p.184.Story of the last air-mail flight for New Zealand of the "Southern Cross" and a brief reference to events which followed it.air mail service - australia, southern cross (airplane)

Item/s in this collection re B. J. Ruler VX40780 refer Cat. No. 5790 for his service details.Air mail letters and letter cards. Letter card single sheet of paper folded is 4 pages and forms an envelope. Letter writes about places, activities and people home ( Australia) and overseas.Handwritten envelopes addressed “Mrs. B. J. Ruler” various addresses in Victoria.letters, ww2

Letter written by Pte David John Thomas, born Bendigo 18.1.1945, enlisted in the Regular Army No 38712, posted to 6th Battalion RAR in D Coy, posted as service in Vietnam from 8.6.1966, KIA in the Battle of Long Tan South Vietnam on 18.8.1966. An Official Commemoration service was held at the Kangaroo Flat cemetery lawn section Grave 5125. Letter written to N McCaw in Bendigo. Refer Cat No 1957.1) Envelope with address, five cent postage stamp and two ink stamps. .2) .3) Two page letter. .4) .5) Two unused, unmarked air mail envelopes issued by Australian force Vietnam..1 Handwritten on front "Air Mail Forces Mail / N McCaw / 86 McKenzie Street / Bendigo / Vic / Australia". Also has two ink postmark stamps, Stamped “2JY66”letters, envelopes, long tan

The A.I.F.= The Australian Imperial Force and this newspaper was supplied free to the troops of the Australian Army Canteens Service. This issue is dated Saturday 22nd December 1941. It includes advertisments for businesses in Cairo and Alexandria; Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Page 2 includes a poem titled "This Holy Night" by Pte C.M. Walker; two sonnets by Rupert Brooke; a poem, "Waiting Dreams" by Pilot Officer J.A. Henderson RAAF and a poem by Lieut. David McNicoll AIF Abroad Air Mail - Palestine. Page 3 includes a message from General Sir Thomas Blamey, an article on the part women would increasingly play as a consequence of the emergency war policy; an advertisment for tobacco specially packed for overseas forces. Page 4 includes an article on Australian coastal cities being ready for raids. Page 5 includes an article about the Commonwealth of the Philippines and their defense which until 1946 lay with America. General D Macarthur was the Commander In Chief in the Philippines. Germany's "secret Weapon" legend. Page 6 includes "Dancing Dan's Christmas"; "Bluey and Curley" comic strip. Page 7 includes article "Rommel's Armoured Might Lies Strewn Over Libyan Sands" Page 8 includes an article: "All In Fun" - a revue - has begun a tour of Australian camps in Palestine and Syria. Page 9 includes articles "War Will Revolutionise Air Services In Australia"; a list - Greek Awards To AIF Officers and a cartoon by George Aria titled 'Jonah '. Pages 10&11 "Christmas 1941" - messages from prominent people: Mr Winston Churchill; The Govenor General (Lord Gorrie); The Prime Minister (Mr Curtin); Mininster for the Army (Mr Forde). Also photos of army operations and traditional family Christmas time. Page 12 &13 Articles regarding sport under the heading 'Australian Sporting Digest'. Page 14 A story - "The Gift of the Magi" - an O Henry Christmas Story. Also a greeting from Myer's of Melbourne and Adelaide to all Myer Men in the AIF Page 15 An article where General Blamey reassures Australia about its capability of defence. Page 16 A description of a battle by Australian sloop "Parramatta" with HMAS "Auckland" against enemy planes whilst they were escorting a merchant ship with a cargo of petrol during the Battle of Tobruk Page 17 & 18 Pages under the title 'ACK-I-FOOFS' (Articles submitted by soldiers: The real Rat of Tobruk - a rat trained by L/Cpl Jack Kneeshaw which he named "Goebbels"; poems and cartoons. Page 19 "Women of War" - photos of women at work filling in for men who have gone to war. Page 20 Xmas Greetings 1942-1942 - a 1942 Calendar signed by 14 members of the AIF, some with messages and including their Army Number. Twenty pages of news supplied free to the troops by the Australian Army Canteens Service.The last page is a calendar for 1942 with personal inscriptions and greetings of servicemen. Some inscriptions have I.D. Numbers ( VX35435 W. Johnston; QX20753 of Carmody ; VX40449 ; VX39637 N. Powell; VX32054 Blue Ernistson?; N?X23234 W.Cummins; VXthe a.i.f. news christmas edition 1941, australian imperial force, world war 2, australian army canteens service, general blamey, world war 2 - pacific war, world war 2 - phillipine islands, general d macarthur, emergency plans ww2 australia, secret weapons ww2, western desert ww2, australian imperial force - western desert ww2, civil aviation post ww2, air services australia, lord gowrie, governor general lord gowrie, prime minister john curtain, minister for the army - mr forde, cartoons 1941, women-in ww2, xmas greetings calendar 1941-1942, cairo 1941, palestine 1941, western desert 1941, advertisements 1941, middle east 1941

Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith is a famous Australian, well known in civil aviation history for his courageous endeavours in flight. He broken many flight records for long distance and time travelled and he was also a war hero in World War 1. He has been referred to as being “known to millions of Australians as “Smithy” … he was one of Australia’s true twentieth-century legends”. In honour of his place amongst the world’s famous pioneers his image is featured on Australia’s $20 note, Sydney airport is named after him, there is a memorial to Kingsford Smith, Taylor and Ulm at the Anderson Park, also in Sydney and his plane “Southern Cross” is on view at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith wrote ‘The Old Bus’ (1932) and he and Ulm were co-authors of ‘Story of 'Southern Cross' Trans-Pacific Flight’ (1928). His also wrote a book about his own life ‘My Flying Life’ which was published after his death in 1937. and the story of his life was filmed in Australia in 1946. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES EDWARD KINGSFORD SMITH (1897 – 1935) … Kingsford Smith was born 9th February 1897 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His parents were William Charles Smith and Catherine Mary, nee Kingsford. His mother’s maiden name of “Kingsford” was added to the family name when they spent time in Canada from around 1903 to 1907, after which they returned to Sydney, Australia. In 1915 Kingsford Smith enlisted in Australian Imperial Force. He served in 4th Signal Troop, 2nd Division Signal Company at Gallipoli Peninsular as a ‘sapper’ or combat engineer and later in Egypt and in France as a dispatch rider. In 1916 Kingsford Smith was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a sergeant. He was discharged after training in England and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed fling officer and soon joined the 23rd Squadron in France. He brought down four machines in his first month there and also did invaluable work attacking enemy targets. He was wounded and shot down and later awarded the Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918 and served as a Flying Instructor with the R.F.C. Kingsford Smith was not allowed to participate in the 1919 England to Australia air race because of assumed lack of navigational experience. He and his pilot friend Cyril Maddocks formed a business and flew joy-flights in both England and America. In America he did some stunt flying with a Flying Circus. Kingsford Smith returned to Australia in 1921 and found employment as a pilot. He soon realised the value of air transport in such a vast country. He formed a partnership with pilot Keith Anderson in 1924 and they purchased two Bristol Tourer biplanes. Their business broadened to include Charles Ulm and became the Interstate Flying services in Sydney. Together they performed important ‘demonstration’ flights including a flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours using very limited navigational equipment. Kingsford Smith immediately started to search for support to do a trans-Pacific flight. This support came from the New South Wales government, Sidney Myer and G. Allan Hancock, an American oil magnate. On 31st May 1928 Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and two American crewmen, Harry Lyan and Jim Warner, took off from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane via Hawaii and Suva. This historic flight took 83 hours and 38 minutes. Their Fokker plane had three engines and was named the “Southern Cross”. This amazing achievement resulted in huge financial subscriptions. Kingsford Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross and appointed as honorary squadron leader, Royal Australian Air Force. Kingsford Smith flew his Southern Cross plane from Point Cook in Victoria to Perth nonstop. Then in September – October 1928, with Charles Ulm and an Australian crew, he piloted the Southern Cross from Sidney to Christchurch New Zealand. This flight showed that was possible for regular passenger and mail services across the Tasman Sea. Kingsford Smith flew his plane to England to an order for four aircraft, planning to use them for an inter-capital air service in Australia. Sadly on 1st April 1929 he was forced to land, having lost radio contact with the ground and having run into bad weather over north – west Australia. Keith Anderson and Robert Hitchcock both perished before the search party reached them. Once official enquiries were completed the flight to England continued in June and was completed in record time of 12 days and 18 hours. In January 1930 Kingsford Smith piloted the “Southern Cloud”, one of the new Avro Ten planes, on the first flight of his airline, the Australian National Airways, from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Southern Cross” was overhauled in Holland by the Fokker Aircraft Co. and in June 1930 Kingsford Smith achieved an east-west crossing of the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland in 31.5 hours. Kingsford Smith returned to England and took delivery of an Avro Avian biplane that he named the “Southern Cross Junior” and flew solo from England to Darwin, Australia. This record breaking flight took less than 10 days. He beat four other planes that had left England before him and he was 5.5 days faster than Hinkler. Sadly Kingsford Smith’s “Southern Cloud” was lost during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne in 1931 with no surviving crew or passengers; in 1958 the wreckage was discovered in the Snowy Mountains. Later that year Kingsford Smith flew his “Southern Cloud” from Australia to Timor, collecting mail from a damaged Imperial Airways plane in Timor. Other flights followed. Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for his services in Aviation. He returned to selling joy flights then established the Kingsford Smith Air Service, a flying training school in Sydney. In 1933 Kingsford Smith flew the amazing record flight in “Miss Southern Cross” – a Percival Gull - from London to Wyndham in Western Australia in just over ten days. The Australian Commonwealth then gave Kingsford Smith a large grant and he was also appointed as aviation consultant to Vacuum Oil Co. Another flying record was made when Kingsford Smith and Sir P.G. Taylor flow “Lady Southern Cross” from Brisbane to San Francisco in order to sell her there; the west-east-trans-Pacific flight made aviation history. They returned to Australia to make an attempt at the trans-Tasman flight but their attempt failed due to engine failure; they managed to get back to Sydney safely, minus most of their cargo. Kingsford Smith had his unsold “Lady Southern Cross” shipped back to England, from where he and J. T. Pethybridge in the “Lady Southern Cross” attempted another record breaking flight from England The Old Bus Author: Charles Kingsford Smith Publisher: Distibuted by Herald Feature Service Date; 1932Label on spine cover with typed text RA 629.1309 KIN flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the old bus, charles kingsford smith

1 original and 2 duplicates copies of a selection of 14 important aviation events and dates in Australia, including Basil Watson flights. Original signed by Robert Keith Munro (Basil Watson's cousin) with attached handwritten note re Wright Bros. Stuck to bottom of page 2 of original : air mail sticker; 3d Australia Air Mail Service stamp;by aerial mail A.A. S.Ltd blue and white stamp; 'shorter by days to ensure earliest delivery please reply by air mail, time is money' label.person, individual, basil watson

Letters enclosed within cardboard enclosures. Written on outside ' Air Mail, 'Flown Covers' R.K. Munro, 63 Pyke Street, Bendigo, Vic. Aus.' Stamped underneath stamp 'booking agents for Australian Aerial Services Ltd. Per Aerial Mail'. Airmail Envelopes sundry addresses : 9 addressed to Wilkinson & Lavender, Melbourne - from Hay, NSW. (no contents); 1 addressed to K Munro c/o Box 808J GPO Melbourne - contains 3 used 3d. Stamps (Airmail Service). Stamped on back of one envelope: Wilkinson & Lavender Ltd., Riverina Office, Hay, N.S.W. Auctioneers, Stock & Station Agents, Sydney & Hay. Date 10 May, 1929, stamped on back of envelope.communication, postal, airmail

These items contributes to an understanding of an understanding of the experience of family and friends of those who serviced in the war in Vietnam.2 letters via Airmail from Vietnam to Australia. To Miss S. Richards from J. Hartwell - 3794001.Air Mail/Australian Force/Vietnam/Free/Miss S Richards/9 Seaview Cres/ Black Rock/3193/Vicletters, j hartwell, 3794001

This antenna was used between 1989 and 1990 to help receive the daily news service in the Greek language directly from Athens, Greece. At the time, news from Greece for the Greek people in Australia were arriving in Melbourne a week late, on newspapers from Athens sent through air-mail. These newspapers were displayed at Salapatas and Carras newsagents at Lonsdale street in Melbourne. One thing that was a problem for this service was that the news came at least 7 days late. Using the Shortwave Antenna we could get the latest news from Athens on shortwave radio directly and within an hour these news were recorded on a cassette tape and taken to the Tricom Group P.L. offices in Melbourne (1155 Malvern Road, Malvern 3144). The tape was loaded onto a system which allowed people to call a local phone number and listen to the latest news with a cost of a local call, or a little bit more. As this was prior to the Internet being established around the globe, it was the fastest news service directly from Greece, in the Greek language. It was used for a span of about 12 months, until Tricom closed down their dial-in services, sometime in 1990. The service was captured and loaded onto the system by Iakovos Garivaldis, then an employee of the Tricom Group which was a subsidiary of Southern Cross TV.The Primary significance of this object is of its historical value, social and informative value for the first generation of Greeks in Victoria"World Tuner AT4 SW" antenna with a 920mm fully extended aerial, a tuned circuit and two transistors to prevent loading of the antenna and boost signal output. It is made of plastic, black in colour with the aerial being made of steel. The signals picked up by the antenna are fed via a 15pF ceramic capacitor to a tuned circuit consisting of either VC1a or VC1b and either L1, L2, L3 or L4. The slider switch S1 selects the band to be tuned. The band range is normally from 3 to 30MHz. When S1 is in position A, L1 and VC1a are selected and the antenna can be tuned from 3-9MHz. Similarly positions B, C, and D select higher frequencies up to 30MHz. It was purchased by Iakovos Garivaldis for this use for $119.WORLD TUNER AT4 SW "Amplituned" Shortwave Antennaantenna, radio, short-wave, language, greek

75 blue envelopes addressed to Messrs Wilkinson & Lavender Ltd, Box 848J GPO Melbourne Victoria 3001. Sent from Hay NSW (The Riverina Office of Wilkinson & Lavender). Letters are enclosed within two pieces of brown cardboard, secured with an elastic band. Written on outside of cardboard ' Air Mail Flown Covers. R.K. Munro, 63 Pyke Street, Bendigo, Vic. Aus' 'By Air Mail' sticker affixed alongside name and address. Various postage stamp denominations on envelopes; 1p, 11/2p, 3p, (King George V), 3p (air mail service), 11/2p (1929 Centenary of Western Australia), and A.A.S. Ltd stamp*. No contents in envelopes. Cancellation marks on stamps. Items collected by R. K. Munro, 63 Pyke Bendigo Victoria 3550. Wilkinson & Lavender were Stock & Station Agents and Airline agents for A.A.S Ltd. R. K. Munro was employed by Wilkinson Lavender in 1929/30? *Australian Aerial Services Ltd - featuring a winged messenger.Wilkinson & Lavender Stock & Station Agents, Airline Agents for Australian.Aerial.Services Ltdaviation, civilian, air mail envelopes within aust., basil watson collection.

Sent to Mrs MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta during Second World War possibly by Arthur Vincent Gilbert born 7/2/1923 in NSW Enlisted in the Army and served mainly in the Bonegilla/Bandiana area between 1943-6. No active service outside Australia recorded. service no NX176929Victoria'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 hand drawing of rope around bomb with yellow strip and pilot on top. Red cross top left cornerTop left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Top centre - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Bottom left side - "OK Joe Were over Toyko" Rear - 129537 ACI Gilbert A V Group 436 Flinders Island Tasmania ww2, envelope art

Sent to Mrs McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta from soldier during second world warVictoria'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 coloured drawing of small boat and three huts on stilts in water with palm trees and two mountains in background.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Right side Mrs M acDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australiaww2, envelope art

Sent to Mrs McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta from a soldier during second world warVictoria'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 hand drawing of palm tree and thatched hut with stick figure in centre.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Middle - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australiaww2, envelope art

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

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 coloured sketch of palm tree and mountains.Top left - BY AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war sent to Mrs MacDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 sketch of palm trees and hut on left of scroll.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Top left - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs MacDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 coloured sketch of soldier holding green snake. Signature above sketchTop left - AIR MAIL and red cross Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Signature above sketch Below sketch - "The boys are tough here" / Australian Red Cross Society ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs MacDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 coloured sketch of three palm trees an ambulance and plane overhead with bomb exploding in distance.Top left - BY AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side - Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Bottom - "The good samaritan" 1943 ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 brown coloured sketch of palm tree with stick figure at base. Signature left of sketchTop left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Centre- AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Signature left side of sketch ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs MacDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 coloured sketch of a soldier pointing to a mosquitoTop left - BY AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp and signature Right side - Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Bottom - "Hey who let this thing in?" ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of Wangaratta 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 coloured sketch of waterfall from mountainsTop left - BY AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side - Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 sketch of full moon over water and palm trees - to the left of this outline in blue of map of Australia with red shield in centreTop left - AIR MAIL above The Salvation Army Red Shield War Services Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Bottom left - " A Merry Christmas to you all" Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes without letter sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 sketch of two mountainsTop left - By Air Mail - ACF in red star Top right - postage stamp Centre - AIF Censor stamp and signature Right side - Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Bottom left - "They shall not pass" ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes without letter sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 sketch of three tall palm trees in front of mountainsTop left - By Air Mail Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side - Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

This item is part of a collection donated by Pte John William Alexander (3796068) who was called up for National Service. Pte Alexander was with the Australian Army Catering Corps and was in Vietnam at Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force from March 1970 to March 1971. An Australian Force Vietnam Air Mail envelope address to Mr and Mrs Alexander and family in Ascot Vale, Melbourne. On the back of the envelope are the details of the sender, 3796086, alexander, HQ Coy air mail, envelope, pte john william alexander, 3796068, australian national serviceman, australian army catering corps, headquarters, 1st australian task force

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war and sent to Mrs McDonald of Grey Street Wangaratta.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 sketch of male figure running toward signTop left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Centre - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M McDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia Left side "Beer Issue on at 1900hrs" Bottom "Boy OH Boy I'll be in on that" ww2, envelope art

One of several illustrated envelopes, without letter, sketched by soldier/s during the second world war sent to Mrs MacDonald of WangarattaVictoria'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 sketch of palm trees, hut, mountains and clouds on left of scroll.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp/No stamps available Top left - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

Sent to Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia from V129537 ACI Gilbert A V Group 436 RAAF Flinders Island during World War 2 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 coloured drawing of path leading to three mountains.top left corner - Air Mail/ACF in red star right top corner - postage stamp left side - AIF censor stamp right side - Mrs M Mac Donald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia rear - V129537 ACI Gilbert A V Group 436 RAAF Flinders Islandenvelope art, ww2, aci gilbert a v

One of a series of illustrated envelopes which once contained letters drawn by a soldier/s and sent to Mrs MacDonald of 32 Grey Street Wangaratta.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 drawing of war scene - cannon in front of hut and palm trees, ambulance in centre and bomb exploding below aircraft in sky.Top left - AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Left side - AIF Censor stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia ww2, envelope art

Envelope Art made during WW2 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 coloured picture of sun setting over water with palm trees in foregroundTop left - ACF in red star / AIR MAIL Top right - postage stamp Right side Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australiaenvelope art, ww2