Dame Gracie Fields, DBE (born Grace Stansfield; 9 January 1898 – 27 September 1979) was an English actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall. When World War II was declared and whilst recovering from surgery she threw herself into her work and signed up for the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). Fields travelled to France to entertain the troops in the midst of air-raids, performing on the backs of open lorries and in war-torn areas. She performed many times for Allied troops, travelling as far as New Guinea, where she received an enthusiastic response from Australian personnel. In late 1945 she toured the South Pacific Islands. In 1979, seven months before her death, she was invested a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the entertainment industry.Reproduced black and white photograph of female wearing army jacket with soldiers kneeling and standing in background. Handwritten on rear - Gracie Fields in Pacificgracie fields, ww2, new guinea, 1945, south pacific islands

Royal Australian Air Force Officer's Certificate of Service No 2575 issued to Flying Officer Owen Campbell MORTIMER 420235. Discharged 2/7/1945 at own request to resume civil occupation. Awarded 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Victory Medal and eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge.Cream paper with black print and type with emblem centre top contained within a black border and attached by staple top left corner to large sheet of paper.Royal Australian Air Force Officer's Certificate of Service No 2575 Rear - To the Secretary the Returned Soldier's League with compliments Dr Owen Mortimer 29th May, 1989owen campbell mortimer, raaf, ww2

The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945. Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. The Australian Army played virtually no part in the Philippines. However, units from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy, were involved.The ships that delivered American troops included three Australian landing ships, HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia. In 1995, fifty years after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, the Republic of the Philippines announced the awarding of a Philippines Liberation Medal to Allied veterans who served in the country or its territorial waters during 1944-45. More than 3000 Australians have received this medalGold with white enamel irregular shaped medal attached to orange ribbon with central thin blue and white stripe. Liberty (front) For The Liberation of The Philippines (back)philippine liberation medal, ww2, robert hutchieson

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. No. 243 Squadron was a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force. Originally formed in August 1918 from two flights that had been part of the Royal Naval Air Service, the squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols during the final stages of World War I. The squadron was later re-raised during World War II, operating initially as a fighter squadron in Malaya and Singapore during 1941–42. It was briefly disbanded just prior to the fall of Singapore, and was re-formed in mid-1942, again as a fighter squadron, and fought in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns in 1942–44, before being disbanded in October 1944. In 1945, after training on transport aircraft in Canada, the squadron moved to Australia where it operated in support of the British Pacific Fleet before disbanding in mid-1946 Spitfire, also called Supermarine Spitfire, the most widely produced and strategically important British single-seat fighter of World War II. The Spitfire, renowned for winning victory laurels in the Battle of Britain (1940–41) along with the Hawker Hurricane, served in every theatre of the war and was produced in more variants than any other British aircraft.Brown timber frame with white mount containing photograph of fighter plane in sky.Spitfire by Barrie Clark Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB of 243 Squadron Royal Air Force 243 squadron royal air force, spitfire

Letter dated 16/9/1944 from M C Langslow Secretary, Department of Air, Commonwealth of Australia to Mr H H Wilkinson advising of citation received from the Air Ministry in respect of award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to his son Pilot Officer J H WILKINSON and future announcement in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Citation attached signed by H R Winneke, Group Captain. From collection of photographs and cuttings dedicated to the memory of WILKINSON JOHN HUDSON : Service Number - 400444 : Date of birth - 18 Feb 1914 : Place of birth - RUTHERGLEN VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - WILKINSON HUDSON. Wilkinson was awarded the distinguished flying cross in March 1944 and tragically killed in action over Germany also in 1944. See also 237 and 240. Original letter in black type. Two page with embossed crest letterhead. Stamped envelope.Letter - Commonwealth of Australia - Department of Air Envelope addressed to - Mr HH Wilkinson, Mount Ophir, Rutherglen.pilot, kia, killed in action, dfc, distinguished flying cross, wwii, world war two, air force

Flight Sergeant Ian Lerwick Mainland, Service no 408815, Unit Royal Australian Air Force No 8 Squadron died in Bismarck Archipelago, New Ireland, New Guinea on 4 December 1943, aged 28 years.Small brass plaque with black text.'PRESENTED IN THE MEMORY OF FLIGHT SGT. IAN L. MAIINLAND"glen iris presbyterian church, ian lerwick mainland 1915 - 1943, world war 1939-1945

Robert Edward Davies CBE (30 July 1913 – 17 May 2002) was the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania from 1963 to 1981. Educated at Queensland University, he was ordained in 1937 and began his career as an assistant priest at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, NSW. After World War II service as a chaplain with Toc H and the Royal Australian Air Force he became Warden of St John’s College Brisbane. After this he was Archdeacon of Canberra, then Wagga Wagga. He became an assistant bishop of Newcastle and Warden of St John’s Theological College, Morpeth in 1960 and three years later the Tasmanian diocesan bishop. B&W head and shoulders studio photograph of Right Reverend Robert Edward Davies, Bishop of Tasmania."The Right Reverend RE Davies Bishop of Tasmania"davies, r. e., bishop

Mr Webb King was an Air Raid Warden during World War 2. These badges were found when his workshop was being cleared out, and so were donated to our society. The badges in our possession do not have the word WARDEN printed on them, like the image of the badge shown on the Darebin Heritage 'Air Raid Protection Services (ARP)' publication, or the image of a badge offered for sale on ebay. At this stage we are uncertain of why this is so. If anybody knows the answer then please leave a message on this site. During World War 2 Australian municipalities were expected to take precautions against air raids, with the Government campaigning to recruit men over 45 to be volunteer Air Raid Wardens. It was also common for women to become wardens. Wardens carried gas masks, helmets, and rattles or whistles. The wardens received 7 to 8 one hour sessions of training, and their chief duty was to advise people of precautions to take, and to ensure those precautions were taken. Air Raid Precautions included air raid drills, shelters (usually trenches), first aid, fire fighting, rescue of 'gassed' persons, evacuation drills, demolition and repair squads, monitoring of blackouts. Melbourne was deemed vulnerable to aerial attack because of its centralised port and industrial facilities and so Anti-aircraft guns were installed in Maribyrnong. By early 1942 more than 60,000 people voluntarily carried out Air Raid Precautions duties according to the Autobiography of Robert V. J. Padula OAM. As the threat diminished during 1943 and 1944 the need for air raid precautions was slowly reduced, and some shelters (trenches) were filled. The two photos showing Air Raid Wardens are out of copyright and have been sourced from the 'Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria.' The image showing one warden on Swanston Street Melbourne has been cropped to remove extras not connected with the photo. Other sources of information for this report are: (1) http://bpadula.tripod.com/autobiography/id100.html, (2) https://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/underattack/mobilise/precautions.asp, (3) http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/57. The ARP badges are a historic reminder of the precautions that were taken in Victoria during the early years of World War 2. The precautions were an effort to minimise the harmful effects of a theoretical air raid. The war started to turn and so an air raid never came, however many people received valuable training in what precautions needed to be taken.Pressed metal round badges with pins. Main feature of badges is the large whitish lettering ARP on a red background. A black outlined crown and the word VICTORIA in red on whitish background is also on the badges. At the bottom of the badges in black are the letters DC plus the numbers of the badges.Serial Numbers of the badges are: DC 361, DC 362, DC 364, DC 368, DC 370, DC 374, DC 375, DC 376, DC 377, DC 379, DC 388, DC 389.arp. arp badge, air raid precautions, air raid precautions warden, warden, badges

WW2 WAAAF : Women's Australian Auxiliary Air Force WW2 Air Force - Australia Ann Marion DysonWW2 WAAAF 1940-1945.1 sepia coloured Photograph of Ann Marion Dyson WW2 WAAAF 2 ID tags : 1 x round and 1 x octagonal in shape. Round on a silver (stainless steel chain) and octagonal on a copper nickel chain. Both tags made of corrosion resistant metal such as nickel alloy. Tags depict Name Ann Marion Dyson, service number 105057, service WAAAF, and religion. Dog Tags : Ann Marion Dyson 105057, WAAAF and R.C. ann marion dyson, ww2 waaaf, australian air force ww2

This antenna was used between 1989 and 1990 to help receive the daily news service in the Greek language directly from Athens, Greece. At the time, news from Greece for the Greek people in Australia were arriving in Melbourne a week late, on newspapers from Athens sent through air-mail. These newspapers were displayed at Salapatas and Carras newsagents at Lonsdale street in Melbourne. One thing that was a problem for this service was that the news came at least 7 days late. Using the Shortwave Antenna we could get the latest news from Athens on shortwave radio directly and within an hour these news were recorded on a cassette tape and taken to the Tricom Group P.L. offices in Melbourne (1155 Malvern Road, Malvern 3144). The tape was loaded onto a system which allowed people to call a local phone number and listen to the latest news with a cost of a local call, or a little bit more. As this was prior to the Internet being established around the globe, it was the fastest news service directly from Greece, in the Greek language. It was used for a span of about 12 months, until Tricom closed down their dial-in services, sometime in 1990. The service was captured and loaded onto the system by Iakovos Garivaldis, then an employee of the Tricom Group which was a subsidiary of Southern Cross TV.The Primary significance of this object is of its historical value, social and informative value for the first generation of Greeks in Victoria"World Tuner AT4 SW" antenna with a 920mm fully extended aerial, a tuned circuit and two transistors to prevent loading of the antenna and boost signal output. It is made of plastic, black in colour with the aerial being made of steel. The signals picked up by the antenna are fed via a 15pF ceramic capacitor to a tuned circuit consisting of either VC1a or VC1b and either L1, L2, L3 or L4. The slider switch S1 selects the band to be tuned. The band range is normally from 3 to 30MHz. When S1 is in position A, L1 and VC1a are selected and the antenna can be tuned from 3-9MHz. Similarly positions B, C, and D select higher frequencies up to 30MHz. It was purchased by Iakovos Garivaldis for this use for $119.WORLD TUNER AT4 SW "Amplituned" Shortwave Antennaantenna, radio, short-wave, language, greek

This knitting pattern book was produced during 1939-45 by Patons and Baldwins' and contains knitting patterns for mens civilian and service garments. It also includes a number of patterns for convalescent and hospital coverings, including a splint coverKnitting Book (front cover) - Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 104, WWII. Knitting Book (back cover) - Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 104, WWII.PATONS & BALDWINS' / SPECIALTY / Knitting Book / No. 104 / 6D. / COMFORTS FOR / LAND, SEA, / AIR, AND / HOSPITAL USEknitting world war ii, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, world war ii

Article in Nunawading Gazette about a display at Nunawading Post Office of Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force memorabilia at the time of the launch of three new Australian stamps. It was the W.A.A.A..F.'s 50th anniversary. The display was set up by an ex WAAAF radar operator and Joyce Thompson, author of 'The WAAAF in Wartime Australia'.postal services, waaaf, mainon, beryl, thompson, joyce, nunawading post office, travers, stuart

Department of Defence, Statement of Service of Edward Ernest Arrowsmith, 2 pgsnon-fictionWWII Service Arrowsmithworld war two 1939-1945, royal australian air force (raaf), arrowsmith ted

It appears that Mr WA Benville was born in/near Durban South Africa on 6th Oct 1884. He served for Her Majesties Services for 222 days in the Boer war then came to Australia. He worked as Electrician at the GPO and lived at 180 High St.Kilda and joined the Australian Imperial Force, Australian flying Corps on 26/6/1917. Service No, 2320. Rank,.Air Mechanic 2nd Class. Roll Title Flying Corps Conflict Operation, First World War 1914-1918. Mr Benville Departed Melbourne on HMAT Port Sydney A15 on 9/11/1917. He was Married to Mrs Emily Madge Benville when he enlisted in Australia. Mrs Benville died on 10th July 1947. ( Buried at the Cheltenham Cemetery) Mr William Arthur Benville Died on 28th August 1976. Rest In Peace. Drivers licence to drive a Motor Car "William Arthur Benville" Natal Province District of Durban South Africa. Pink Cover.(The licence is written in English on left and Afrikaans on right. [We have used the English Inscriptions] Natal Province-Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulation Ordinance 1937. (Ordinance No. 10 of 1937 as amended) Drivers Licence class of motor vehicle in which respect licence is granted Motor Car. 123659. Issued to Surname Benville, Christian Name William Arthur, Address 178 Florida Rd, Date of Birth 6.10.84, Fee Paid 10/- shillings This licence is hereby granted to the abovenamed person, whose photograph and signature (or right thumb impression) appear hereunder, to drive a motor vehicle of the class described above. (Signature) ?????? Registrar District DURBAN , Date 26Sep 1951 ( Line undecipherable ) he must present his licence at any revenue or borough licencing office for amendment. Change of Address Date New Address Recorded by. Endorsements PN 363-P. 15593/NW.756/4,000/22-6-49

The Queen,s colour is more than just a flag. It is an important symbol of respect to a Military Service or Regiment which represents heroic deeds and Battle Honours.Wooden plaque of the Queen,s colours presented to the Royal Australian Air Force.On the Presentation of the Queen,s Colour to the Royal Australian Air Force by H M Queen Elizabeth !! at Richmond Airbase on Wednesday the 5th of March 1986. The inscription in centre of plaque is a crown over an Eagle with outspread wings and Latin wording PER ASTRA ARDUA -AD.

As this photograph and certificate were received by the Museum with a collection relating to the Rutherglen Timber Mill, it is believed that he was probably an employee there before his military service.Black and white portrait photograph of a young man in military uniform, and a memorial certificateText of memorial certificate: "This scroll commemorates Flight Sergeant G.W. Addinsall Royal Australian Air Force held in honour as one who served King and Country in the world war of 1939-1945 and gave his life to save mankind from tyranny. May his sacrifice help to bring the peace and freedom for which he died."industry, timber, timber mill, geoffrey william addinsall, world war 2, ww2, william addinsall, daisy addinsall, daisy bautovitch

Melrose died in July 1936, at the age of 22, when his new high-wing monoplane "Billing", a Heston Phoenix registration VH-AJM, broke up in turbulence over South Melton, Victoria on a charter flight from Melbourne to Darwin. Two days later, over one hundred thousand people lined the streets of Melbourne to pay their last respects. Black and white photographic image of Charles James Melrose, the only Australian contestant and the only solo flier in the England-Ausralia air race, 1934. He is being chaired by R.A.A.F. men. Two years later Melrose crashed.aeroplane, aviation, flight, pioneer pilot, charles kingsford smith, p. taylor

This cap potentially belonged to Ronald Edward Smith, Service number 419886. Date of birth - 30 Jun 1916 : Place of birth - MELBOURNE VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - SMITH ETHELThis hat holds representative significance as a generic RAAF officers forage cap. Further research into the potential owner could uncover other significance.Dark blue cap with medal ribbon attached to the side. RAAF eagle badge attached to peak of cap left hand side. Two buttons at peak of cap. The cap is lined with brown polished cotton twill and has a light brown cotton velveteen sweatband.Tag inside cap: 330 1944/Made in Australia / Size 1/8 Service number written in pen: 419886 (or 419856)raaf, australia, air force, cap, hat, beret, wwii, world war two

Medals WWII, mounted miniature medals. Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Force Cross; 1939/45 Star; Atlantic Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939/45; Australian Service Medal 1939/45

Volunteer Air Observer's Corp (VAOC) log book from the Camberwell Post with handwritten observations covering the period between 28 August 1944 and 20 September 1945Foolscap, paper logbook with brown cover and black binding. Pages within are lined and contents are handwritten by mulltiple authors. The table has the following headings: Date; Observer on duty (signature); Time on; Time off; Remarks. Enclosed within are four paper documents: 1. Brown paper envelope from the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Air with the heading, On His Majesty's Service, from the Officer in Charge VAOC Control Post, Melbourne 2. Typed document headed, Ulcer Diet for Amublatory (sp) Patients 3. Typed list of names headed, Nominal Roll Camberwell 4. The Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's Fathers' Association of Victoria Nomination for Membership formFront cover: "V.A.O.C / Observer's Log Book / Post No" (typed). "5693 (?)" and illegible handwritten text vaoc, volunteer air observer's corp, vaoc log book, camberwell post, the sailors, soldiers and airmen's fathers' association of victoria, ulcer diet

Various War heritage from different wars and Army Units.1# 2 x shoulder insignia 'Australia'. 2# Bar and medal - 'National Medal for Service'. 3# 1 x Special Air Service Regiment Shoulder insignia. 4# 1 x red patch 'A.I.F. crossed swords. 5# Crossed swords over crown. 6# Victory Medal 1945.1# Resolute. 2# Victoria. 3# Vigilant. 4# Duty First. 5# Australia Parutas. 6# Royal Australian Army Service Corps. 7# Rising Sun. 8# Royal Australian Regiment 'Duty First'. 9# 'WRAAC' Hat- Badge.

Special Edition produced by Toohey's Commemorating the Armed Services of Australia.Cans of Tooheys Blue Label Bitter cans. Depicting the three Services in pictures.Around the rim at the top of each can the words - Tooheys Salutes Australia's Second World War Veterans. On front of can Thanks for the Freedom. " Air crews wanted now for the RAAF " Can 1. Artist unknown V4297 Thanks for the Freedom. "Sail the seas with the Navy " Can 2. Roland Hilder N3 Thanks for the Freedom. "Join the A.I.F This is serious! Enlist now. Can 3. James Northfield V6723beer, tooheys, commemorative beer can

Bill LONGLEY (03.12.1933 – 20.5.2020) Arrived Australia 1981 Bill Longley started an apprenticeship with “Kingwood Rural Industries” Surrey in 1948. In 1956 is changed name to “Greyshott Pottery" After serving in the Royal Air Force from 1954 to 1977 he undertook and later, teacher training, then bought the “Penderleath Pottery”, St Ives, Cornwall in 1977 from Anthony Richards and renamed it the “Cripplesease Pottery.” Bill made a wide range of domestic stoneware. He built up the pottery into a successful business, eventually selling in 1981 and migrating to Australia with his wife Sue. In Melbourne, Bill Longley made and sold pottery at weekend markets, as well as helping Robert Gordon (June Dyson’s son) set up his Pakenham pottery, which Gordon started in 1979. Bill Longley worked as an advisor and thrower with Robert Gorndon for some time." Bill retired in the late 1980s to Daylesford Works may be marked with an impressed 'Bill Longley, Australia'.Blue Vessel by Bill Longleyaustralian studio ceramics, bill longley, pottery, ceramics

Bill LONGLEY (03.12.1933 – 20.5.2020) Arrived Australia 1981 Bill Longley started an apprenticeship with “Kingwood Rural Industries” Surrey in 1948. In 1956 is changed name to “Greyshott Pottery" After serving in the Royal Air Force from 1954 to 1977 he undertook and later, teacher training, then bought the “Penderleath Pottery”, St Ives, Cornwall in 1977 from Anthony Richards and renamed it the “Cripplesease Pottery.” Bill made a wide range of domestic stoneware. He built up the pottery into a successful business, eventually selling in 1981 and migrating to Australia with his wife Sue. In Melbourne, Bill Longley made and sold pottery at weekend markets, as well as helping Robert Gordon (June Dyson’s son) set up his Pakenham pottery, which Gordon started in 1979. Bill Longley worked as an advisor and thrower with Robert Gorndon for some time." Bill retired in the late 1980s to Daylesford Works may be marked with an impressed 'Bill Longley, Australia'.Blue Vessel by Bill Longleyaustralian studio ceramics, bill longley, pottery, ceramics

A black and white image of an Australian built aeroplane. The bulges on top of the wings are fuel tanks. flight, aeroplane, avro

Wooden shield with badge attached 1957 - 2007 Australian Special Air Service With scroll below 50th Anniversary Wooden shield with badge attached 1957 - 2007 Australian Special Air Service With scroll below 50th Anniversar