Unique PhotoPhoto in Wooden frameTomahawk squadron scrambling to an alert in Western Dessert Libya 1942

Ill, maps, p.221.non-fictionThe story of the Royal Air Force in Libya and Greece during the early years of the warworld war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - britain, world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa

A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a bottle of Victorian Bitter Ale being poured into the Melbourne Cup trophy and horses racing. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says 'A good thing for the Cup but better for the tonsils'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian). 'The photos were there when we were coming back from Western Libya sometime in March 1941, prior to the 6th Division going to Greece.' From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of the way Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Victorian Bitter Ale for the Melbourne Cup mural.tobruk, beer, victorian bitter ale, ale, horse racing, murals, world war 2

Photograph depicts a WW2 Tomahawk aircraft piloted by Ian A. Lyons. Part of Flight Lieutenant Ian A, 'Joe' Lyons Collection. See Catalogue No. 5374P for details of his service record.Black and white photograph of a piloted WW2 Tomahawk aircraft taxiing on a desert landing strip. Photograph is mounted on dark green coloured cardboard. A handwritten caption on white paper is attached to the bottom of the photograph.Handwritten caption: 'IAN LYONS, 3RD SQUADRON (TOMAHAWK) LIBYA 1942, WESTERN DESERT'.ww2, north africa, western desert, libya, tomahawk aircraft, ian a. 'joe' lyons

Letters regarding three photos of murals in near Tobruk in Libya. The photos were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2 and donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Abbotts Lager mural.tobruk, murals

A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a bottle of Abbots Lager. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says 'Keep Going. Fill up in town, but a good drink is bloody hard to get'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Abbots Lager mural.tobruk, soldiers, lager, beer, abbots lager, murals

A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a tea pot saying '9,256 miles to Griffiths Bros Tea Headquarters, Melbourne'. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says '9,256 miles to Griffiths Bros Tea Headquarters, Melbourne'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of a Griffiths Tea mural.tobruk, tea, murals, world war two

Historical significance in 1948 from Libya and Triopoli after WW11.Remembrance book dated 1948 containing a church service in honour of WW1 and WWII veterans. Front cover has written, Remembrance Sunday 1948, of those who died in the wars 1914 - 1918 and 1939 -1945. Underneath is the in inscription CYRENAICA DISTRICT, (Libya and Tripoli) with a picture of a monument.

Foolscap single news sheet printed both sides dated 7.6.1941. It describes war events from home & abroad, events in England, France, Germany & America. Typed bottom of P 2. “Ed and Prod by L/Sgt W H Williams (VX27459)”documents - newspapers, military history - army, dinkum

Photo of AT Bull C Coy 1st Batt Royal Fusiliers Libya 1960photo, 1960, army

This is a large metal framework covered in gauze, the whole mask completely enclosing the patient's face excluding any possibility of carbon dioxide being excreted. This object was found in the possession of the Italian Army in Libya in 1940, and donated to the museum by Dr Geoffrey Kaye. Gustave Julliard, of Geneva, after a death from chloroform had occurred in his practice, abandoned the use of that anaesthetic and adopted ether. He administered it from a large, wire frame, the outside of which was covered with waxed cloth to make it impermeable to air, the inside with surgical gauze on to which the ether was poured. Large metal wire frame mask, covered in waxed paper, with gauze wrapped around the rim to prevent ether leaking out, effectively forming a rebreathing apparatus.ether, carbon dioxide, italian army, libya, 1940

Captured by 2/6 BN Signals in Benghazi Libya in February 1941Captured by 2/6 BN Signals in Benghazi Libya in February 1941Captured Italian Fascist flag mad of green, white and red cotton with black felt tip pen inscriptions on its white stripe." Taken at Bengasi Libya February 1941 By 2/6 BN. Signals VX3810 W.R. ANDERSON VX5124 CPL F. THOMPSON VX9552 O. HUTCHINS VX14051 Sig D.S. Beckwith VX 3900 RON. MERRY VX2418 R.F. PAIGE A. CLARKE VX3530 W.D. Whipp VX11631 Adelaide H.G. HOWARD VX1134 H.T. FRANCIS VX 5095 E. MOLESWORTH VX 14605 BRUNSWICK V. LUNN VX 3412 GEELONG WX 3588 X.A. HIGGINS VX 5037 S.A. PEMBERTON A.A.S. CAMERON GEELONG VX 4498 T. DOWNS VX15556 T.C. PETERSEN VX3661 B.W. SULLIVAN CARLTON PTE A.LONGHEED VX7589 St. Arnaud I.M. Cunningham VX 8416 ww2, 2/6 battalion, signals platoon, wark vc club

Cream Booklet with order of Service. Cover "For those who died in the Wars 1914-1918 and 1939-1945". Cyrenaica District of Libya and Tripoli.

.1) 6oth Italian Infantry Division, formed in May 1937 in Libya, destroyed in July 1942 near El Alamein..1) Medal, roundish shape, metal with ribbon, green colour and yellow down both sides. .2) Medal, rectangular shape, metal with section of cloth attached. Both have raised depictions..1) “Divisioni Di Fanteria Sabratha (60)” on rear. .2) “fervent Rotae, fervent Animi, Gruppo vignola 1941 1X” on reverse.60th division, italian

Portrayal of notable achievements of the men of the 2nd AIF in the compaigns of Libya, Cyrenaica, Greece, Crete, Syria in the defence of Tobruk and in Malaya Singapore.Cream and brown magazine with sketch depicting two soldiers charging with rifles and fixed bayonetsACF - total proceeds for Australian Comforts Fund Price 6dww2, 2nd aif

Book - Account of Battle campaign Tobruk, WW2.Hard cover book. Cover - cardboard, brown colour buckram cover with white print on spine (illegible). 140 pages - cut, plain, off white paper. Illustrated with black and white photographs and maps. End papers - illustrated sepia tones - map of Libya/Egypt (front) - map of Tobruk and battle. Campaign books.Front end paper - handwritten blue pen - "15-"books, military history, ww2, campaigns

Book is part of the Australian War Classics series presented by E E (Weary) Dunlop. Author documents the story of the fighting in & around Tobruk from January to December 1941.Book, soft cover, cardboard, white colour print on front, back & spine, cover illustrations - Troops debussing in a sand storm, Libya by Ivor Hele, purple, black, red & green colour background. Rising Sun badge on front & back covers, 348 cut plain pages, illustrated black & white coloured maps.Handwritten in blue colour ink on front flyleaf: F Fuller In black ink on front title page & page 348 - RSL Stampbooks, military history

The 17th Brigade (Australia) was an Infantry Brigade first formed in 1917 during WW1, but did not see action. The Brigade was reformed during WW2 and served in Libya, Greece and New Guinea. The Brigade was disbanded in 1946.This supplement is an original as printed and issued with The Argus News Paper on 22 February 1940.Oblong, buff colour news paper, souvenir supplement of The Argus,16 pages, 22 February 1940. The supplement is dedvoted to the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade 2nd A.I.F.The front cov er of the supplement has a photograph of Brigadier S.G. Savige, DSO, MC, ED, Commander. The following pages are photographs of Companies within the Brigade.ww1, ww2, 17th brigade, aif,

Information from the front cover; "DESTRUCTION/ OF AN ARMY/ The First Campaign/ in Libya/ Sept 1940 - Feb 1941/ THE ARMY AT WAR". Part of the William (Bill) THOMASON Collection. Refer Cat No. 4136P for more items.Soft cover book. Cover - heavy weight paper. White and Orange colour print on front, orange and mustard colour background. 63 pages, cut, plain, off white paper. Illustrated in sepia colours, photographs and maps. Dark brown colour ink print. Front and back end papers - contents list and photographs. Fastened with metal staples.publication, book, libya campaign, army, william (bill) thomason collection

The Book includes an account of the 5th Battalion at Gallipoli and the Western Front in WWI, the inter-war years, and the 2/5th Battalion in WWII in Libya, Greece, Syria and New Guinea. Includes Roll of Honour for both World Wars and Honours and Awards.429 pages book of The History of the Victorian (1988) By Brigadier F.W. SpeedHard Cover with Dust Jacket5/6 rvr, 5th battalion, 2/5th ballalion, bhq, book

This design Italian flag dates from 1848 - 1946. This one was taken at Derna in Libya between 10th - 15th November 1942. It was brought home to Australia by Alex ARCHER, No 40637, 3 Sqaudron RAAF. Refer Cat No 2597 for his service details.Italian battle flag made of coarsely woven cotton. Left 1/3 green, right 1/3 red, centre 1/3 white with a centred white cross on red background surounded by a blue shield shaped borderThere are no inscriptions or markings. The centre piece in the white area is the Italian Naval Ensign.flags-military, italian

During World War 2, more than 14,000 Australians fought at Tobruk (Libya), during the historic 242 day siege. These men became famously known as the Rats of Tobruk. After returning to Australia, the Tobruk siege servicemen looking for comradeship, established the Rats of Tobruk Association. Around 1944, active branches and sub-branches were started in every state. In more recent times, these branches and subbranches have been wound up owing to the declining numbers of surviving veteran members. The only exception has been the Victorian Branch, which has now operated for over 70 years.Large blue cloth banner housed between two timber poles. In the centre of the banner there is a crown above a grey,black and yellow T shape overlaid by a crest with a kangaroo in a yellow circleRats of Tobruk Assoc GV & NE Sub Branchrats of tobruk, ww2

German Luftwaffe (Land Forces) minefield warning flag from WWII.originally intended to be gas markers, rather than mines, but as it turned out, the use changed .they were mounted on a red metal pole & there were 12 to a set in a leather pack. This Flag was presented to the Treasurer of Waverley RSL. It is a souvenir from Bardia in Libya The Battle of Bardia was fought over three days between 3 and 5 January 1941, as part of Operation Compass, the first military operation of the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. It was the first battle of the war in which an Australian Army formation took part, the first to be commanded by an Australian general and the first to be planned by an Australian staff. Major General Iven Mackay's 6th Division assaulted the strongly held Italian fortress of Bardia, Libya, assisted by air support and naval gunfire, and under the cover of an artillery barrage. The 16th Infantry Brigade attacked at dawn from the west, where the defences were known to be weak. Sappers blew gaps in the barbed wire with Bangalore torpedoes and filled in and broke down the sides of the anti-tank ditch with picks and shovels. This allowed the infantry and 23 Matilda II tanks of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment to enter the fortress and capture all their objectives, along with 8,000 prisoners. In the second phase of the operation, the 17th Infantry Brigade exploited the breach made in the perimeter, and pressed south as far as a secondary line of defences known as the Switch Line. On the second day, the 16th Infantry Brigade captured the township of Bardia, cutting the fortress in two. Thousands of prisoners were taken, and the Italian garrison now held out only in the northern and southernmost parts of the fortress. On the third day, the 19th Infantry Brigade advanced south from Bardia, supported by artillery and the Matilda tanks, now reduced in number to just six. Its advance allowed the 17th Infantry Brigade to make progress as well, and the two brigades reduced the southern sector of the fortress. Meanwhile, the Italian garrisons in the north surrendered to the 16th Infantry Brigade and the Support Group of the British 7th Armoured Division outside the fortress. In all, some 36,000 Italian prisoners were taken. The victory at Bardia enabled the Allied forces to continue the advance into Libya and ultimately capture almost all of Cyrenaica. In turn this would lead to German intervention in the fighting in North Africa, changing the nature of the war in that theatre. Bardia boosted the competence and reputation of the Australian Army. Perhaps most important of all, it raised confidence in the possibility of an ultimate Allied victory around the world, which would lead to the Lend-Lease Act being passed in the United States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_BardiaCloth Flag bearing a skull and cross Bones on a metal spike mounted on a square varnished wooden basebardia, land mine, marker flag, minefield, mustard gas

In May 1941, a Bendigo soldier, Peter Odium, came across dead bodies being whipped by a Sahara sandstorm. The Libyan town of Tobruk became the scene of a desperate siege for control because of its port, which the allies had to hold if it had any chance of disrupting German supply lines across North Africa in 1941. Bendigo Advertiser two-page story entitled 'Diaries from Hell' - one soldier's diaries from the Siege of Tobruk tell a tale of the horrors of war, as we look ahead to Remembrance Day on November 11.bendigo, colin odium, siege of tobruk

Information regarding the circumstances of the eleven men of the Shire of Eltham who died serving their country in the Second World War and for whom the Eltham War Memorial was dedicated. Their names are listed on the Eltham Roll of Honour in order of rank. The image portrayed shows the eleven men (left to right, top to bottom) by date of fatality: CASTLEDINE, George Ernest, Spr., VX10044 (KIA 18 Apr 1941, Greece) GAHAN, Studley Manston, Capt., VX48379 (KIA 17 May 1941, Tobruk, Libya) RUTTER, David, Flying Off., 833 (400833) (KIA 9 Dec 1941, Bir El Gubbi, Libya) CLERKE, Alfred Charles, Cpl., VX23112 (KIA 2 Feb 1942, Laha, Ambon Island) DUNLOP, Cuthbert Douglas, Sgt., VX15252 (KIA 22 Nov 1942, Gona, New Guinea) INGRAM, Lester Neil, Flt. Sgt., 410236 (DOD 22 Apr 1943, Longworth, England) McLEAN, Stanley, Flt. Sgt., 419844 (KIA 7 Oct 1944, Emmerich, Germany) FELDBAUER, Theodore, Sgt., VX51733 (DOD 27 Mar 1945, Borneo) RUTTER, Donald Hemphill, Flt. Lt., 410262 (KIA 5 Apr 1945, Varrelbusch, Germany) FIELD, Kevin Francis, Pte., VX144763 (KIA 28 Jun 1945, Bougainville, PNG) BUTHERWAY, Jack Herbert, Pte, VX37645 (DOD 8 Jul 1945, Borneo)eltham war memorial, roll of honour, second world war, eltham, eltham roll of honour, shire of eltham, 2/4 field workshop, 22 independent brigade group ordnance workshop, a.i.f., australian army ordnance corps, australian corps of electrical and mechanical engineers, changi, falkiner street, florence mary butherway, jack herbert butherway, prisoner of war (pow), ranau number 1 jungle camp, sandakan death march, singapore, thomas james butherway, vx37645, 2/2 field company, 6th division, abington, annie castledine, arthur frederick castledine, george ernest castledine, greece, jean simonson, lower plenty, old eltham road, royal australian engineers, vx10044 sapper g. e. castledine, 2/23 bn, derril, gahan house, main road, rats of tobruk, studley manston gahan, tobruk, vx48379, 3 squadron r.a.a.f., aboukir, alamein memorial, beulah alice (simpson) rutter, bir el gubbi, broken hill aero club, david rutter, egypt, hubert rutter, libya, yarra braes, 2/21 bn, 23rd australian infrantry brigade, 8th division, alfred charles clerke, ambon island, battle of ambon, bidgeland park estate, inga caroline (nicholls) clerke, inga mary nicholls, laha airfield, nora ann clerke, rose matilda clerke, vx23112, william charles clerke, 2/14 bn, 2/16 bn, 21st brigade, 7th division, cuthbert douglas dunlop, gona, gona war cemetery, henry street, janet dunlop, kokoda track, new guinea, palestine, papua new guinea, port moresby (bomana) war cemetery, reuben cuthbert dunlop, syria, vx15252, 10 operational training unit, 410236, ada (key) ingram, berkshire, bomber command, england, group no. 91, john ingram, lester neil ingram, longworth, n.1374, r.a.a.f., r.a.f., r.a.f. abington, research (vic.), whitley v bomber, 419844, 514 bomber squadron, emmerich, germany, gordon stanley mclean, ji-g2, kleve, lancaster lm735, lucy mclean, mount pleasant road, r.a.f. waterbeach, reichswald forest war cemetery, stanley mclean, 2/10 ordnance workshops, albert feldbauer, eltham cricket association, eltham girls club, frank street, henry feldbauer, jessie margarette feldbauer, june feldbauer, ken ingram, margaret (feldbauer) ingram, montmorency imperials, research cricket club, research state school, sandakan number 1 camp, sandakan number 2 camp, theodore albert feldbauer, valerie (feldbauer) waller, violet amelda (teagle) feldbauer, vx51733, 247 ‘china-british’ squadron, caithness, cloppenburg, donlad hemphill rutter, essen, gloucester, hanover war cemetery, hanover-limmer british military cemetery, holten-lochem, oldenburg, r.a.f. castletown, r.a.f. station lealing, stoppenburg, typhoon ib jp443, typhoon ib sw526, 15th australian infantry brigade, 1940 cup, 3rd division, 57th/60th bn, best and fairest, bougainville island, buin road, mary field, mayona road, mivo river, mobiai river, montmorency, vx144763, william field

The album collection belonged to Jack Smethurst VX28896 Australian Army Survey Regiment (Royal Australian Artillery). Refer 549.4, 550.2, 557, 558.6.548.1P. Green front, picture of mosque, photos of Syria. Green cord on side. MIxture of B&W photos and small postcards. Four loose B&W photos inside front cover. 548.2P. Black cover, silver inlay of David's Tower. Brown cord on spine. Tourist and Australian Army B&W photos. Six loose B&W photos between first and second pages. 548.3P. Black cover, silver inlay of Rachael's Tomb. Brown cord on spine. Two loose photos on back pages. Tourist and Army photos of Libya, Palestine and Syria.books-albums, photography-photographs, middle east, military history, royal australian artillery

Khaki and Green is a summary of the scope of the activities of the Australian soldiers since last they related their experiences, in book form. To their homeland. It speaks of desert and jungle epitomising the two major regions of the campaign in which Australians have participated since October 1942 - the overthrow of Rommel's forces at El Alamein and the smashing of the Chinese in Papua.Collection of servicemen recounts, poems and cartoons from World War 2Faded light green hardcover front and back with title in centre symmetrical green and back lettering (shadowed) With the Australian Army at home and overseas. Text is repeated on spine of book. Front and back inside pages has an illustrations of a kit bag and it's contents and text - Palestine, United Kingdom, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Crete, Eritrea, Cyprus, Syria, Siam, Malaya, Java, Ambon, Ceylon, China, New Britain, Ocean islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Solomon's, Papua, Timor, Dutch New Guinea. Photos, illustrations, cartoons, poems. There are three copies held at the Lara RSL Sub Branch.To the memory of fallen comrades ‘They gave their lives. For the public gift they received a praise which never ages and a tomb most glorious – not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or dead…. ‘ blaney, aif, 6th and 7th division, poetry, middle east, south west pacific, darwin, nassau bay, kokoda, rats of moresby, bullybeef, night patrol, jungle fighters, prisoners of war, world war 2, ww2

Belonged to Clarence (Clarrie) Edward Nicholls who was a communications person on the Sunderland Flying Boats. He was in the Battle of Britain. He was seconded to the RAF and flew out of Plymouth. He was shot down a number of times. He was in the peace keeping corps in Japan and then Korea, and then went into the full time Korea. At one time Clarrie and his two brothers were in New Guinea at the same time. They knew they were all there together but they could not find each other, and officials would not tell them where they were. He flew the last Sunderland back to Lake Boga. He wanted to buzz his parents in Wodonga so he knew he was on the way, but the authorities wouldn't let him. Clarrie Nicholls was a flag bearer for the Melbourne Olympics.Red hard covered book of 200 pages. The following images are by official war artist Geoff Mainwaring (SX13471) who later taught painting at the Ballarat Technical Art School. * 'And Again. So-Heave', page 121 * 'Day's Work Done', page 121 * Untitled image, pg 185 Includes photographs of General Sir Thomas Blamey, Corporal Jim Gordon, John Lavarack, Iven Maccay, Australian Women's Army Service, Convalescent Diggers at Heidelberg Hospital; and maps of the Malay Peninsula and Singapore.clarence nicholls, nicholls, world war 2, geoffrey mainwaring, new guinea, singapore, libya, solomon islands, charles bush, ivor heale, g.j. browning

The Rats of Tobruk were soldiers of the Australian-led Allied garrison that held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The siege started on 11 April 1941 and was relieved on 10 December. The port continued to be held by the Allies until its surrender on 21 June 1942. HUTCHINS, Mervyn Arthur Thomas VX27912 Born in Mornington, Victoria, October 1906, Mervyn joined the Australian Armed Forces in Caulfield in June 1940. Mervyn was posted with the 2/23rd Battalion and was sent to Tobruk. He died at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in the 1970'sMervyn Hutchins owned this jacket. He was both a RAT of Toburk and a patient at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.Navy blue woolen jacket pocket with embroideryLarge letter T with red crown. Overlay of the RATS of Tobruk logo with Victoria embroidered across the bottomrats of tobruk, wwii, world war two, second world war, uniforms, mervyn hutchins collection