Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring) Donor: Graham Noel During World War II when the Germans occupied the Channel Islands the local people went through very severe food rationing and were on the verge of starvation. Near the end of the war, the Swedish ship Vega was allowed by the Germans to deliver several shipments of food to the civilian population, easing the critical shortages of food on the islands. Further background detail can be found below. Graham Noel was born on the Islands and lived there during this harsh period. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Combined Division AMS Aggregate Series. First Winner: Under Capricorn, P. Bedlington 2005/06 Vega – Further historical background Early in the Second World War Jersey was declared “unarmed” and the German military took over, taking quite a few lives in the process, through strafing the main harbour and a few other places which they needlessly considered threatening. A considerable number of locals evacuated to England before the Germans arrived, but more than 60% of the population remained and endured 5 years of very strict and difficult conditions. Not only was the population unable to contact relatives in the UK or elsewhere, but very quickly they found themselves subject to harsh curfews, strictly rationed foodstuffs, no fuel for vehicles, radios confiscated, and homes and hotels commandeered by the military. The military demanded first pick of all foodstuffs and kept meticulous records of all livestock forcing farmers even to show newborn calves and piglets to them, then claiming the new arrivals for their dinner tables. However there are many stories of farmers outwitting their masters when twin calves or suchlike arrived! Lawbreakers were quickly dealt with, mostly with lengthy prison terms in Jersey, but the more serious crimes were punished by being sent to some horrible French prisons, or even some of the notorious German concentration camps. All local Jews were dispatched to concentration camps, and even English born families were similarly shipped through France and on to Germany. Sadly, a considerable number of those deported did not make it back safely to Jersey. In June 1944 the locals were delighted to hear that the Allies had invaded Normandy and very soon they could hear the battles as the Allies worked their way along the French coast. Little did they know they would still have to wait another 11 months for freedom, having to put up with a very demanding German occupation force which was still determined to obey Hitler’s order to “Defend the Channel Islands to the death”. Now that France was in Allied Hands the local military commanders were unable to supplement their food supplies from France and even harsher demands were made on the local population to ensure that all branches of their still very substantial military force were reasonably well fed. As well as the military, Jersey farmers had to provide food for the Allied POWs and the many “forced labourers”, mainly of Russian, Polish and Italian backgrounds who had been directed to the island to build all the concrete bunkers. This included an underground hospital, all this complying with Hitler’s orders to ensure that the Channel Islands would never again be part of Britain. Many requests by the Jersey authorities for Red Cross assistance were rejected, but finally in December 1944 they agreed and on 30th December the Red Cross vessel “Vega” (Swedish Registry) arrived and delivered parcels to the civilian population. These parcels contained a variety of foodstuffs supplied mainly by Canadian authorities, desperately needed medical supplies, flour, oils and soaps, as well as tobacco from New Zealand. Vega made a further 3 or 4 trips and most certainly eased the desperate situation being faced by the locals. In fact, it resulted in the locals having slightly better food supplies than the military and many local farmers tell stories of having to protect their stock from marauding soldiers. Understandably Churchill was reluctant to send in an invading force to retake the Channel Islands, but by May 1945 it was clear that the Third Reich was finished and on May 9th the German Military surrendered, without a fight, to a large British landing force. On a slightly lighter note … in January 1945 Jersey stonemasons were seen in the main town square repairing flagstones … the Germans had never noticed that the name “Vega” had been formed in those flagstones! As a side note Vega is the name of the brightest star in the universe. Furthermore, throughout the occupation, despite German law that demanded confiscation of all radio sets, punishable by long prison terms or deportation to Germany, there were still many sets being listened to. The locals had a well refined news system for the dissemination of news of what was happening in the outside world. vega, graham noel, ams, combined division, aggregate

Photos taken at Government House after being awarded the Senior Citizen award by the Governor of Victoria, The Honourable Linda Dessau AC.See photo

This photograph was taken circa 1981 - 1982 by Tourism Victoria. Orest “Ory” Frueauf was born in Kharkov, Russia in 1925 and moved to Germany with his family to escape persecution. He was conscripted to the German Army during the Second World War. He was a POW until 1948. He was recruited by a French construction company to work as and interpreter on a hydroelectricity project in Tasmania. Ory then moved to work on the Snowy Mountain Scheme including driving a truck to fill the wall of the Rocky Valley dam. In 1952 Ory was recruited by the Albury Ski Club as its lodge supervisor. That year he also entered into a business partnership with Cecil Dobson, running the general store “Whitehaven” and Post Office at Falls Creek. They extended their business by adding accommodation turning Whitehaven into one of the best commercial lodges at Falls Creek. Ory and Cecil dissolved their business partnership in 1963 and Ory went on to build a new lodge called “Snowhaven” at the site of the present day Frueauf Village, Falls Creek. The trail known as Ory's Trail is also named in his honour. Ory retired to Tawonga, Victoria in 1992 and passed away in 1999.This image is significant because it portrays a pioneer of Falls Creek.A4 size black and white photograph of Ory Frueauf standing at the bar at Snowhaven Lodge with Vovka-Finlandia VodkaOn back of photograph: Orest Freauf 1925-1997. 1925 - Born in Kharkov, Russia, 1951 Tasmania Hydro Electric Co; 1954 Howman's Gap, Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme; 1955 Falls Creek Trading and Transport Co; 1957 Winterhaven Ski Lodge; 1963 Snowhaven Ski Lodge; 1992 Tawonga Southory freauf, hydro electric, tourism victoria, winterhaven ski lodge, snowhaven ski lodge, snow, orest frueauf

An incomplete diary of an Australian nurse serving in France in 1916. The author is unidentified in the document but after extensive research it is concluded that is by Priscilla Wardle, who left Melbourne on 14 April 1915 on RMS Orontes and served with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) in France. A larger portion of her diary is available from the Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League entries on Victorian Collections. The contents of the diary has been retyped and is in the Word document. The diary shows she was serving at a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) in Bethune, France in March 1916. She goes on to serve at Wimereux, at the No 8 Stationary hospital. Also possibly at Boulogne. She had a period of rest at Hardelot, a convalescent home for nurses, and also a trip to England and Scotland. She tried to visit the graves of ancestors, such as relatives of 'Grandfather Allan', in the church yard at East Kilbride church. During her nursing experience she mentions being gassed by 'weeping' gas and hearing the sounds of shelling. Also the numbers of operations per month, such as 311 in March 1916. And another day when there were 29 operations in one day. She talks of POWs coming to the hospital. They are treated after the Allied soldiers are looked after. So operations often continued into the night to take care of the Germans. She also mentions removing a piece of shrapnel herself in one operation. She appears to be of a senior rank as she is asked to meet with senior hospital officials and high ranking officers that visit. In particular she mentions a staff surgeon from Admiral Jellicoe's ship the 'Iron Duke'. He visited just after the Battle of Jutland, which was a naval battle fought between Britain's Royal Navy Grand Fleet, under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet, under Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer, during the First World War (‎31 May – 1 June 1916). Also being visited by Stan Walker (also from Ballarat) and Lt Brough who was ADC to General Legge. It is possible Stan Walker is Lt (later Captain) Edward Stanley Walker. Lt Brough is believed to be Charles Anthony Brough. She also mentions meeting a Lady Gifford and Madam O'Gorman. She mentions travelling with Captain Newton to London in early December 1916 - she calls him Sauchiehall and Sauchie, both could be nicknames. Capt Newton later becomes Sir Wilberforce Newton, who was serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps on the Western Front between 1915 and 1917. His diaries are held in the University of Melbourne archive. He also left Melbourne on the RMS Orontes on 14 April 1915 (source Trove) and would have known the 14 Victorian nurses that went on to serve with QAIMNS. On 11 December 1915 he mentions trying to see a Sister Loughran at the No. 7 Stationary hospital - which was in Boulogne. Sister Loughran was also on the RMS Orontes. When he was ill he mentions receiving a parcel from two other nurses that were on the Orontes and served with QAIMNS (Madge Donnellan and Margaret Donaldson). Other things that indicate it might be Priscilla Wardle is that from Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDM) she was born in Ballarat, her mother's maiden name was Allan, she had a sister Janet that went by the name of Jean who was married at the time mentioned in the diary (BDM and Trove), Priscilla's mother also died during the time of diary and coincides with the diary entry of the 'death of dear mother'. An article in Trove after Priscilla's return to Australia mentions she was in the areas mentioned in the diary. Also that Priscilla went on to be trained as an anaesthetist to help in the surgeries. It matches the comment in the diary that she was involved in many operations and even allowed to perform a bullet extraction. Finally on seeing the diary held by Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League - it was determined the handwriting matched and this diary is part of the larger diary held there, so is definitely Priscilla Wardle. After the war Priscilla Wardle married Cyril Terrence (Terry) Charles Kirby, an English soldier and they settled in Ballarat and later Melbourne. Terry Kirby became a Legatee in 1929 and transferred to Melbourne Legacy in 1935. He was a well liked, hard working Legatee and worked at Legacy House up to his death in 1967. That is probably how the diary ended up in the building. In May 2021 the pages were returned to descendants of Priscilla so now only electronic copies are in our archive.A valuable first hand account of life as a nurse in World War One. The founders of Legacy all served in World War One and may have known this nurse or been in situations similar to her.Handwritten diary of a nurse from 1916 on 10 pages of notepaper.memoir, world war one, nurse

Photograph of Queen Elizabeth II on a state visit to Melbourne in February 1963 receiving flowers from Christine Kelson, a junior legatee. An article in the Legacy's Weekly Bulletin on 26 February mentions the details. Christine was 14 years old and daughter of the late Signaller Arthur Kelson who served with the 9th division in Middle East and who was taken prisoner in North Africa and made a POW in Italy and Germany. Her mother Mrs Dorothy Kelson, served with the AMWAS. Christine and her younger brother Robert, aged 9, both attended Legacy's Physical and Recreational Training classes.A record of a junior legatee being chosen to present flowers to the Queen.Black and white photo of the Queen receiving flowers.Stamped Copyright of The Age in blue ink.royal visit, junior legatee, queen elizabeth

Oil painting of German internee, Cesare Vagarini and POW graves at a Cemetery. A large tree - left foreground - overlooks the grave plot and the white crosses - portion of a tree. Fawn coloured framepainting - oil, hoopmann l, camp 3, tatura, illustrations, oil

prisoner of war, world war i, lindsay family, drawing, german,

Original black and white photograph of 2/24 Infantry Battalion which includes image of Frank Percival SAVILLE VX34912 Born 4/4/1919 Enlisted 27/6/1940 and served with the 2/24th Battalion. He was a POW interned in Italy and Germany camps between 1941-45 during WW2.Black plastic frame with green mount housing original black and white photograph of soldiers in four rows.Plaque -Presented by H A Saville on behalf of his brother Frank P Saville VX34912 2/24 Battalion2/24 battalion, frank saville vx 34912, pow, ww2

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.CGCF ( Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory)

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 Wrexham Ties Ltd

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.

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.

This tie forms part of clothing which 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.

This tie 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 Austico Australia

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Walter William Forbes enlisted on 6.11.39 serving 40 days in Australia and 1863 days overseas. He was taken P.O.W in North Africa and imprisoned in Germany. Discharged from the A.I.F 27.7.45. Refer 1102, 1103.44, 1106."Certificate of Discharge" from the 2nd A.I.F re W. Forbes. On yellow parchment paper, double sided giving details of his Name, Rank, Regt No, period of Service, dates and physical appearance."Certificate No 173552" "VX 953 Dvr Walter Forbes 6 Aust Division ASC"documents - certificates, military history, army/records, forbes, pow

Cased items 10 German, 4 RAAF and 5 Prisoner of War. plus a cigarette case made from Italian Dixie by a Russian prisoner. Tom Fiedler collectionMemories of traumatic period as a POW 7th Jan. 1944 to 28th May 1945. by a RAAF Air Gunner. Tom Fiedler Collection