Women’s Auxiliaries were formed by mothers, wives, widows, sisters, daughters and aunts of men who served in the First World War. In May1918 a small band of women from the "Friendly Union" organised themselves,under the leadership of Mrs F C Purbrick, into a Women's Auxiliary of the Wangaratta Returned Soldiers Association (RSA). Their first task was to furnish club rooms for the RSA and this was achieved by seeking donations and raising money by selling jams, jellies and posies of violets by selected girls wearing special badges in the street. Over the years funds have been raised through raffles, competitions, street stalls and catering at numerous events to assist the aims of the Returned Services League. In 2018 the Wangaratta RSL Women's Auxiliary celebrated its centenary. Women have played a central role in sustaining the activities of ex-service organisations. Women's auxiliaries are dedicated to fundraising, supporting the activities of their local RSL, and caring for veterans in their wider community. Today, there are more than 1200 auxiliary members in Victoria.Red timber shield mounted on brown laminated base of particle board in a larger shield shape with metal emblem. Women's Auxillary RSL on metal logo with Crown and Australian Flag mounted on red shieldwomen's auxiliary, wangaratta rsl

During WW1 many soldiers purchased silk handkerchief souvenirs to send home to loved ones.Three machine embroided silk handkerchiefs - purple, light pink and bright pink in colourMotif and inscription in corner of each item.handkerchief, silk, ww1

Postcard from WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion while posted in France was sent to his wife at home, 1917.Embroidered silk postcards were first made in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. The popularity of silk postcards peaked during the First World War 1914 - 1918.They were mostly embroidered by French women in their homes and then sent to the factories for cutting and mounting on cards. Many of the cards were illustrated with patriotic symbols, flags, slogans, or sentimental texts. During the First World War, many Allied officers and soldiers based in France sent silk embroidered postcards to their loved ones back homeWhite rectangular postcard with embroidered pink flower and green foliate decoration on front. Handwritten message on the back.Front: "From your husband" (embroidered) Back: "Write soon / Best Love / to West / do not forget to / send that / France / Jan 23/1/1917 / My Dear Alice / Just a P.C. to let you know I'm still well and hope you are all the same Best love / to all from Will xxxxxxxxxxxxx"wwi, postcard, embroidered postcard, paris depose, fabrication francaise

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. These postcards, photographs and clippings were sent to William's family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. 3. "Soldier's diary / The touch of a vanished hand" refers to the diary of Private Percival SHERRIFF 3405 5th Battalion born at Ballarat and was killed in action on 20/8/1916 in France. Newspaper cuttings.1."Diggers at ANZAC house reunion" 2. "Song of the Wattle Bloom" 3. "Soldier's diary / The touch of a vanished hand" 4. "A parody on 'Blighty'"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi

Photograph of L.Cpl. Harold Pearson Prest M.M. Service Number: 1334 Enlisted Wangaratta 24/3/1916 Embarked on 3/6/1916 on board "Persic" Returned on 20/12/1917 37th. Battalion A.I.F Awarded Military Medal for Bravery Ypres, Belgium 4th of October 1917 Harold's brother George PREST 1333 served with the 38th Battalion Brown timber frame with maroon felt mount containing photograph,three medals with ribbons and metal plaqueL.Cpl. Harold P. Prest M.M. Service Number: 1334 37th. Battalion A.I.F Enlisted 24th March 1916 Awarded Military Medal for Bravery Ypres, Belguim 4th of October 1917 harold prest, 37th battalion aif, ww1, military medal

Private Roy Llewellyn Sandow 1120 born in Georgetown Sth Australia enlisted on the 19th September 1914 at Melbourne and posted to the 5th Battalion AIF. He was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery at Polygon Wood, Belgium on 20th September 1917 and died of his wounds on 22nd September 1917 Private Sandow's family received of a memorial plaque which is inscribed - He Died for Freedom and Honour. Brown wooden frame containing round metal disc and four metal medals with ribbons mounted on red velvet.Bronze Plaque Service Number 1120 Pte. Roy L. Sandow MM 5th Battalion AIF Enlisted 19th September 19th September 1914 Awarded Military Medal 20.9.1917 Polygon Wood Belguim Died of Wounds 22.9.1917military medal, death penny, private roy l sandow, 5th battalion, memorial plaque

Two service medals awarded to Lt Allan Robert Stewart VX114312 of 124 Aust. Special Hospital Unit. He was born on 29/5/1906 at Hamilton and enlisted at Ballarat. Military service records not available/examined.Two metal medals with ribbon above black engraved plaque mounted on timber framed red felt Plaque: VX 114312 Lt Allan R Stewart 124 Aust. Special Hospital Enlisted 23rd October 1942 Discharged 15th May 1946allan robert stewart, ww2, service medals, 124 aust. special hospital unit

Three service medals with ribbons belonged to Herbert Roger HORNE VX42461 who was born at Traralgon on 8/10/1908. He enlisted at Caulfield on 8/7/1940 and served with the 2/11 Field Regiment in the Middle East during the second world war. He was discharged on 28/9/1944 and later died on 12/9/1961.Timber frame with three metal medals and ribbons on red velvet background."Donated by the family of H R HORNE'herbert roger horne, ww2, 2/11 field regiment

Medals belonged to Private Thomas E. Rollings 1983 who was born at Tallangatta and served with 24th Battalion AIF. Black timber frame containing bronze coloured star shaped metal medal with ribbon and a gold-coloured metal badge/medallion mounted on red felt."1983 / Pte. Thomas E. Rollings / 24th Battalion A.I.F."gallipoli star, medal, anzac, wwi, world war one, 24th battalion

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 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 illustration of a bulldog carrying a brown sausage dog in its mouthFront "got him!"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, dog, sausage dog, bulldog

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 black and white photograph of a cottage in a garden settingFront "the Queen's cottage, Kew"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, photograph, kew, the queen's cottage

Small book of yellowing pages, with blue coloured lettering and picture of the Australian flag and three men, army, navy and air force. Union Jack in flag is red and whit and has slight red colour in the faces of the men.On front cover: The Digger's Book of Humour 1963. Written in black ink at the top is Kath Gibb In front cover: Complied by A Group of Ex-Servicemen.book of humour, wwii, world war 2, digger's book of humour

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 with a blue grey design.Front "situation shortly vacant / with good prospects of a rise"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, bomb, missile

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 pink and blue bordering an oval black and white photograph of a little girl and teddy bearalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, girl, teddy, teddy bear

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 cartoon of a dog and rabbit chasing a boy"The rabbit: "what a nervous little boy! Aint he scared of me!!"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, boy, dog, rabbit, running, chasing

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 illustration of two pink and purple flowers, gold text and white background."Good / Luck"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, boy, flower, gold, horseshoe, good luck

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 gold font and foliate border, bouquet of blue flowers and white backgroundalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, flower, gold, remembrance

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

Five small and three large buttons. Are a brass colour with Australian Military Forces written around the outside, a map of Australia in the middle with a crown on top.On front: Australian Military Forces. Also has the map of Australia with a crown on top, On back: P.J.King Pty Ltd, Melb. australian army, australia military badges, buttons, australian buttons, australian military forces buttons

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

During the inter-war years, the 8th Light Horse was re-raised as a part-time unit based in the Indi region of northern Victoria. It was later converted to a divisional cavalry regiment during the Second World War but was disbanded in 1944 without having been deployed overseas.Square gold badge with grey enamel in the middle. 8th Light Horse patch colours of yellow and blue, in the centre with gold writing underneath.On front: 8th Cav Regiment, under the 8th Lighthorse colour patch On back: Nicholaustralia, light horse, 8th cav regiment, 8th light horse regiment

Round gold badge with red crown at top, grey around outside, white in the middle with gold writing. Has infantry colour patch of brown and red at the bottom.On front: 2/7 Aust. Inf. Bn. Assoc. On back: 164. Stokes Melbaustralia, wwii, world war 2, 2/7 infantry

The shield design is symbolic of the protection provided to those who wear it. Within the badge, red represents the blood ties of war that exist between comrades; white stands for the purity of the motives in joining the league – to render service without personal gain or ambition; and blue indicates a willingness to serve a comrade anywhere under the blue sky. The wattle represents Australia, with the leek, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock standing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.The League’s badge represents a readiness at all times to render service to Queen and country and to former comrades. It can’t be purchased and may only be worn by those who have served their country. Gold badge with white on outside, crown on top, blue circle in the middle with gold in centre, Has red banner at bottom.On front: 97 in crown. Returned Services League. Australia. On back: Badge remains property of League. Brim Melb. Vic. 18915australia, rsl, badge

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

Large plastic silver button. Plastic silver seven point star shaped badge with crown on top. Plastic silver RAASC badge.Button has RAASC, ER on front. Stokes Melb on back Star has Royal Australian Army Services Corps, ER, Honu Soit Qui Mal Y Pense on front. S. Wann & Hudson on back. RAASC has nil. australian buttons, australian army, australia military badges, buttons, army corps, royal army corps, australian royal army corps

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. Plastic postcard with paper backingsalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, flag, plastic, horseshoe, good luck