Eternal Flame was created by Ballarat sculptor Peter Blizzard as a marker of the end of WWII in the Pacific. Engraved into the bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue is details about conflict areas where Australian Troops were active. The metal structure mimics a moving flame with it's polished golden hue, a feature included in many war memorials around the world. Peter Blizzard also designed the Prisoner of War Memorial in the South Gardens, Ballarat Botanic Gardens. The metal structure mimics the moving flame of polished golden hue that is present in war memorials around the world. Eternal flame is aesthetically and historically significant to the people of BallaratMetal construction on bluestone tile baseConflict areas for Australian Troops are engraved into bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue. eternal flame, world war ii, conflict, peter blizzard, australian sculpture

The Takadaussie - Journal of H.M.A.T "Takada" voyaging Devonpart to Australia - Souvenir Copy August 1919 Colombo Built in 1914 by the British India Steam Navigation Company originally for the Indian-chinese trade. The Takada was used as a hospital ship making numerous trips with sick and wounded soldiers. On the signing of the Armistice she made three trips carrying repatriated prisoners of war before transporting Australian troops home.Beige and black booklet with photograph of three primitive barges surrounded by ornate borderhmat takada, the takadaussie, troopship, ww1

In 1943 Westralia was converted into a Landing Ship, Infantry. In this role, Westralia had a capacity of 933 soldiers, and was used primarily to transport units of the United States Army and Marine Corps. The ship arrived at Manus on 7th April 1945 befoe reaching Morotai on the 19th. The 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion embarked for attack on Tarakan Island, Borneo. On 1 May – After preliminary bombardment by two cruisers and six destroyers ,troops of 26th Australian Infantry Brigade were landed. After the end of the war, Westralia was one of the ships at Ambon on 22 September 1945 for the surrender and occupation of the island where the 164 survivors of Gull Force prisoners had already been taken off on 10 September. She was later used for the repatriation of Australian troops, before being paid off in September 1946. The ship earned five battle honours for her wartime service: Silver frame containing black and white image of a ship at seaGold coloured plaque attached top right "HMAS Westralia" - 2/24th AUST INF BATT TARAKAN ISLAND BORNEO 1ST MAY, 1945hmas westralia, 2/24th aust inf battalion

Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Colonel Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop, AC, CMG, OBE (12 July 1907 – 2 July 1993) was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership while being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. Born 12 July 1907 Major Plains, Victoria Died 2 July 1993 (aged 85) Service/branch Australian Army Years of service 1935–1946 Rank Colonel Unit Royal Australian Army Medical Corps 2/2nd Casualty Clearing Station Commands held No.1 Allied General Hospital Battles/wars World War II Battle of Greece North African Campaign Syria-Lebanon campaign South West Pacific New Guinea Campaign South East Asia Campaign Awards Companion of the Order of Australia Knight Bachelor Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Officer of the Order of the British Empire Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John Mentioned in Despatches Black timber frame containing coloured caricature of saluting Army Officer with flag in background.Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop - Anzac Day 1993 Print No 455 of 500colonel sir ernest edward dunlop, "weary" dunlop, surgeon

Unknown WW1 soldier ................. 22/11/2018 ..........due to its poor condition the photograph was removed from its timber frame revealing below the photograph the handwritten words "Jack Ambrose married a girl Chick"..... identified as Ethel Maud CHICK Soldier identified as John AMBROSE MM 1132 Labourer of Carboor who served on the western front in France during the First World War. Joined 19/2/1916 aged 23 years and 4 months Born and enlisted at Wangaratta Embarked on 3/6/1916 on HMAT Persic. Served with 5/37Battalions. Wounded on 3 occasions, returning to Australia on 27/7/1919. Next of Kin - Edward Henry PAYNE (Cousin) of Carboor. Jack and Edward were both cousins to Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop.By identifying this originally unknown soldier to be John "Jack" AMBROSE has revealed links to the children of Edward Samuel PAYNE and his wife Catherine Marie nee WALPOLE. Jack's mother Ida Elizabeth AMBROSE nee PAYNE is the elder sister of Alice Emily Maud DUNLOP nee PAYNE mother of Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" DUNLOP, twin sisters Lily May and Violet Minnie PAYNE who both served as Nurses during the First World War along with youngest brother Alfred Ernest PAYNE 1256. The latter three together with Jack AMBROSE are listed on the Wangaratta and District Victory Roll. Colonel Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop, AC, CMG, OBE was born at Wangaratta (12 July 1907 – 2 July 1993) and an Australian Surgeon renowned for his leadership while being held prisoner by the Japanese during the Second World War.Unframed timber mounted photograph of unknown WW1 Soldier - now identified to be John AMBROSE MM 1132 of CarboorBelow photograph handwritten "Jack Ambrose married a girl Chick" Rear Miss S Wright Farm Hill Carboor East via Wangarattajohn ambrose, 5th battalion ww1, carboor, wangaratta, weary dunlop

Badge commemorating the Sandakan death marches, one of the worst atrocities suffered by Australian troops during WWII.Australian prisoners were sent to Sandakan in 1942 to build an airstrip. At first they were treated reasonably well. Gradually, however, rations were reduced and bashings increased. By late 1944, with Allied forces advancing toward Borneo, the Japanese decided to send about 2,000 Australian and British prisoners westward to Ranau, in Borneo’s rugged interior. Weak and sick prisoners staggered for about 260 kilometres along jungle tracks. Many died on the way, their bodies never recovered. Those unable to continue were killed; those too weak to march had been left behind in Sandakan, where all died or were killed. Only six – all Australians – out of about a thousand sent to Ranau survived the war. The Sandakan “death march” remains the greatest single atrocity committed against Australians in war.Circular badge with green background and black text and figures. Six soldiers are silhouetted next to a tree. Safety pin clasp on back."LEST WE FORGET" "Sandakan Ranau / Death March"pow, world war two, death march, sandakan death marches, borneo

Uniform cloth badge of the 63A Infantry Division "Cirene" of the Italian Army. The 63rd Infantry Division Cirene was an auto-transportable infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Cirene Division was formed 1 October 1937 and destroyed 5 January 1941 in Bardia. The Australians captured Bardia on 5 January, 1941, taking 45,000 prisoners and 462 guns for a loss of 130 dead and 326 wounded of their own.The 63rd Infantry Division Cirene was an auto-transportable infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Cirene Division was formed 1 October 1937 and destroyed 5 January 1941 in Bardia. small red cloth with gold thread insigniaDivisione 63A "Cirene"battle of bardia, ww2, italian army

Brown vinyl wallet containing various papers including identity card, receipt for 60 pounds deposit for 1929 Dodge dated 23/12/1947, Ministry of Food vouchers, postcard, newspaper cutting, black and white photograph of two young boys with a bicycle - handwritten on rear from Mrs T A Karnatz Tawonga Roadside Wodonga Victoria Australia to Private Thomas Karnatz Prisoner of War No 139745 ARB KDO 7001 Stalag 11B Germany. Item belonged to Thomas Allan Karnatz VX 48290 2/24 Battalion - born 16/7/1916. Enlisted Albury 22/7/1940 - Caulfield 8/8/1940 aged 24 years 17/10/1940 posted from 2/23 to 2/24 Battalion. Embarked 16/11/1940 and disembarked Middle East 17/12/1940. Reported missing in action on 6/5/1941 and officially prisoner of war on 8/7/1941. 26/4/1945 arrived UK recovered POWBrown vinyl wallet containing assorted military and personal papersInside printed in gold lettering - Good wishes from the Australian Red Cross Societyww2, pow, 2/24 battalion, t a karnatz, tobruk

Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge dated 27/7/1945 issued to Thomas Allan Karnatz VX 48290 2/24 Battalion - born 16/7/1916. Enlisted Albury 22/7/1940 - Caulfield 8/8/1940 aged 24 years 17/10/1940 posted from 2/23 to 2/24 Battalion. Embarked 16/11/1940 and disembarked Middle East 17/12/1940. Reported missing in action on 6/5/1941 and officially prisoner of war on 8/7/1941. 26/4/1945 recovered POW arrived in UK prior to returning to Australia. Cream coloured paper certificate with words printed and hand written in black ink.Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge No 173511ta karnatz, ww2, pow, tobruk, 2/24 battalion

Two handwritten letters - dated 27/6/1941 on blue lined writing paper from Pte D Detbridge VX31082 D Coy2/24 Batt. AIF Abroad to Mrs Karnatz advised her husband Tom was safe. He and several others were surrounded and forced to surrender and taken prisoners. Two of the boys managed to escape and brought the good news about Tom and others, being well and safe……… Airmail letter card dated 2/1/1942 from Pte Detbridge to Mrs Karnatz thanking her for the cake of chocolate and enquiring about Tom and if he had mentioned Tim Rogers, a mate who has not been heard of for some time. Thomas Allan Karnatz VX 48290 2/24 Battalion - born 16/7/1916. Enlisted Albury 22/7/1940 - Caulfield 8/8/1940 aged 24 years 17/10/1940 posted from 2/23 to 2/24 Battalion. Embarked 16/11/1940 and disembarked Middle East 17/12/1940. Reported missing in action on 6/5/1941 and officially prisoner of war on 8/7/1941. 26/4/1945 recovered POW arrived in UK prior to returning to Australia. Two handwritten letters - one in lead pencil on blue lined writing paper and the second in black ink on Airmail Letter Card with square blue stamp top right corner and triangular purple stamp lower left corner.Air Mail Letter Card addressed to Mrs T A Karnatz Tawonga Roadside Wodonga Victoria Australia Purple triangle stamp containing Passed by Censor No 3469 with a crown in the centre.ww2, 2/24 battalion, tobruk, thomas karnatz, pow

There were 7 camps in the area during World War II which held about 4,000-8,000 people at any one time. 3 camps housed Prisoners Of War who were enemy servicemen captured in various theatres of war around the world and transported to Australia for the duration of the war. The remaining 4 camps held Internees who were civilians living in Australia or other Allied territories and countries at the outbreak of war and were deemed to be a security risk because of their nationality. The camps were situated in the Goulburn Valley as food was plentiful here and there was a good supply of water from the Waranga Basin.A coloured sketch showing all the compounds at Tatura War and Internment Camp.internment, ww2, world war two, tatura, goulburn valley, war camps, prisoner of war, prisoner of war camps

Rev. Desmond Tarran (1916 - 1992). Born at Werribee. Converted at age 15. Entered the Home Missionary Training College in 1936. Spent 29 years in many appointments including 3 years 1950 - 1952 in Inland Mission in the Murchison area, Western Australia. Enlisted as an army medical orderly in 1940. Served in the medical service in Palestine and was transferred to a forward casualty station, then taken prisoner by the Japanese in 1942. On the Death Railway in Thailand worked closely with Dr E. (Weary) Dunlop and Dr Albert Coates in caring for starving and maltreated prisoners. Returned to home mission service in 1947. In 1966 was selected for special ordination as a Methodist minister. Served 11 years in country and city churches before retiring in 1978.Satin, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Desmond Tarran, as a post card.desmond tarran, home missionary, methodist minister, prisoner of war

prisoner of war obviously had an association with Ms CullinanA black and white image of a group of seventeen men in uniform standing in front of a building with iron bars on the windows. It was sent to Miss E. Cullinan by D. Duggan from Stalag XVIII.on back in ink: to Miss E. Cullinan / Diggers Rest / Victoria / Australia / From D. Duggan / 3617 / 10029 / G. W. STALAG XVIIIA Arb. Kdo / 0.029 / GWworld war 2, cullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, duggan, d., bayview farm, uniforms, clothing and dress, george evans collection

Australian Soldiers escorting Turkish prisoner or Turkish emissary at Gallipoli.A b/w photograph of three soldiers with their back to the camera.soldiers, uniforms, clothing and dress, world war 1, george evans collection

1919 - 1943World War II Service recordWorld War 2 Service records of Ernest Victor Rider who died of Beri-Beri as a prisoner of war. Service No. VX50250. Cross reference NP4422.rider ernest victor, world war 1939 -1945

WWII historical significancePortrait of Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE (1915 - 2000)Vivian Bullwinkel, a Second World War army nursing sister, is best known as the sole survivor of the infamous Banka Island massacre, in which 21 of her colleagues were killed by Japanese troops. Her courage while a prisoner pf the Japanese for over three and a half years exemplified the bravery of Australian women in war, and her distinguished postwar career was marked by many humanitarian achievements.

Vivian Bullwinkel, sole survivor of the 1942 Banka Island massacre. She began her nursing career in Hamilton, Victoria, before moving to the Jessie McPherson Hospital in Melbourne in 1940. She joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in September 1941 Seat in proximity to the Ballarat Prisoner of War MemorialVivian Bullwinkel, AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM Her heroism, courage and humanitarian achievements are unique. Valued member of Soroptimist International Victoria Incvivian bullwinkel, memorial seat ballarat

Black & white photo of Lionel Jones in the second world war uniform of the A.I.F.. Lionel was husband of Bette Jones, a Society member.|See also his diary kept during the war as a prisoner of war ND4877jones lionel, jones bette, australian imperial forces, world war 1939-1945