This certificate and 5 other documents from the Walter Thomas West Collection, are in a frame 90.40cm x 66.50cm, which has non reflecting glass.Official Australian Government Certificate.Possibly written in old English script and carries the Royal Seal.Main face of Certificate. "His Excellency the Right Honorable Henry William Baron Forster a member of his Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council Knight Grand Cross of the most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor General and Commander In Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia. To Walter Thomas West Greeting: By virtue of the provisions of the Defence Act 1903 - 1918 and of all the other powers me enabling I, Henry William Baron Forster, the Goveneror General a foresaid acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, do gereby appoint you to be an officer of the Military Forces of the Defence Force of the Commonwealth from the First Day of January 1920. And I direct you diligently to discharge your duty as such officer in the rank of Lieutenant or in any higher rank to which the Governor General is pleased to promote or appoint you. Given under my hand and the seal of the Commonwealth this first day of October One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Three. By the Excellency's Command. (signed) E.K. Bowden" Left Hand side Margin: Entered on record by me, in Register of Patents No 40 Page 2 this 5th day of December, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Three.of, ww1, walter, thomas, west, mm, mc, photo, register, patents, no40, page, 2, , 1923, collection

non-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2

The subject leather leggings are associated with mounted troops known as the Australian Light Horse that served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902. After the war, Britain wanted to use fewer mounted troops and restructured its force around a style of combat that needed more infantry. But the defence of Australia still relied upon mounted military units as these were more mobile than infantry and could travel faster over long distances. Light Horse brigades in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) mostly contained recruits who served in the Light Horse regiments of the Citizen Forces. Many young men from rural areas of Australia volunteered for the Light Horse regiments. They had to pass a riding test to join, this test was easier for men from the bush because horses were still the main method of transport on farms and in country towns. The army did not officially accept First Australians into the AIF until May 1917 when enlistment standards were relaxed to include 'half-castes' with a parent of European origin. Indigenous soldiers served as valuable members of the Light Horse and many possessed excellent horse handling skills and specialist tracking knowledge.The subject items are part of the uniform for the Light Horse Units that served in the Australian army from 1899 until 1918. These leggings were worn by soldiers on horseback and are significant as they represent a noteworthy time in Australia's early military history. It was a time when many young men gave their lives during the South African and First World Wars in the defence of the then British Empire as part of the Imperial Forces that were gathered from many British-controlled Colonial countries.A pair of two Leather Leggings used by Mounted Australian soldiers during the first world war. The leggings are dark tan in colour with stitching to attach buckles and fastener straps. The strap buckles are made of brass and the leather legging straps are of same leather as leggings. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, leggings, leather leggings, protective leggings, protective clothing, australian mounted light horse units, military equipment

Small information booklet titled: Welcome to Royal Australian Air Force 41 Wing, Chapters are The air defence ground environment - No.41 Wing, a brief history - No.2 control and reporting unit - No.3 control and reporting unit - No.114 mobile control and reporting unit - software development unit.military, airforce, raaf radar

8 Medals mounted on pin board for wearing on jacketFront - Medals awarded for:- Conspicuous Gallantry; 1945-1975 Australian Active Service with clasp, South East Asia; Vietnam Medal 1945-1975; Australian Service, South East Asia; Defence Force Medal with clasps, 5 year service increments; National Medal; Australian Defence medal, South Vietnam campaign medal with clasp 1960 Back - Medals & Memories Framing Tel: (03) 5975 1506 Email: [email protected], medal, vietnam, medal, campaign, medal, conspicuous gallantry, medal, national, medal, australian active service, medal, australian service, south east asia, medal, defence, board, display, coghlan, john desmond

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.580.non-fictionPeter FitzSimons, Australia's most beloved popular historian, focuses on one of the seminal moments in Australian history: the Battle of tobruk in 1941, in which more than 15 000 Australian troops - backed by British artillery - fought in excruciating desert heat through eight long months, against Adolf Hitler's formidable Afrika Korps. During the dark heart of World War II, when Hitler turned his attention to conquering North Africa, a distracted and far-fl ung Allied force could not give its all to the defence of Libya. So the job was left to the roughest, toughest bunch that could be mustered: the Australian Imperial Force. the AIF's defence of the harbour city of tobruk against the Afrika Korps' armoured division is not only the stuff of Australian legend, it is one of the great battles of all time, as against the might of General Rommel and his Panzers, the Australians relied on one factor in particular to give them the necessary strength against the enemy: mateship. Drawing on extensive source material - including diaries and letters, many never published before - this extraordinary book, written in Peter FitzSimons' highly readable style, is the definitive account of this remarkable chapter in Australia's historyworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, siege of tobruk

Index, bibliography, notes,maps, ill, p.334.non-fictionIn 1939 Marsden Hordern's mother refused to sign the paper allowing her seventeen-year-old son to fight overseas with the Royal Australian Air Force. 'I did not rear you to be killed in an airplane,' she said. 'Join the navy.' He took her advice and in doing so determined his future. In small patrol boats, Fairmiles and a Harbour Defence Motor Launch, he patrolled the shores of Japanese-held territory, assisted beleaguered commandos in Timor, and was finally caught up in the drama of rounding up Japanese prisoners of war and guarding them in New Guinea.world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia, royal australian navy

Index, bib, ill, notes, p.288.non-fictionBefore the First World War most Australians shared the emotions and traditions of the British Empire. Proud of their British heritage, anxious to raise the Imperial status of Australia, they were eager to fight and, if need be, to die in defence of their race and country. But the horror and tragedy of the conflict brought fundamental changes in outlook. Many of the pre-war enthusiasms persisted, but the days of unquestioning allegiance to Empire were beginning to come to an end, to be replaced by the bittersweet tradition of Anzac. Dr Gammage shows how and why these changes took place. Using the diaries and letters of one thousand front-line soldiers of the First Australian Imperial Force, most of them now part of a unique collection housed in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, he reconstructs the motives and expectations with which these men volunteered and the experiences they encountered. He highlights and examines the new attitudes to war and to the homeland that developed and foreshadows the important effects in Australia of the changed outlook brought home by the survivors. Those who have returned from war will recognise immediately the raw realities faced by the 'diggers', the growing disillusionment, and the hopes for the future. Those with fathers, husbands, or brothers who served, and all those concerned with what happens to men at war, cannot fail to be moved by the simple dignity of the men{u2019}s accounts, or by the understated courage with which they wrote to their families of the miseries they endured. This book, written with sensitivity and scholarly care, must be read if we are to understand war and its impact on the ethos of a nation. world war 1914-1918 - personal correspondence, world war 1914-1918 - social conditions

In Taking The Lead, air Commodore Mark Lax examines the major elements that contributed to Air Force's application of air power in the defence of Australia, and in supporting our national interests. the royal australian air force, strategy of raaf

General Sir Peter Cosgrove is one of Australia's most significant public figures. As a soldier he saw action in Vietnam, winning the Military Cross, and rose to the very top of his profession, becoming Chief of the Defence Force.cosgrove, peter, 1947-, governors general - australia - biography, soldiers - australia - biography

This is the first volume of The Australian Centenary History of Defence series. The Australian Army is the oldest of the three armed services, and is one of the oldest continuous national organisations in the country. It has fought in many of the twentieth century's major and minor conflicts, but has never engaged in battle on Australian soil. This book is a history of the Australian Army as an institution. It is not a history of the Army's battles, nor is it a study of the Australian soldier or general - it is the history of the Australian Army with its shortcomings and failures paid due attention, its triumphs and successes duly noted. australia - armed forces - history, australia. royal australian air force -- history

Yellowed paper form with black print. Australian emblem featured on front page.australian dept. of customs & excise

A photo of three members of the RAAF in uniform standing in front of two sheds and a Nissen hutA black and white photograph of three airforce men standing side by side standing in front of two sheds and a nissen hut. The men are members of the Royal Australian Air Force. Two are identified as John Forbes on left, and Arthur Newman Byron.written on back in pencil: top LH corner: "John Forbes on left" down RH side: "Arthur Newman Byron 4683"defence force, armed forces, forbes, john, newman, arthur, byron, arthur newman, nissen huts, royal australian air force, raaf, clothing and dress, uniforms, george evans collection

A photo of two members of the RAAF. John Forbes is on the left and Colin J Newell on the rightA sepia photo of two members of the Royal Australian Air Force identified as John Forbes on the left and Colin J Newell on the right.on back written in pencil: Colin J. Newell & John Forbesroyal australian air force, armed forces, defence force, raaf, clothing and dress, uniforms, newell, colin j., forbes, john, george evans collection

Associated with current Defence Force Uniform Issue for Ceremonial Uniform dress. Issued by the Australian Defence Force. Black Patent Leather boots, rubber heel and tread, lace ups and used with Ceremonial uniform dress. Inside the boot : 5/97

Australian Defence Force - ArmyGeneral Purpose army issue field boots used in conjunction with DPCU pattern uniforms.

Brass Returned Soldiers' Medal 1918. (on edge) - 'Issued by Dept. of Defence/Returned from Active Service' (centre) Rising Sun emblem - 'Australian Military Force' 'AIF' Crown on top of medal.(On reverse) 218993numismatics, badges

Department of Defence, Statement of Service of Edward Ernest Arrowsmith, 2 pgsnon-fictionWWII Service Arrowsmithworld war two 1939-1945, royal australian air force (raaf), arrowsmith ted

Soap likely distributed by the Commonwealth of Australia to those serving in the defence force.Green, rectangular bar of radiant cold cream soap."Radiant / Cold Cream" "C of A"soap, radiant cold cream, cold cream soap, military soap

John James Davis (J.J. Davis) was Australia's most decorated NCO in the Vietnam conflict. This plaque commemorates the deeds he performed and medals received.Framed ceremonial medal board for JJ Davis. The piece includes a service photograph of JJ Davis in uniform, a fabric patch with the Australian Coat of Arms, five metal pins and 13 replica medals as listed below. The information plaque states '5411313 WO1 J.J. DAVIS, SB St J, MM, JP - RAAMC - 30 JAN 1963 - 30 JAN 1986. The five metal pins are: 1. Returned Services League Australia 2. Returned Active Service 3. RAAMC 4. Royal Australian Army Medical Corps 5. Knife surrounded by laurel leaves. Replica medals included are: 1. Military Medal 2. Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, Vietnam 3. Vietnam Medal 4. Defence Force Medal with 1st Clasp 5. National Medal 6. Australian Defence Medal 7. St John 12 Year Long Service Medal with five year clasp 8. Silver Star (Unites States of America) 9. Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star (South Vietnam) 10. The Armed Forces Honour Medal (2nd Class) (South Vietnam) 11. Civil Action Medal (2nd Class) (South Vietnam) 12. Vietnamese Campaign Medal 13. ACT Emergency Service Medal (2003 Bushfires) john jams davis, john james davis, j j davis, vietnam, nco, photographs, portraits, badges, medals

The Australian Service Medal 1945-75 recognises the service of members of the Defence Force and other certain persons in specified peacekeeping and non-warlike military operations from 3 September 1945 to 16 September 1975.Australian Service Medal 1945-75 awarded to Service No A5130 L Y Baldwin.medal, australia, baldwin

Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC was 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.Framed coloured photograph of Sir David Fairbairn when serving as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1981-83.fairbairn, colonel, honorary, vmr

Cloth name tag Medal Ribbons Medical badgeName tag - Butler International Force Timor, Australian Active Service and Australian Army Medical Corp Defence Force Service Medal with one Rosette

The Female Relative's Badge was issued to the wife and/or mother, or to the nearest female relative of soldiers, nurses and masseurs who had left Australia for active service abroad during the First World War. The service number of the relative is inscribed on the back of the badge. A bar(s) suspended below the badge was issued for each additional relative, son or daughter serving. (taken from awm.gov.au). The provenance of this badge is unknown. A search on the defence force numbers has been unsuccessful to ascertain the owner of the badge. More research would be required.Shows the importance placed on having relatives serving in the Defence Forces.Silver badge with blue enamel and safety chain. A.I.F. in cutout script in the centre of an oval. Oval has blue enamel with silver text "Issued by the Dept of Defence to Women of Australia". An enamelled scroll beneath this contains the word "For Duty Done". The badge is surmounted by a King's Crown. A brooch fastening and a safety chain are attached to the back, the original safety pin is missing. Two bars are suspended from the bottom of the badge indicating a total of 3 relatives serving overseas. Defence force numbers 33370, 20232 and 20233 inscribed on back. Manufacturer mark "WM Mclean & Co / Melb / STG SIL"female relative's badge, world war one