Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of 2/2 Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.2/2 Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

From page following title page: "2/2 Pioneer Battalion History. To the memory of All Ranks of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion who were killed or died, as free men or prisoners during the Second World War" Refer Cat No 4072.2P, John Donald (Jock) VX19003, POW twice. Hard cover, cardboard, buckram, dark red colour, gold print on spine. 228 pages, cut plain white. Illustrated with black & white photos & maps. Front & back fly leaf & end papers illustrated, grey & white drawing of a scene with trees & soldiers in action. book, 2/2nd, pioneer

Black and white memorial photograph of Pte. A B Leach, a member of the brigade who died as a prisoner of war 26th July 1945. Photgraph is of Pte Leach in uniform and is framed in a dark brown timber frame with painted gold trim on the inner edge of the frameBallarat Fire Brigade / Social Club / In Memory of our Late Member / Pte. A.B. Leach / 2/2 Pioneer Battalion / Died P.O.W. 26th July 1945 / 105 "Killo" camp, Burma / Thorton Richards & Co / Ballaratballarat fire brigade, p o w, burma, pte a b leach, leach, leach a b, 1945, ballarat fire brigade social club, 2 2 pioneer battalion

This 1917 dated 18pr shell case has a plaque in memory of Ernest 'Cappy' Sinclair. WW1 18pr guns were all that was available in the early days of WW2 and were used until the arrival of modern 25pr guns. Ernest served in the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion which was raised in Puckapunyal in Victoria in May 1940. After completing training, the battalion sailed for the Middle East aboard the Queen Mary in April 1941. Brass shell casing with in-memorium plaque attached.Plaque affixed to item: "PRESENTED TO / MONTMORENCEY RSL SUB BRANCH / In Memory Of Our Father / EARN "CAPPY" SINCLAIR / VX74235 - 2/2 PIONEER BN / THE SINCLAIR FAMILY" Engravings from original shell on bottom (see image)shell, 2/2 pioneer battalion, ernest sinclair, ww2, second world war, vx74235

Maxwell Barry Cowden VX19297 enlisted in the 2/nd AIF on 30.5.1940 age 18 years (put his age up to 21) in 2/2 Pioneer Battalion AIF, embarked for the Middle East 8.4.1941, promoted L/Cpl 25.6.1941, promoted Cpl 29.10.1941, took part in the Syrian Campaign. On 31.1.1942 the unit embarked for Australian but were diverted to Java to defend it, disembarked 18.2.1942. Java surrendered and they were taken POW, reported MIA on 30.4.1942 then after as POW. As a POW he worked on the Burma Railway. In December 1944 they were on the Hell Ship AWA Maru and sailed for Japan to work in the Coal Mines arriving mid Jan 1945. He was repatriated back to Australia on the HMS Formidable, discharged on 28.11.1945 with the rank of Cpl. Refer also Cat No 7077.Brown wood frame with gold edge, contains a photo and medals on a green background re a WW2 soldier/POW. The medals are a mixture of official and unofficial not in the correct order. Medals top. 1. Miniature Dutch medal 1942 - 45 official. 2. Prisoner of war medal, commemorative unofficial. Centre row. 1.Dutch medal 1942 - 45 official. 2. Africa star, official. 3. 1939 - 45 Star, official. 4. Pacific Star, official. 5. Front line service medal, unofficial. Bottom. 1. Defence medal, official. 2.Australian Service medal 1939 - 45, official. 3. For Combatant duties in active service, unofficial. 4. Foreign service medal, unofficial. 5. British war medal 1939 - 45, official."Max Cowden VX19297 2/2 Pioneer Battalion AIF"award, medals, photo, pow, 2/2

Longmore set aside his life as a farm-hand in Geelong, Victoria, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at age 21. Private (Pte) Roy Longmore, 3rd Reinforcements, 21st Battalion, of Bannockburn, Victoria enlisted on 13 July 1915; and he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Anchises on 26 August 1915.[2] After training in Egypt, was sent to the Battle of Gallipoli where he was a tunnel digger with the 2nd Division, burrowing underneath the Turkish positions and laying mines. After evacuation from Turkey, he fought at Pozières, Armentières, and Villers-Bretonneux.[1] He was wounded three times in France and was momentarily given up for dead when he was shot as the Armistice in November 1918, approached. He later recalled, "We were patrolling in a gully when suddenly half a dozen Germans appeared over a hill armed with machine guns and opened fire. Jerry riddled me, knocking me flat on my back, and the last I heard was 'Longy's had it, they got him.'" Fortunately, his fellow soldiers saw him move and rescued him.[3] Lance Sergeant (LSgt) and returned to Australia on 16 March 1919 as a member of the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.[2] Civilian life[edit] After returning to Australia in 1919, his injuries made returning to farm work impossible, so he drove a taxi in Melbourne. Another change caused by the war was more telling. Before, he had hunted rabbits; but he later explained that when he returned home, he no longer had an appetite for firing at anything alive.[3] Longmore married and had one son, Eric.[1] The one-time LSgt Longmore died peacefully in his sleep at a Burwood Nursing Home aged 107 on 21 June 2001. He was the second last Anzac to die.[2] At his death, Australia honored him one final time with a state funeral.[3] Australian "legend"[edit] In 2000, Longmore was recognized as one of the "Australian Legends." His name and photograph were honored as part of an annual series of commemorative postage stamps issued by Australia Post since 1997. The stamps commemorate living Australians "who have made lifetime contributions to the development of Australia's national identity and character".[4] Longmore lived to fully enjoy this honor.[3] Longmore's 45-cent Legend stamp displays the soldier's portrait as a young man, photographed just prior to his departure for Gallipoli. Formal photographs of the other two ANZAC centenarians complete this stamp set. In addition, a fourth stamp features the 1914-15 star medal which was presented to all those who fought in campaigns during those war years.[5] These stamps, designed by Cathleen Cram of the Australia Post Design Studio, commemorate the story of events and people shaping contemporary Australia.[6] The Longmore stamp honors him as an individual and as a representative of all 68,000 soldiers at Gallipoli whose actions affected Australia's evolving self-image.[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_LongmoreFramed painting of Roy Longmore wooden frame glass fronted

These photographs and medals are of the McIntyre family. Three members of Lara's McIntyre family served during the First and Second World Wars, and two were members of the Lara RSL. John Lachlan McIntyre was born at Beeac, Victoria in December 1890. He enlisted in the 1st AIF in July 1915. John fought on the Western Front, taking part in the battles of Fromelles and the 2nd Battle of the Somme. He was severely wounded at Fromelles and spent 12 months in hospital in England before returning to the front. John returned home in 1919 and was granted a soldier settlement block in Lara in 1937. He was a founding member of Lara RSL and is its longest serving member. John died in 1990. Thomas Gordon McIntyre was born at Lara in 1901. Thomas, known as Gordon, was too young to enlist in the First World War with his brothers. At the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. He fought in the Syrian Campaign, before being recalled to Australia to fight in the pacific campaign. Gordon was wounded in a battle against the Japanese in Java on the 19/02/1942, and taken prisoner. No record of him after this was ever discovered, and he is presumed to have been killed. Jim McIntyre was born in 1893, and grew up in Lara and Geelong. Jim enlisted in the 1st AIF in 1916, and served with the 14th Battalion through the war. He was wounded twice. Jim died in 1976. The McIntyre family were early pioneers in the Lara district, and the brothers were founding members of the Lara RSL. Their medals and photographs represent a significant link to the history of the town and sub-branch. Three photographs and three sets of medals in a pine wood frame with glass covering. Photographs are black and white portraits of soldiers in uniform mounted on cream card. The medals are mounted on black felt. T.G. McIntyre VX20754 - 35-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and the Australian Service Medal 39-45. J.L. McIntyre 3591 - War Medal and Victory Medal J.W. McIntyre 7049 - War Medal and Victory Medal J.L. McIntyre REG. No. 3591 58th. BATT. 1st A.I.F Foundation Member Lara R.S.L 1890 - 1990 REG. NO. VX20754 T.G. MC INTYRE 2/2nd PIONEERS 2nd A.I.F 7049 J.W. McINTYRE 14th BTN. 1893-1975photograph, mcintyre, medals, wwi, wwii, world war 1, world war 2, aif, pioneers, lara, rsl

Edward George Longstaff No 3381, enlisted 31.10.1916 age 44years 2 months, embarked for England 6.12.916, posted to 2nd Pioneer Bn, embark for France 22.5.1917, classified with Rhuematism 10.11.1917 and returned to England, Returned to Aust 11.1.918 and then discharged Medically unfit “Senility” 22.4.1918..1) Certificate of Discharge Register No 374 in the name of Regt 3381 Private Edward George LONGSTAFF, 2nd Pioneer Battalion. Cream heavy paper with black writing. .2) Maroon coloured cloth covered Pay Book in the name of 3381 Private Edward George LONGSTAFF.certificate, administrative, paybook

Merton Charles WILLOUGHBY VX54056 enlisted on 24.4.41 in the 2nd AIF aged 37 years. Posted to Pioneer Wing 23.6.1941, graded Cook Group 2 in 2/2nd Pioneer Bn. Embark for the Middle East 2.11.1941 disembarking 4.11.1941, relinquishes Group 2 Cook position, embark for Batavia 18.2.1942, reported Missing in Action Java then Missing POW 7.3.1942, recovered POW Siam 20.8.1945, embark from Singapore 29.9.45 disembarking Australia 17.10.1945, discharged from the Army 1.3.1946. With the entry of Japan into the war the 2/2nd Battalion embarked from the Middle East for Australia but was diverted to defend Java with 7th Division elements under what was called “Blackforce”. Some 800 where taken POW and 258 died in captivity. Medal set, court mounted, set of (4) re M.C Willoughby. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. The Pacific Star. 3. British War Medal 1939-1945. 4. Australian Service Medal. "VX54056 MC Willoughby"medals, military, history

Brown buckram with plastic cover over gold print. Black & white photos & illustrated, 288 pages.books, military history

Six POW postcards sent by Private Stanley Pascoe CHANDLER VX57554 to his mother Christina Chandler in Wahgunyah Victoria. Chandler was born in Wahgunyah and enlisted on the 11/6/1941 at Royal Park in Victoria. Chandler served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion and was reported missing in Java in April 1942 during WW2. He was discharged on the 15/1/1946 The post cards were printed by the Imperial Japanese Army for POW's to send home that describes the good climate, food, medicine and clothes. They also allow room for a brief message. Chandler wrote that he was interred with his friend Frank Allen, received 10 cents per day and has not had any illness. POWs were supposed to be able to communicate with their family at home through the International Red Cross under certain conditions. For example, they were limited to 100 letters. However, in reality it was impossible for them to communicate with family more than once or twice during the duration of imprisonment, and there were camps where the POWs were not allowed to communicate with the world outside the camp at all. The average number of cards which the Japanese allowed to be sent out was from four to five for the whole period of captivity, and only some of these reached their destinations.Timber frame containing six POW postcards mounted on cardboard. Postcards printed by Imperial Japanese Army for POW's to send to families, describing their health and living conditions.Postcards have messages home, "Dear Mother, prisoner of war, unwounded and well. Hope all well at home. Love and kisses Stan".pow, world war 2, burma, wahgunyah victoria, prisoner of war, stanley pascoe chandler

Timber plaque with 2/2nd Battalion insigniaBattalion insignia 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion A.I.F in scroll

Lieutenant Des Martin was a member of the Wodonga Troop of the pre-WWII 8th Light Horse (Indi) regiment. He volunteered for the AIF, 12/6/1940 (VX31564) and served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion in Syria and New Guinea. He was discharged 11/2/1944 with the rank of lieutenant. He was a horseman of considerable repute and was the author of the book “Australia Astride”. He provided valuable assistance to the 8/13 VMR Heritage Troop when it was raised. Wearing this uniform, he rode with a group of former light horsemen leading ANZAC Day marches in Melbourne for many years.Half mannequin dress in service dress tunic with 8th Light Horse lapel badges, silver buttons, badges of rank and colour patches. Complemented with slouch hat with 8th Light Horse hat badge and emu plumes, and Sam Browne belt.military, anzac day, melbourne, martin, pioneer, vmr, light horse, world war two, wwii

The Australian Service Medal and Pacific Star Medal that were awarded to Private Arthur Norman Comben VX26251 for his war service in World War Two. From the AWM website Private Arthur N Comden of the 2/21st Australian Infantry Battalion, who died on Hainan Island, China, on 27 June 1945. The DVA records show he was born 6 April 1907 in Yarraville and enlisted on 17 June 1940 whilst residing in Coopers Creek Victoria. His next of kin was shown as H Dilks. Also that he had been a prisoner of war. His connection with Legacy is not known, he may have been a junior legatee though there's no record of his father Arthur John Louis Comben serving for Australia in WW1. More research is needed to check, it is possible the medals were donated to Legacy as no family members wanted them. Additional information provided by a distant relative - Arthur's mother (Mary Eleanor Norman) remarried twice after his fathers death in 1911. His stepfather Horace Dilks served in World War 1 with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.These are examples of World War 2 medals awarded to a serviceman who participated in the conflict in the Pacific region. Many returned servicemen joined Legacy after World War 2 and would have had similar medals.Silver circular medal and bronze star shaped medal from World War 2 mounted on ribbons initially together by a safety pin. 01700.1 The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’. The normal ribbon is missing and it is on the ribbon meant for the UK War Medal which is of red, white and blue to represent the colours of the Union Flag. 01700.2 The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Pacific Star’. The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.Both engraved with 'VX26251 A. N. Comben'.medals, world war two, arthur comden

WWI Historical significance.1# Letter of commendation for Pte Christopher Parkinson. 2# Photo of internment for C. Parkinson 2156, 2nd Battalion Trois Arlines Military Cemetary.1# Second Australian Pioneer Battalion. Battalion Headquarters, January 5th 1918. To Mrs E. Parkinson Pridfort St, Daylesford Vic. Letter reads The Commanding Officer has directed me to advise you that the name of 2156 Pte Parkinson C. has been published in the routine orders of this Battalion, for good work done by him previous to his death, and in forwarding this note to you wishes to express his appreciation of this man's services with this Battalion. Signed by Capt. & Adj. 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. 2# Parkinson Christopher 2156. Private. 2nd Battalion, Trois Arlines Military Cemetry. A photo on the opposite side Of Pte Parkinson's grave.

Peechelba School Roll of Honour 1914-1918 - list of students who served during the First World War as follows:- Christopher George EVERITT 5582 Born Bremen/Wangaratta Enlisted 20/7/1915 Aged 20 years 7 months Died of Wounds 26/4/1918 at Villiers Brettoneux France James Samuel EVERITT 3319 Born Rutherglen Enlisted 30/7/1915 Served with the 23/57/58 Battalions Killed In Action 18/7/1916 France William John RHODES 917 Born Wangaratta Enlisted 29/6/1915 Aged 20 years 8 months Unit 29th Battalion Wounded twice GSW left knee Discharged 30/5/1918 Henry RHODES 2779 Born St James Enlisted 6/7/1916 Aged 19 years 6 months Unit 58th Battaliion Wounded GSW Head right leg and hand Discharged 10/8/1918 Thomas Lewis RHODES Reserve Born Benalla Enlisted 15/7/1915 Aged 22 years 4 months Discharged 29/4/1916 medically unfit due to meningitis and lumbago - Later drowned aged 25 years in June 1917 at Wangaratta during the disastrous floods in which six people lost their lives. Robert Ernest PAYNE 5215 Born Killawarra Enlisted 29/1/1916 Aged 20 years 9 months Unit 28th Battalion 2 Pioneer Battalion Killed in Action 15/4/1918 in France James Joseph KELLOW 6836 Born Peechelba Enlisted 16/7/1917 Aged 18 years 7 months Unit 20/22 Reinforcements Embarked 21/11/1917 Discharged 12/2/1920 George PRESSLEY 3017/a Born Wangaratta Enlisted Cairns Aged 29 years Unit 52nd Battalion Embarked 27/10/1916 from Brisbane. William Hawden PRESSLEY 3016 Born Wangaratta Enlisted Cairns Aged 32 years Unit 52nd Battalion Embarked 27/10/1916 from Brisbane Killed in Action 20/9/1917 in Belgium Leslie PRESSLEY 5446 Born Wangaratta Enlisted Cairns Aged 26 years Unit 12th Battalion Embarked 20/4/1916 from Sydney Killed in Action 25/8/1918 Villers-Brettoneux Charles Reginald Walter CRAWFORD 2211 Born Wangaratta Aged 23 years Unit 24th Ballatlion Embarked 17/1/1917 Gassed and GSW R Forearm Discharged 3/5/1919 Charles BROOKER aka BROWN 1619 Born Benalla Enlisted Wagga Aged 28 years Unit 55th Battalion Embarked 14/4/1916 - Deserted on Active Service - Declared Illegal Absentee from 8/5/1917 Still Absent on 2/1/1920 and Discharged from AIF on 1/4/1920. In 1924 sought to receive war medals and informed Not Eligible. Thomas Erlsford HAYES 1337 Born Peechelba Enlisted Wangaratta Aged 19 years Unit 37/38th Battalion Embarked 3/6/1916 Discharged 30/4/1919 Charles John JACKSON 418/2nd Lieut. Born Rutherglen Joined 23/8/1915 Aged 22 years 8 months Unit 1st Div Signals MID Returned to Australia Discharged 30/3/1920 Walter Herbert JACKSON 2645 Born Wangaratta Joined 13/7/1916 Aged 32 years Unit 2nd Pioneers Returned to Australia 5/9/1919 Discharged 28/12/1919 Edward Francis KELLOW 3825/6837A Born Gippsland Enlisted Melbourne 9/8/1915 Aged 21 years Unit 59 Battalion Returned to Australia 10/6/1916 for Hernia Operation Discharged 11/12/1916 - ReEnlisted Wangaratta 16/7/1917 Embarked 21/11/1917 22nd Battalion Wounded GSW Returned to Australia 24/8/1918 Jep Frances KENNY 3041 Born Thoona Enlisted Yarrawonga Joined 16/7/1915 Aged 18 years 5 months 57/58 Battalion Died of Wounds 17/7/1916 James NIKLAUS 3881 Born 20/11/1892 Peechelba Joined 7/8/1915 Aged 22 years 9 months Enlisted Yarrawonga Embarked 23/11/1915 1st Machine Gun Coy/8th Battalion Discharged 4/1/1918 due to Trachoma Benjamin SARGENT 56 Born Peechelba Joined 18/1/1915 Enlisted Wangaratta Aged 22 years 3 months Embarked 9/7/1915 Unit 21st Battalion Wounded 11/6/1918 -Gassed Returned to Australia 9/3/1919 Frederick SARGENT 439 Born Peechelba Joined 4/2/1915 Enlisted Yarrawonga Aged 22 years 5 months Unit 23rd Battalion Killed in Action 2/9/1915 Greece Samuel Cook SARGEANT 2874 Born Thoona Joined 9/11/1916 Enlisted Bendigo Aged 24 years 6 months Embarked 16/12/1916 Unit 38th Battalion Wounded 13/10/1917 GSW left hand. 16/12/1917 Returned to Australia due to Injury Discharged 6/8/1918 Herbert WILLETT 2413 Born Yarrawonga Joined/Enlisted 24/7/1916 Melbourne Aged 21 years 8 months Embarked 20/10/1916 Unit 8th Battalion Wounded x 3 times Returned to Australia due to Injury Discharged 21/6/1919 H. TOOHEY ? Phillip James McINTYRE - School Teacher - 3207 Born Snake Gully Joined 29/9/1916 Aged 28 years 3 months Embarked 16/12/1916 Unit 37th Battalion - WoundedA primary school was opened in Peechelba in 1880 and closed in 1903 after a new school opened in Peechelba township in 1891 which was closed in 1970. This timber honour board was made as a tribute to honour and remember the Peechelba School students and their teacher who enlisted and served during the First World War. Wooden honour board with three columns of names, the centre being an "In Memoriam" listPeechelba School Roll of Honour 1914-1918wangaratta, world war 1, honour board, peechelba school