniversary Edition of the Kokoda Track operations, WWII.Hard cover book with dust cover (dust cover same as book). Hard cover - cardboard with dark green glossy coloured background. White and gold print on front, spine and back. Front - illustrated black and green toned photograph of 2 soldiers in uniform in jungle. Back - black and white photograph of 7 soldiers. Brown over red oval colour patch front and back. Front and back flyleaf and end papers illustrated dark green and white maps. 320 pages, cut, plain, white. Illustrated black and white photographs, portraits, documents and maps.Opposite Title Page - printed donation label - "Donated by 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941 - 43) Association Inc. www.39battalion.com” books, military, history, wwii

"Narrative of the service history of the Fifth (Victorian) Infantry Battalion 1st AIF". "A remarkable testimony of their sacrifice in the First World War".Hard cover with dust cover. Hard cover, cardboard with black coloured buckraw, red print on front and spine. Front - illustrated - silhouette drawing of soldier in uniform Back - black and white photograph of 2 soldiers on camel back. Small black over red rectangular colour patch front and back 342 pages, cut, plain, white. Illustrated black and white photographs, portraits, maps and documents.Opposite Title Page - printed donation label - "Donated by 39th Australian Infantry Battalion (1941-1943) Association Inc. www.39battalion.com"books, military, history, wwi

Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover - cardboard, black, brown, white and red print on front, back and spine. Front - colour poster type illustration of three figures, male in uniform, woman and child. Dust cover - paper with glossy colour finish, same as hard cover. 244 pages, cut, plain, white, illustrated with black and white photographs.non-fictionA book which studies the Australian home front in depth and detail. books, military history, australians at home

Eureka was a prominent event in Ballarat's history.Two tone blue pamphlet relating to Eureka Stockade Centre. White and red writing.eureka stockade, eureka, eureka stockade centre

Eureka is a significant event in Ballarat's History3 page handwritten document 3pm 3 December. Speak up, Mr Speaker ! Ballarat is calling! 100 years have gone by - Celebrations are at hand.. . but lo! there is no speaker 3 O'clock has past and gone, the official party to open the centenary celebrations of Eureka has not arrived. Of course the programme has been changed so often and so much that a little event like this wouldn't even matter. Only Peter Lalor might mind; he's been waiting since 18 to see this anniversary. He's not even cold but my, is he wet! Time 3.15 pm, still no sign of the elusive meeting and commemoration; only a few stalwarts are waiting now... What Rain! Plenty of it but just then a glimpse of brightness appeared under the western sky. Tho' warming up perhaps Peter's cold .... Its' Ballarat, we know , but are you referring to the weather or public spiritedness. Perhaps there have been too many partisan influences in the great Australian event at Ballarat and the tacit official attitude. Very hard for them to eat their cake and give it to us too! 3.30pm The appointed hour has dragged on... the possibility of paying a commemorative respect to a fine, hard thinking flesh and blood builder of Australia and particularily Victoria has lapsed. We wonder whether such things as races, the dogs and beer are worth more nowadays? Oh well got to push on , but we remebered at least Peter!eureka, centenary celebrations, peter lalor

Eureka is a significant part of Ballarat's historyFoolscap sized typed document relating to Eurekaeureka, sir charles hotham, eureka hotel, james scobie, bentley, peter lalor, farrell, hanse, fletcher, westerby, mcintyre, d'ewes, rev. father smyth

Eureka is a significant event in Ballarat's History1963 & 1964 Annual Reports of Eureka Improvement and Progress Association. Foolscap typed documentseureka improvement and progress association, eureka, mrs e. parsons, mr f. pearce, orphange christmas tree, arthur jones

Eureka is a significant event in Ballarat HistoryTyped foolscap sized document titled The Story of Eureka written by Keith Rash eureka, fred brown, james regan, john dunlop, thomas hiscock, governor latrobe, charles hotham, james scobie, james bentley, farrell, hanse, d'ewes, milnes, captain thomas, peter lalor, black, vern

Orange title - Black orange image top left - Black & White Book, 235 pages, about Julia Tuttle the mother of Miami (Head image of Mary Brickell - Inside front and back cover - Orange images (front/back cover)non-fictionA historical book about Miami, centred around one of the primary city founders Mary Brickell. Author and historian Cesar Bererramary brickell, julia tuttle, miami, florida, city of brickell, william brickell

Work began on the Library construction in 1968. This was when it was known as Ballarat College of Advanced Education - Mount Helen. The Library started on the ground floor in 1970. In 1971 a contract for a four-storey library was drawn up and construction began the same year. The building opened in 1973, occupying two stories of the current building. The library grew and with Commonwealth Grants was able to develop its collection. In 1987 the library achieved an annual budget of over $1 million. The Teachers Resource Collection was added and by 1989 the library expected to occupy the top three floors plus the lower ground floor. A flexible study area on the top floor was introduced 1990-1991. 2010 saw the completion of a new stage in the history of the library. It now includes new study and research areas including the Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre with access to the University's Art and Historical Collection. The E. J. Barker Library is named after a former Principal of the School of Mines Ballarat who then became the first Director of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education, now Federation University. Jack Barker played an active part in education and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. After retirement in 1987, the College Council decided to name the Library after him in recognition of his achievements.Colour photograph of the ground floor of the E.J. Barker Library showing the front desk and automatic book check out. e.j. barker library

University of Ballarat is a predecessor of Federation University.Hardcovedered book with paper cover with greay background and image of Ballarat and blue writing. ISBN:0-957-70338-4. by degrees, an illustrated history of university of ballarat, paul haynes, australian print group, anne beggs sunter, warren perry, clare gervasoni, carole seymour, toni lea-howie, david james, weston bate, patrick previtt, mary egan, william frederick longstaff, graham beanland, john brittain, julia margaret guerin, james oddie, charles howard beanland, alfred mica smith, dick richards, edgar john tippett, william thomas henry corbould, harry elphingstone, matthew griffith beanland, e.j. barker, sir redmond barry, thelma rungkat, john sharpham, morgan john, harold trudinger, sr therese power, . bill gribble, ron wild, alfred johnston, john wotzko, henry sutton

John Lachlan McIntyre was born at Beeac, Victoria in December 1890. He enlisted in the 1st AIF in July 1915. John fought on the Western Front, taking part in the battles of Fromelles and the 2nd Battle of the Somme. He was severely wounded at Fromelles and spent 12 months in hospital in England before returning to the front. John returned home in 1919 and was granted a soldier settlement block in Lara in 1937. He was a founding member of Lara RSL and is its longest serving member. John died in 1990. This letter was written by John and sent to his mother in 1918 on his journey through Belgium. The McIntyre family were early pioneers in the Lara district, and the brothers were founding members of the Lara RSL. This letter represents a significant link to the history of the town and sub-branch.A brown envelope addressed to Miss J McIntyre. Within the envelope is a pack of 12 illustrated souvenir post cards. Envelope: O.A.S. Tower of London. Miss J McIntyre. Elcho Lara lake, Australia, Victoria. Rear of postcard pack: London December 27th 18 Dear Mother, I arrived here yesterday. Spent Xmas day travelling across France. The trip took the best part of four days. We are up near Belgium. Had to go into Belgium to get a train. Will write when I get settled. Hoping you are all well. With best wishes for a happy new year. Jack. Edition Martinetty Charleroi Front of pack: J. L. McIntyre Xmas 1918 Souvenir de Charleroi-Belgium 12 cartes postales 12 En Photochrommother, letter, postcard, first world war, wwi, world war one, belgium, lara

This hammer was presented to the Lara RSL by AJ Quick in 1965. Alan James Quick was a member of the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War, and was later a life member of Lara RSL. Alan received the RSL Meritorious Service Medal. Alan was the president of Lara RSL from 1965-1970, and this gavel was used at committee meetings by the president after its donation in 1965.This gavel is a key object of Lara RSL's history. It was used in committee meetings in the 1960s and perhaps later, and provides a documented link to an earlier president.Small wooden hammer with flat head and pointed reverse. The handle is rounded and has five rings carved into it. The wood is smooth and polished. The head has a small metal plaque attached. "Lara RSL. Presented by A.J Quick. 1965."quick, lara, rsl, parachute, ww2, world war two

This sound block was presented along with a gavel to the Lara RSL by AJ Quick in 1965. Alan James Quick was a member of the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War, and was later a life member of Lara RSL. Alan received the RSL Meritorious Service Medal. Alan was the president of Lara RSL from 1965-1970, and this gavel was used at committee meetings by the president after its donation in 1965.This sound blockis a key object of Lara RSL's history. It was used in committee meetings in the 1960s and perhaps later, and provides a documented link to an earlier president.Small octagonal wooden sound block with sloped sides and green felt top. Underside is painted dark green and has a round hole in the base.sound block, lara, rsl, quick

These images capture for all time Light Horsemen travelling through Geelong on their way to camp at Torquay for the last Group meeting in Australia . information following - details obtained from .........https://torquayhistory.com/light-horse-brigade/ On Australia Day, 1997, Sir John Young unveiled this plaque on Point Danger, Torquay. Torquay history, Light Horse Training Camp, WW2 Plaque at Pt. Danger Note----- (See images to view plaque) The plaque identifies a significant event in Torquay’s history and the sentiments of ‘change’ for the Light Horse Brigade – from horses to machines. In 1940 the four Light Horse Regiments (4th, 8th, 13th and 20th), some 5000 Light Horse and 2000 horses camped and trained at Torquay. Three other regiments, formerly mounted on horses, were also at Torquay ‘mounted’ on privately owned trucks and cars. Division troops included Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Field Ambulance and other branches of the Army necessary to enable a Division to function. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers of men coming to this little town that made the event significant, it was also the fact that the men of the Light Horse were dramatic, almost glamorous figures and it is easy to see their exploits as some splendid adventure. Horses have played a special role in the story of Australia. They were the only means of transport across this huge country, so it was necessary for everyone to have the ability to ride a horse. When war broke out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers of South Africa (“Boer” was Dutch for “farmer”) Australia sent troops to fight. At first Britain was wary of using untried, unprofessional colonial cavalrymen but soon saw that the slouch-hatted Australian “bushmen” were a match for the fast-moving and unconventional mounted commandos of the Boers. The Australians proved themselves to be expert rough-riding horsemen and good shots. Bush life had hardened them to go for long periods with little food and water. They also showed remarkable ability to find their way in a strange country and use its features for cover, in both attack and defence. By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Men were given remounts (if not using their own horses) – army horses bought by Commonwealth purchasing officers from graziers and breeders. These were called “walers” because they were a New South Wales stockhorse type – strong, great-hearted animals with the strains of the thoroughbred and semi-draught to give them speed, strength and stamina. On 1st November, 1914, Australia’s First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May without their horses. Back with their horses after Gallipoli, they were formidable combatants across the Sinai and Palestine. Some British commanders observed that the light horseman moved with a “lazy, slouching gait, like that of a sleepy tiger” but described how the promise of battle “changes that careless gait, into a live athletic swing that takes him over the ground much quicker than other troops”. They had Light Horse, Torquay, training campdeveloped a reputation as formidable infantrymen. The Turks called them “the White Ghurkas” – a reference to their deadly skill with the bayonet. The Arabs called them “The Kings of the Feathers”. The plume had originally been a battle honour of the Queensland Mounted Infantry for their work in the shearer’s strike of 1891. During WW1 it was adopted by almost all the Light Horse Regiments. It was the proud badge of the light horseman. The most famous of their battles was the attack on Beersheba- the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Mounted infantrymen and their superb walers had carried out one of the most successful cavalry charges in history – against what seemed impossible odds. They surprised the Turks by charging cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. The fall of Beersheba swung the battle tide against the Turks in Palestine; and changed the history of the Middle East. While 19 men from the Surf Coast Shire served with the 4th Light Horse over the course of WW1, only four were involved in the charge of Beersheba- John GAYLARD, Philip QUINN.(Winchelsea); Wallace FINDLAY (Anglesea); Harry TRIGG (Bambra). After the war, Light Horse units played a key role in the Australian Government’s compulsory military training programme. The Citizen Military Forces (C.M.F.) thrived on the glamour of the wartime Light Horse tradition, ignoring the possibility that motor vehicles would soon replace the horses. When training was no longer compulsory, the C.M.F. regiments declined and horses became more of a luxury during the 1930s depression years of poverty and unemployment. Some regiments were motorised. Then, in 1939, Australia joined Britain in another world war. Training was increased for the militia at both home bases and regional training camps. The camp at Torquay in 1940, commanded by Major General Rankin, was at Divisional strength. By the end of the camp some felt that the Division was ready for active service. Gradually, over the next four years, the Australian Light Horse units were mounted on wheels and tracks and the horses were retired. Six men enlisted at the Torquay camp and another 57 men and women enlisted at Torquay for service in WW2. Those who served in the Militia provided valuable Officers and NCOs and men for the armed services during the war. Each infantry division of the 2nd AIF had a Light Horse regiment attached to it. But the day of the Australian mounted soldier hadn’t quite passed. During World War II, Australia’s 6th Cavalry Regiment formed a mounted unit they called “The Kelly Gang” which did valuable scouting work. In New Guinea, a mounted Light Horse Troop did patrol duty and helped carry supplies. Some fully equipped walers were flown into Borneo for reconnaissance in rugged mountain country. But by the end of the war, in 1945, the horse had disappeared from the Australian Army. References: Australian Light Horse Association www.lighthorse.org.au National Australia Archives Australian War Memorial Surf Coast Shire WW1 memorials www.togethertheyserved.com The Light horse- a Cavalry under Canvas Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Late in 1939 it was decided to set up a Lighthorse training camp in Torquay to train both men and horses for the battles of the Second World War. Horses, men and equipment came on special trains from all over Victoria and NSW, and as you would expect horseman came from areas such as Omeo and Sale, the Wimmera and the Western District. They arrived at the Geelong racecourse for watering in the Barwon River and then were ridden across the ford at the breakwater and began their 11 mile trek to Torquay. Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Tent city By the end of January 1940 the camp at Torquay accommodated some 5000 men and 2500 horses of the Second Cavalry Division. The rows of horses, tents and huts near Blackgate Road were quite a sight. While the cavalrymen engaged in exercises on the land and on the beaches, many of the troops took over the Torquay School for special training of men and officers. Mr Bob Pettit local farmer and Councillor for the Barrabool Shire, wrote about the Light horse in the Surf Coast Community News in 1985 saying “They used to travel about the district riding four abreast in one long convoy. To my annoyance they went through my property and shut all the gates behind them. I had certain gates open to let stock in to the water holes and it would take me three -quarters of an hour to follow the horsemen up and put all the gates right again” he continued “the men from the Light Horse were here when the fire went through in March 1940. He recalled an incident when early one morning, as some one blew the bugle, a soldier putting a white sheet on the line frightened the horses. They panicked and ran off in all directions. Six went over the cliff near Bird Rock, five were never found, and the rest were gathered up after nearly a fortnight in the bush around Addiscott and Anglesea" Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2, Geelong Parade Geelong parade The training camp culminated in a parade through the streets of Geelong on March 12th 1940. The salute was given at the Town Hall and the troops continued on a route to the You Yang’s for a training exercise. Note-----(see media section for photograph) The Camp was abandoned in mid 1940 as it was deemed unsuitable for training during winter and the cost of a permanent camp could not be justified if it could not be used all year. Historic.......Rare,,,Interpretive.Sepia photographs.set of four ....post card size ....Horses &LighthorsemenNo 1, Lighthorsemen Regiment Geelong 1940......No 2 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940....No 3 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940.....No 4 Light Horse crossing Breakwater camped at Geelong Showgrounds. These markings are on reverse of photographs.light horsemengeelong 1940., world war 2

Picture of Australian Military Aircraft 1954 to 1971 The sixth and final war chart in the series reproducing the War Memorial mural painted by Harold Freedman. This concludes the 50th anniversary of the australian Airforce. Chart 6Pictorial history of Australian Military aircraft from 1954 to 1971Print in wooden glass frameAustralian Military Aircraft Donated by Pedro Pegan 2015military aircraft australia

There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. Between 1899 and 1902, around 16,500 Australians served in South Africa during the Boer War. This was the largest international deployment of troops from the Australian Colonies before Australian Federation. Of the 16,500 men who served in South Africa, 606 were killed in action or died of diseases. The Australian War Memorial records that the fighting conditions in South Africa extremely hard on men and horses. Australians fighting in South Africa were doing so as part of Colony based Regiments such as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, New South Wales Lancers, Queensland Mounted Infantry as well as units from the other states. Australians were awarded six Victoria Crosses during the campaign along with many other decorations. In May of 1902 the treaty of Vereeniging was signed officially ending the Boer War. The Boer War is commemorated in many Towns and Cities around Australia. The Lara RSL Sub Branch holds some memorabilia from the Boer War. There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. He was a resident of Lara and was a member of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. It was reported that he carried this flag into battle. The Lara RSL also holds the flag staff of the China, South African and Old Veterans Association. Both these items are of national significance. Both the flag and flag staff were used in marches in Geelong each year until 1916 when Anzac Day commenced. The flag and flag staff were donated to the Lara RSL sub Branch when he joined in 1928. Fredrick James Smith was born at Lara in 1879, the son of Mr/Mrs Smith from Lara. He was a farm hand from Horton Vale, Anakie when he joined F Company of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles at the beginning of February 1901. Two weeks later, he left for South Africa on the 15th February. Before leaving, he purchased the flag from W. Libby & Son Geelong. Frederick Left for South Africa on the 15 February 1901 on the Orient. He saw service between March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier under the British Major General S. Beatson then Pulteney, including the defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 soldiers were killed and 42 wounded (12th June 1901 - heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent,); and the successful intervention at Onverwacht on the 4th January 1902. The 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles suffered: 36 killed or died of wounds, 13 died of disease of a contingent of 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks and 1099 horses. They returned to Australia on the 26th April 1902 on the Custodian after sailing from Point Natal in South Africa on the 5th April. On his return, Tropper Smith (Saddler Private) joined the South African Soldiers Association of Victoria – Geelong Branch, and after 1928, he joined the Lara RSL. He was buried in Western Cemetery on the 19th June 1968 at the age of 89. Enrolled February 1901 Departed for South Africa on 15 February 1901 Establishment: 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks with 1099 horses Mobilised at Pretoria: 24 March -- 4 April 1901 Typical company: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 company sergeant-major, 1 company quartermaster-sergeant, 1 sergeant-farrier, 1 sergeant-saddler, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 shoeing-smiths, 3 saddlers, 1 bugler, 99 privates. Total in company: 126 with 131 horses. Engagements: Rhenoster Kop, Klippan, Kornfontein, Drivelfontein, Wilmansrust, Kambuladraai, H'Lobane, Luchiel's Nek, Loch's Kraal, Vryheid, Onverwacht, Johnston Hoek Killed in action (or died): six Officers, 48 Other Ranks VC Winner: Lieut. L. C. Maygar News article Leader (Melbourne) Saturday 31st May 1902, page 42 - Dear Cinderella. — This is the second time I have written to you. I was very sorry at not seeing my first letter in "The Leader". But I hope to say, that this one will be in. The last time I wrote to you I told you that my brother (Fredrick Smith) went to the Boer War in South Africa, and that he was supposed to be killed in the Wilmansrust disaster. But this time I am going to tell you about his return, and the grand welcome he got from the residents of Lara. Mother, Father, and my Brother, went down to Melbourne, to meet the boat. You can just imagine how rejoiced we all were to see him back again. The railway station was decorated some thing beautiful with flags of all description all the colours you could think of. He has bought a lot of Boer curios home and some Kaffir bracelets. They are such funny looking things. The residents of Lara, also gave my brother a grand social and ball there were over four hundred people present, They presented him with a hand some gold chain, and locket suitably inscribed, and a pair of gold sleeve links, they were magnificent. The ball was very nice. . I had a few dances. I enjoyed myself grand. I think this is all I can tell you this time. I must conclude with love. I remain yours sincerely - BESSIE SMITH. Age 14-years. This flag is of national significance as it was used in the Boer War by Private Fredrick James Smith (SN:1229) of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, F Company in their deployment to South Africa between 1901 and 1902. The flag was taken into the Wilmansrust engagement in which 19 soldiers died and 41 were wounded. On return to Australia, the flag was used in marches by the South Africa, China Old Veterans Association - Geelong. This flag represents a unique part of Australian history from which the movie, Breaker Morant was taken. It is of spiritual significance as the Boer War was where the first Australian received the Imperial Victoria Cross, and the spirit of Anzac was conceived, giving birth in World War 1. The Flag represents the spirit of Australians who fought and died in South Africa.Cotton Union Jack flag approx 221cm wide by 109cm tall with small repair patches and center section cotton deteriorated.Has the word "Lara" inscribed in black on bottom part of the flag heading. Has the flag makers name "W.Libby & Son" on the top part of the flag heading.boer war, union jack flag, south africa, wilmansrust, 5th victorian mounted rifles, f coy, private fredrick james smith, service number 1229, february 1901, april 1902, south africa china old veterans association

HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as the lead ship of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955. Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. The second collision occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations. HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on 30 June 1982, having spent 62,036 hours underway and having steamed 868,893 nautical miles. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.The pictorial history of HMAS Melbourne with rare photos. Now a scarce title and highly desirable title that is now long out of print. Has provenance history of all ships movements from 1955 till decommissioned.HMAS Melbourne 25 YearsOn the front page is a picture of HMAS Melbourne with the words at top "H.M.A.S. Melbourne. At bottom are the words in orange, '25 Years'. In white, are the words 'by Ross Gillett' then 'Forward by Rear Admiral G.G.O. Gatacre C.B.E. DSO. DSC & Bar, RAN'. On the rear page is a list of all the Captains that served on the HMAS Melbourne between 1955-1980.hmas melbourne, aircraft carrier, royal australian navy, australian navy, westland whirlwind, sea venom, fairy gannet, bristol sycamore, westland wessex, douglas skyhawk, grumman tracker, westland sea king, fleet air arm, hmas albatross, nowra