WWII Historical significance with some information of the Dandenong area.Black and white framed photo of 408537 Sgt R.R.E. Swords 23 Sep 1912 - 21 Jan 1943. This photograph is a tribute to the late Robert Richard Falkiner Swords. 'Bob' as he was known to his friends and most townsfolk of Dandenong and it's people. His older brother James, served in the First World War and later was a founding member of the Dandenong RSL Sub-Branch, formed in 1919, was its second President and also served a term as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. James was the Editor of Dandenong's first newspaper, the Dandenong Advertiser. 'Bob' Swords was also a member of the Dandenong Advertiser newspaper and was a driving force in Dandenong getting it's own Hospital. For many years his photo hung over the entrance to the old building, which was demolished some years back. Regrettably this photo was lost. Bob enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force to train as a pilot on 26 April 1941 and after initial training embarked to Southern Rhodesia. After completion of initial flight training he then moved to England for advanced training, prior to postings onto an OTU. He was tragically killed during this phase of training on 21 January 1943. The gentleman with in this photo is believed to be his South African Flying Instructor 'Panda' Watkins. His grave in England has a lovely headstone and the inscription: 'Service Above Self'. (As advised by Robert Richard Kudyba OAM).Brass plaque stating 4085537 Sgt R.R.F. Swords 23 Sept 1912 - 21 Jan 1943.

Replica medals and original cloth pilot wings of Pilot SGT RRF Swords who died in a training accident 21JAN43Replica medals and original cloth pilot wings of Pilot SGT RRF Swords who died in a training accident 21JAN43Brown and gold from containing the RAAF crest, two sets of cloth pilots wings, four replica medals/ribbon bar, photograph and explanatory notes pertaining to Robert SWORDS.Robert Richard Falkiner Swords. Their service, our heritage, Lest We Forget.framed memorabilia, cloth pilot wings, photograph, medals, replica medals

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired. Manufactured by Benson & Clegg London

This item was donated as part of the estate of Air Vice Marshal Alan Reed, the first Patron of NVVM. Alan served in the RAAF between June 1952 and November 1990. The only RAAF pilot to fly the Lincoln, Canberra F-4 Phantom and F-111 in RAAF service, he served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. For most of that time, he was detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. Dress jacket short with gold buttons (6) on front and 3 on each sleeve cuff. Airforce material badge left lapel. Woolen navy material. Black taffeta lining with inner pocket LHS.Label RHS inner with details "hand tailored by kings tailors, 66 Wickham St Brisbane".alan reed, dress jacket, uniform, airforce, reed, raaf

Gloves worn as part of Alan Reed's dress uniform. This item was donated as part of the estate of Air Vice Marshal Alan Reed, the first Patron of NVVM. Alan served in the RAAF between June 1952 and November 1990. The only RAAF pilot to fly the Lincoln, Canberra F-4 Phantom and F-111 in RAAF service, he served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. For most of that time, he was detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. Dress gloves in nylon cream colored fabric. Metal press stud at wrist. Three pin stripes on front of each glove.Tag on inside of left glove "100% nylon" made in Hong Konggloves, alan reed, uniform, raaf uniform, raaf, dress uniform

Pilot Officer Wilkinson 400444 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 timber frame containing 5 metal medals, photograph of Airman, flying patch and plague on red felt backgroundBronze Plaque: Service Number 400444 P.,O. John W. Wilkinson DFC Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross March 1944 Killed in Action over Germany August 1944j h wilkinson, raaf, dfc

Distinguish Flying Cross medal awarded to John Hudson WILKINSON 400444 born 18/2/1914 at Rutherglen. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist prior to enlisting in the RAAF on 2/9/1940 He was reporting missing during air operations over East Prussia and later presumed to have lost his life on 30/8/1944 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - citation reads Pilot Officer Wilkinson is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion in March 1944 when engaged n an attack on Stuttgart a Junkers 88 attacked his aircraft five times but Pilot Officer Wilkinson by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire drove ff the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew. The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy"Black case which opens out from right side. The top affixed by two side hinges on the left and push in pin on the right side. Inside case the top is lined in satin fabric imprinted with a black crest and the base is lined in felt containing a silver metal medal in the shape of a cross attached to a purple and while diagonally striped ribbon.On Top - DFC impressed in gold colour paint. Inside Top - Royal Mint Medal inscriptions -400444 Flt Lt Wilkinson Stuttgart 1944 pilot officer john hudson wilkinson, dfc, ww2, raaf, kia

Defence records belonging to 400444 John Hudson WILKINSON born 18./2/1914 at Rutherglen. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist prior to enlisting in the RAAF on 2/9/1940 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - citation reads Pilot Officer Wilkinson is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion in March 1944 when engaged n an attack on Stuttgart a Junkers 88 attacked his aircraft five times but Pilot Officer Wilkinson by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire drove ff the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew. Killed in battle over Europe on 30/8/1944.White and green folder depicted with a sprig of rosemary above large group of soldiers.Defence Service Records National Archives of Australiapilot officer john hudson wilkinson, dfc, ww2, raaf, kia

A copy of a Certificate of Combat Service. There is an insignia between Certificate and Combat Service. Under Combat Service reads Be it known to all men that Captain Gary G. Cooper served with the 9th Infantry Division in Armed conflict against insurgent forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Under this is the signature of Julian J Ewell - Major General USA. Commanding General Down the left hand side there is a red and yellow stripe with an US insignia near the bottom. The background of the certificate is in a beige marbled effect.certificate, certificate of combat service, united states, flt lt g.g. cooper, gary cooper (flgt lt.), 0219964, flight lieutenant, air pilots, distinguished flying cross, australian force vietnam, raaf, 9th infantry division, republic of vietnam

This item was donated by Flight Lieutenant Kevin Bruce Henderson, pilot with Transport Flight Vietnam 1964-5 and RAAF No. 37 Squadron 1967-70. It commemorates the service of RAAF Transport veterans in Vietnam. Brown glazed "beer" mug/stein with handle. Painted circle on front bears the RAAF eagle emblem with the words Transport Flight Vietnam beneath.RAAF/ Australian Royal Airforce/ Per Ardua-AD/ Transport Flight Vietnam mug, raaf, transport flight, vietnam, stein, henderson, k b henderson, kevin henderson