Image depicts a group of 5 soldiers all believed to be under 16 years who served with the 2nd AIF in the Middle East in 1941. VX56792 George COKER DOB 11/9/1921 - 2/24 Battalion - was wounded in action on 31/10/1942. SLUNINGS not listed as serving with the 2/24 Battalion. The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Reproduced sepia photograph of 5 soldiers seated and all wearing slouch hats Attached on rear - 2nd AIF Babes Middle East 1941 - All under 16 years Back Row - Laycock 2/21 / Unknown 2/23 Front Row - Coker 2/24 / Slunings 2/24 / Unknown 2/242/24th battalion, wangaratta, george coker

The 59th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Initially raised for service during World War I, the battalion fought on the Western Front in France and Belgium between 1916 and 1918, before being disbanded in 1919. In 1921, it was re-raised as a part-time unit of the Militia in Victoria. They remained in existence until 1942 when, due to a manpower shortage in the Australian economy, the decision was made to amalgamate the battalion with the 58th Battalion to form the 58th/59th Battalion. Together they remained linked throughout World War II, serving in New Guinea and Bougainville in 1943–1945. In 1952, the 59th Battalion was re-raised and subsequently was absorbed into the Royal Victoria Regiment in 1960.Brown timber frame containing cream coloured mount and photograph of large group of soldiers and bandsmenPlaque -59th Militia Circa 193959th militia, ww1, ww2, 1939

Postcards collected and sent by "J.P. Vercoe", No 2530 whilst serving during WW1. Part of the Cooper Collection.1. Photograph postcard featuring a baby sitting in a high chair. Handwritten info on the back. 2. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings and horsedrawn transport. Handwritten information on back. 3. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings, pedestrians and horsedrawn vehicles. Handwritten anecdote on back. 4. Black and White illustrated postcard featuring a woman sewing and soldiers in uniform. Caption in black text. Handwritten info on back. 5. Colour photographic postcard featuring a woman and child standing. Caption in French. Handwritten anecdotes on back. 6. Black and White postcard featuring a soldier offering a woman a cigarette. Caption in white text.1. 2. 4. Handwritten in pencil on back: lPte J.P. Vercoe No. 2530, D Company 5 Rein 60th Batt, 15th Inf Brigade, AIF Abroad” 3. & 5. Handwritten letter to “Ethel from J.P. Vercoe”cooper collection, j.p. vercoe, postcard, ww1

Pocket book belonging to G R Sands of Sea:Lake. These books were gifted to servicemen in WW2 by the Australian Comfort FundAn example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Small red book with plastic canvas cover with black writing.On front cover: The Australian Soldiers' Pocket Book. Gift from The Australian Comforts Fund. Inside written in blue ink: G.R. Sands 71023 Sgt. 401 Road Sea Lake Vic. NOK M.O Sands. DOB 2-1-23. Weight 12st 6lb. Height 6ft 4in.soldiers' pocket book, g. r. sands, australian comfort fund, ww2

Soldiers pocket book issued to Leonard Francis MULDOON VX10046 .Born on 14 July 1909 at Condoblin NSW. Enlisted 23 January 1940 at South Melbourne Served during WW2 An example of a small pocket book gifted by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and was given as a morale boosting gift. The book contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.Burgundy colour imitation leather cover book held together with bandaids pocket book, ww2, muldoon

Information on back - black ink print. "Three brothers perish. The blow of losing our three sons in one battle is terrible/ and we are heartbroken/ Fanny Seabrook, letter 27 November 1917". "On 20 September 1917 all three sons of Fanny/ and William Seabrook, serving in the 17th Battalion, AIF,/ became casualties in the Battle of Menin Road in/ Belgium. Theo and George were together when a bursting shell killed them. The youngest brother, William, died the following day." "photographer unknown/ Sydney. c1916-17". Photograph - black and white group portrait of three soldiers - two seated and one standing behind. Photograph reproduced for an exhibition. Mounted with all cardboard frame with fold out display stand on back. Beige and brown colours with brown leather strap decoration at lower edge. Printed information on back of mount cardboard.photograph, portraits, ww1

Illustrated book with dust jacket. Book has a light brown cover with abbreviated title authors' and publisher's names embossed in silver on the spine. Dust jacket has background of shades of brown, off-white and grey. On the front is a photograph 'Australian infantrymen evacuate a wounded soldier on a stretcher to the beach during the landing at Balikpapan, Borneo, July 1945, along with the title printed in brown and navy, and the authors names printed in white. On the spine, the abbreviated title is printed in brown, authors names in black, and publishers name in white. On the back cover is a photograph of a soldier with arm in a sling (in an advanced dressing station on the Menin Road near Ypres, Belgium, 20 September 1917) Also on the back cover is a quote from Graham Edwards (Vietnam veteran, veteran's advocate and former MP) and a list of other contributors to the book. non-fictionWar has been an accelerator of the advances in medical treatment and surgery. As modern weaponry became more destructive, medicine developed techniques and procedures to deal with the volume and nature of battlefield casualties. This book is a collection of chapters by historians, medical practitioners and researchers, former and serving military medical officers, surgeons, nurses and veterans, who explore the impact of war, wounds and trauma through the historical record, reported narratives and personal experiences.war-medical aspects, medicine-military-history-australia, soldiers-wounds and injuries-treatment-australia, alfred nurses

Photograph of soldiers taken circa 11 October 1914 All enlisted on the 17th of August, 1914 at Wangaratta unless stated otherwise, assigned to the 7th Battalion C Company and identified as follows:- Colour Sergeant William Baker 290 - Prior to enlistment at Essendon was serving with the 58th Battalion. He embarked Australia on the 21/10/14. Brothers Charles POWLEY 347 and John Hall POWLEY 348 from Boweya - Embarked 19/10/14 on HMAT Hororata. Charles aged 21 years KIA 25/4/15 at Gallipoli and John returned to Australia on 31/10/15. Charles attended Wangaratta High School. John Crocker 346 was born at Clunes and enlisted at Broadmeadows. He was 36 years old, a butcher by trade and served with the 2nd Scottish Horse in the Boer War. His mother was listed as next of kin residing in Bracknell Tasmania He was wounded at Gallipoli and discharged on 19/1/1917 Nelson Albert Hardy 363 Born in England and a butcher by trade .KIA 23/8/1915 at Gallipoli aged 22 Edward Fahey 364 Ovens Street Wangaratta, Aged 29 years, a Painter by trade. He returned to Australia in December 1915 and appointed a Recruiting Sergeant. He resigned from this position on 8/5/1916, went AWOL and on 21/7/1920 discharged due to desertion. Joseph Cowham 360 enlisted at Broadmeadows on 19/8/1914. Thomas Peter Williams 404 - Aged 24 and a Blacksmith. He received a gunshot wound to the wrist on 26/5/1915 and returned to Australia. Joseph Nathaniel O'Brien 376 or John William O'Brien 365 both of Rowan Street Wangaratta Handwritten on rear “Wangaratta Boys C Company 7th Battalion October 11th 1914 From Private John Crocker 346”Sepia photograph of 11 men six standing and five kneeling dressed in military uniform wearing forage cap with row of pine trees in background. Photograph is mounted on brown cardboard with handwriting across top border.Rear - Wangaratta Boys C Company 7th Battalion October 11th 1914 From Private John Crocker 346 Front - list of names handwritten in ink J Powly, Col Serg Baker? Corp Naldress?, Private Couham?, C Powly, L Williams N Hardy J Crocker, E Lahy?, J?? K Jarrot? wangaratta, c company, joseph cowham 360, nelson hardy 363, john crocker 346, charles powley 347, john powley 348, hororata, gallipoli, edward fahey 364, thomas peter williams 404, william baker 290, joseph nathaniel o'brien 376, john william o'brien 365, ww1, 7th battalion

WWII Historical significance.This book was a gift to serving members of the Australian Army from The Australian Comforts Fund in 1944. The book belonged to VX37033 Pte Andrew Bishop 2/22 Infantry Battalion A.I.F. The book gives details of relevant information regarding The Army, First Aid, and information about the enemy etc.Inside the front cover written in ink VX37033 Pte A.B. Bishop 2/2nd Inf. Bn. A.I.F. and 2/22 Inf. Bn. A.I.F.. Also a message from Andrews Wife, Dorothy. I received the three parcels on the 24/3/45 love Dot.

non-fictionThe life of Phonse Tobin was anything but ordinary. Born in 1905, he followed on behind soldiers as they marched to the wharves to depart for WW1. He earned pocket money by trapping rats and collecting the South Melbourne Council's rat bounty, and almost 'haunted' the Collins Street movie and live theatres. After leaving school in 1919 he worked as a storeman, salesman, soldier and fireman. In 1934 Phonse and his brothers Leo, Tom and Kevin started what has become Australia's most successful family-owned funeral service company. A natural entertainer, Phonse possessed a fine singing voice and produced many amateur theatrical productions in the 1930s. He was a good all-round sportsman and a successful professional footrunner. He was a long-serving member of the North Melbourne Football Club committee and was the club's president from 1955 to 1957. He was a life member of both the NMFC and the VFL (now AFL). Phonse married Vera Crough in 1935. They had four children. Phonse was one of those rare characters who could meet, communicate and be at ease with people of all classes and walks of life - from prize fighters to prime ministers, from 'mug' punters to wealthy publicans or bookmakers, from Knights of the Southern Cross to knights of the realm, from everyday parish priests to 'princes' of the church, and from grave diggers to governors.phonse tobin, undertakers, biography, alphonsus vincent tobin

non-fictionThis is the story of a soldier John Arthur Metson during the 2nd World War serving in the Australian 2/14th Battalionjohn arthur metson, les cook

In 1969 Private David Fisher, a national serviceman serving with 3 Squadron SAS, became the next soldier declared missing in action. In September 1969 Fisher was second-in-command of a five-man, long range SAS patrol searching for signs of enemy activity near the Nui May Tao massif in south-eastern Long Khanh province. After patrolling for seven days in persistent rain, on 27 September the Australians had a series of sharp contacts with strong groups of Viet Cong. Outnumbered and pursued through the jungle, they called for a helicopter extraction. The helicopters arrived within half an hour, just as the enemy were closing in on the SAS soldiers. During the hectic moments of the "hot" extraction, while under fire and surrounded by the enemy, the members of the patrol clipped on their karabiners and attached themselves to ropes dangling from a helicopter and were lifted clear of the jungle. As the helicopter gathered speed and helicopter gunships moved in to fire on the enemy on the ground, the patrol members suddenly noticed that Private Fisher was missing. He had fallen from his rope from a height of about 30 metres above the tree canopy. It was later suggested that, under pressure, Fisher may have attached his karabiner to the wrong loop on the rope. An air search began within ten minutes of the incident and a ground search began within five hours. A ten-man SAS patrol searched the jungle around the site, joined the following day by rifle companies who searched for the next six days. Fisher's body was never found, and he was declared missing in action, presumed dead. He had only two months remaining of his tour of duty.Stainless steel open-ended bracelet engraved with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square velvet satin-lined box.David John Elkington Fisher 27/09/69mia, david john elkington fisher, trooper david john fisher, 2787344, australian national serviceman, royal australian infantry corps, 2nd special air service squadon, 3rd special air service squadron, sas

The last Australian soldier to be listed as missing in action was Lance Corporal John Francis Gillespie of 8 Field Ambulance. On 17 April 1971 Gillespie was serving as a helicopter medic during a 'dustoff' (helicopter medical evacuation) operation in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc Tuy province. Four South Vietnamese Regional Force soldiers had been injured by a mine explosion and the difficult terrain demanded a helicopter evacuation. But the Long Hai hills were an insecure landing zone. The caves and dense timber of the Long Hais had long harboured a major Viet Cong base area and the dustoff operation required the protection of helicopter gunships. As the first wounded soldier was being winched up, the hovering helicopter was hit by enemy machine-gun fire. It crashed to the ground and burst into flames. Although the crew escaped, Lance Corporal Gillespie and three other soldiers were engulfed in the fireball. A helicopter crewman, Corporal Robert Stephens, repeatedly entered the burning aircraft and tried in vain to rescue Gillespie, until being forced back by the flames. Stephens was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his courage. Gillespie's body could not be recovered from the burning wreckage which was reduced to slag by the fire. Private Gillespie was listed as missing in action, apparently on a technicality because his remains could not be found. The classification was subsequently altered to killed in action.Stainless steel open ended bracelet with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square satin lined box.MIA John Francis Gillespie 17/04/71mia, john francis gillespie, l/cpl john francis gillespie, 3170244, royal australian army medical corps, 8th field ambulance, cpl robert stephens, killed in action

"Soldiering On" continues the practise of the soldiers contributing to the development of the book and in this example the dustjacket design was by Ballarat Head of Arts at School of Mines Ballarat, Geoffrey Mainwaring who served as a war artist.military, new guinea, world war ii, art, war, ballarat, mainwaring, smb, australian war memorial, canberra

Pay book issued to Edmond Paget Seymour VX 102658, Serving in Australian Army during WW2. Tracking pay details, next of kin, medical and training.Pay book for Australian Soldier No. 264394. Cover brown. Coat of Arms and Australian Military Forces. 26 pages inside. Rear cover has 2 photos of soldier stapled in. Records inside cover from 15/5/41 to 25/6/43. All pages stamped with "Discharge" in purple. Two small holes punched through bottom of the book 3cm apart.Pages stamped in purple "Discharge". Front cover VX102658, "Edmond Paget Seymour".passchendaele barracks trust, soldiers pay book, e. p. seymour

This tray was sent home by a soldier called Ern Goodridge. Believed to be WX34399 Hughie Ernest Goodridge. Serving tray made out of 11 strips of different timbers. All edges are curved. At the ends are metal handles that have been chromed.In the centre of the tray inscribed on a metal plaque "NEW GUINEA 1943"new guinea, trench art, souvenirs, wwii

Chu Chin Chow is a musical comedy written, produced and directed by Oscar Asche, with music by Frederic Norton, based (with minor embellishments) on the story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. Tickets to see Chu Chin Chow were particularly eagerly sought by troops on leave from the Western Front. One of the attractions for the on-leave soldiers was the chorus of pretty slave girls who, for the period, were very scantily dressed. The cast was large and included a camel, a donkey, poultry and snakes. A total of 2,800,000 people saw the show. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Chin_Chow) It is thought that Harry Holmes attended 'Chu Chin Chow' while on leave in London during World War One. Around this time he had been serving in the Australian Imperial Forces in Egypt. Henry 'Harry' Holmes was the son of Violet Holmes. He enlisted under the name Harry Smerdon Holmes and was put into the 18th A.A.S.C., then later transferred into the 5th Division Train A.S.C. According to his Soldier's Pay Books (Cat. No. 20112) Holmes Registration number was 7983. He was Catholic and enlisted in the Third Military District on 17 September 1915, and embarked on 8 November 1915. Holmes was in the 18th AASC Unit with the rank of Driver at that time. On 15 November 1918 Holmes was promoted to Lance Corporal. He received leave on: * 3 August 1917 - London (10 days) * 19 February 1918 - Paris (10 days) * 27 August 1918 - London (14 days) Research: Henry Holmes' grandaughter, Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) White paper theatre programme with red and black writing. It is a publicity brochure from the play 'Chu Chin Chow' by Oscar Asche set to music by Frederic Norton. In black ink in front 'So far this is an easy first of the shows I've seen, The scenes are great and being Egyptian we understand them all the better'. chatham family collection, holmes, theatre, world war 1, world war, world war i, herbert tree, entertainment, music, musical, oscar asche, fred norton

Henry John (Jack) Holmes of Ascot was the eldest son of Henry Smerdon and Edith (nee Pickford) Holmes and brother to William Smerdon [Bill], David Coghill and Elizabeth (m Chatham) On his return from serving in WW2, Jack with his father's help took up a Soldier Settler option and settled at Derrinallum on a portion of Mout Elephant. The holding was named "Launchley Park". Soldiers, like Jack with their families, helped swell the numbers in the district and aided the growth in the town and the services it could provide.Three photographs. .1) Black and white photograph of Henry John (Jack) Holmes from Ascot and then Derinallum .2) and .3) Jack Holmes. jack holmes, chatham-holmes collection, henry smerdon holmes, derrinallum, western desert ww2, soldier settlement, mount elephant

Soldier Harry Holmes of Ascot, Victoria sent this postcard to his family while serving in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in France. HENRY SMERDON (Harry) HOLMES was born in 1897 at the family property, ’Sauchieburn’, 17 km north of Ballarat, in the Ascot district. He was the youngest of four children. After finishing his education at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Henry joined the Holmes family farming interests. At the age of 18 he enlisted and served with AIF in Egypt, France and Belgium 1915-1918. Henry served at the famous battlegrounds of Ypes and Somme in the Australian Army 8th Battalion. He was a Driver with the 4th D.A.C. The postcard is of "The Ascot" boys. Includes [Samuel] Gordon Spittle, Henry [Harry] Holmes's first cousin, and other Ascot lads and district connections: neighbours, Ascot State School classmates and football mates from Clunes / Creswick districts. (Research by Jane Dyer) White Postcard with embroidery on white silk. The embroidery features green ivy leaves and red berries, and the words "Happy Christmas".Verso "All good wishes to all the dear ones at home for a happy Xmas and a bright New Year from Harry 11/11/16."chatham - holmes family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, france, christmas