Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.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 frame containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow

The Rising Sun crafted from timber by Alan Darwin of Wangaratta Woodworkers Inc., and presented to the Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch to commemorate the 100 year ANZAC campaignProudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Force in both World Wars, the 'Rising Sun' badge has become an integral part of the digger tradition. The distinctive shape of the badge, worn on the upturned side of a slouch hat, is commonly identified with the spirit of AnzacCarved timber badge in the shape of the Rising Sun above crown and bannerCarved "The Australian Army" Gold plaque engraved"To commemorate the 100 year ANZAC campaign "rising sun, anzac

In the Australian army (whose regimental traditions are largely those of the British army) the red sash is worn by sergeants and warrant officers on ceremonial parades-the sash and it's colour came from it being used to drag wounded soldiers out of the battle line and to the rear in the times when battle was a close quarters fight.In the Australian army (whose regimental traditions are largely those of the British army) the red sash is worn by sergeants and warrant officers on ceremonial parades-the sash and it's colour came from it being used to drag wounded soldiers out of the battle line and to the rear in the times when battle was a close quarters fight.Two red sashes made from woven fabric with red cording/fringe at both endsNilred sash, army, ceremonial

Poster displaying WW1 Distinguishing badges colours and patches of the AIF. These colour patches identified units and formations of the Australian Army which fought during World War 1Poster is a tribute to the soldiers of WW1Carved timber framed poster with rising sun crest with flags and columns of coloured symbols and shaped badges.The Great War 1914-1918 Colours & Patches Distinguishing Badges of the Australian Imperial Forcesww1, great war, aif, colours & patches, distinguishing badges, 1914-1918

Recruitment poster urgently calling for enlistments to the AIF during World War Two. The poster depicts a man donning a uniform, rifle in one hand, his civilian clothes lie in heap on the ground behind him.Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Second World War recruitment poster released in 1941 before Japan had entered the war, at a time when many Australians were reluctant to enlist to fight on the other side of the world. Dark timber frame containing poster of a soldier JOIN THE A.I.F THIS IS SERIOUS ENLIST NOWrecruiting, oster, ww2

Item donated by Eric Hamilton VX42389 who served with the 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East and at the battle of Tobruk which lasted 241 days in 1941. Brown timber frame containing poster with Map in centre and circles in each corner with images of soldiers and one symbol on light blue background Siege of Tobruk April- Dec 1941tobruk, ww2, 1941

AUSTRALIAN VIETNAM FORCES Welcome Home Parade Sydney October 3rd 1987 Vietnam War welcome home parade commemorative souvenirs.Two sealed cans with ring top pulls - one white in colour with glass of beer and Australian Flag and one red in colour with soldier and kangaroo Tooheys Draught AUSTRALIAN VIETNAM FORCES Welcome Home Parade Sydney October 3rd 1987 Power's Bitter Ale Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial Canberra 1992beer can, vietnam war, welcome home parade, souvenir

Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road New Guinea drawn to scale by 2/1 Aust Fd Coy dated 23.7.43 and signed by soldiers together with related newspaper article. Hand sketched by Peter Muncey VX10042 a Draughtsman who served in the Middle East Ceylon and New Guinea with the 2/2 and 2/1 Field Coy Royal Australian Engineers. The sketch contains 26 signatures including:- S/Sgt Raymond Hector Ibbotson NX14112 who served in the Middle East and New Guinea Lt Col Jack Graham Wilson NX 130646Bulldog Track also known as Bulldog-Wau road was longer, higher, steeper, wetter, colder and rougher than Kokoda Track. In 1943 Australian Army engineers; the 2/1 and 2/16 Field Company RAE, 9th Australian Field Company (AIF), veterans of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Greece and Crete, the 1st and 3rd Australian Pack Transport Companies and local Papuan labour cut the road with pickaxes and dynamite over a period of eight months. During five months of operations over seventy per cent of the 2/1 Australian Field Company contracted malaria.Seventeen bridges were constructed; mostly single, but at least one with multiple spans. More than two thousand Australian army personnel and over two thousand Papuans and New Guineans were involved during nine months of construction. Thus the road, acclaimed as the greatest military engineering feat ever, was completed and for the only time in history motor vehicles crossed the high rugged mountains of Papua New Guinea. Carved brown timber frame with cream mount containing hand sketched map with soldiers signatures and two newspaper articles.Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road 23.7.43 2/1 Aust Fd Coy Newspaper - Diggers pushed on with pick and shovelbulldog-wau road, map, new guinea, ww2

Certificate of appreciation dated 30/6/1946 presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund by RSS & AILABlack plastic frame containing certificate with black and red writing below two symbols and picture of a buildingThe Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia Presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund in grateful appreciation of meritorious service rendered to the RSL War Service Fund during 1939-1945.comfort fund, ww2, wangaratta, certificate

The original art piece was painted by Australian artist Will Longstaff after he attended the unveiling ceremony of the Menin Gate memorial at the entrance of the Belgian town of Ypres in 1927. The memorial is inscribed with the names of 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in Flanders with no known grave. More than 6000 are Australians. It was purchased in 1928 for 2000 guineas and presented to the Australia Government by British Philanthropist Lord WoolavingtonThe image commemorates those soldiers with no marked graves who died on the Western Front during the First World War.Dark wooden frame of a dark blue coloured print with large cream coloured arched monument in distance.MENIN GATE AT MIDNIGHT by Will Longstaff Presented by Lord Woolavingtonmenin gate, will longstaff, lord woolavington, ww1

Item displays images of Australian Army badges of rank and special qualifications.The rank system forms the backbone of the Australian Army’s structure and defines a soldier or officer’s role and degree of responsibility. The ranks are based upon those of the British Army, although there are some differences in the way they are displayed. Brown timber and gold painted frame containing poster showing Australian Army badges against a white background. Badges arranged by rank as follows: commissioned officers, warrant and non-commissioned officers and specialist qualification badges.Australian Army Badge of Rankarmy, australia, badges of rank

A limited edition framed collection with service medals presented over the past one hundred years to our dedicated service men and women, meticulously mounted and displayed on quality backing. Includes: 36 medals, 53 current bars and 12 World War II barsBrown timber frame with gold painted inner edge containing a poster headed with two springs of wattle either side of three flags above four rows of medals and ribbons on a white background edged with photograph negatives of soldiers and wartime.Australian Service Medals Centre of bottom edge - Christie's Pty Ltd Registered Design Number 1/2500australian, service medals

Culph, Edward Heathcote Service Number: 1447 Final rank: Private First World War, 1914-1918 5 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 12 Reinforcements (December 1914 - November 1915) Date of embarkation: 02 February 1915, Melbourne Ship Embarked on: HMAT Clan McGillivray A46first world war, world war one, wwi, australian imperial forces, aif, soldiers, men, milawa, el dorado

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Postcard with a colour design including two sailors holding flags, an outline of Australia with two magpies within, a ship at sea and two hands clasping.Front "hands across the sea"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, ship, sea, hands across the sea, holding hands, hand, magpie, currawong, sailor, ocean

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This postcard, addressed to soldier William West, was written by his wife on behalf of their young daughter. The final line reads, 'When are you coming home Daddy dear?' This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Cheaper and more efficient than traditional letters, postcards were an enormously popular means of communication between families and those at the front. Postcard with white background and cut out of a green gum leaf"wishing you a speedy and safe return" "A gum leaf from Australia"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, remembrance, gum leaf, gumleaf, australia

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Postcard with a vase of wattle flowers in the centre"Merry Xmas"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, wattle flower, wattle, australia, flowers, merry xmas, christmas

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Mini postcard - two separate black and white images both featuring the moonPrinted on front " The same old moon" Hand written on rear.. To Enid From Dad I just got a letter from you 22 July Best Love xxxalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, wattle flower, wattle, australia, flowers, merry xmas, christmas

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Postcard with rising sun and two flags above attached cutout in the shape of a gum leaf.To My Dear Daddie at the Front A Gum Leaf from Australiaalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, gumleaf, gum leaf

WW2 War Service Badge issued to former soldiers who had served within the boundaries of Australia and who were, therefore, not eligible for the RAS badge. To be worn on civilian clothing.Gold badge with crown on top, rising sun in middle, an anchor at the bottom.On front: Service at bottom of crown. Australia is written at bottom, under anchor. On back: 1948, Issued by C'Wealth Govt, Amor Sydney. 49241australia, wwii, world war 2

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. coloured postcard with image of a waterfall Greetings from 'Australiaalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, flag, union jack, australia

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Colour postcard of ship at sea, flags and two lyrebirds within shape of AustraliaGreetings to My Soldier Boyalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, flag, lyre bird, union jack, bird, australia, soldier

Lieutenant Albert Sargent VX15290 was born on the 3rd of November, 1918 at Wangaratta in Victoria. He was a member of Z Special Unit and involved in Operation RIMAU. when he was captured and executed by the Japanese in Malaya on the 7th of July, 1945 during WW2. Operation RIMAU - In September, 1944, 23 British and Australian members of Z Special Unit travelled from Australia by submarine to the outskirts of Singapore Harbour then under Japanese occupation. Their mission was to attack and destroy enemy shipping from small submersible boats using magnetic limpet mines. Official Japanese records state that the ten men of the contingent captured were beheaded at Pasir Panjang on 7 July 1945, approximately one month before World War II in the Pacific came to an end.Brown timber frame and green mount containing a copy of photograph of soldier and map showing RIMAU battles and listing RIMAU personnel.Lt Albert Sargent Operation RIMAUoperation rimau, albert sargent, z special unit, vx15290, wangaratta, ww2

Photograph of Wangaratta RSL Life Member Frank Ramage taken wearing WW2 Army uniform and slouch hat. Frank joined the C.M.F in 1943 and transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance A.I.F. in 1944 and discharged in 1946. He served in New Guinea and New Britain Frank Ramage joined the R.S.L. in 1956 and was made a Life Member in 1996Black plastic frame containing photocopy of photograph of soldier wearing slouch hat.frank ramage, 6th australian field ambulance, ww2, rsl life member, wangaratta rsl sub branch

Soldier's Pay Book belonging to WW1 Gunner Barry SEYMOUR 19825 108 Australian (Howitzer) Battery Born Box Hill Enlisted Melbourne 7/12/1915 aged 22 years 3 months Awarded Military Medal in 1918' Returned to Australia 22/7/1919 and Enlistment terminated 5/9/1919Brown canvas booklet with black writing and rising sun crest Australian Imperial Force Soldier's Pay bookgunner barry seymour, ww1, military medal, 108 australian (howitzer) battery

Letter of sympathy to Mrs Seymour on the passing of her husband Gunner Barry SEYMOUR 19825Cream coloured paper letter with black type below letterhead and crest.The Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia dated 26/2/1941 and signed by State President G.W. Holland addressed to Mrs R. H. Seymour 29 Barnett Street, Kensington.rs&sila, barry seymour

Assorted personal papers, cards and letter belonging to Private John William ELLIS 218,5334 24th Battalion and Australia Flying Corps. Born Rupanyup. Occ Farmer at Nyarrin. Served Gallipoli and Western Front. Returned to Australia 15/2/1918YMCA Aldwych Hut x 2 No 46137 and 46200 Bed only YMCA In the Field notepaper dated Jan 7 1918 handwritten letter in pencil Receipt dated Mar 29 1919 for Australian piano and stool. Four page letter written in pencil dated July 10th France from brother Bob Statement of Account for AIF pay and allowances Pte J W Ellis Card - cream coloured - From the Majoress of Exeter and Committee Wishing you good luck Card - cream coloured stamped in red Massage Dept. Daily Appointment with handwriting in pen Card x 2 one pink one orange Welcome Home - Returned Soldier's Hospitality Committee, FremantleAs abovejohn william ellis, 24th battalion, ww1, personal papers

Photograph of soldiers wearing slouch hat and holding rifles mounted on horseback - most likely Victorian Mounted Rifle contingent.The Victorian Mounted Rifles (VMR) was a regiment composed of Australian forces that served in the Second Boer War.Black and white photograph of eight soldiers mounted on horsebackHandwritten top left corner "Contingent"victorian mounted rifles, contingent

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

Commemorative scroll sent to the next of kin of Private Rupert James Cavanagh MOORE 6852 attached to the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion and who made the ultimate sacrifice.- killed in action on 13/7/1918 in France. MOORE was born in Wangaratta, Victoria and a Printer when enlisted on 6/2/1917.In 1922 a Memorial Scroll was presented to the next of kin of those soldiers, sailors, and nurses who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force or Royal Australian Navy during the First World War. Later they were presented with a Next of Kin Memorial Plaque. The Memorial Scroll bears the Royal Coat of Arms and a message paying tribute to the soldiers who gave up "their own lives that others might live in freedom". Cream paper scroll with Coat of Arms above ten lines of black writing and two lines in red ink.Pte. Rupert James Cavanagh Moore 3rd M.G.Bn., A.I.F.pte rupert james cavanagh moore, kia, wangaratta, ww1