WWI historical significance.Black wallet in a white cloth envelope addressed to Mrs W.C. Smith, Leongatha, Vic. Wallet contains 2 x small photos, a 1916 calendar, a lock of hair, photos of wife and child. and an Army form 'B' pass. Wallet belonged to 382 Pte W.C. Smith.Pte Smith was KIA in France 13OCT17.Letter from Mrs Smith on postcards. Envelope addressed to Mrs W.C. Smith, Leongatha, Vic. Photos contain letters on rear for Pte Smith.world war 1, ww1, first world war, kia

The 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (1st RANBT) was formed in Melbourne on 28 February 1915 and was intended to be a horse drawn engineering unit attached to the Royal Naval Division (RND), then serving as infantry on the Western Front. The term ‘train’, in its title, was a direct reference to the horse drawn wagons that would, in theory, form and move ‘in train’ to carry the unit’s heavy lumber, building materials and engineering equipment to the front. The unit was manned by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for whom there were no available billets in seagoing RAN ships. Many of the sailors serving in the 1st RANBT were rated ‘drivers’, and again, this refers to wagon drivers as opposed to motor vehicle drivers. Other seamen were rated as ‘artificers’ or ‘sappers’, the latter being a military term traditionally used to describe army engineers. Appointed in command of the 1st RANBT was Lieutenant Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, RAN. Bracegirdle was ideally suited to command the unit, having seen active service with the NSW Naval Brigade during the Boxer Rebellion in China as well as serving as a military officer in the South African Irregular Horse during the Boer War in 1901. He had also recently returned from German New Guinea where he had served as a staff officer in the joint Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) responsible for the capture of the German colonies in the Pacific in September 1914. Three hundred naval reservists, including 50 men who had recently served in New Guinea, were selected for the 1st RANBT and they began their training in horsemanship, engineering and pontoon bridging at the Domain in Melbourne. By late May 1915 a decision was made to send the unit to Britain to complete its training and then to join the RND on the Western Front. The plan, however, never eventuated. The complaints about the non-combatant work being done by the men had been raised in Federal Parliament and following consultation with the senior Australian officer in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, a recommendation was made that the unit be disbanded and its men used as reinforcements for the AIF. Consequently, Lieutenant Commander Bracegirdle was advised that his unit was to be dispersed; its men transferring to the AIF or being returned to Australia for discharge. On 27 March 1917 the 1st RANBT was officially disbanded.Oxidised brass anchor shaped collar badge.ww1, world war 1, first world war, ranbt, ran bridging train, royal australian navy bridging train, collar badge

Group of four medals .Pte J Bishop 50/MGC on Military Medal, Not readable on 14 Star, 10983 Pte J Bishop R.W. FUS on Defence and Victory medals.world war 1, world war one, ww1, 1st aif, aif, first aif, first world war

WW1 & 2 German Hebel flare pistol. The term Hebel (German "lever") referred to the pistol's lever-action, not the manufacturer. The lever in front of the trigger guard was flipped up and forward to open the breech.BP 3926 on left and unreadable markings on the right.ww1, ww2, german, first world war, second world war, world war one, world war 2, flare pistol

Part of horse harness used during World War 1 Leather and metal harness piece consisting of a leather piece with metal chain on one end and metal bracket on the other. ww1, first world war, ww one, world war 1, world war one, horse harness ww1, quick release harness ww1

Small booklet with photo of GEN Birdwood's photo and writing on front. Messages inside covers and a colour insert of a soldier yelling "Coo-ee" to Australiaww1, first world war, ww one, birdwood, birdwood christmas message

Collected by a soldier during the First World War.Brown webbing belt with 14 brass shoulder badges mainly from British Territorial regiments, an Australian shoulder badge and three metal buttons pinned to itVariousww1, world war 1, first world war, british, metal badges, shoulder badges, british regimental badges, australian shoulder badges

This object relates to George Alfred STEVENSON. He was born on 24/06/1906 in Bendigo, VIC. George Alfred served in the Army (V147029) enlisting on, 19/02/1942 in Bendigo, VIC before being discharged from duties with the HQ AMF CARTOGRAPHIC COY AUS SVY CORP as a Army Non-Commissioned Sapper (SPR) on 27/06/1948. George Alfred STEVENSON was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Bernice STEVENSON. George Stevenson was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Ian Ernest STADUS. He was born on 09/11/1922 in Dimboola, VIC. Ian Ernest served in the RAN Reserve (PM3734) enlisting on, 15/10/1941 before being discharged from duties with the HMAS Lonsdale on 21/02/1946. Ian Ernest STADUS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Bessie Agnes STADUS (mother). Ian Ernest Stadus was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Australian Service Medal 1945-1975, Defence Medal, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Leslie Edward TAYLOR. He was born on 1/04/1890 in Ballarat, VIC. Leslie Edward served in the AIF(865) enlisting on, 17/08/1914 in Ballarat, VIC before being killed in action on duties with the 6TH BATTN as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 25/04/1915. Leslie Edward TAYLOR was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is W TAYLOR - Father. Leslie Taylor was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914 Star.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Leslie Edward TAYLOR. He was born on 1/04/1890 in Ballarat, VIC. Leslie Edward served in the AIF(865) enlisting on, 17/08/1914 in Ballarat, VIC before being killed in action on duties with the 6TH BATTN as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 25/04/1915. Leslie Edward TAYLOR was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is W TAYLOR - Father. Leslie Taylor was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914 Star.Blue Velvet Display Tray "WW2 Service Medals" & "WW1"first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James KELLY. He was born on 1/01/1890 in Warragul, VIC. James served in the AIF (333) enlisting on, 10/09/1914 before being killed in action on duties with the 14TH BATTN as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 27/08/1915. James KELLY was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Micheal KELLY (Father) - Trentham. James Kelly was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal.Blue Velvet Display Tray "WW2 Service Medals" & "WW1"first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Gertrude Eveline MUNRO. She was born on 1/01/1882 in Ballarat, VIC. Gertrude Eveline served in the AIF Nursing Services (Sister) enlisting on, 16/08/1916 in Ballarat, VIC before being killed in action on duties with the AANS 42nd GEN HOSP as a AN&MEF Non-Commissioned Sergeant (SGT) on 10/10/1918. Gertrude Eveline MUNRO was not a prisoner of war. Her next of kin is A MUNRO (Father). Getrude Munro was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Gertrude Eveline MUNRO. She was born on 1/01/1882 in Ballarat, VIC. Gertrude Eveline served in the AIF Nursing Services (Sister) enlisting on, 16/08/1916 in Ballarat, VIC before being killed in action on duties with the AANS 42nd GEN HOSP as a AN&MEF Non-Commissioned Sergeant (SGT) on 10/10/1918. Gertrude Eveline MUNRO was not a prisoner of war. Her next of kin is A MUNRO (Father). Getrude Munro was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat