This letter was written from Salisbury Plains, UK on 30 October 1916. It mentions the conscription vote. He has also passed his course for dealing with poison gas. He has been promoted to CPL. He hopes for promotion to Office. The soldier just signs as "Will".This letter is printed on cardboard. It is in italics. The colour of the ink is green. It is probably a modern day reproduction.passchendaele barracks trust, ww1, conscription, poison gas

Items in the "Swatton" collection. .1) Jack Swatton, 2nd from left front row. .2) front row 5th from the left. John (Jack) William Swatton. His first connection with the Australian Military is with the Universal Conscription scheme pre WW1. On 1.7.1913 he is alloted to D Coy 67th Bn (Bendigo) Regt No 671 as part of quota 1895 (Year of his birth) He then enlists in the AIF on 10.7.1915 No 4905 age 19 years in 15th Reinforcements 7th Bn AIF. Embark for Eygpt 7.3.1916, embark for France 2.6.1916, Transfer to 48th Bty 12 F.A.B 17.4.1916, transfer to 24th F.A.B 15.6.1916, Transfers to 43rd Bty 11th F.A.B 25.1.1917, detached to Ordnance Works Viviers Hill 15.2.1917, Promoted Bombadier 10.12.1917, attends 2nd Army Artillery School, promoted Corporal 16.3.1918, promoted Sgt 17.6.1918, promoted Bty Sgt Major 15.12.1918, awarded MID 31.12.1918, embark for Australia 11.5.1919, discharged from the AIF. Post WW1 he enlists in the 38th Bn (CMF Bendigo) in 1921, he is Commissioned as an Officer in Sept 1929, from that date till 1940 he is the CO of the BN. The same year he transfers to the 8th Bn CMF. Besides his Mention in Despatches (WW1) he is also awarded the Long Service and Efficiency decorations. On 25.4.1942 he enlists in VDC age 46 years No V362516 in the 15th BN Volunteer Defence Corp for part time duty with the rank of Lt Col, His appointment is terminated on 19.12.1945. In 1941 he is elected to the Committee of the Bendigo RSL, serves as Snr Vice President 1949 - 57 then President 1958 - 60. In 1962 he is made a life member of the RSL..1) Photograph B & W showing 21 Officers of the 38th BN standing outside a building. .2) Photograph sepia tone showing 20 Officers of the 38th Bn in three rows in front of a tent.photographs, 38th bn, post ww1, passchendaele barracks trust.

Sydney James Davidson enlisted on 18.8.1914 age 19 years 4 months in E Coy 8th Bn AIF. Embarked for Eygpt 19.10.1914, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.1915, reported missing then WIA 25.4.1915, GSW left foot, rejoin unit 24.8.1915, hospital with Appendicitis 18.11.1915, rejoin unit 28.1.1916, embark for France 26.3.1916, transfer to 6th Field Ambulance 26.4.1916, appointed Driver 1.3.1917, WIA 4.10.1917 GSW Right leg, rejoin unit 3.1.1918, hospital Influenza 16.7.1918, rejoin unit 22.7.1918, embark for Australia 24.9.1918, discharged from the AIF 8.4.1919. He also had pre War Service in the 73rd Infantry under the 1895 quota re conscription.Yellow metal medallion with crown at top. Central motif is missing.Underneath crown: “ANZAC” Around outside: “HE ANSWERED HIS COUNTRY'S CALL” Rear: “Presented to No 541, DVR S DAVIDSON for duty nobley done, AIF Abroad 1914-18”badges, shire, duty done

Australian First World War recruitment poster. This poster was part of the First World War Australian Government Recruiting Kit. Recruitment posters were prolific in Australia throughout the First World War. Australia relied solely on voluntary recruits to serve in the AIF. Compulsory military service, or conscription, for eligible men was in force in Australia from 1911, however, these forces were for home defence and could not be used to serve in a war overseas. Following the initial rush of men to recruit in 1914, enrolments dropped, leaving federal and state governments to devise sophisticated campaigns to boost numbers.Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) was a painter, draughtsman, illustrator, cartoonist, printmaker, writer and sculptor. He joined the Sydney 'Bulletin' magazine as a staff artist, 1901-09, 1910-23 and 1932-58. During the First World War he produced jingoistic cartoons and pro-conscription posters. The is one of the series of six posters by Lindsay constituting the last nation-wide Australian recruiting campaign. A soldier sounds his bugle for assistance on the front line while civilians listen in the background.recruitment poster, norman lindsay, ww1