Index, ill (b/w plates), p.342.non-fictionThe story of Douglas Bader's life is the stuff of legend. After losing both his legs in a flying accident he returned to the RAF at the beginning the Second World War to become Britain's most famous airman and hero. In the Battle of Britain he led his squadron of Spitfires to kill after kill, keeping them going with his unstoppable banter. Shot down in occupied France, his German captors had to confiscate his tin legs in order to stop him trying to escape. And Bader faced it all, disability, leadership and capture, with a charm and determination that was to become an inspiration to all around himbader douglas - biography, battle of britain - history

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.337.Having already drawn both praise & controversy, this main selection for the Military Book Club continues to generate discussion among scholars & readers. Though histories of World War II are abundant, few of them examine the critical errors in Hitler's approach to the war that finally led to German defeat. Joining the ranks of "counterfactual" histories like the bestseller What If?, How Hitler Could Have Won World War II clearly shows what the consequences would have been for Hiltler, the Axis, & the world if he had chosen differently.world war 1939-1945 - germany - military strategy, adolf hitler - military leadership

Index, ill, p.292.non-fictionIn war, great commanders lead soldiers into hell to do the impossible. They were called Easy Company--but their mission was never easy. Immortalized as the Band of Brothers, they suffered 150 percent casualties while liberating Europe, an unparalleled record of bravery under fire. Dick Winters was their commander, "the best combat leader in World War II" to his men. This is his story, told in his own words for the first time. On D-Day, Dick Winters parachuted into France and assumed leadership of the Band of Brothers when their commander was killed. He led them through the Battle of the Bulge, the attack on Foy--where Easy Company reached its breaking point--and into Germany, by which time each member had been wounded. Neither a protest against war nor a glamorization of combat, this is a moving tribute to the human spirit by a man who earned the love and respect of the men of Easy Company and the adulation of new generations worldwide. world war 1939 – 1945 – personal narratives – united states, united states army - history

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Alfred Newcombe (Kem.) Kemsley, a long serving Legatee. The Bulletin published articles on Legatees when they passed away. The article includes the words of Legacy President Bruce Wilson at the service at Brighton Town Hall and Legatee Ken Clark's address. Also the Eulogy from Wing Commander Peter Isaccson. He enlisted in March 1915 in the AIF as Private Kemsley and sailed for Egypt. By the end of his war service in 1919 he was Staff Captain, Australian Corps HQ. In the second World War he began his service as a Staff Captain DADOS 4th division. In 1942 Lt Colonel AAOC and in 1943 he was promoted to Colonel as business advisor to the Minister for the Army. He joined Legacy in December 1923."His life is the history of Legacy. He served as an advisor to countless Legacy widows and children, and took a dominant leadership role in all Legacy activities." The article was part of an album of past presidents and prominent legatees from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of the life and service of Legatee Kem Kemsley. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of 4 pages from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee William Donovan Joynt.Bulletin No. VAW 1209. 5.3.1987. Pages 3 to 6.vale, donovan joynt, eulogy, past presidents

Index, p.601non-fictionVolume one of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.556.non-fictionVolume two of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.556.non-fictionVolume two of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.629.non-fictionVolume three of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.743.non-fictionVolume four of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.558.non-fictionVolume five of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, p.584.non-fictionVolume six of a six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership

Index, maps, p.973.non-fictionAbridges one volume edition of the six volume history of the second world warworld war 1939-1945 - history, winston churchill 1874-1965 - military leadership