Showing 133 items
matching australian light horse, world war 1
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4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Framed Photograph, The Australian Light Horse. They rode into legend, abt 2010
... Macleod melbourne photo australian light horse world war 1 egypt ...Sepia photograph in glass fronted hard plastic coated.wooden frame, Depicts 19 Light Horsemen mounted in extended line in front of Sphinx in Egypt during World War 1. Title set above photo. Below photo is narrative about the Australian Light Horse with sections, namely: The Australian Light Horse, The Call to War, The Glory of Gallipoli, The Drive to Damascus. At bottom centre is rising sun badge and 'Lest We Forget' and editiion no. A certificate of authenticity is pasted on the back.Limited Edition 625 of 2000photo, australian light horse, world war 1, egypt -
Kew RSL
Framed print, Australian Light Horse
... Australian Light Horse, World War 1..., World War 1 framed print of Australian Light Horse WW1 ...framed print of Australian Light Horse WW1australian light horse, world war 1 -
Rutherglen Historical Society
Image, 1914 to 1918 (Exact)
... australian light horse soldiers ww1 world war 1 wwi world war i ...Black and white photograph of a soldier in uniform. Photo mounted on brown cardboard.On the bottom of the mount: "Spr Jim Braybon" On back of photo: "Spr Jim Braybon to the nuns of Rutherglen Convent with kind regards from Spr J.E. Braybon 21/13 ALH"jim braybon, mt carmel convent, rutherglen convent, australian light horse, soldiers, ww1, world war 1, wwi, world war i, presentation sisters, james braybon, frank braybon, francis braybon, mary braybon, evelyn kettle -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Headwear - Helmet - AIF, WWI, circa 1916
... Geoff Gilbert 13th Australian Light Horse during World War 1... by an Australian light horseman of World War 1 (1914-18). helmet 13th light ...Regimental 543 Trooper Geoff Gilbert of Northcote Victoria enlisted in the 13th Light Horse Regiment AIF aged 21. He served at Gallipoli and Egypt before the regiment moved to the Western Front in March 1916 as Corps cavalry. Steel helmets and gas masks became regular equipment as the regiment engaged in all the major actions involving the Australians. Gilbert brought his helmet home after the war as a souvenir.Rare souvenir of headwear worn by an Australian light horseman of World War 1 (1914-18). Steel helmet worn on the Western Front by Lance Corporal Geoff Gilbert 13th Australian Light Horse during World War 1 (1914-1918).helmet, 13th light horse, wwi, world war one, the great war, first world war, gallipoli, australian imperial forces, aif -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, WW1, Lindsay Baly, "Horseman, Pass By", 2003
... "Horseman, Pass By. The Australian Light Horse in World... goldfields "Horseman, Pass By. The Australian Light Horse in World ..."Horseman, Pass By. The Australian Light Horse in World War 1".Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, white, red and grey colour print on front, spine and back. Front and back covers illustrated black and white photograph, a mounted division (of soldiers on horseback) march out. 337 pages, cut, plain white paper. Illustrated in black and white photographs, maps and diagrams.books, ww1, light horse -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Cox, John, The Miraculous Lives of a Man Called Jack, Reprinted 10/2002
... Australian Light Horse Regiment during World War 1, He was in most... in the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment during World War 1, He ...No 85, Trooper Jack Cox served for four years in the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment during World War 1, He was in most of their campaigns in Gallipoli and Palestine. He was awarded a DCM for his actions at the charge at Beersheba in capturing a Turkish machine gun and its 11 man crew.Biography of Arthur John Cox, 1879-1959Signed by author, John Cox, 20/5/2007. ISBN 0 9579556 6 9 biography, a j cox -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Boots, Riding
... Light Horse servicemen during World War 1. These boots... mornington-peninsula world war 1 ww1 australian light horse alh cole ...Pair of leather riding boots as issued to the Australian Light Horse servicemen during World War 1. These boots are designed to fit the feet and lower calf and are worn laced. They are made of tan coloured leather with leather soles and have leather laces. These boots were issued to Captain Lewis George Cole of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade (refer supplementary documents attached).world war 1, ww1, australian light horse, alh, cole -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Weapon - Cannon, 1813
This 1813 cannon is classified as a carronade, having been made by the Carron Ironworks foundry in Stirling, Scotland in 1813. It is a large calibre, short range, gun mainly used on ships. The carronade model of cannon was first used when introduced into the British Royal Navy in the American War of the Revolution (1775-1883). This cannon was originally a 28pdr, 48cwt, 8ft gun. The date ‘1837’ on the barrel probably indicates the date that the Board of Ordinance accepted the change in size to a 32pdr. It may originally have been a naval gun and the conversion undertaken when it was brought ashore. It is very probably one of the 15 guns that are known to have constituted the defences of Victoria in 1860. This group of 32pdrs was the shorter model of the 4800width and 8ft length cannon and as such are different from the 32pdrs found in NSW. It was originally located on Cannon Hill in Warrnambool when it was the site of the Warrnambool Battery Western Artillery, formed in 1866. It was obsolete by the time of the 1887 fortifications, and was moved from the Warrnambool Fortifications to the Botanic Gardens in 1910, when the Fortifications were declared obsolete. HISTORIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE CANNON IN THE WARRNAMBOOL AREA In the years following the Crimean War (1854-1857J) there was a great concern in the Colony that Imperial Russia would attempt an invasion. Coastal defences in the colony of Victoria were greatly strengthened by the Government as a result. Warrnambool was originally protected by cannons at Cannon Hill, approximately 1 kilometer west of the Flagstaff Hill Fortifications. The cannons included two 1866 guns, both 80 Pound Rifled Muzzle Loaders (RML) purchased by Victoria’s Colonial Government. They were part of a shipment of 26 such guns sent from England in December 1866. They are registered as No. 23 (80cwt-2qr-0lbs) - Gun 1, and No.13 (81cwt-1qr-12lbs) - Gun 2. They were cast at the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal, in 1866 and have a 6.3 inch bore. Both barrels carry the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria, Insignia of the Royal Engineers, within the Garter and Motto surmounted by the Crown, with the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria within the Garter (letters in centre “VR”, motto “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE”, "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it."). The guns were originally supplied with wooden carriages. (The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, England, was established eleven years after the Restoration of King Charles II. It was the principal supplier of armaments to the British and Empire Governments. At the height of its operations during World War One the factory covered 1300 acres and employed very nearly 80,000 workers. Woolwich was the Headquarters of the Royal Artillery since the raising of that Regiment in 1716. The Arsenal was closed in the late 1960’s.) The two 80pdr cannons were transferred to the Warrnambool Garrison Artillery Battery Fortifications erected at Flagstaff Hill in 1887 as part of Victoria’s Coastal Defences. The original wooden carriages were subsequently replaced with the present iron garrison carriages in 1888. They are a “C” pivot. The ‘racers’ or curved track set into the floor of the gun emplacement (which enabled the guns to be traversed more quickly) are as specified for guns up to 10 inch, being of wrought iron 2.78 inches wide. A temporary third gun, now no longer on Flagstaff Hill’s site, was a 5 inch Rifled Breech Loading (BL) Armstrong gun mounted on an Elswick hydro pneumatic disappearing carriage It was faster to load and fire than the 80 pound RMLs and its arrival spelt the end of the older 80 pound guns’ useful life, apart from being used for practice sessions. The 5 inch BL gun was the main defensive weapon of the Warrnambool Battery until the Battery was downgraded in importance and the gun was recalled to Melbourne in 1910. The gun emplacement still remains in place set between the 2 80pdr cannon. The State of Victoria took over the ownership of the guns at the time of Australian Federation in 1901. In about 1901/1902 the Garrison Battery was converted to the Warrnambool Battery of the Australian Field Artillery (No 4 Field Battery). It was equipped with 4.7 inch naval guns mounted on field carriages. They were now a mobile unit but continued to use the Warrnambool Garrison area at Flagstaff Hill for practice. When the Fortifications were declared obsolete the two 80 Pounder RML were relocated to Cannon Hill in 1910. On the outbreak of World War 1 the 4.7 inch guns were recalled to Melbourne, and the Battery was disbanded. Most of the personnel probably re-enlisted in the local 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. The two 80 Pounder RML were moved back to the Fortifications in 1973. They were both fully restored by Army First Year Apprentices at the Ordinance Factory in Bendigo in time for the centenary year of the fortifications in 1987. The guns are capable of firing 80 pound (32.3kg) armour piercing exploding shells 3.65kms out to sea. They were original manned by volunteers before a paid Garrison was established. Now the Guns are again fired by volunteers on Special Event days. Since restoration the Gun Number 1 had been fired on a regular basis but Gun Number 2 hadn’t been fired since the mid 1990’s. In April 2015 Gun Number 2 was serviced in preparation for the firing of both cannons on the ANZAC Centenary commemorations on April 25th 2015. Other guns from the original Cannon Hill location were obsolete by the time the 1887 Warrnambool Garrison Artillery Battery was built. These guns are (1) a 32 Pounder Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore (SB) cast in 1813 at the famous Carron Foundry, number 80837 and now located in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens. It is now mounted on a replica carriage due to the original carriage being in a fragile condition (the original carriage stored under cover at Flagstaff Hill). (2) a 68 Pounder Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore cast in 1861 at the equally august Low Moor Foundry, number 10310 and now located on the lawn area at the entrance to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. It is still mounted on its original wooden garrison carriage. Its wooden slide compressor mechanism is fragile and now kept in Flagstaff Hill’s storage. There are only seven 32 Pounder SB made by Carron and fifteen 68 Pounder SB made at Low Moor known to exist in the State of Victoria Plaque attached to the carriage “This replica carriage was constructed by the Warrnambool Tritan Woodworkers club in conjunction with the generosity of local businesses and the Warrnambool community. The original carriage (circa 1860) was removed for restoration and is now located at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The timber used for the replica carriage is Monterey Cypress, which was an early planting in the gardens. 2010 marked the centenary of the cannon’s relocation in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens.” (Reference; Victorian Guns and Cannons, South Western Victoria Assessment, May 2008, item W/B/01; Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village datasheets and archives). There are only seven 32 Pounder SB made by Carron known to exist in the State of Victoria and this is one of them. On a world level, this cannon represents a high level of rarity. Further, as it has been modified (bored up) it is representative of the historical process of amending artillery in order to ensure a longer usefulness of each piece despite rapidly advancing artillery technology. The number of surviving carriages with traversing slides in this group in South Western Victoria is unique in Australia and probably in the World. Out of 10 such platforms surviving in Australia, the South Western Victorian group has half. Several survive around the world but probably not in such a large group. The wooden sliding compressor mechanism belonging to this cannon is extremely rare, and the only one in this South Western Victorian group of Guns and Cannons. As a whole, this cannon has undergone very little restoration or modification, giving it a high level of integrity. The City of Warrnambool is one of several custodians of a collection of artillery pieces of heritage significance at a state, national and international level. These pieces are directly related to the defence of south-west Victoria in the 19th century. The care and preservation come under the Heritage Act 1995. (Reference; Victorian Guns and Cannons, South Western Victoria Assessment, May 2008).Cannon, or carronade, 32pdr with wheels. Muzzle loading smooth bore (SB) cannon. Cannon has original wooden Burmese Teak carriage and slide with wrought iron fittings and iron wheels. Manufactured by Carron in Scotland, in 1813. It has been converted from a 28pdr. There is a loop for a rope on the cascabel, which was part of the original casting. Re-bored in 1837. Marks include Serial Number, Royal Cypher of King George III, broad arrow of proofing, and numbers to represent the weight. NOTE: The cannon is displayed in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens and is mounted on a replica wooden carriage; the original wooden carriage is now stored under cover at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. This carriage has 4 wheels on swivel attachments and a central gear that allows the wheels to turn on rails. Pressed into left trunnion “80837 / CARRON / 1813”, cast on barrel“symbol (Royal Cypher of King George III”, “symbol (broad arrow of proofing)” and numbers “45-3-24 / 1837” . Cascable “CV” and marks with gradations from nought to three in quarters on each side, On the carriage the end of one of the main slide members carries the mark “W symbol (broad arrow) D” incised into the timber. Plaque attached to the carriage by the Warrnambool Tritan Woodworkers club, 2010, marking the centenary of the cannon’s relocation in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens and the addition of the replica carriage. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, victoria’s coastal defences, warrnambool fortification, warrnambool garrison battery, ordinance, armaments, cannon hill fortifications, victorian colonial government, carron ironwroks foundary, 32pdr smooth bore cannon, 28pdr smooth bore cannon, 1813 cannon, carronade -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, WW1, Paul DALEY, Beersheba, First published 2009. This edition published 2017
Information - on front cover - "CENTENARY EDITION/ BEERSHEBA/ TRAVELS THROUGH A FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIAN VICTORY/ PAUL DALEY/. A full-bodied, human telling of the deeds of the AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSEMAN/ TONY WRIGHT" On back cover. "It was a glorious triumph of arms for Australian/ Forces, a romantic moment of dash and bravura that/ stood out in the tragedy of World War 1. Yet it barely/ registers in Australia's national consciousness."Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard; black, gold and white print on front, spine and back. White background. Illustrated - front - black and white photograph of a trooper mounted on a horse with full kit. 339 pages, cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated - black and white diagrams of maps and centrefold collection of photographs. Inscription - front end paper.Front end paper - handwritten, black ink - donor's name and date, "Donated by Joy Wellings/ 16-8-2023".books, ww1, beersheba, australian army, light horse regiment. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - SERVICE DRESS, ARMY, 2) Pytchley
Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. Leo Reoch Cohn served in both World War 0ne and World War Two. He enlisted in the 1st AIF on 23.9. on 6.5.1915, initially in the 22nd battalion (No. 1039), aged 18. Shortly after, on 11.9.1915, he transferred to the 8th LHR and embarked for Egypt on 23.9.1915, serving in both Egypt and Palestine. During that period of service, he transferred to the 1st Australian Light Car Patrol on 8.9.1917. This unit later became the 1st Australian Armoured Car Section. Leo began his return journey to Australia on 16.5.1919. Shortly after his RTA, he was discharged. While on active service overseas, he was hospitalized on a number of occasions due to illness. During World War Two, Leo enlisted in the 21st Battalion VDC (No. V360272) on 18.5.1942 at the age of 44. He was appointed Lieutenant on 25.6.1942. Leo's VDC service was terminated on 31.10. 1945 following the end of World War Two. .1) Tailored khaki woollen officer's dress jacket with silk like fabric lining. Two button-down breast pockets and two button down-side pockets. All buttons are military issue. Unit colour patch on each shoulder (8th ALH). Above the left breast pocket is a World War One trio of medal ribbons. An attached fabric belt has a metal buckle. .2) Light brown cotton drill jodhpurs with button fly. Knee reinforcement pad sewn on the inside of each leg. Button down hip pocket and two side pockets. Belt loops and buttons for braces on the waist band..2) On manufacturer's label: 'Pytchley, MADE IN ENGLAND'. Handwritten in black ink on waistband: 'COHN'.uniform, 8th light horse regiment, leo reoch cohn -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - SPURS, M. Dewsbury & Son, 1914
Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. See Catalogue No. 5527.2 for his service record.Pair of chrome plated metal and leather World War One Australian Light Horse spurs with spiked rowels. Each spur has a pair of leather straps, one with a buckle fitting passing over the top of the boot, the other fitting under the sole in front of the boot heel. Each spur is fitted with a leather butterfly. .1) Right spur and .2) Left spur.Stamped on the inside back of .1) and .2): 'M. DEWSBURY & SON, 1914'australian light horse, spurs, leo reoch cohn -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, Regiment of the Australian Light Horse on the March in Jerusalem in Palestine
By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Initially Australia promised four regiments of Light Horse, 2000 men, to fight in the British cause. By the end of the war, 16 regiments would be in action.The Light Horse were seen as the “national arm of Australia’s defence” and young men, most from the country, flocked to join. Framed and glass covered photo of a Regiment of the Australian Light Horse on the March in Jerusalem in Palestine"A Regiment of the Australian Light Horse on the March in Jerusalem in Palestine."ww1, world war 1, australian light horsemen, palestine, lara r.s.l. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Anthony Staunton, Australians in World War 1: Australian Light Horse, 2007
... Australians in World War 1: Australian Light Horse... Horseman in uniform. Australians in World War 1: Australian Light ...Black and cream softcover with fold in flaps. Front cover has head and shoulders photo of Light Horseman in uniform.Sticker on first page with previous owners' names and address.books, military history -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Game, Chess, P N F Figurines, Charge of Beersheba
... mornington-peninsula ww1 world war 1 palestine beersheba 4th ...Chess game consisting of a set of miniature military chessmen and a glass chess board. The miniature chessmen depict the opponents involved in the historic World War 1 mounted attack and capture of the town of Beersheba, near Gaza in what was known as Palestine, The battle, known as the "Charge of Beersheba", was late in the day on 31st October, 1917. The chessmen are the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade and the Turkish 27th Division.ww1, world war 1, palestine, beersheba, 4th australian light horse brigade, charge of beersheba, mounted charge, 4th light horse brigade -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph of personnel of an Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron playing cricket at a camp in Bethlehem during World War 1.ww1, army, alh, australian light horse, cricket, sport -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Statuette, ALH Officer
... Small statuette of a World War 1 ALH (Australian Light... mornington-peninsula Small statuette of a World War 1 ALH (Australian ...Small statuette of a World War 1 ALH (Australian Light Horse) Officer presumably made of pewter, mounted on a marble base. The base has a small replica version of the Australian 'rising sun' badge, the badge is similar to the 'kings crown' version worn during World War 1. -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Angus & Robertson Ltd, Australia in Palestine, 1919
Hard covered book. Stories of the Australians' campaign in Palestine in World War 1, with photos, drawings and mapsaustralian military history, palestine -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Bridle, c. 1914
... by Australian Light Horseman in World War 1 Nil Australian Light Horse ...Used by 908 Dvr Thomas Edward Whyte 1st AIF, 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Machine Gun SquadronEquipment used by Australian Light Horseman in World War 1Australian Light Horse Bridle Nil -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Horse whip, c.1914
... by Australian Light Horse soldier of World War 1 Nil Plaited leather ...Memorabilia of Dvr Thomas Whyte, Machine Gun Squadron, 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, AIFUsed by Australian Light Horse soldier of World War 1Plaited leather whipNil -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Australian Light Horse, 2007
A history of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East in World War 1, with many photos and pictures, 84 pagesISBN 1 920720 94 4 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Publication, Major Edwin L. Kennedy Jr, The Australian Light Horse: A Study of the Evolution of Tactical and Operational Maneuver
This study analyses the actions of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East campaign during World War 1. It shows the basis for their approach to war and how these techniques were successful by adapting to the circumstances of the situation. The Australian Light Horse demonstrated the traits of initiative and flexibility during the campaign in Egypt and Palestine by changing their modus operandii from mounted infantry to cavalry. a seemingly minor shift semantically, a major shift doctrinally. Their adaptability to the situations in the desert was largely responsible for their tactical successes and played a major part in the success of the operational manoeuver of the mounted forces under General Allenby during the last year of the war.Photocopy , filed in 4 ring A4 loose leaf binder, 181 pages -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Charles Marshall et al, Australian infantryman on Light Horse, 1918_
Photograph of Australian Light Horse infantryman mounted on horse.Digital copy of black and white photograph. charles marshall, world war 1, light horse -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, J T Picken & Sons, Combined Operations Beach Organisation & Maintenance 1945, 1945
Soft covered booklet originally issued as 1 Aust Corps Training Instruction No 2 of 17 Dec 1943, revised and amended in 1944. The pamphlet sets out the methods by which it is proposed to organise the beaches and beach maintenance area during the landing operations of Australian Army formations.No 1960 SECRET (GBD)world war 2, beach operations -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Victorian Railways Printing Works et al, Army Training Memorandum (War) (Australia), Aug 1941 to Apr 1945
Hard covered lace bound collection of the memoranda issued during WW 2 to each officer, containing notes on a variety of subjects. The set contains most, but not all from No 1 to No 39. Incorporates catalogue items 0417 & 0418Aug 1941 to Apr 1945world war 2, doctrine, intelligence -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Document, Army Training Memorandum (War) (Australia) (spare copies), 1945
Nos 1 -9, 11-15 consolidated, 28, 29, 30, 32 34 & 39. Documents distributed to each officer containing information on some weapons and reports from patrols and intelligenceThis document must not fall into enemy handsintelligence, world war 2, japanese -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, McLaren & Co Pty Ltd, Artillery Training Vol III Pam No 8 1942, 30 December 1942
Soft covered booklet with Australian Addendum No 1 covering co-operation with the RAF. Originally printed by Keliher, Hudson & Kearns Ltd, LondonNot to be publishedartillery training, raf co-operation, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Coins, Penny, Australian (3), Australian Mint, 1915
KIng George V pennies were the coins of choice for playing 2 up during World War 13 x Australian 1915 King George V penniespennies, 2 up, world war 1 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Calendar - 1993, Department of Veterans' Affairs, World War 1 1914-1918, 1993
Commemorative calendar depicting Australian involvement in World War 1 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Department of Veterans' Affairs, A Guide to Australian Memorials on the Western Front, in France and Belgium. April 1916-November 1918, 2002
Colour printed bookletP045memorials, western front, world war 1 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Hat Khaki Fur Felt, est 1940's
The Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) was an Australian part-time volunteer military force of World War II modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in World War 1. The government took over control of the VDC in May 1941 and gave the organisation the role of training for guerrilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of each unit's home area. General Harry Chauvel, who had retired in 1930, was recalled to duty in 1940 and appointed Inspector-General of the VDC. Chauvel held this position until his death in March 1945. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Government expanded the VDC in February 1942. Membership was open to men aged between 18 and 60, including those working in reserved occupations. As a result, the VDC reached a peak strength of almost 100,000 in units across Australia. As the perceived threat to Australia declined, the VDC's role changed from static defence to operating anti-aircraft artillery, coastal artillery and searchlights. Members of inland VDC units were freed from having to attend regular training in May 1944 and the VDC was officially disbanded on 24 August 1945Hat Khaki Fur Felt with green cloth single band puggaree which has cotton Volunteer Defence Corps badge sewn on, brass rising sun badge on brimMaker's label on head band -RG & RI Stebbins, 14 Willow Court, Donald , Vic 3480