In 1943 Westralia was converted into a Landing Ship, Infantry. In this role, Westralia had a capacity of 933 soldiers, and was used primarily to transport units of the United States Army and Marine Corps. The ship arrived at Manus on 7th April 1945 befoe reaching Morotai on the 19th. The 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion embarked for attack on Tarakan Island, Borneo. On 1 May – After preliminary bombardment by two cruisers and six destroyers ,troops of 26th Australian Infantry Brigade were landed. After the end of the war, Westralia was one of the ships at Ambon on 22 September 1945 for the surrender and occupation of the island where the 164 survivors of Gull Force prisoners had already been taken off on 10 September. She was later used for the repatriation of Australian troops, before being paid off in September 1946. The ship earned five battle honours for her wartime service: Silver frame containing black and white image of a ship at seaGold coloured plaque attached top right "HMAS Westralia" - 2/24th AUST INF BATT TARAKAN ISLAND BORNEO 1ST MAY, 1945hmas westralia, 2/24th aust inf battalion

Rectangular framed black & white photograph of HMAS Westralia. Wooden frame, glass front, white mount.Armed Merchant Cruiser 1940/42 - Landing Ship Infantry 1943/45 Battle Honours Indian Ocean 1940/42 - Pacific 1941/45 - New Guinea 1943/44 - Leyte Gulf 1944 Lindayen Gulf 1945 - Borneo 1945photography framed, hmas westralia, ran ww2

In early January 1945, Australian warships took part in their next big naval action of the campaign when American forces were landed at Lingayen Gulf for the invasion of Luzon Island. Their objective was the capital, Manila. The frigates Gascoyne and Warrego carried out survey tasks and escort duties, coming under artillery fire and also attacks from aircraft. The Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia again transported American troops for the landings and once again the escorts included the cruisers Shropshire and Australia – the latter had undergone repair – and the destroyers Arunta and Warramunga. Whist not confirmed, this large cane woven oval tray with The Philippines Coat of Arms in the centre above list of Royal Australian Navy ships that were involved in the liberation of the Philippines, is believed to have belonged to Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 who served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. Large oval shaped cane woven basket tray The Invasion of the Philippines Image of Coat of Arms Commonwealth of the Philippines Kanimbla, Westralia, Manoura, Australia, Shropshire, Arunta, Warramunga, Gascoyne January 1945ww2, invasion of the philippines, 1945, hmas westralia, hmas kanimbla

.1) Blue pennant with HMAS Westralia & Royal Australian Navy logo screened with yellow paint. .2) Navy blue pennant with screened ship motto Cryhavoc & HMAS Kanimbla.flags - military, military history - navy, kanimbla, australia

Light green hard covered album, 28 pages. Containing colour & black & white Naval photos. Inside cover: “Presented to the Embarked Veterans on the occasion of the Leyte Gulf 60th Anniversary Celebrations. Tacloban to Manila voyage from Commander Peter Stafford & Crew of HMAS Westralia 23 October 2004”album, leyte gulf, photographs

Colour photos of an Anzac Day march with different units and their banners. Including the units from World War 1, the Mine Sweepers Association and HMAS Westralia. Presumably some of the men are legatees. Was with other photos of the day with Jeff Kennett, Bruce Ruxton, John Brumby, and Peter Costello who appear to be the distinguished guests. It is likely to be Anzac Day 1997. It was with photos of Legatee Ron Austin in a jeep so it is believed to be 1997.A record of Anzac Day in the 1990s.Colour photo x 5 of an Anzac Day march with different groups.anzac day, march

The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945. Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. The Australian Army played virtually no part in the Philippines. However, units from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy, were involved.The ships that delivered American troops included three Australian landing ships, HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia. In 1995, fifty years after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, the Republic of the Philippines announced the awarding of a Philippines Liberation Medal to Allied veterans who served in the country or its territorial waters during 1944-45. More than 3000 Australians have received this medalGold with white enamel irregular shaped medal attached to orange ribbon with central thin blue and white stripe. Liberty (front) For The Liberation of The Philippines (back)philippine liberation medal, ww2, robert hutchieson