Book, soft cover, black print on front, back & spine. Black & white photograph of military tank & 2/29 Battalion colour patch on front cover with light yellow colour background. 224 cut plain pages, illustrated black & white photographs. Handwritten in black in on title page: To Bill Toan Thanks for getting me (nice and pissed in Singapore) Feb 1992 My son Peter joins me in sending best wishes Kind regards Clem Sheppard. Donated by Bgo Y Mens Club In black ink on front page: RSL Stampbooks, military history

VX39077 Neil Ross enlisted in to the AIF on 21 November 1940 at Royal Park and was posted to 2/29 Battalion, The Battalion completed training at Bonegilla and Bathurst and then went to Malaya as part of the 27th Brigade, assigned to 8th Division. This Battalion fought in several actions prior to being captured on 15 February 1942 in Singapore. On return to Australia SSgt spent time in Military Hospital prior to Discharge October 1946.All of the items in this collection are originals as issued to SSgt Ross.A collection of items belonging to the Ross Family. The items belong to VX39077 SSgt Neil Rossross, 2/29th battalion, 27th brigade, 8th division

H.V.Rooke. Refer Cat No 4906.2 for service details..1) Cloth folding wallet light brown colours, inside has small crucifix, badge and oval created edge piece sewn in, has central flower with black writing, other half has open piece with clear plastic sleeve for ID card. .2)Catholic Identification card black print 4 pages, front has space for owners details, written in blue ink..1) “Thy Kingdom Come”. .2) hand written, “VX47141 Pte H.V. Rooke 2/29th Battalion 31 creek St Bendigo, wife 31 Creek St Bendigo”accessory, id, identification, catholic

One of several letters sent to Mrs M MacDonald of Grey Street Wangaratta by soldiers during the second world war. This one is from Private Peter Alan ANDERSON VX 33905 Born 17/2/1910 Enlisted 21/2/1941 Served with 2/24th and 2/29th Battalions Prisoner of War - B Force / Japanese Died 25/2/1945 due to illness in Borneo - Labuan Memorial Malaya - POW No 282 Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.Cream paper envelope with censor stamp and stickerTop left - By air mail Left side - AIF Censor stamp and sticker along fold "Opened by Censor" Right side - Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Rear VX33905 Pte P Anderson R.O.D A.I.F Malaya ww2, pow, private peter alan anderson vx 33905, 2/24th batt, 2/29th batt

'"ARTHUR EDMUND TRANTER" Enlisted on 20/11/1939 Regt No. V50166 in the CMF, posted to 2nd Training Bn Balcombe. Discharged from the CMF 16/12/1940 with the rank of Sergeant in 2/7 Training Battalion. Enlisted in the 2nd AIF 17/12/1940 Regt No. VX52843 in 2/29th Battalion at Darnley Camp, embarked for Singapore 13.9.1941, disembarked 5.10.1941, reported missing 16.2.1942 then classified POW. He was recovered in Sumatra after the surrender. He was hospitalised with Malnutrition then classed Debility. Disembarked Sydney 9.10.1945. Discharged from the 2nd AIF on 20/12/1945 with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded a Mention in Despatches and the Efficiency Medal.Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, white colour background, brown and black colour print on front, spine and back. Front cover illustration - sepia colour, half portrait of "A.E. Tranter". Back cover illustration - colour photograph two wreaths with railway line and sleepers. 168 pages, cut, plain white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. Attached after page 168 is one A4 sheet of paper, erratum of "Additional Research" information.publications, book, biography, ww2, arthur edmunt tranter

One star on the clasp means " One son K.I.A in WWII" This Mothers and Windows Badge was issued to Mrs M Baldwin, the mother of Pte Walter Robert Baldwin who died as a prisoner of war in Burma on the 27th of May 1943. He rests at the Thanbyuzayat Prisoner of War Cemetery, which is in what is now called Myanmar. This is a Death Railway related POW cemetery. Walter Baldwin was born in Mildura on the 12th of May 1921, and prior to enlisting lived at Iron Bark in Bendigo with his parents. He enlisted as No VX55835 in the 2nd AIF on 14.5.1941 in the 2/29th Batt aged 20 years. Embarked for Singapore on 30.7.1941 and disembarked 15.8.1941. He contracted Malaria in a December 1941. Taken POW early 1942 he is listed as died suffering from Cholera on 27.5.1943. “The 2/29th Infantry Battalion was formed at Bonegilla in Victoria in October 1940. It was part of the 8th Division's 27th Brigade, which was the last AIF infantry brigade raised for service during the Second World War.” Badge, metal, "for Australia." Circular section depicting a woman, wreath and an arm. suspended by two rings is a clasp with one star =. Rear has 2 lugs and a pin." issued by C'wlth govt A12229”numismatics - badges - military - army, mothers, widows

Correspondence from Bert/Robert Stanley Harper on overseas service to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk. Robert Stanley Harper, enlisted 19th April 1915, served as 1692 as Pte RS Harper with 22nd Infantry Battalion, Sailed on "HMAT 64 Demosthenes' Fought at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Bullecourt and returned to Australia in 1919.Original documents written by Robert S Harper to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk during WW1. 001802.1: London Bridge, London, 001802.2: St James Palace, London, 29th August 001802.3: Embroidered insert, Good Wishes 001802.4: Mt Lavinia, Colombo 001802.5: Gladys and pansy 001802.6: Marseilles001802.1: Weymouth, 8th Jan 1917 001802.2: London, 29th August 001802.3: In France 001802.4: Colombo 001802.5: 001802.6gladys holmes, postcard, ww1, bert/robert harper, byaduk, tuck's post cards, gallipoli,pozieres, bullecourt

This six-postcard group is the third in a series of records of items in the collection of Edgar Dawson DCM. Dawson was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 57th Battalion, AIF. The 57th had a company of men largely from Bendigo and Eaglehawk. These postcards are from his personal album. Many are annotated in Dawson's hand with explanatory notes on the subject. Refer to Cat No 893 for his service details. Items originally in album cat. no. 207P Service details available through the NAA. Physical description Collection of six photo postcards B+W 1. Portrait of Richards, John 3593 57th Btn 2. Portrait of Moore, Charles 4593 57th Btn 3. Portrait of Mitchell, Leslie Fenen 4854 57th Btn 4. Portrait of Hutson, Herbert Spence 3540 57th Btn 5. Portrait of Steele, Leslie William 2737 57th Btn 6. Portrait of Spinks, William Edward 2239 57 Btn1. On verso "L.Cpl J Richards, St Killians Road, White Hills Bendigo Victoria 6-10-17" 2. On verso, "Chas Moore, 9-9-17" 3. On verso "Pt L.F. Mitchell, No 4854, 13th reinforcements, 29th Battalion, AIF Abroad" 4. On verso "This is one of our gallant runners France 1917" "Herbert S. Hutson, Lemon Grove, Heathcote Victoria" 5. On verso "With best wishes L Steele 10-2-18", "L. Steele, Balmoral Street, Essendon, Melbourne Australia" 6. On verso "W.E.Spinks, Templeton Street, Euroa, Victoria, Australia"postcards, 57th battalion, edgar dawson dcm

Refer Cat No. 7944. Item in the collection of "Arthur E. Tranter". V50166 - VX52843 2/29th Bn. P.O.W.Hard cover book with dust cover. First Edition Book. Hard cover - cardboard, black colour buckram adhered cover. Dust cover - paper, with black print on front and spine. Cover ilustration - muted green colour tones of a tank and roadblock - "Muar Road Battle". Plastic cover - clear soft plastic - protective cover with adhesive tape. 224 pages, cut, plain white paper. Illustrated with black and white photographs and maps. A number of pages have handwritten notes in grey lead pencil and blue ink pen. P.186 has an added note on paper. Handwritten owner's name front end paper. Page 186 - note on paper, blue ink pen. "P.186/ This section by R.F. Nelson/ describes my experience/ fairly well./ I was with him throughout the whole/ term of imprisonment". Front end paper - handwritten owner's name - blue ink pen "Arthur E. Tranter/ 24-4-83".plublications, book, 2/29 battalion, ww2, arthur e tranter

1. November 28th 1914. 2. January 2nd 1915. 3. January 9th 1915. 4. April 17th 1915. 5. July 24th 1915. 6. May 29th 1915. Original owner - Stephen John PARISH Regiment number/ Unit 703 Became an Officer, born Warracknabeal, living in Mildura when he enlisted in the 8th Battalion.Six Magazines; 1./2./3./6./ - Covers - semi glossy white paper - black print with red colour highlights and part of illustration. Illustrated - black and white photographs. 4./5./ Covers - white paper and black print, illustrated black and white photographs. These magazines are missing their outer cover. 1. No 342 - 364 pages. 2. No 466 - 488 pages. 3. No 490 - 512 pages. 4. No 194 - 216 pages. 5. No 522 - 544 pages. 6. No 330 - 352 pages.magazines, ww1, s. j. parish, 8th battalion

STF.SGT M.M. Barnett M.S.M., 1st pioneer Battalion, enlisted 10 July 1915, Ret 30 August 1919. Driver H.V. Lansell, 3rd A.M.T. Coy. Enlisted 27 April 1916, Returned 19 July 1919. Private P. Fogarty, 6th Battalion Enlisted 17 July 1915, Returned 17 July 1919. Driver F.A. McEwan, 29th Battalion, enlisted 12 July 1915, Returned 1 Oct 1918.Booklet - Cream coloured cardboard of 6 pages. Red and blue striped borders, red ribbon spine attachment. Page 1. - photograph, colour patch, page 2. Photograph colour patch. Page 3. Menu. Page 4. Programme, Page 5, Photographs, Colour patch, Page 6 Photograph, Colour patch.C.C.H. Complimentary Dinner. Tended to STF>SGT M.M. Barnett MSM., Driver H.V. Lansell, Private P.J. Fogarty, Private F.A. McEwan, by a few friends on their return from the Great European War. His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo (Cr. J.H. Curnow) will preside. Sept 25, 1919, City Club Hotel, Bendigo.passchendaele barracks trust, booklet, complimentary dinne, m.m. barnett, h.v. lansell, p. fogarty, f.a. mcewan

This card was one of four items given to every family of a deceased soldier of the British Commonwealth. Families received a memorial plaque, a message from the King, a memorial scroll and a "Where the Australians rest” card and grave photograph or a booklet if the deceased has no known grave. This "Where the Australians rest” card was sent to the brother of Pte W. Williams No. 1442, 2nd Battalion AIF, who was killed on Gallipoli on 29th August 1915, aged 24. Walter enlisted age 23 No 1442 on 27.11.1914 in 2nd reinforcements 2nd Bn AIF, embarked for Egypt 11.2.1915, transferred to Stretcher Bearers 8.4.1915, hospital 9.6.1915 with twisted instep, rejoin unit Gallipoli 13.7.1915, KIA 29.8.1915. This card is a duplicate copy sent. Refer also for photo, medals, other Cat No’s 1859P & 1860Folded four page light purple coloured card. Front features an embossed Rising Sun Badge, a title (Australian Imperial Force) and a two line border, all in purple. Inside on the left hand side is a pro forma in purple lettering with spaces for handwritten details. The right hand side features a black and white photograph of a grave marked with a cross with metal name plaques attached. Four crosses feature in the background. The photograph is bordered by a purple line. On the back page is a pro forma in purple lettering with spaces for handwritten details.Handwritten in black ink on inside left page, "WILLIAMS W. 1442 Private 2nd Battalion Browns Dip Cemetery Plot 2. Row. C. Grave 2 Port Chanak Gallipoli 3 copies". HAndwritten in black ink on back, 'Brother Mr S. T. Williams Australia".memorabilia, grave photographs, memorial cards, service record

The badge belonged to Mrs May BALDWIN. Two stars on the badge showed she had two sons in the 2nd A.I.F, Ted & Robert. Ted (short for Edward) is believed to be George Edward BALDWIN No VX120046. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 10.7.1942 age 20 years. On discharge from the Army on 2.4.1946 he was a Pte in the 29/46th Aust Infantry Battalion. Robert is believed to be Walter Robert BALDWIN No VX55835. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 14.5.1941 age 20 years. He was in the 2/29th Batt and is listed in their history as being in D Coy. He was taken POW and is listed as died while a POW on 27.5.1943. Refer 1895.Badge, metal, "To the Women of Australia". Centre section is round with a crown over two circular wreaths with a map of Australia Centre. Attached by 2 rings is a clasp with 2 stars. A fine chain and pin attached at the top. Rear has 2 lugs and pin."ISSUED BY THE C'WLTH GOVT A77484"numismatics - badges, metalcraft

John Phillip MURPHY No VX17294 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 15.5.1940 age 30 years 5 months. Posted to the 2/29th Bn 29.11.1940, embarked for Singapore 30.7.1941 disembarking 15.8.1941. Promoted to L/Cpl 2.1.1942, listed as missing 16.2.1942 then POW. A telegram in his records dated 4.8.1945 to his wife Mrs A Murphy of Kirkwood St Eaglehawk states “Alive at Changi Camp”. He disembarked Australia on 8.10.1945 and discharged from the Army on 6.12.1945. Refer also Cat No 1110.Envelope, “Prisoner of War Post” yellowed, red print, stamped “Passed by Censor” re J.P.Murphy.Typed “VX17294 L/Cpl J P Murphy 2/29 Battalion AIF Australian Prisoner of War Malaya”. In pencil “Changi”.envelopes japanese, pow, murphy

Article of World War 1 Refer to carved life size soldier with machine gun in foyer and photograph at its feet.A4 sheet of white paper has two cut-out sections of Veteran Affairs Newspaper article dated June 1998 glued on. Title Australian Corps Memorial Park. Article covers a Memorial cost $1.3 million dollars for dedication on 4th July 1998 consisting of three curved memorial walls for Australian soldiers that died during Wold War 2. The photograph included in the article was taken on August 8, 1918 which shows B company of the 29th Battalion - a Victorian Unit - being addressed by their platoon Commander. All 5 Australian Divisions took part in the major Allied attack on the German Lines - the first time the five Australian Divisions had fought together as the Australian Corps. (Under Australian Command) It is the First memorial on the Western Front dedicated to the Australian Corps. The park surrounding it includes a 500 meter walking tril with 18 information panels along its length on aspects of the battle.Article was found in Veteran Affairs News dated June 1998, heading - Australian Corps Memorial Park.veteran affairs news article, a4 paper sheet

Ill, p.224.non-fictionThe unit originally left Australia as a completely Victorian unit but returned with representatives from all Sates in the Commonwealth. The 2/29th Battalion was the fist Victorian unit into action in the Malauan campaign and has the distinction of two set of battle honours, one for the bloody Muar Road battle where the battlion initially and later in association with the 2/19th Battalion held the crack Japanese 5th Division, the Imperial Guards for six days to enable the whole British force to be withdrawn behind Yong Peng, and the second for their part in the battle for Singapore Island. It was during the intial battle with the Japanese Imperial Guards on Sunday, January 18, 1942 that the Battalion with the supporting anti-tank guns of the 2/4th Anti Tank Regiment accounted for 8 Japanese tanks in one morning. Two commanding officers were killed during the Muar Road battle and total casualties for the week were 13 officers and 296 O/R/'s. It was when Lt.-Col. S. A. F. Pond, who took command, set about re-forming the Battalion after Muar that reinforcements from all States joined the unit. The battalion spent 3 1/2 years as P.O.W.'s of the Japanese and a long period of this working on the infamous Burma-Thailand railway where 260 lost their livesworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – malaya, australian army - 8th division

Born 5th October 1895 in Adavoyle, United Kindom Occupation Grocer and later horticulturalist Married after WW1- Wife - Daisy Florence Barclay World War One Staff Sergeant Regimental Number 2139 Enlisted AIF in Melbourne 29th December 1914, having previously served 3 months with the Ulster Volunteers and to camp Broadmeadows, to depot Battalion 29th December 1914. Embarked from Melbourne for the middle East with 3rd reinforcement group for the 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 25th February 1915 per transport 'Runic'. Disembarked Alexandria and to camp Heliopolis, Egypt. Operation Gallipoli from 5th May 1915 with 5th Battalion. Sick with dental problems 2nd Field Ambulance 17th September 1915. To hospital Lemnos 20th December 1915. To Alexandria hospital with pluerisy 12th January 1916. Returned to Australia with enteric per 'Nestor' 9th February 1916.To duty Broadmeadows 4th April 1916. Wmbarked with 4th reinforcements group for the 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade per transport 'Themistocles' 1st August 1916 Returned to England 14th September 1916. Operations France and Flanders from 6th December 1916. To 59th Battalion 29th December 1916. To 5th Division Infantry School 18th February to 28th March 1917 as Lance Corporal. Corporal 7th April 1917. Sergeant 2nd May 1917. To 3rd Southern General Hospital Oxford 4th October 1917. Returned to Melbourne per Transport 'Persic' 12th February 1918. Discharged 14th March 1918. Second World War. Regimental Number V5571 Emlisted in the Australian Military Forces in Royal Park, Melbourne 22nd August 1940 and to 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, Fyansford. Staff Sergeant 24th August 1940. To 2/14th Training Battalion Wangaratta 11th October 1940. To 2/23rd Training Battalion, Wangaratta 18th October, 1940.To Southern Command Training School 26th May 1941.to Camp Bonegilla 15th May 1942. To Camp Caulfield 11th November 1942. Discharged to Reserve Occupation 19th November 1942. Remarks. Awarded 1915-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal 1914-1919 Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal as Lance Corporal vide London Gazette 30111 of 31st July 1918. Citation for action on 9th July 1917 during the third Battle of Ypres reads- " For conspicous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rendered invaluable service during operation in carrying important messsages through heavy fire" Awarded War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45 in 1951. Described as 71.5inches tall, medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He died 11th September 1962.WW1 - Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914/15 Star 1914/18 British War Medal Victory Medal WW11 - 1939/45 British War Medal Australian Service Medal 1939/45 All medals with associated coloured ribbons. These are replica medals made in the exact metals as the originals. Also in display is a record of War Service which can be found in the narrative. Noneservice, medal, 1918, citation, ww1, military, gazette, london, ww11, medals, 30111, 31st, july, ypres, distinguished

The 8th Brigade Infantry Band comprised of the 29th, 30th, 31st & 32nd Battalions. .3) This most likey taken at Wars end, the Soldier with "X" has not been identified. Staley collection, refer Cat No 10758.2P for details..1) Postcard sepia tone, Band group of 30 Soldiers with instruments in an open space, trees behind, text on the bottom in white. .2) Postcard B & W showing a group of 25 Soldiers in 3 rows outside a hut No 35. .3) Postcard B & W showing 5 Soldiers and a civilian in an open car with flags and a sign on the front, an "X" has been marked over one of the Soldiers..1) On the front in white, "8th Brigade Band A.I.F somewhere in France". .3) Sign on the front of the car, "Well done Aussies"tmstaleycollection, postcard, 8th

Stan Grossman sent this silk embroidery to his cousin Doris Grossman. Private Stanley GROSSMAN 246 from North Wangaratta enlisted on 15/7/1915 aged 19 years. He embarked on 10/11/1915 and served with the Camel Corp , 29th Battalion and 14th Light Horse.Ornate gold coloured plastic frame with cream mount containing a square pink cloth embossed in yellow and white thread and edged in yellow fringe. Embroided - Happy Christmas Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Plaque -A Christmas Gift from Cairo World War 1 1916 stanley grossman 246, ww1, 29th battalion

Sgt John Bennett VX 146315 2/31 Batt 2nd AIF and H.Q Royal Aust. ArtilleryBrown timber frame with five Medals and assorted items on red felt backgroundVX146315 / 351759 Sgt. John R. Bennett 2/31st Battalion 2nd. A.I.F. and H.Q Royal Aust. Artillery Awarded Efficiency Medal 29th August 1963sgt john bennett, vx146315, 2/31st battalion, royal australian artillery

This is a velvet covered book with gold edged pages beautifully written in fine calligraphy depicting the history of all the pupils who offered for War service in the 1914-1918 war. Nurse Alice M Byrne, William Thomas Byrne, Richard Cummins, George Delaney, William George Elliot (Military Medal), Stanley William Grossman,29th Battalion; Alexander Cluny McDonald, Albert Arthur Perkins,KIA 1/10/1917; Harry Perkins,37th and 38th Battalions; Frederick Perkins,37th Battalion; Sydney Spencer Plum, Leslie George Richardson,trained at Wangaratta before contracting menigitis and died 25/6/1916; John Claude Smith,18th Battalion KIA 18/4/1916; This is a velvet covered book with gold edged pages beautifully written in fine calligraphy by Docker's Plains Head Teacher Mr Thomas Kidman, recording the military history of all the pupils at Docker's Plains State School who offered for War service in the 1914-1918 war. . Fixed inside the book's back cover are four original newspaper articles, two relating to the unveiling of the Honour Roll and Book at the children's annual picnic held on 17/10/1921 and dated 19/10/1921. The other two articles relate to the death and funeral of Albert D Lowerson VC of Myrtleford in 1946.The school was closed in 1949 and no longer existsA brown velvet covered book with gold edged pages written in fine calligraphy depicting the history of past pupils who offered for War service in the 1914-1918 war.Docker's Plains Honor Bookdocker's plains, ww1, honour book

Sir Douglas Ralph Nicholls (1906-1988), footballer, pastor, activist and governor, was born on 9 December 1906 at Cummeragunja Aboriginal mission, New South Wales, fifth child of Herbert Nicholls, seasonal worker, and his wife Florence, née Atkinson. Doug grew up at Cummeragunja, on the Murray River near Barmah, in its golden years of Aboriginal autonomy. Thomas Shadrach James gave him and other Yorta Yorta children a sound primary education, reinforcing the pride and self-assurance gained from their parents. As Doug grew, so too did the powers of the State’s Aboriginal Protection Board. Doug’s elder sister Hilda was removed about 1915. When Doug reached 14, he was moved off under the Aborigines Protection Act (1909) to find work. He took a job with dredging teams constructing levees on the Murray. Like other youths in the region Nicholls played Australian rules football, emulating kinsmen who had won local premierships since the 1890s. Doug and his brother Herbert (‘Dowie’) played with Tongala in the mid-1920s. Melbourne football beckoned, Doug trying out unsuccessfully for Carlton in 1927. He signed with the Northcote Victorian Football Association team, despite his nervousness about his Aboriginality, and was given a job with Northcote City Council. ‘Dowie’ joined him for a season. Doug was short at 5 ft 2 ins (158 cm), but muscular and lightning fast. He competed regularly during a boom in professional running, winning many heat and place prizes. In 1929 he won the Nyah and Warracknabeal gifts, earning a sash and £100 in each, together with a case of cutlery in the latter. Using his speed on the wing for Northcote, he produced great spring and agility from his compact body. The Sporting Globe reported in 1929 that ‘he flashes through packs of big men, whisks around small men . . . and attempts marks at the back of any six-footer’. In front-on clashes he was flattened only to rise again. The sole Aborigine in the VFA, he was known affectionately as the ‘flying Abo’ but called worse by his opponents’ barrackers. He competed for five seasons, being named ‘best and fairest’ twice, appearing in three association grand finals and winning in 1929. Keen to earn more than a seasonal wage, in 1931 Nicholls accepted a three-year contract with Jimmy Sharman’s travelling boxing show. The bouts matched opposites, local against tent boxer, white against black, and sometimes men of different sizes. He faced stiff competition from those who wanted to best the noted Melbourne black footballer, the crowd adding racial abuse. A far better footballer than boxer, he copped some punishment. Fighting in the Melbourne Stadium in December 1931, he was described by Truth as ‘slow and awkward’, but packing a ‘good wallop’. In 1932 Sharman, who treated his boxers fairly, released Nicholls to join the Fitzroy Victorian Football League team, which agreed to employ him as its groundsman. He played fifty-four games for Fitzroy over six seasons until knee trouble forced him out in 1937. Winning cups in 1934 and 1935, he played alongside Haydn Bunton and Wilfred (‘Chicken’) Smallhorn. Grand finals eluded him but he represented Victoria twice. Following his mother’s death, Nicholls revisited the Church of Christ chapel in Northcote, where they had worshipped together. On 17 July 1932 he experienced a conversion. He was soon baptised and witnessed openly, leading his fellow footballers to occasional church parades. Nicholls exhibited leadership qualities. William Cooper, founder of the Australian Aborigines’ League and Nicholls’ Yorta Yorta kinsman and fellow Christian, encouraged the young footballer. In February 1935 Cooper, Nicholls and others lobbied Thomas Paterson, the Commonwealth minister for the interior, over the need for Federal control of Aboriginal affairs. Nicholls attended the Day of Mourning protest for Aborigines held in Sydney on 26 January 1938, declaring: ‘after 150 years our people are still influenced and bossed by white people. I know we can proudly hold our own with others if given the chance’. When Cooper retired in November 1940 Nicholls became secretary of the AAL. On 2 June 1941 Nicholls enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces. He trained at Seymour and Bonegilla before being posted to the 29th Battalion. As Major Frank Corr’s batman, he was popular with other soldiers who tolerated his preaching and Bible reading. His army service was brief, however, and he was discharged in Melbourne on compassionate grounds on 22 January 1942. His biographer claimed that the Fitzroy police requested his return to mediate in the racial tensions developing between servicemen and the mostly respectable Aboriginal families living in crowded and dilapidated Fitzroy housing; Aboriginal people maintain that they requested his release. Nicholls began welfare work and religious services from an Aboriginal home in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. In April 1942, ‘Dowie’ died of road accident trauma, leaving his wife, Gladys, née Bux, and three children. On 26 December 1942 at Moama Methodist Church, New South Wales, Nicholls married her, a caring gesture which developed into a loving partnership. In January 1943 he initiated ‘Aboriginal Sunday’, featuring a gum leaf orchestra and choir. By 1955 this service had moved to July and later evolved into National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week. Ordained a Churches of Christ pastor in 1945, Nicholls conducted a vigorous ministry from a chapel in Gore Street, Fitzroy. His work survived on donations, a small honorarium, and his employment as team coach (1947) and curator at the Northcote Football Ground. In the 1950s Gladys established grocery and opportunity shops to earn income and provide services. Their house soon overflowed with people in need or visitors to Melbourne. Nicholls also hosted inspiring African American visitors such as the pianist Winifred Attwell and the singer Harry Belafonte. His ministry extended to Aboriginal country communities. Gladys taught Sunday school, undertook endless fund-raising and welfare work beside her husband, and became his greatest supporter and financial manager. They formed an Aboriginal Girls’ Hostel in 1956, for which they acted as house parents, and bought holiday units for Aborigines at Queenscliff. Persistently advocating Aboriginal rights, Nicholls protested about the impact of the Woomera rocket range on the people of the Warburton Ranges, co-ordinated the production of a concert, Out of the Dark, scripted by Jean Campbell, to rectify the omission of Aborigines from Victoria’s Commonwealth jubilee celebrations, and criticised the Victorian Aboriginal Protection Board. In 1957 when the board was transformed into the Aborigines’ Welfare Board, he and Harold Blair were appointed as Aboriginal representatives. Maintaining the stance of a political moderate, he did not bear grudges and sought to build bridges between black and white. He co-operated with any group that aided the cause, including the Council of Aboriginal Rights, whose executive were members of the Communist Party of Australia. This association attracted the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, which in 1957 began to keep a file on Nicholls. In May 1957 Nicholls formed the Victorian Aborigines Advancement League with Doris Blackburn and Gordon Bryant, a Federal parliamentarian. As its paid field officer and spokesman, Nicholls contested assimilation policies and used film to raise awareness of issues. When the Welfare Board attempted to close Lake Tyers reserve, Gippsland, he resigned in disgust and led a protest march on parliament in May 1963. The AAL also petitioned the United Nations on land rights in June, perhaps the first indigenous body to do so. He argued for new premises at 58 Cunningham Street, Northcote, opened in 1966 as the ‘Doug Nicholls Centre’. In 1958 Nicholls was a foundation member of the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement (Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders after 1964), which he served as national field officer (1961) and Victorian secretary (1962-63). While an innovator in tactics, he was alarmed by the influence of confrontational ‘black power’ politics in the AAL and resigned as a director amid turmoil on this issue in 1969, claiming the concept was a ‘bitter word’, not needed in Australia. Similar tensions in FCAATSI led him to join with Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal) in establishing the short-lived National Tribal Council as an alternative forum. As the AAL leadership moderated their stance, he returned as president (1969-74) of the new all-Aboriginal organisation. He was also a keen patron of the National Aboriginal Sports Foundation, founded in 1969. Many honours were conferred on Nicholls: he was appointed MBE (1957) and OBE (1968) and knighted (1972). In 1962 he was named Victorian ‘Father of the Year’ and the State’s second Aboriginal justice of the peace. Crowned Melbourne’s 1973 King of Moomba, he was declared Bapu Mamus (a Torres Strait term for ‘headman’) by the NTC. On 1 December 1976 Sir Douglas was appointed Governor of South Australia, but his health deteriorated within weeks, making it difficult for him to perform his official duties. In March 1977 he hosted Queen Elizabeth during her royal tour and was appointed KCVO. He relinquished his governorship on 30 April 1977 following a stroke. Ill health continued to dog him during retirement, but he played his Nelson Eddy records, enjoyed his expanding family, and when able, ministered to the Aboriginal Church at the League’s premises. Sir Douglas Nicholls died on 4 June 1988 at Mooroopna, predeceased (1981) by his wife and survived by his five children. He was given a state funeral and buried in tribal ground at Cummeragunja cemetery. Among the many tributes to him are an oval at Northcote, handed to the AAL in 1982, a Canberra suburb gazetted in 1991, and a fellowship for Indigenous leadership established in 2003, all in his name, and a statue of Sir Doug and Lady Nicholls by Louis Laumen, unveiled in 2007 in Parliament Gardens, Melbourne. Sir Douglas Nicholls is shown speaking at a microphone; head and shoulders; dressed in a suit.Pastor Douglas Nicholls