Two handwritten letters - dated 27/6/1941 on blue lined writing paper from Pte D Detbridge VX31082 D Coy2/24 Batt. AIF Abroad to Mrs Karnatz advised her husband Tom was safe. He and several others were surrounded and forced to surrender and taken prisoners. Two of the boys managed to escape and brought the good news about Tom and others, being well and safe……… Airmail letter card dated 2/1/1942 from Pte Detbridge to Mrs Karnatz thanking her for the cake of chocolate and enquiring about Tom and if he had mentioned Tim Rogers, a mate who has not been heard of for some time. Thomas Allan Karnatz VX 48290 2/24 Battalion - born 16/7/1916. Enlisted Albury 22/7/1940 - Caulfield 8/8/1940 aged 24 years 17/10/1940 posted from 2/23 to 2/24 Battalion. Embarked 16/11/1940 and disembarked Middle East 17/12/1940. Reported missing in action on 6/5/1941 and officially prisoner of war on 8/7/1941. 26/4/1945 recovered POW arrived in UK prior to returning to Australia. Two handwritten letters - one in lead pencil on blue lined writing paper and the second in black ink on Airmail Letter Card with square blue stamp top right corner and triangular purple stamp lower left corner.Air Mail Letter Card addressed to Mrs T A Karnatz Tawonga Roadside Wodonga Victoria Australia Purple triangle stamp containing Passed by Censor No 3469 with a crown in the centre.ww2, 2/24 battalion, tobruk, thomas karnatz, pow

Six black and white postcards all with photographs featuring Thomas Karnatz VX48290 POW and fellow soldiers of the 2/24th Battalion possibly taken whilst serving overseas in the Middle East during WW2. Second soldier identified as Joseph Disher Darley VX48803 2/23 Battalion born 16/1/1919 and died in February 1989.Six black and white postcards with images of men in military uniformthomas karnatz, ww2, middle east, pow, 2/24 battalion, joseph darley

WWII historical significancePlatoon photo of 30 men with their names on the photo1 Platoon 'C' Company, 2/14 Infantry Training Battalion. Writing on the back - to Cliff Hill with my compliments

Honour Board listing the 52 names of North Wangaratta State School students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives. North Wangaratta State School 2391 was opened in May 1881 and closed October 26 1969. Today a plaque commemorates the site of the old school in Eldorado Road North Wangaratta. The Honour Board preserves the names of past students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives.The North Wangaratta School Trust Committee donated the Honour Board to the Wangaratta RSL for safe keeping and display to the publicOrnate carved wooden frame containing black and white photograph of the North Wangaratta State School Honour BoardFront: North Wangaratta State School Roll of Honour, The Great War 1914 to 1919, followed by 52 names. Back: Written in ink; J.L. Bell East Wangaratta. Sticker; Courtney's Thelma Studio, photographers & picture frame makers. We specialise in enlargements and guarantee our work to be the best that art can produce. Appointments in Town or Country attended to. We carry a complete stock of stationery and fancy goods, Christmas cards and novelties etc, and all school requisites. T. Courtney Proprietor, Phone 55honour board, north wangaratta, world war 1, school, state school

This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served with the 2/24th Battalion which was raised Wangaratta. Walter Edward PARKER VX34529 Lancelot HALL VX32047 DOB 25/10/1904 Mildura Greville Egerton DENNYS Capt. NX4731 DOB 4/3/1917 DOD 4/10/1969 Enlisted 27/10/1939 George Charles GREEN VX21968This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served in the 2/24th Battalion which was raised in Wangaratta. Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the flag to both Italy and Australia, the Wangaratta RSL received a grant to have the flag professionally restored and framed in 2017.Large Italian flag with green, white and red vertical panels of equal size defaced with the Savoyan coat of arms, a red shield with white cross bordered with blue. Three two-piece hoist ties on the green side. Panels are sewn together from separate pieces of fabric. The shield appears to have been printed directly onto the white panel. The edges are hemmed.There are several handwritten inscriptions on the coat of arms in red and blue/black ink detailing the name and service numbers of different soldiers. (Not all of the writing is legible). Legible texts reads: "VX32047 / L HALL / ALAMEINE / 9.7.42" "VX21968 / G Green" "VX?45?? / W PARKER / ALAMEIN" - "NX4731 Greville Denys"italian flag, italy, el alamein, battle of el alamein, 2/24th battalion, wangaratta, ww2

Joined R.A.A.F. 1943. Served in Australia and S.W.P.A with the 8th Airfield Construction Unit. Joined Wangaratta Sub-Branch in 1947. Served as RSL State Councillor, Past President of 34th Dist. Board and member of Legacy for ten years. Made life member in 1987Timber framed photo of Life Member - Gordon BARNARDGORDON BARNARD Joined R.A.A.F in 1943. Joined Wangaratta Sub-Branch in 1947. Served on the committee for many years and was made a Life Member in 1987gordon barnard, 8th airfield contruction unit

Allied military badges collected during the Great War 1914 to 1918 by Private (Shoeing Smith) John BLAIKIE 2341 who was born at Wangaratta. He was a Blacksmith and at the age of 42 enlisted on May 28 1915. He embarked on August 10 1915 and served with the 14th Battalion. He returned to Australia in January 1918 and discharged as medically unfit on April 10 1918. Inset photograph is of John BLAIKIELarge collection of allied military badges collected during the campaigns in France, Belgium and Egypt in 1916-17 by John BLAIKIE 2341. A Blacksmith who at the age of 42 years enlisted in the Army and served during the first world war. On his return to Australia he was discharged medically unfit due to rheumatism and senility. He was a stalwart of Wangaratta RSL and his collection was present to the Sub Branch as a souvenir of the first world war.Brown timber frame in the shape of Australia containing a large collection of badges and small photograph Souvenir of the Worlds Great War 1914 to 1918 Military Badges Collected by J BLAIKIE 14th Batt 4th Div AIF In Belgium France & Egypt 1916-1917military badges, ww1

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

Frank joined the army in 1915 and served with the 1st Bn. On 20/7 /1916 he was hospitalised with Shell Shock and medically discharged unfit on 20/12/1916. He re-enlisted on 3/8/1917 and joined the 13th battalions and proceeded to France. In October 1918. On 15/4/1919 he was hospitalised for unknown illness and returned to Australia. In 1938 he joined the 59th Battalion (Militia). On 26/6/1940 he was taken on strength (V30012) and served with the 2/21 and 2/14 Training Bn’s. On 16/2/1945 he was seconded for special duties with Z Special Unit and performed duty outside Australia between 27/4 and 30/9/1945. On 3/5/1946 he was placed on the retirement list . He joined the RSL in 1916 and Wangaratta Sub-Branch in 1933. He was President from 1937-38 and Assistant Secretary from 1935-1936 and for many years served on the Committee as well as Welfare Officer.Timber framed black and white photograph of a male attired in a suitFRANK H. McDONAGHmcdonagh, frank h. mcdonagh, wwi, wwii

Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1977Yellow and brown cardboard covered booklet with RSL crest and type.Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1977wangaratta sub branch, annual report 1977

Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1966Blue and white cardboard covered booklet with black RSL crest and type.Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1966wangaratta sub branch, annual report 1966

Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1964Red and white cardboard covered booklet with black RSL crest and type.Wangaratta Sub Branch - Annual Report and Balance Sheet For the year ending 31st December 1964wangaratta sub branch, annual report 1964

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This postcard was written by William West to his wife, Alice. 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. Postcards from the First World War often reveal the enduring devotion and passion of troops and their loved ones at home. A collection of his correspondence with home is held by the Wangaratta RSL, offering insight into this family's personal experience of long-term separation. Postcard depicting flowers and poem with male and female embracing contained in a circle. Postcard has gloss finish and ornate embossed borderMIZPAHalbum, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi

The statement reads as follows:- "The ornamental shield with a casket giving the History of all the pupils who offered for War service in the 1914 - 1918 War was made by the pupils of the Sloyd (woodwork) class and Mr Kidman headmaster. He also wrote the honour book in fine calligraphy. A framed collection of their photographs was donated by Mrs. J.B. Richardson. These were unveiled in a special ceremony at the school on the 17th October 1921. Also in 1921 an Avenue of Honour of gum trees was planted by schoolchildren and residents, along both sides of the Boorahaman road in front of the school. I do not know the exact date most of these trees remain. When the school was closed in 1949, local residents were invited to remove what ever they fancied, so Mr W.B. Richardson chose the two above mentioned items. After the death of both parents - last one in 1977 - Clarice Tobias and her Husband Jim took care of the shield and the photo`s. During 2002 the photo`s were presented to Wangaratta R.S.L. Sub/Branch, and the shield went to Brisbane where it was beautifully restored by Wallace Richardson and his son-in-law Reg Townsend shortly before he passed away. The shield returned to Wangaratta in July 2003 and is now in the care of Wangaratta R.S.L. Sub/ Branch Inc".Brown timber frame containing a statement of provenance with Australian Coat of Arms above black writing over RSL logo.Docker Plains State School Number 1962 Honour Rolldocker plains state school, ww1

WW1 Killawarra State School 1914-1919 Honour Board contains the names and photographs of teachers and past students who enlisted for military service during World War 1. Owen Francis Private 68800; William Francis Robertson,Sergeant 981/Lieutenant KIA 7/6/1917: Lubin James Robertson,MC and Croix de Guerre L/Cpl 980/Lieutenant; Christopher George Everitt 5882 Died of Wounds 26/4/1918; James Samuel Everitt 3319 KIA 18/7/1916; William John Rhodes 917, Henry Rhodes 2779, Robert Ernest Payne 5215,KIA 15/4/1918; Joseph Adams 10296, Albert Reginald Coppin 57084, Thomas Rhodes, Reserve - Enlisted 15/7/1915 did not embark - discharged medically unfit on 29/4/1916 due to meningitis and lumbago, Henry Sumpton 1827, James Joseph Kellow 6836, William Patrick Toohey 1750 and David William Quinton Clarke 44233 School Teacher Enlisted 15/5/1916 and discharged on 11/7/1916 due to urgent family reasons. Robert "Ernie" PAYNE was a cousin to William,Henry and Thomas RHODES. The latter was 1 of 6 lives lost when they drowned in the disastrous floods of the Ovens and King Rivers on 7/6/1917.A timber and glass framed Honour Board containing 15 names and 11 black and white photographs of teachers and past students of Killawarra State School who enlisted for military service during World War 1. Following the closure of the school the Honor Board was donated to the Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch. In 2018 the community of Killawarra sought the loan of the Honour Board for display in the CFA/Community Hall.Wooden Honour Board containing fifteen names listed in the centre surrounded by 11 numbered photographs.Top - "Killawarra State School/Roll of Honour/For King & Country" Bottom - "The Great War 1914 to 1919"killawarra state school, honour board ww1