Christmas card which was sent to a family in Australia by Australian Army serviceman, Lewis Jones who served during World War 2. The card is in the form of a small folded card. The front cover has the Australian 'Rising Sun' badge printed above the following words "Christmas Greetings from 2/11 Battalion A. I. F.". There is some ornate artwork on this cover and a small illustration which appears to be of a middle east village scene. The inside cover page has the following (apparently written by the serviceman) "To Alice & Family Wishing You all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year With best of luck From Lewis"christmas, middle east, 2nd aif, army, aif, ww2, world war 2, 2nd 11th battalion

This former King's Colour was originally authorised by King George V in 1919 in recognition of services of 11th Battalion (AIF) during the Great War. Presented by HE the Governor General Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, PC, CGMG at a parade in King's Park on 2 October 1920 and handed over to 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment) of the Citizen Forces. In 1921 this unit became re-designated 11th Battalion (The Perth Regiment) (The title was changed to "The City of Perth Regiment" in 1933). Subsequently consecrated by the Chaplain General, Archbishop COL Riley, OBE, VD, DD at a parade on the Esplanade, Perth, 15 November 1924. At the time of presentation this colour was a plain union flag with no central devices or other distinctions included on it. Following Military Board approval given in 1925 the centre circle and Crown were later added, in accordance with the approved design for a King's Colour. With the re-activation of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) following the Second World War, the 11th/44th Infantry Battalion (The City of Perth Regiment) was raised as a linked battalion in 1948 to carry on the identity and traditions of the pre-war 11th and 44th Battalions respectively. The King's and Regimental Colours formerly held by these two battalions were passed on to the new battalion who paraded them in rotation on ceremonial occasions. With the accession of HM Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1953, all Colours that had originally been presented as King's Colours, and were still carried by units on the current Order of Battle, were automatically deemed to be Queen's Colours. Under major reorganisation of the CMF in 1960, all individual infantry battalions that existed at the time within each State were amalgamated to form State regiments, taking effect from 1 July 1960. Thus from that date the 11/44th, 16th and 28th Infantry Battalions were amalgamated to form The Royal Western Australia Regiment. In September 1960, at a ceremonial parade held at Northam Camp, the Colours carried by all former battalions were handed over for safe keeping by the new regiment. Battle Honours for the Second World War were promulgated under Australian Army Order 135/1961 and the 10 selected honours approved for emblazoning on the Queen's Colour were subsequently added in 1962 These former colours were subsequently laid up in the undercroft at the State War Memorial, King's Park on 29 November 1964. These were transferred to the Army Museum of WA in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary Colours Project. Union flag with gold fringes. In the centre the Arabic numeral "11" on a red background within a gold circle inscribed "ELEVENTH INFANTRY - PERTH REGIMENT", surmounted by the Crown. Emblazoned on the colour are the following Second World War Battle Honours:- BARDIA 1941, CAPTURE OF TOBRUK, DERNA, BRALLOS PASS, RETIMO, LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA, MATAPAU, ABAU-MALIN, WEWAK, WIRUI MISSION

Coleman embarked from Fremantle on HMAT Ascanius on 2nd November 1914. He was killed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.Letters, postcard, photographs, medals and notebook of Edward Coleman (647 - 11th Battalion, F Company). Notebook contains sketches and three poems.photographs, ww1, gallipoli, letters, edward john coleman, 11 battalion, ascanius

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

Coleridge, Michael Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Phuoc Hai, beside the road leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon and search by 7RAR of the village of Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was part of Operation Atherton, conducted by 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) (the ANZAC Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and a component from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) and7 RAR. Left to right Private Peter Capp (kneeling), Pte Bob Fennell (crouching, facing camera), Corporal Bob Darcy (left of Fennell), Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front), Pte Ian Jury (cnetre, back, holding rifle), Pte Colin Barnett (front, right), Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (left of Barnett), the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter is operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra ACT, dedicated in October 1992)operation ulmarra, operation atherton, 7 rar, iroquois, dat do, phuoc hai, 2nd battalion royal australian regiment, 2 rar/nz, pte peter capp, pte bob fennell, cpl bob darcy, pte neal hasted, pte ian jury, pte colin barnett, l/cpl stan whitford, pte john raymond gould, 162nd assault helicopter company

The HMAT A18 Wiltshire (1912-1922) weighed 10,390 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. Described as a refrigerated steamship it was b uilt 1912 by John Brown, Clydebank for the Federal S N Co Ltd, London and was propelled by a twin screw, quadruple expansion engine 2 x 4 cylinders each 6500 hp. Owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, it was leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917. It embarked from Egypt on 2 February 1918. On 18 October 1914 at Melbourne embarked the 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) A, B & C squadron & their Machine Gun Section, the 2nd Field Ambulance (Victoria) First Division. The disembarked the 4th Light Horse Regiment in Egypt on 10 December 1914. On 01 November 1914 The Wiltshire assembled with the first convoy at King George's Sound, Albany Western Australia in transporting the first detachment of the Australian and New Zealand Imperial Expeditionary Forces. It completed nine transport voyages from Australia commencing 18 October 1914 until final voyage from Sydney 9th November 1918. During that time The Wiltshire carried the 4th Field Artillery Brigade (Victoria) 2nd Division Artillery and their 1st Reinforcements, 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 4th Reinforcements, thirty-four Infantry Battalion Reinforcements, the 10th, 11th & 12th Field Artillery Battery (Victoria) 4th Field Artillery Brigades, the 4th Brigade Ammunition Column 4th Field Artillery Brigade, the 1st Siege Artillery Brigade 15th Reinforcements, the 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) A, B & C squadron & their Machine Gun Section, six Light Horse Brigade Reinforcements, the 1st Veterinary Section (New South Wales) 11th Reinforcements, the 1st Mobile Veterinary Section (New South Wales) 1st Division 11th Reinforcements, the 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section (Victoria, New South Wales) 2nd Division 11th Reinforcements, the 1st Cyclist Battalion (New South Wales and Queensland) 3rd Reinforcements, the 2nd Field Ambulance (Victoria) First Division & Medical Officers. After the conclusion of World War One is was wrecked Rosalie Bay, Great Barrier Island New Zealand 31 May 1922 on passage London for Dunedin. Onboard was a crew of 103 plus 1 stowaway, and 10,000 ton of general cargo. No lives lost and is now a well frequented 'Dive' wrecksite. (http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmat.htm#A18)Photographic postcard of the troopship Wiltshire out at sea.world war one, world war, wiltshire, troop ship, mmm

A white programme with black print. On the front cover, ' 2nd. Inf. Brigade Depot Y.M.C.A. Buildings High Street, Bendigo. Room open Fridays 2 to 5.30. Lyric Theatre Saturday, Nov. 11th. Programme. Will all who are interested in the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Battalions become Members of this Depot. M. King, Hon. Sec. W. & A. Brockley, Print, Bendigo.' On the inside is the programme containing music which is surrounded by advertisements. On the back cover is an advertisement for Warren's, 'the cheapest drapers in Bendigo.'program, music, singing, lydia chancellor, collection, programme, program, ephemeral, music, event, lyric theatre bendigo, entertainment, y.m.c.a.

In 1909 His Majesty King Edward VII directed that honorary banners be presented to the Australian Infantry Regiments in commemoration of the services of their members who had volunteered for the South African War 1899-1902. (Promulgated under Military Order 132/1909). These would be similar to those presented to Australian Light Horse Regiments, Royal Australian Artillery and Australian Army Medical Corps in 1904. This Banner was presented to 1st Battalion, 11th Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment) by HE the Governor of WA Sir Gerald Strickland, KCMG, at a parade held on the Esplanade, Perth, 18 February 1911. Consecrated by the Right Reverend COL. Riley, DD, VD, Senior Chaplain of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. This banner was subsequently inherited by successor units to the 11th Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment), including 88th (Perth) Infantry, 11th Battalion (The Perth Regiment) and 11th/16th Battalion. The banner was handed over to the Perth City Council at a special parade of the 11th/16th Battalion held in Forrest Place on 2 June 1930, and was laid up in the Council Chambers in Murray Street. Together with the other historic colours handed over at the time (see Reference items 1 and 3), this banner later went into storage when Council moved premises in the early 1960's. Perth City Council had some restoration work carried out on these colours in 1975 and later had them on display in their display room at Council House, St Georges Terrace. They were subsequently placed in storage again. Following negotiations by the Army Museum of WA Perth City Council passed on these Colours to the Museum in November 1993. Plain Union flag with red and gold fringe. Red and gold chord and tassels. Pike with Royal Crest pike head. A silver plate attached to lower portion of pike inscribed as follows: "Presented by His Most Gracious Majesty The King Emperor to 1st Battalion, 11th Australian Infantry Regiment Perth Regiment formerly 1st and 2nd Battalions Western Australian Infantry in recognition of services rendered to the Empire in South Africa 1899-1902".

With the re-activation of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) following the Second World War, the 16th/28th Infantry Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia) was raised in 1948 to carry on the identity and traditions of the pre-war 16th and 28th Battalions respectively. The King's and Regimental Colours formerly held by these two battalions were passed on to the new battalion who paraded them in rotation on ceremonial occasions It was decided in 1950 that a new set of Colours would be presented to 16th Battalion. For reasons that still remain unclear, these were manufactured under local arrangement by "cannibalising" the original 1933 set of colours and transferring the devices and battle honours (in the case of the Regimental Colour) to the new Colours. (Reported by Western Command to the Adjutant General -reference file A 107/1/11 dated 30 April 1952). These new colours were presented by Major-General JS Whitelaw, CB, CBE at a parade of the 16th/28th Infantry Battalion held on the Esplanade, Perth, 26 August 1951. (For details of Colours previously presented to 16th Battalion see separate section below). 16th/28th Infantry Battalion became unlinked in March 1952 with both 16th and 28th becoming independent battalions within their own right. With the accession of HM Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1953, all Colours that had originally been presented as King's Colours, and were still carried by units on the current Order of Battle, were automatically deemed to be Queen's Colours. Under major reorganisation of the CMF in 1960, all individual infantry battalions that existed at the time within each State were amalgamated to form State regiments, taking effect from 1 July 1960. Thus from that date the 11/44th, 16th and 28th Infantry Battalions were amalgamated to form The Royal Western Australia Regiment. In September 1960, at a ceremonial parade held at Northam Camp, the Colours carried by all former battalions were handed over for safe keeping by the new regiment. Battle Honours for the Second World War were promulgated under Australian Army Order 135/1961 and the 10 selected honours approved for emblazoning on the Queen's Colour were subsequently added in 1962 These former colours were subsequently laid up in the undercroft at the State War Memorial, King's Park on 29 November 1964. These were transferred to the Army Museum of WA in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary Colours Project Previous Colours presented to 16th Battalion The designation "16th" was allocated to several different infantry battalions that had been raised at different stages during changes to organisational structure of the Citizen Forces during the 1920's and 1930's. The original King's Colour awarded for service of 16th Battalion (AIF) and received in 1920 by the Citizen Force unit 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment was later passed on to 16th Battalion (The Goldfields Regiment) which had been raised in the Kalgoorlie area in 1921. This unit became inactive and this Colour was later laid up in the Kalgoorlie Council Chambers. In order to maintain the identity of 16th Battalion as a Citizen Force unit, in 1930 11th Battalion (The Perth Regiment) was reformed as a linked battalion under the designation 11th/16th Battalion. As the 11th Battalion had already received its set of colours in the 1920's, it was decided that a set of King's and Regimental Colours be presented for 16th Battalion. These were presented by HE the Lieutenant-Governor Sir James Mitchell, KCMG at a parade of 11th/16th Battalion held at Perth Oval on 15 October 1933. The colours were consecrated by the Chaplain General, Archbishop COL Riley, OBE, VD, DD. In 1936 16th Battalion was re-established as a separate battalion within its own right, being formed as 16th Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia). The colours presented in 1933 were passed on to this new battalion and were also initially carried by the post-World War Two unit 16th/28th Infantry Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia) as already mentioned. Union flag with gold fringe. In the centre the Arabic numeral "16" on a red background within a circle inscribed "SIXTEENTH BATTALION", surmounted by the Crown. Emblazoned on the colour are the following Second World War Battle Honours:- NORTH AFICA 1941, SYRIAN FRONTIER, THE LITANI, SIDON, WADI ZEINI, DAMOUR, KOKODA TRAIL, BUNA-GONA, LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA, BORNEO

Photograph of all the original Officers and men of the 11th. Battalion 3rd Brigade AIF. The group of over 685 soldiers are spread out over the side of the Great Pyramid of Khufu Cheops near Mina Camp.Framed colourised version of Original photograph titled ANZAC with inscribed plate describing the Scene. Inscribed Plate reads - "The 11th Battalion, Australian Infantry Force was raised at Black Boy Hill in Western Australia on 17th August 1914. Following a period of training of just two weeks, the Battalion embarked at Freemantle on the HMAT Ascanius on 2nd November 1914. The Ascanius formed part of a convoy of 38 Troopships carrying approximately 35,000 Australian and New Zealand troops and reached the Port of Alexandria Egypt on 2nd December 1914. After arriving in Egypt, the Battalion camped and trained at Mena, ten miles from Cairo, at the foot of the Great Pyramid Cheops. On 10th January 1915, prior to leaving Egypt a photograph of more than 800 original Officers and Men of the Battalion was taken at the Great Pyramid of Cheops on the 28th February 1915."

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. In 1965 after being stored in a woodshed for two years the Honour Board was put on display at The Eldorado Memorial Hall. The Eldorado Memorial Hall Committee became Trustees of the Honour Board and 1992 approved its transfer to the Vine Hotel Museum for public display. In 1996 at a meeting held on February 7, the Wangaratta North State School No 2391 Memorial Committee moved a motion that all memorabilia pertinent to the Wangaratta North State School be displayed at the Vine Hotel Museum under the guardianship of trustees appointed by the Wangaratta North State School Memorial Committee. In 2005 The North Wangaratta State School Trustees donated the Honour Board along with two photographs of WW1 soldiers to the Wangaratta RSL for safe keeping and display to the public. Students who enlisted include:- 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 medically unfit on April 10 1918. 5692 Private William Thomas BYRNE was born on 21/9/1890 at Docker Plains. He was educated at Docker Plains and Wangaratta State schools. A farmer when he enlisted on 13/10/1914. He trained at Broadmeadows and embarked on Hororata on 17/4/1915. He served with the 3rd Light Horse and 12th and/or 27th ASC - Army Service Corps as a Driver. 5347 Private Cyril BUCKLER, 14th Battalion. A postman from Wangaratta, Victoria, prior to enlistment on 16 February 1916 he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916 for Egypt. His unit relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Buckler was killed in action near Pozieres, France, on 7 August 1916. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial 3451A Private Sydney Spencer PLUM 1st Pioneer Battalion A.I.F, Born January 3rd 1894 at Dockers Plains. He was educated at North Wangaratta and Docker's Plains State School. He was a blacksmith when he enlisted June 12th 1915. He was trained at Flemington Racecourse and embarked on SS "Nestor" October 11th 1915. He fought in battles; Peronne, Cambrai, Somme. Being wounded 3 times. He embarked for home per SS "Orontes"; disembarked January 28th 1919 and he was discharged March 16th 1919. He died on July 25 1958. 483 Private Percy Albert TIPPETT served with the 6th Battalion AIF and was wounded on the 25/4/15 during the initial landing at Gallipoli and later died on 28/4/1915. 1981 Private Francis John VONARX Enlisted at Wangaratta on 15/6/1915 aged 33 years and embarked on 26/8/1915. Served with the 23rd Infantry Battalion and 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Returned to Australia on 8/4/1919 On 13/4/2024 the Honour Board was deaccessioned from the RSL collection for permanent display at North Wangaratta CFA Brigade.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. Large solid timber Honour Board with two carved minature cannons on top and above side columns."North Wangaratta State School/Roll of Honour/The Great War 1914 to 1919" 52 names in gold paint.north wangaratta state school 2391, honour board ww1

A relic of the battlefield, the Long Tan bayonet was collected on 19/08/1966 by 2nd Lt D R Sabben. He later presented it to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Masonic Lodge ( No. 921) at the South Eastern Masonic Centre in Keysborough, Victoria (now defunct) after they requested an artefact from the battle. In 2001, the SLR bayonet was mounted into a stone ashlar (cube) in the memory of National Serviceman Lt Gordon Sharp of 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) who died in the Battle of Long Tan, 18th August 1966, along with 17 other young Australian soldiers. The artefact was used in Masonic ceremonies held on Vietnam Veterans Day (August 18th) from 2001 until 2024, when it was presented to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum.White marble cube with bayonet in its scabbard fixed into the top of it. A plaque with dedication is on the front, the Vietnam Star medal on the left side, a silver medallion of Queen Elizabeth II on the right side, and "City of Collingwood NO. 464" carved into the bottom.The Long Tan Bayonet / A relic of the battlefield / Presented to the Vietnam Veterans / Memorial Lodge No. 921 / In Memory of Lt Gordon Sharp / By Ex Lt David Sabben, MID. 12 Plt / Commander, D Company, 6thBattalion / The Royal Australian Regiment / DUTY FIRST / 11th August 2001long tan, bayonet, scabbard and bayonet, gordon sharp, 6th battalion the royal australian regiment, d company, 2781465, 2nd lt gordon c sharp, 2lt dave sabben, long tan bayonet, masonic lodge, vietnam veterans memorial masonic lodge