The photo is Douglas Niven Dean VX32652 2nd AIF, enlisted 15/7/1940, age 23 years, posted 7th Div A.A.S.Corp, served in siege of Tobruk, Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo, discharged on 7.12.1945. He was a member of the Bendigo Rats of Tobruk Association, served as secretary 1978 - 87 incl, Jnr V Pres 1992 - 95 and was a life Member of the Association.Postcard photo, portrait, B & W, shows a soldier in uniform, slouch hat, Rising sun collar badges, diamond shape colour patch showing on left arm, rear re post card has space for stamp, address and correspondence, faint makers stamp.On rear in blue ink, “Doug Dean”tobruk, 7th div, aasc,

Item in the collection re Ron Bollard VX14150, refer Cat No 5919P for his service details..1) - .5) Five newsletters with average 6 pages each, all print in B & W, top of each has "7th Aust Div. A.S.C" with Rising Sun under combined with wording "News Letter", colour patch on left and Kookaburra on right, all stapled.7th div, newsletters, asc, tobruk

Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer 2039 for service history also 2034P. Photograph, framed. RHQ Sigs. 7th Div. AIF 1940 re Lt. Col. B.T.R CHADD. Timber frame mid brown colour. Black and white photograph. Group portrait of officers and men in uniform. In the background tin shed and gem trees. Sign at their feet states "RHQ SIGS 7 DIV AIF/1940" Dark green cardboard surround to photograph.On the back board - hard written in black felt pen "B.T.R. CHADD"photographs- photography, frame accessories, military history - army

"DIARY OF A RAT" "7th AUST. DIV/SUPPLY COLUMN" "2/6/ AUST. COY/A.A.S.C. Item in the collection re Ron Bollard VX14150, refer Cat No 5919P for his service details.1. Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, black print on yellow colour background. 72 pages plus 8 pages index. Cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs. 2. Programme - cream coloured paper, facsimile brown print, maps and illustrations. Two A4 sheets folded in half, stapled.books, military history, ww2, tobruk, autobiography

Harry Atkin No VX21935 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 4.6.40 age 33 years. He served in 2/2nd Pioneer Batt as part of the 7th Div AIF. Returning from the Middle East they landed in Java with what was to be called “Black Force” with other units. The Japanese invaded on 28.2.42 but were ordered to lay down their arms a day after the Dutch surrendered on March 8. In the 2nd 2nd Pioneers 865 were taken POW of which 258 died in captivity. Harry was taken POW and was discharged from the 2nd AIF on 10.1.46.Photograph B & W showing a portrait with Regt Number at bottom and height on the right, Private Harry Atkin VX21935.photographs, atkin, pow

LT COL BENJAMIN THOMAS ROY CHADD No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer 2039 for Service History also 2034P. Plan, detailing Seymour Camp Block Plan, Signals 7th Aust Div Camp 1940, re LT COL BENJAMIN THOMAS ROY CHADD. Tan coloured frame, glass front, cardboard backing, detail of camp layout, scale 160' = 1".documents - maps/plans, military history - army, frames

The Service Ribbons relate to Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd 1st and 2nd AIF. Enlisted on 27.1.1916 No 10594 in Div Signal Company 3 age 20 years. Embarked for overseas 27.5.1916. As a driver in Signals he was WIA on 4.6.1918 GSW to right thigh. Discharged from the AIF on 14.6.1919. At some point he enlisted in the Peace time Army and was promoted to Lieut 3rd Div Signals on 1.7.1921, promoted Major 19.2.1929, to Command 2nd Div Sigs 9.9.1936, 3rd Div Sigs 5.5.1939 then to 7th Div Sigs as Lt Col and transfers to the AIF as VX20311, serves in the Middle East, Syria and Pacific. Discharged from the Army on 9.1.1946 with the rank of Colonel. Refer 2034P.Service Ribbons set WWI & WWII mounted on green cardboard backing re BTR CHADD Top row: 1. War Medal 1914-19. 2. Victory Medal 3. 1939-45 Star 4. Africa Star Bottom Row: 1. Pacific Star 2. War Medal 1939-45 with oak leaf clasp 'MID' 3. Australian Service Medal 4. Efficiency Decorationmanchester-trimmings, military history

This was reasonably common thing to have a photo inset done by Soldiers. Photo inset re; Albert Edward Corrie, pre war he was a Postal employee. Enlisted 25.7.1940 Regt No VX47191 age 30 years, 27.7.1940 he was posted to 7th Div Postal Unit, embark for Eygpt 15.9.1940, hospital at sea 10.10.1940 with Otitis Media, on deck again 13.10.1940, During his time in the Middle East he had various Postal transfers including HQ AIF Postal, he rose through the ranks to W.O 2 by 18.2.1942, disembark Australia 7.8.1942, then two more overseas postings, NG 2.11.1942 - 9.2.1943, posted to 6th Div Postal Unit25.9.1943, NG 29.12.1944 - 7.8.1945, discharged from the 2nd AIF 5.9.1945. Total overseas service 1014 days.Post card “Palestine Currency Board” Five Palestine pounds A88509, in English and Arabic script, card has inset for a personal photo being Albert Corrie, dated 1029.On rear, “With best of love from Albert”palestine, currency, post cards

Ronald Frank Bollard. Enlisted 23.5.1940 age 20 years 4 months as VX14150 and posted to 7th Div AASC and then attached to 2/5th Field Ambulance, embark for Eygpt 20.10.1940, he serves in the Seige of Tobruk, hospital 16.10.1941 with Malaria, rejoin unit 26.10.1941, embark for Australia 10.2.1942 and disembark 28.3.1942, embark Brisbane 28.8.1942 for New Guinea. embark from Milne Bay 9.3.1943 for Townsville, graded A/Group 1 Fitter, embark 17.8.1943 for Port Morseby, hospital 20.3.1944 with Malaria, rejoin unit 5.4.1944, embark Lae for Australia 20.5.1944, embark Cairns 22.5.1945 for Morotai, embark 20.6.1945 for Balikpapan, embark for Australia and disembark 22.11.1945, discharged from the 2nd AIF 30.11.1945 with the rank of Craftsman in 2/5th Field Ambulance. After the War and the formation of the Rats of Tobruk Association he was President of the Victorian Branch at one point.Photograph in Sepia tone being a portrait of an Australian Soldier in slouch hat.On rear hand written, "Ronald Frank Bollard".photographs, portraits, tobruk

.1) Black & white photo of a group of Officers in 1944. .2) Black & white photo of a large group of Soldiers mounted on hard, grey cardboard. .3) Black & white photo of a sporting group mounted on hard, grey cardboard. .4) Black & white photo of a sporting group mounted on hard, grey cardboard..1) At top: "LHQ AASC School No 4 Wing. No 2 AASC ADM OFFICERS COURSE 26 June - 21 July 1944" At bottom: "Names of Officers" .2) Handwritten in white on a board on front of Soldiers, "Puckapunyal 1940 No 2 Echelon 7th Div Supp Coln" .3) Handwritten bottom L: "H J Garrood Photo", Handwritten bottom "R: Frankston" .4) Handwritten bottom L: "H J Garrood Photo", Handwritten bottom "R: Frankston"photographs, aasc

Note with Stick. Kairivu New Guinea This carved stick is Kunja cane of New Guinea. When the war ended my company was in Kairivu, the last outpost in the world to get official notification of the Peace. During the time of waiting for the word from Wewak, for something to do, Dagwood Williamson with the aid of a pen-knife and a nail file carved the names of the places we had been and the name of our Stretcher Bearer Unit - 2/7 Battalion. Next to the Doctor at Regimental Aide Post [R.A. P.]. I was Sgt. in Charge of Stretcher Bearers and when Dagwood Williamson asked me to accept the cane for safe keeping I was pleased to do so. Now most of the boys have gone, so now over to you to look after it, it is the only one in the -----WORLD. Stan Hair Red Cliffs. March 1999The carved stick is made from Kunja Cane of New Guinea. It was hand carved with the names and places the 2/7th Battalion Stretcher bearer unit. Carved by Dagwood Williamson, with the aid of a Penknife and a nail file.Highly decorated and has the names Aitape, Balif, Banyak, Maprik, Yamil, Kiarivu, Wewak, New Guinea, 1944-1945, 2/7th Btn, 6 Div, As a list. Stretcher bearers, Lofty, Stan, Norm, Bob, Jacko, Dagwood, Aussie, Mick, Lyle, Sam, Reg, Ocker, Hulla, Luppy, Stewy, Smithy, Harvey, Graham, Don, Dave, Mac x, Farmer, Vince, Farnell, Lightning.

Refer also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Battalion_(Australia)Rectangular framed Certificate. Salute to the Gippsland Regiment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Shield in top half of certificate-: Defending Australia with rising sun badge then In commemoration of: No 52 surrounded by wreath with inscription on bottom Always Ready Gippsland Regiment 52nd Infantry Battalion (The Gippsland Regiment) "Always Ready" 1921-1930 1936-1942 Circle with white top half and light blue bottom half. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the Shield-: History of the 52nd Battalion. Tracing the ancestry going back to the "Gippsland Battalion of the Victorian Rangers, the Militia (CMF) 52nd Battalion was raised from the 2nd Bn/5th Australian Infantry Regiment (HQ Dandenong) as part of an overhaul of Australia's defences in 1920-21 that saw the reintroduction of compulsory military service. To afford it a proud identity ,the new battalion was assigned the same number as the 52nd/1st AIF which had performed with distinction in France ( Somme, Pozieres, Bullicort, Messine and Ypes to name just some). In addition the new battalion also inherited the Kings and Regimental Colours which, as part of the 52nd Bn/1st AIF's lineage including battle honours earned by 2nd Bn, Tasmanian Infantry Regiment in the Boer War, 1899-1902, and the same circular colour patch, horizontally bisected with white over blue halves. Later the 52nd officially received its regional title, "The Gippsland Regiment" and its motto "Always Ready". Digger prevailing during WW2 it was nicknamed "The Gippsland Bushrangers". The 52nd formed part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Militia (CMF) Division. With the reversion to voluntary citizen forces in1930,declining numbers forced an amalgamation with the 37th Bn to become 37th/52nd Bn. Then in mid 1936, an expansion and modernisation of the CMF, including the conversation of the Light Horse to motorised, allowed both battalions to separate and for the 52nd to expand into East Gippsland. In 1938, 52nd Bn was granted linkage with the "Queens Own Cameron Highlanders" and permission to use its Regimental March- "March of the Cameron Men'. When Japan entered the war in December 1941,the Australian Military Forces were fully mobilized, (part time to full time) for the defence of homeland Australia. While training at various locations in central Victoria, the militia became for many, a stepping stone into the AIF and other services, as well as a training unit for new conscripts. As part of our national defence preparations, in mid 1942 the 52 Bn relocated to Queensland as part of the 3rd Division, replacing the AIF 7th Div on the so called "Brisbane Line". However as the threat of invasion lifted, a restructure of army units saw the disbandment of the 10th Brigade and hence the 52nd in September 1942 and the revival of the 37th/52nd Battalion. The 52nds colours were returned to Melbourne, eventually being placed in the Shrine of Remembrance for safe keeping. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At bottom of the certificate- We thank the Berwick and Dandenong volunteers for their dedication and self sacrifice during the period 1921- 1942 in defence of our nation. (Signed) D W Shields President Dandenong RSL Sub Branch L Lucas President Berwick RSL Sub Branch Presented by the Dandenong and Berwick RSL Sub Branches November 2009.

This is a single sheet of paper folded once. The front page has the title - 7th Australian Division. A service of Thanksgiving. In the Centre is the Rising Sun, all printing is in black ink. The other three pages have hymns, psalms, the Recessional. the address - Benediction - National Anthem.ww2, allied victory europe

In the newsletter are numerous subects. Vale section from WW2 incudes Ron Barassi, There are plans for the ANZAC March and VP Day. There is a Äustralia Remembers page 1945 - 1995".This newsletter is composed of 7 sheets of A4 paper. They are printed on both sides. It has texts, photos, cartoons and Unit symbols. The news letter was for the 1995 time. The sheets are stapled in top left corner.Nil7 division, ww2, army service corp

Harold James Thomas Johnson TX3956 enlisted on 25.7.1940, aged 37. Served with the 7th Division Ammunition Supply Coy A.A.S.C as a driver. He was discharged om 30.11.1945 with the rank of L/Cpl. .1) Letter is to 'Dear Mrs Johnson". The contents of the note relate to the writer picking up the note which was thrown over the side of the Queen Mary and they picked it up form the water and later posted it on. .2) Note torn in half from "TX3956 B Section 7 DIV AMN COY 2nd AIF ABROAD" To "Mrs H. JOHNSON HOLLAND HOUSE WILMOT ST BURNIE TASMANIA, Husband on Queen Mary Everything okay, Love Harold". This is believed to be the note thrown overboard in .1). .3) The letter from H, Johnson is to "Brooks McGlashan & ?? PTY LTD", thanking them for parcels received VIA the Aust. Comforts Fund. Point .1) on the rear has three handwritten names in pencil: "TX3930, Thomas Charles Munn, 7th AFG Brighton" "TX3422, Pte. K.V. Smith 6th Rfts I.T.D Brighton" "30337 AC1 Sayer Group 37 - Ascot Vale" All three enlisted in 1940. Munn was discharged 23.6.1946 in 8 Div AASC Smith was discharged 12.11.1945 in 2/8 Fld Regt. Sayer was discharged 9.11.1945 in 7 AIRCRAFT Depot (RAAF) Refer to Cat. No. 4052.7P for photos. .1) Letter, pink paper, letterhead, "STANDARD SERVICE STATIONS" with drawing above, tyre at bottom, letter written in ink. .2) Letter, yellowed, ruled lines, map of Australia with Red Shield centre "The Salvation Army". Note written in pencil. Note has been torn from rest of page. .3) Letter, yellowed paper, hand written in ink from H. Johnson.letters, 7th, aasc

The Race meeting notice was souvenired by Bill Jeffers VX52782 9th Div 2nd AIF. Refer 147 for his service details.1.) Printed Notice dated 7th September 1940 "AIF Race Meeting" GAZA. The frame, timber, is surrounded with hundreds of sea shells glued on.race meeting, framed, barbara

Reginald Joseph McCULLOUGH No 2203 enlisted in the AIF in 15th reinforcements 3rd LHRegt on 15.11.1915 age 28 years 7 months. Embarked for Egypt 16.3.1916, transfers to Artillery Details 15.5.1916, embark for England 28.6.1916, attached to 5th Div Artillery, embark for France 4.9.1916, transfer to 14th FAB 11.10.1917, WIA 2.11.1917, SW to right leg fracture, rejoin unit 19.7.1918, hospital 25.10.1918 with Cellulitis left knee then classified as Synovitis, transfer to AHQ 9.12.1918, hospital 20.12.1919, died Grove Military hospital England classed as Excema and Syncope 30.12.1919. William Francis McCULLOUGH No 2863 enlisted in the AIF in 6th reinforcements 24th Battalion on 12.7.1915 age 21 years. Embark for Egypt 27.10.1915, transfer to 7th Bn 24.2.1916, embark for France 26.3.1916, hospital 18.6.1916 Dental, rejoin unit 25.6.1916, hospital 4.11.1916 with Diarrehoea, rejoin unit 9.11.1916, hospital 22.4.1917 (unclear) rejoin unit 13.5.1917, transfer to 1st Aust Div Signals, discharged from the AIF 28.7.1919.WWI Brothers - W F McCullough & R J McCullough. Frame, tan wooden, glass front, cardboard backing. Certificate, painted, coloured with a photo of each brother inserted.On certificate: TWO MEN WENT FORTH FROM THIS HOME W F McCullough 1915 R J McCullough 1914 On sticker at bottom of glass: WORLD WAR I BROTHERS Donated by J E Wilesdocuments - certificates, frame accessories

The letter was written by William Darwin while convalescing in Scotland from wounds to Mrs Symes re Arthur Edward Symes No 1001 7th Batt AIF. Darwin No 780 enlisted on 18.8.14 in the 7th Batt AIF age 22 years. Embarked for Egypt 19.10.14, hospital 15.3.15 with Influenza, returned to duty 3.4.15, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, promoted A/Sgt 28.8.15. Admitted to hospital 18.9.15 classed Typhoid then Enteric, documents also state that he was buried by a shell explosion for 3 - 4 hours, dug out and was unconscious for 2 - 3 days. When recovered could not use left arm or leg and vomited frequently independent of food, there was also a wound to the left leg. He is returned to Australia on 17.10.16 classed Shell Shock and discharged medically unfit on 31.1.17. Refer 892 re “Symes”..1) Typed letter and written by Sgt W Darwin, 7th Battalion 1st Division, to Mrs Symes on 6/7/16, from Kirkliston, Scotland re A.E Symes and how he died. The second part of the letter is the first 2 verses of a poem dedicated to Symes. .2) Typed, 2 more verses finishing the poem in .1)Handwritten signature: "W Darwin Sergeant 7 Bn 1 Div"documents, poetry, letters

Display board of replica cloth colour patches, mounted in glass fronted wooden frame. Colour patches displayed are those of : 1st Cavalry Division HQ (CMF) Desert Mounted Corps HQ 2nd Cavalry Division HQ (CMF) HQ 1st Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 2nd Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 3rd Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 4th Light Horse Brigade (AIF) HQ 5th Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 4th Light Horse Brigade (CMF) HQ 6th Light Horse Brigade (CMF) 1st Light Horse Regiment / 1st Royal NSW Lancers 5th Light Horse Regiment / 5th Wide Bay & Burnett Light Horse 8th Light Horse Regiment / 8th Indi Light Horse Regiment 4th Light Horse Regiment / 4th Corangamite Light Horse Regiment 14th Light Horse Regiment / 14th West Moreton Light Horse Regiment 18th Adelaide Lancers 4th Light Horse Regiment / 1st Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 2nd ANZAC Mounted Regiment / 22nd Corps Mounted Regiment. 2nd Light Horse Regiment / 2nd Moreton Light Horse Regiment 6th Light Horse Regiment / 6th NSW Mounted Rifles 9th Light Horse Regiment / 9th Flinders Light Horse Regiment 11th Light Horse Regiment / 11th Darling Downs Light Horse Regiment 15th Light Horse Regiment / 15th Northern River Lancers 21st Riverina Light Horse 13th Light Horse Regiment / 2nd Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 1st ANZAC Mounted Regiment / Aust Corps Mounted Regiment / 13th Gippsland Light Horse Regiment 3rd Light Horse Regiment / 3rd South Australian Mounted Rifles 7th Light Horse Regiment / 7th Australian Horse 10th Light Horse Regiment / 10th Western Australian Mounted Infantry 12th Light Horse Regiment / 12th New England Light Horse Regiment 17th Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment 22nd Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 11th Light Horse Regiment / 4th Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 24th Gwydir Light Horse Regiment 1st Machine Gun Squadron / 25th Light Horse (MG) 2nd Machine Gun Squadron / 16th Hunter River Lancers 3rd Machine Gun Squadron / 20th Victorian Mounted Rifles 4th Machine Gun Squadron / 26th Light Horse (MG) 5th Machine Gun Squadron / 19th Yarrowee Light Horse 23rd Barossa Light Horse Regiment 12th Light Horse Regiment / 5th Aust Div Mounted Regiment 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance 4th Signal Troop / 4th Light Horse brigade 6th Mobile Veterinary Section /1st Light Horse Brigade 7th Mobile Veterinary Section / 2nd Light Horse Brigade 8th Mobile Veterinary Section / 3rd Light Horse Brigade 9th Mobile Veterinary Section / 4th Light Horse brigade 10th Mobile Veterinary Section / 5th Light Horse Brigade 5th Signal Troop / 5th Light Horse Brigade 1st Signal Squadron / NZ & Aust Mounted Div Signal SquadronColour Patch Display No 39. Includes detailed notes about history, usage and design of colour patchesworld war one, ww1, army, aif, insignia, heraldry, light horse, militia, badges, colour patches, cmf

non-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2

Image depicts soldiers of the 2/24 Battalion Band - Winners of the 7th Division Band Contest in Palestine February 1941 The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Reproduced black and white photograph of band of soldiers with musical instruments Handwritten on rear - 2/24 Bn Band Winners of 7 Div Band Contest Palestine 19412/24th battalion, wangaratta, palestine, 1941, 7th division band contest

Small black bibleTrooper Almour (?) 7th LH Rgt. ANZAC div.