Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.1). Typed letter on The Boys' Brigade London District letterhead, regarding the cancellation of a Brass Band concert which was to be held at Festival Hall and the appreciation for the work Frank Wright had done for the organisation. 2). Envelope with The Boys' Brigade Logo printed on the front with 5, 1 penny stamps and the typed address of Frank Wright1). Typed letter with a signature written in pen 2). Typed addressfrank wright, gerald walker, boys brigade, brass bands, conductor

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Navy blue, light blue and white programme of The Boys' Brigade, Brass Band Festival Concert of the Massed Bands of the London District, held at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 January 1961. The band items were specially arranged for the Boys Brigade by Frank Wright who was the guest conductor. On the back of the programme is a short biography of Frank Wright.Written in pen on page 2 - Besson, Written in pen on page 3 - B & H, Encore, The Eshgrovefrank wright, boys brigade, massed bands of the london district, brass band, music programme

Item from donor's mother (1926-2015) and father (1923-1962 ). They lived in Camberwell and then in Box Hill from the 1950s. The Boys' Brigade (BB) is an international, interdenominational christian youth organization conceived in Glasgow in1883 which spread quickly across the UK and worldwide. It was founded in Australia in 1890.One brown leather belt with round brass buckle with "The Boys' Brigade" on the buckle.The Boys' Brigadeboys brigade, youth group

Item from donor's mother (1926-2015) and father (1923-1962)who lived in Camberwell and then from the 1950s in Box Hill.The Boys' Brigade (BB) is an international, interdenominational christian youth organization conceived in Glasgow in1883 which spread quickly across the UK and worldwide. It was founded in Australia in 1890.Black wool felt beret with black ribbon edging and ribbon hanging down back. On the front a metal badge "The Boys' Brigade" with an anchor in the centre with the words "Sure", B B "Steadfast" inside. Size 6 5/8. "The Boys' Brigade", anchor, "Sure", B B "Steadfast" inside. Size 6 5/8.the boys' brigade, beret

Department of Health – National Fitness Office (Sports & Recreation) – Historical Press Release Photo - Empire Youth Day & Royals on Tour CollectionDepartment of Health – National Fitness Office (Sports & Recreation) – Historical Press Release Photo - Empire Youth Day & Royals on Tour Collection

Department of Health – National Fitness Office (Sports & Recreation) – Historical Press Release Photo - Empire Youth Day & Royals on Tour CollectionDepartment of Health – National Fitness Office (Sports & Recreation) – Historical Press Release Photo - Empire Youth Day & Royals on Tour Collection

Reprinted history of Murrumbeena Baptist Church 1890 – 1990 compiled for the church’s centenary celebrations in 1990 by Ross Harrison Snow and Geoft Barthold. Each chapter details certain periods of church history and associated events Handwritten notes, including wording on foundation stone, by person unknown & undatedmurrumbeena, murrumbeena baptist church, pitt annie sophia, dandenong road., george samuel, baptist church, emily street, whitlam janet, box henry, snow ross harrison, gallop abel, pay henry mrs., rollings william, barthold geoff, thomas pay, pay e – miss godfrey, w- mrs, pitt st clair percival, godfrey william, pay t. a. h – mrs, blair mrs, white mrs, shearer mrs., box marie miss, box nellie miss, gallop prudence miss, gallop e. j. miss, rosstown wesleyan churches, murrumbeena baptist church, churches, gresswell f. l. mrs, neerim road, public halls, murrumbeena railway station, union chapel, kangaroo road, oakleigh, cole. j. h., turner mr., williamson r. rev, stewart allan., rosstown., architects, laver and flick messrs, mayhew george mr., chambers a. r. mr., godfrey brother, whitley w. t. rev., williamson rev., endersby elizabeth miss., meehani francis, french john, whyte mrs., thompson isabella mrs., burgess mary mrs., organ, tarry j. brother, mclean donald f. rev., wilkins george mr., sutherland mr., sydney street, nopkins ivor. rev, gallop mrs, pay brother, pitt brother, hopkins mrs, thompson ethel. miss, thompson mabel. miss, lavender mr. fred, whitlam george. master, varley frank mr, whitlam fred. mr, varley mrs, hale g. e. rev., whitlam crissie miss, curnick elizabeth miss, byrne mr, clemens f. rev., tennis club, tennis courts, cheffer mr., peace george mr., green mr., nash w. f rev., earl stanley j. rev, earl mrs., parker miss, adelaide street 12 manses, endersby david, harvey nellie. miss, fasham f. miss, mills mr., kelly mr., dyason mr, mckeon mr, lavender b. mr., chaffey alf, nelson norman, guthrie andrew, hopkins mrs., kindergarten, girl guides, loyal orange lodge, hall, fire, juniour christian endeavour league, intermediate christian, endeavour society, endersby mr, wilkins mr, wills mr, kelley mr, golden jubilee 22- 29 sept. 1940, knight e. o. rev, marriott e staunton m stone j., clay clark e. messrs, carter mr, carter mrs, deacenesses, helmore p. h. mrs, ryall c. m. mrs, carbis l. miss, wilson a. mrs, clark e. j. mrs, cornock m. miss, smith a. w. rev, mcdonald h. miss, stewart j. miss, edwards. w. messrs, crowe m. messrs, diggins l. messrs, wilson k. mr, ryall c. m. mr., wright a. mr., watkins mr., smith k. a. rev, scout groups, hobart street – 59 manses, helmer p. mr, filmer mr, carter mr., staunton martin mr., lewis donald rev 1951- 1956, perri john, collrus barry, ferguson mrs, white mrs, outhread noel mr., burleigh betty miss, orchestras, clark ted mr., daniels alan mr, staunton keith mr., staunton martin mr, steer doug mr, pascoe vack mr., ryall mert mr., clay ken mr., carter francis mr., chambers harry mr, hendry t. j. mr, andrews. e. f. rev, venning frank, provis keith, lee milton f. rev, kingdom max rev, kingdom fredq, allison c., eleiner e mrs, provis jan miss, chambers merle miss, collicot allison miss, cook john, cook family, horn neville rev, horn family, benneld family, bennett john., bennetts cliff, wiesmayrs’ family, allison barbara miss, jones ross, jones joy, fverst walter, doyle family, bertram estelle, bertram family, saletta margaret, saletta len, close kevin, close family, close anne, stewart des, stewart family, peel family, fisher family, leis family, arms harry, jones ross, jones family, jones joy, langdon family, bertram bill, staunton ian, staunton yvonne, staunton jean, staunton keith, staunton martin, clifferd. patricia, clifferd. charles, chambers awen, wall brian, wall bev, ryall geoff, ryall kay, ryall edna, davidson max, davidson mary, freeman john, hendry t s, provis keith, terrington michael, terrington doreen, carbis hazel miss, butterworth ern, clay ken, clay mrs., clay judith, clay noelle, muller ron, cook john, kingdom joy, kingdom graham, strong david, owens cliff, chambers harry, christy family, warr bill dr., morrison grace mrs., soderholm harvey, soderholm mrs, harris jeanette mrs, harris trevor rev., freeman pauline, freeman john., hendry t. j., steer doug, owens allison, owens graham, henderson ray, henderson chris, rathbone ian, rathbone pat, jenkins marion, girls’ club, wilson cliff dr., ladies evening group (legs), anderson family, l’ amont family, powell harold., harris luke, harris trevor, davies mrs, young george, anderson russell, wade joan, sauvarin lois, hill fred, wilson david., hansell fiona, hansell jane, brammer leanne, bertram ruth, langton john, crowe ken, dobney john, nobbs steve, jordan mr., steer david., steer doug, murrumbeena christian education centre (cec), suggare alwyn, gray s. mr., wilson clive rev., jephcott hume, jephcott heather, mccleary ross, mccleary glenn, claringbold mary, bennetts marcia., langton phil, worthy reg, thomson ave, mckerlie darrell rev., henderson ray, langenberg stewart van, crowe malcolm., sydney street, wall brian, zegelis imants, allison doug, owens rhonda, anderson peter, provis ken, vaitch fay, longenberg roger van, ife david, warren lena, churches bruce, churches mrs, bennetts john, mcdonald. k., cathie ian., cathie wendy, wright norman rev., alma street, mckerlie darrell rev., hampton keith rev., robinson john rev, jolly rod, crowe malcolm, lakey m, ferdinands ann, ferdinands ken, inders brett, inders jenny, cooke stephen, cooke deanne, langenberg jeremy van, binks paul, wall john, leslie geoff, leslie debbie, macleod nelson, macleod heather, dalton steven, pugh jeff, jones ross, ceulson joy, jackel lindsay, jackel sue, berry graham, wall brian, wheatland don, langton phil, stewart margaret, wheatland elise, wall bev., chambers gwen., foundation stone, morley john rev., sunday seekers, young marrieds, mothers’ group, choirs, walrond cw, turner mr, chisholm mr, mcdonald mr, church furniture, williams brother, sunday schools, victorian baptist preachers’ society, pitt mrs, thompson m miss., pitt w. miss, pay miss, thompson e. mrs., stained glass, christian endeavour society, young worshipper’ league, baptist women’s association, men’s society, murrembeena baptist football club, children’s church, youth council, junior christian endeavour, buds, baptist girls’ fellowship, boys club, baptist men’s society, youth fellowship life boys, boys brigade, alma street 17 chadstone manse, one way searchers’ group

Program of events for Greensborough Festival 1988, with articles on preparation of banners and the local Boys' BrigadeLinks: 00529:05543 Black and white, lift-out guide, 4 p.Published in Diiamond Valley News 4 October 1988grensborough festival 1988

Newspaper Clipping from "The Mail", 24- 9 -1996. P19 "Teenagers' efforts rewarded"'. The community service work of two Maroondah teenagers has been recognised in seperate awards named in the Queen's honour. Paul Voutier, a Boys Brigade member from Ringwood, has earned his Queen's badge. Meanwhile, Warranwood teenager AndrewTiley will be presented with the Queen's Scout badge for his experience and leadership with the North Ringwood Venturers.

Photograph of 19 members of the Beechworth Volunteer Fire Service and a young boy all wearing fire service uniforms.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on cardObverse: Beechworth Fire Brigade Boys / Uncle Joe Hume far right / 8187 / about 1885 / G. Bridle Photoemergency services, beechworth, fire brigade, burke museum, photograph

Robert Cochrane, 1843 - 1935, regarded as the "father" of Congregationalism in Victoria was chairman of directors of Brooks Robinson Pty. Ltd.. and one of the leading personalities of the Congregational Union of Victoria. After having spent two years in Victoria as a member of Brooks Robinson Pty., Ltd., Mr. Cochrane returned to England in 1869. In 1883, he returned to Melbourne. On His return to Victoria he became interested in the work of the Congregational Church, and joined the Augustine Church, at Hawthorn in 1886; he was senior deacon when he died. For many years Mr. Cochrane was a senior member of the committee of the Congregational College of Victoria, and he took a leading part in the development of Congregationalism in this Victoria. Many benefited by his generosity and philanthropy, and his interest in the work of the church was combined with a generous assistance to child welfare organisations, including the Sunday School Union, the Kindergarten Union and the Boys Brigade. [Source: The Argus 4 Mar 1935, pg 8.]Silver plated brass double handle, lidded art nouveau-style sugar bowl with engraving on the front of the bowl."To Mr and Mrs Robert Cochrane A token of high esteem on the occasion of their Golden Wedding 1871 January 31st 1921 From the Firm of Henry Brooks & Company, with whom are associated two senior members from the London Staff Henry Aldridge and Walter Wiles"congregational union of victoria, brooks robinson pty ltd, melbourne chamber of commerce., robert cochrane 1843-1935

Graham was born in 1962 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in the south side of Glasgow and became an active member of the Boys Brigade, progressing through the different sections to eventually gain the organisation's highest award, the Queens Badge. During these years Graham became a proficient bugler and trumpeter, taking part in many nationwide competitions as part of the company band. After completion of his school education, Graham was accepted as an apprentice engineering officer by the Scottish Ship Management who ran a fleet of bulk carriers. After training at the Glasgow Nautical College he then went to sea, firstly on the MV Baron Napier and subsequently the MV Baron Kinnaird, the ship he was on when he travelled to Australia. On the 27th November 1983, there were parties throughout Australia to celebrate the winning of The Americas Cup yacht race, Melbourne was no exception and Graham and several colleagues went ashore to join in. During the celebrations, Graham climbed up some scaffolding to get a better view but a girder became disloged and he fell to the ground and was struck by the falling girder. He died shortly after despite the best efforts of the ambulance crews. Graham's body was returned home to Glasgow and a cremation service took place in the Linn Crematorium near where he lived and grew up. Money was donated by the ship's crew and officer and sent to the Mission (Reverend Chin) to purchase an engraved plaque in his memory. The plaque was mounted on a bench used as coffee table. In January 2025, Alain, his former girlfriend visited the Mission to view the plaque.The Mission is a place of memorial for seafarers.Rectangular brass plaque, on top 3 logos: Merchant Navy, Merchant Navy crown and flag of the SSM (Scottish Ship Management)Engraved: In Memory of / Graham Stewart Martin / Engineer Cadet / MV Baron Kinnaird / 27th September 1983graham stewart martin, engineer cadet, m.v. baron kinnaird, scottish ship management, ssm, 1983, america's cup, bench

Students attended Sunday School at the Kergunyah Presbyterian Church and were given prizes. The students included those aged between 8 and 12 years and included boys and girls. Sunday school was held in a little 16 foot square wooden building which came from Rocky Valley after it was no longer needed there. Ewen Wallace's father initiated and organised the move. C2011 the building was knocked down because of white ants. The Presbyterian Church will be 125 years old in 2015.Historical: Religious Education: Students attended Sunday School at Kergunyah Presbyterian Church. Religion: Presbyterian Church at Kergunyah in the Kiewa Valley, celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2015 after being handed over tot the Uniting Church in the 1970s. White book with black printed title at top. Cardboard cover. Photo of soldiers with swords charging towards battle. On back it explains 'Red Dragon' is for boys and girls 8 - 12 years."Awarded To ...Class ....Teacher....From the Kergunyah Presbyterian Sunday School" stampreligion, religious education, kergunyah, sunday school, presbyterian, ewen wallace

Bertie HARWARD No 3854 AIF. Refer Reg No 341P for his service details..1) Post card photo, sepia, portrait of a soldier with slouch hat, background clear. .2) Post card photo, sepia showing 1 seated & 1 standing soldier in studio background. .3) Photo, sepia, showing a large group of hospital inmates, nurses & 2 small boys..1) On rear: To Mrs HARWARD 48 Arnold St Bendigo - (3854) Pte B Harward 12th Reinforcements 5th Battalion 2nd INF Brigade, On Active Service AIF .2) On rear: France 22.12.17 Yours affectionately Bert Harward .3) On rear: 28.9.18 Sulby Hall Hospital Welford Rugby England Bertie Harward 2nd from right front rowhospitals nurses, australian soldiers

"John Ahem Torpie" QX39522 (Q119806) Enlisted 14/9/42 (2nd AIF) Discharged 6/11/46. Rank Captain. Black and white card formed by folding a sheet of paper two ways. The front depicts a pen and ink drawing of civilian trucks hauling wool bales in an Australian Rural scene. On the inside of the card there is an illustration of a soldier standing to attention and a 25 Pdr gun crew in action. The right side shows a heavy A.A. gun in action - mobile type of gun. Beside it are two artillery signallers, prone, working a radio set. The rear page has the actual letter greetings.Front Title - Transporting wool. Inner left - To Greet You Sincerely at Christmas and wish you Happiness in the New Year. Inner Right - Australian Military Forces. "I don't appear in the picture, not being a skite, I am hiding behind the gun. J.T.". Rear Page - 7th Inf. Brigade, Chermside Camp, Brisbane 23.12.41. Dear Ted & George. Wishing you both a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Have been in camp hospital for ten days as a result of encounter with muma (?) - shall hardly land the M.C. but then so very few get their deserts. Often think of C.V.M.S. & wonder how you all are doing. Remember me to the boys. John A Torpie. ww2, postcard, artillery, christmas, john a torpie

Black and white photograph with large red stain (faded). Photograph of men and small boys at laying of a foundation stone (elevations of building barely visible in framed print at back centre of building). Mounted on grey board. Inscriptions 'GP10' top LH corner. 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch' Circular stamp on rear of photo. Inscription on stone in image 'This stone was laid on 9th day of January 1903 by His Worship the Mayor JH Curnow Esq'. History: Previous Acc. No. GP10. Helen Mainka 20.7.2001 from Annals of Bendigo 1903 'Laying of Foundation Stone at the Market Buildings:. See photo p 13 Bendigo Fire Brigade 100 years by George A Ellis at building in background. Building in R background is very similar to the building in Market Square occupied by the Sandhurst City Brigade.person, group

colour photo of older photograph. Group of boys marching in uniform carrying banner and flag. Car at back right. Uniform consists of dark jacket, short pants, white belt, white helmet, dark shoes and long socks. Typed on back of photo: ' Abattoirs Junior Fire Brigagde, Bendigo Easter Fair. Approx. 1933'unknownorganization, business, abattoirs junior fire brigade

photograph ( copy ? ) of older photograph. Group of boys in uniform holding banner,flag. Uniform consists of dark jacket, short pants, white belt, white helmets, dark shoes and long socks. Banner reads' Abattoirs Junior Fire Brigade. Typed inscription on back of photo reads' Abattoirs Junior Fire Brigade, Bendigo Easter Fair, Approx. 1933'organization, business, abattoirs junior fire brigade

Collection of approximately 87 receipts of various charities supported by S. A. Bush. 1202.21 Receipts to Charities 1923 – 1930 The Australian Christian World Salvation Army Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Fathers Association of Victoria The Navy League Bendigo Musical, Literary, Elocutionary and Calisthenics Competitions Prayer Union for Israel United Country Fire Brigades Demonstrations St Paul’s Church Building Funds and Church Donations Girl Guides ‘Association The Bendigo Choral Society Distressed Wives and Families Fund Seaside Garden Home for Boys (Phillip Island) Victorian Society for the protection of Animals British and foreign Bible Society Victorian Anti Liquor League and Victorian Prohibition League Burwood Boys’ Home Victorian Band of Hope and Junior Temperance Union Missionary Birthday Band Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Home for the Adult Blind Bendigo Church News Birthday Gift to Merle Bush*uperson, individual, bush collection - personal

Copy of a black and white photo of the Long Gully Jnr Brigade Easter 1901 at the Old Bendigo Showgrounds, Park Road.Most of the boys are dressed in uniform and wearing a variety of different hats. Their is a variety of ages and they have one man with them. There is a small cart with flowers on it and another floral arrangement beside it. The photo is taken at the Old Bendigo Showgrounds and there are tents in the background.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - long gully jnr brigade 1901, old bendigo showgrounds

Sepia photograph of group of children. Two girls, two boys on hand card. Four shields and banner decoration. Lion statue on right front. One boy in Scottish dress. One with top hat with feather. Girls with coronets. On back - 'Easter Procession Exhibit, 1890's +, probably Juvenile Fire Brigade' . On back - 3cls, p8, A feast', 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch' circular stamp.person, group, easter procession

Taken c1870, this photograph depicts the members of the Beechworth Volunteer Fire Brigade outside the present fire station house on Camp Street, Beechworth. Hose layer and a Niagara Pump are in shot with 11 members and 2 young boys on the pump. Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on board.Reverse: Beechworth/ Volunteer Fire Brigade/ 1870burke museum, beechworth, fire brigade, volunteer fire brigade, sepia, photograph, c1870, niagara pump, hose layer, emergency services

snape collection

Contents: 1. Letter from Peter Dousset of Collaroy Plateau, NSW, Nov. 1983. Provides brief history of family origins in district. Grandfather was a French migrant who married an Australian woman in 1883 in Panton Hill and had four boys and two girls. Father worked for Ryan's Butcher shop in Panton Hill for many years. Parents retired to Hillside Avenue Eltham. Mother was kiiled by Burgoyne's truck in 1970 outside the Burgoyne shop (Inquest held Melbourne, 16 Dec 1970 VPRS 24/P0002, 1970/2408). Peter Dousset opened a garage in Research in 1948 with Kevin Brinkkotter and they started the Research Fire Brigade using his breakdown truck towing a water trailer. 2. Copy of death certificate, Ernest Pierre Dousset 13 May 1963 (VIC 9061/63), son of Pierre Francois Dousset and Christina Dousset (nee Newlands), buried Smiths Gully Cemetery (Queenstown Cemetery) 3. Copy of death certificate, Gladys Dousset (nee Stutley), 12 Oct 1970 (VIC 885/71), daughter of Alfred Stutley and Ester Stutley (nee Thomas) 4. Copy of six pages extracted from an autobiography written by Peter Dousset 5. Copy of photo taken 1912 outside the Panton Hill Hotel with Peter Dousset's grandparents on the right side 6. Copy of photo of the Dousset family home in Panton Hill 7. Copy of vaccination certificate of Pierre Dousset aged 6 months at Panton Hill, 26 October 1897 [Items 2-7 are digital file copies only] Folder of information on Peter Dousset and ancestors, Panton Hill and Researchpeter dousset, burgoyne's shop, eltham, kevin brinkkotter, panton hill, research (vic.), research fire brigade, ryan's butcher shop, panton hill hotel, hillside avenue, alfred stutley, christina dousset (nee newlands), ernest pierre dousset, ester stutley (nee thomas), gladys dousset (nee stutley), pierre francois dousset, queenstown cemetery, smith's gully cemetery

The detailed account of Australian Commandos in China during World War Two. This, the story of Australia’s first Commandos, is an epic of the war. Here is hardship and adventure, pathos and humour, suffering and excitement. It tells of the men who went to Malaya with the 22nd Brigade, then sailed to Burma to train under Britain’s finest Commando leaders. Escaping from the Japanese, they journeyed the length of the tortuous Burma Road, crossing China almost to the coast. Here they trained the Surprising Battalions, some of China’s crack guerrillas, and operated with them in war torn provinces. The became famous as the “Lost Legion of the AIF” – the boys of Mission 204. After almost a year of guerrilla existence, the survivors were withdrawn to Kunming and flew to India. They were allocated to Brigadier Orde Wingate’s force but were recalled whilst on leave and returned to Australia after two years in the tropics.Hard cover first edition world war ii, ww2, australian commando, australian special forces, australian special operations, world war ii australian operations in china