non-fictionThe Siege of Tobruk lasted for 241 days in 1941. Tobruk was the only harbour between Bengazi and Alexandria and became crucial in preventing Rommel's sweep to the Nile. Tobruk was captured in 1941 and became a beleagured fortress until its garrison was relieved in November 1941. Churchill and his War Cabinet had declared that "Tobruk must be held to the death". The Australians under Major General Morshead fought like tigers . Nazi propaganda radio broadcasts spoke contemptuously of the Tobruk defenders as ‘rats’. In defiance, the soldiers proudly adopted this nickname and have been known by it ever since. During the siege, they designed their own medals, in the shape of a rat, made from the scrap metal of a downed German aeroplane. Anthony Heckstalk-Smith who was himself a Flotilla Officer the "A" Lighters which provided supplies to the garrison, researched evidence from officers of all units involved - Australian, South African, German and British to write this controversial story of men in battle.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, siege of tobruk, arthur lock

This item was owned by Athur Lock who lived in the Wodonga district after World War 11. As well as being a Rat of Tobruk, Arthur made a significant contribution to the community and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1972 for services to young people and the Wodonga community. He was involved in the scouting movement for over 50 years. Arthur was also an amateur radio operator with call number VK3AULThis item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A leather case with surrounding strap and metal buckle. The case contains 2 brushes.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, arthur lock

Established at Victoria Barracks, in Melbourne, in June 1940, the 2/23rd Battalion was raised as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force and assigned to the 26th Brigade. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Evans, a small cadre of experienced personnel drawn from Victorian Militia units were concentrated at Victoria Barracks prior to the battalion headquarters being relocated to Albury, New South Wales, where a large number of volunteers were completing their recruit training at the 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Upon the conclusion of this course, the recruits were posted to the 2/23rd and the battalion – over 900 strong– moved to Bonegilla, Victoria, just across the border, where more complex collective training was completed prior to departure overseas. A large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region and as a result, the 2/23rd became known as "Albury's Own"This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.Circular tin lapel button with pin back fastening. The front is made of paper and covered with clear plastic. The printed design on the front shows the post 1942 T-shaped colour patch of the 2/23 Battalion surrounded by the words "ALBURY'S OWN 2/23RD BN." There are 3 similar badges in our collection. Above colour patch "ALBURY'S OWN" Below colour patch "2/23RD BN."world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, arthur lock

Established at Victoria Barracks, in Melbourne, in June 1940, the 2/23rd Battalion was raised as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force and assigned to the 26th Brigade. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Evans, a small cadre of experienced personnel drawn from Victorian Militia units were concentrated at Victoria Barracks prior to the battalion headquarters being relocated to Albury, New South Wales, where a large number of volunteers were completing their recruit training at the 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Upon the conclusion of this course, the recruits were posted to the 2/23rd and the battalion – over 900 strong– moved to Bonegilla, Victoria, just across the border, where more complex collective training was completed prior to departure overseas. A large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region and as a result, the 2/23rd became known as "Albury's Own"This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A wooden plaque in the shape of a shield commemorating the 2/23rd Battalion known as "Abury's Own". It incorporates a representation of the 2/23rd Battalion colour patch worn after the Siege of Tobruk. At top of plaque "2/23RD AUST.IN.BN./ALBURY'S/OWN"world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, arthur lock

The Australian Commonwealth Military Forces (AMF) was the official name of the Australian Army from 1916 to 1980. The AMF included the full-time regular army and the part-time forces, which were also known as the Militia, the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), and the Australian Citizen Military Force (ACMF). The AMF was made up of conscripted and volunteer militiamen, as well as specialist permanent soldiers.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A wooden plaque in the shape of a shield bearing insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and the Tobuk colour patch. 3 Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badges and metal badge engraved "AUSTRALIA"world war 11, tobruk, rats of tobruk, australian commonwealth military services, arthur lock

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of an Engineer 'Tunnel Rat' wearing a flack jacket enters a tunnel found leading into the Long Hai Hills during land and mine clearance operations in July 1969. The Engineers were under the protection of D coy 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), artillery, Mortar and Naval gunfire.photograph, tunnel rats, d coy, long hai hills, gibbons collection catalogue, artillery, mortars, gunfire, engineers, 6 rar/nz (anzac), denis gibbons

In 1965, soon after the first US combat troops arrived in Vietnam, vast tunnel complexes were discovered. Built by the Viet Cong, these tunnells allowed them to hide from enemy troops and aircraft.tunnel rats 1965-1971, viet cong, us combat troops

Australian tunnel rat in full combat uniform holding a pistol, crouched above a tunnel opening, shining a torch down the tunnel. In 2020 we removed the webbing off the mannequin, folded it all up and put it all next to the feet of the mannequin.tunnel, tunnel rats, australian soldiers

Poster displaying colours and symbol patches of A.I.F Units who fought at the Seige of Tobruk between APRIL-DEC 1941A chart showing the "Tobruk T" patches of the Australian units that took part in the siege of TobrukTimber framed poster of Army colour patches with AIF Badge and two flags centered at topSeige of Tobruk A.I.F April-Dec 1941seige of tobruk, ww2, unit colours and patches, army, rats of tobruk

Sand was collected from the Tobruk battlefield with a small portion poured onto the coffin of ex-veterans of the siege. Part of the collection of "William Anthony Theodore DSM", PM 2981. Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.Solid glass carafe bottle. Clear glass with stopper, topped with a glass round ball, 5 cm in diameter. Contents of glass, fine white sand from Tobruk.william anthony theodore dsm, rats of tobruk, sand

The elaborate fortification that our Marines were forced to attack - the hundreds of metres of neck-deep bunkers, fighting holes, gun pits, and connectiong trenches so cleverly woven into the hedgerows, buildings, and thickets - were constructed over the previous weels by full-time efforts of a local VC support battalion. 1961-1975 -- tunnel warfare, vietnam war (1961-1975), us marines, tunnel rats

A collection of over 30 rare and newly researched removable documents of historic importance.vietnam war, 1961-1975, vietnam - politics and government - 1945-1975, dien bien phu, arvn, the gulf of tonkin, battle of long tan, nva soldier, tet offensive, khe sanh, hue, tunnel rats, the easter offensive, fall of saigon

A collection of over 30 rare and newly researched removable documents of historic importance.vietnam war, 1961-1975, vietnam - politics and government - 1945-1975, dien bien phu, arvn, the gulf of tonkin, battle of long tan, nva soldier, tet offensive, khe sanh, tunnel rats, the easter offensive, fall of saigon

A collection of over 30 rare and newly researched removable documents of historic importance.vietnam war, 1961-1975, vietnam - politics and government - 1945-1975, dien bien phu, arvn, the gulf of tonkin, battle of long tan, nva soldier, tet offensive, khe sanh, hue, tunnel rats, ben het, the easter offensive, fall of saigon

Items part of the collection re "William Anthony Theodore DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for service details.1. Brown wooden candle holder in the shape of a bowl on a stand with a copper plaque screwed onto the side. Screw/nail hole in centre of bottom. 2. Black wooden base for candle holder.Plaque on side "Made from the original timber - Copper sheeting of HMS Victory".rats of tobruk, william anthony theodore dsm, candle holder

Part of the collection of "Douglas Niven Dean" a former Rat of Tobruk.Gold metal badge of Bendigo RSL Club, Pokies with black surface on front and gold writing. Silver clip attached to top.Inscribed on back "If these keys found please return to Bendigo Servicemen's Club 73-75 Havilah Road, Bendigo 03 4422 950"rats of tobryuk, key ring, douglas niven dean

Part of the "Douglas Niven Dean" collection who served in the Siege of Tobruk.Cream colour cardboard strip, one edge has ruler markings up to 12 inches in red. Horizontal lines from middle to bottom with markings for heel flaps, ribbing, length of leg and toes. Cardboard folds into 3.On front: "MAKE YOUR SOCKS TO THE CORRECT MEASUREMENT". "THE AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND", "OUR BOYS DESERVE THE BEST." rats of tobruk, ww2, sock measure, douglas niven dean

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

There were hundreds of kilometers of tunnels and the Viet Cong used them for living and sleeping quarters, hospitals, arms factories and storage depots. Diorama of Viet Cong tunnel system over four levels in cut away aspectBrass plaque - Manufactured by members of the North West Sub Branch Education Team. P. Austin, J. Forster, M. Zukowski, G .O'Donovan. Presented to the VVAA Museum by the members of the North West Sub Branch, Melbourne. Vietnam Veteran's Association of Australia.diorama, tunnels, tunnel rats, viet cong, cu chi