The contents are mainly War news, maps, advertising and sports, rear page has photos of Women volunteers in the “WANS” Women’s Australian National Service.Newspaper, AIF news, Issued by the Australian Imperial Force Middle East, classed as 8 pages, yellowed, all print in black, illustrated with maps and photos.“The AIF News - Saturday June 7 1941”the aif news, middle east, 1941

The main content is war news with photos plus sports news, interesting adverts by businesses in Cairo and Alexandria, last page has photos of Australian soldiers in Syria with ancient Roman and Crusader ruins.Newspaper, The AIF News, issued y the Australian Imperial Force Middle East, classed as 8 pages, yellowed, all print in black, contains photos.“The AIF News, Saturday 5 July 1941 No 69”the aif news, middle east, 1941

The A.I.F.= The Australian Imperial Force and this newspaper was supplied free to the troops of the Australian Army Canteens Service. This issue is dated Saturday 22nd December 1941. It includes advertisments for businesses in Cairo and Alexandria; Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Page 2 includes a poem titled "This Holy Night" by Pte C.M. Walker; two sonnets by Rupert Brooke; a poem, "Waiting Dreams" by Pilot Officer J.A. Henderson RAAF and a poem by Lieut. David McNicoll AIF Abroad Air Mail - Palestine. Page 3 includes a message from General Sir Thomas Blamey, an article on the part women would increasingly play as a consequence of the emergency war policy; an advertisment for tobacco specially packed for overseas forces. Page 4 includes an article on Australian coastal cities being ready for raids. Page 5 includes an article about the Commonwealth of the Philippines and their defense which until 1946 lay with America. General D Macarthur was the Commander In Chief in the Philippines. Germany's "secret Weapon" legend. Page 6 includes "Dancing Dan's Christmas"; "Bluey and Curley" comic strip. Page 7 includes article "Rommel's Armoured Might Lies Strewn Over Libyan Sands" Page 8 includes an article: "All In Fun" - a revue - has begun a tour of Australian camps in Palestine and Syria. Page 9 includes articles "War Will Revolutionise Air Services In Australia"; a list - Greek Awards To AIF Officers and a cartoon by George Aria titled 'Jonah '. Pages 10&11 "Christmas 1941" - messages from prominent people: Mr Winston Churchill; The Govenor General (Lord Gorrie); The Prime Minister (Mr Curtin); Mininster for the Army (Mr Forde). Also photos of army operations and traditional family Christmas time. Page 12 &13 Articles regarding sport under the heading 'Australian Sporting Digest'. Page 14 A story - "The Gift of the Magi" - an O Henry Christmas Story. Also a greeting from Myer's of Melbourne and Adelaide to all Myer Men in the AIF Page 15 An article where General Blamey reassures Australia about its capability of defence. Page 16 A description of a battle by Australian sloop "Parramatta" with HMAS "Auckland" against enemy planes whilst they were escorting a merchant ship with a cargo of petrol during the Battle of Tobruk Page 17 & 18 Pages under the title 'ACK-I-FOOFS' (Articles submitted by soldiers: The real Rat of Tobruk - a rat trained by L/Cpl Jack Kneeshaw which he named "Goebbels"; poems and cartoons. Page 19 "Women of War" - photos of women at work filling in for men who have gone to war. Page 20 Xmas Greetings 1942-1942 - a 1942 Calendar signed by 14 members of the AIF, some with messages and including their Army Number. Twenty pages of news supplied free to the troops by the Australian Army Canteens Service.The last page is a calendar for 1942 with personal inscriptions and greetings of servicemen. Some inscriptions have I.D. Numbers ( VX35435 W. Johnston; QX20753 of Carmody ; VX40449 ; VX39637 N. Powell; VX32054 Blue Ernistson?; N?X23234 W.Cummins; VXthe a.i.f. news christmas edition 1941, australian imperial force, world war 2, australian army canteens service, general blamey, world war 2 - pacific war, world war 2 - phillipine islands, general d macarthur, emergency plans ww2 australia, secret weapons ww2, western desert ww2, australian imperial force - western desert ww2, civil aviation post ww2, air services australia, lord gowrie, governor general lord gowrie, prime minister john curtain, minister for the army - mr forde, cartoons 1941, women-in ww2, xmas greetings calendar 1941-1942, cairo 1941, palestine 1941, western desert 1941, advertisements 1941, middle east 1941

Image depicts a group of 5 soldiers all believed to be under 16 years who served with the 2nd AIF in the Middle East in 1941. VX56792 George COKER DOB 11/9/1921 - 2/24 Battalion - was wounded in action on 31/10/1942. SLUNINGS not listed as serving with the 2/24 Battalion. The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Reproduced sepia photograph of 5 soldiers seated and all wearing slouch hats Attached on rear - 2nd AIF Babes Middle East 1941 - All under 16 years Back Row - Laycock 2/21 / Unknown 2/23 Front Row - Coker 2/24 / Slunings 2/24 / Unknown 2/242/24th battalion, wangaratta, george coker

2 x Active Service - With Australia in the Middle Eastaustralia in the middle east, active service 1941-1945

Rowland James HUGHES VX 51510 born 2/1/1911 at Wangaratta. Enlisted 6/3/1941 and was deployed to the Middle East in 1941 and Morotai in May 1945 during the second world war. He served in the Signal Corp and 1st Australia Tech Maintenance Section. The images depict the formal signing of the surrender of the Japanese Forces at Morotai on September 9 1945.The surrender of Imperial Japan was announced on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. There were a number of surrender ceremonies including Morotai on September 9 1945,Black plastic frame containing 7 photographs on cream coloured paper document on black mount.Donated by Jean Hughes of Wangaratta on behalf of her husband ROWLAND J HUGHES VX51510morotai, ww2, japanese surrender

image of soldiers wearing shorts loading stretcher into rear of vehicle most likely taken during the middle east campaign in 1941 one of whom is possibly Francis Williams VX 34295 of the 2/24th Battalion.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of seven soldiers of which four are loading a stretcher into rear of vehicle.Handwritten on rear - Tobruk 1941 Left Francis William ? ???2/24th battalion, tobruk, ww2, middle east

Christmas card sent from the Middle East, Dec 1941 from Trooper J.A. Martindale, 9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment A.I.F.; to "Fellow Members of the A.N.A. wishing you all A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year" Two shhets of beige card a Christmas card front, with Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge b central message, hand written from Trooper J.A. Martindale9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment A.I.F.

The cards relate to a collection re John EDWARDS VX3857 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 536 for his service details and Miss McLURE..1) Envelope, faded blueish colour, stamped by censor in top left corner and signed. Stamped by P.O appears to be 16 Dec 42. Envelope addressed to "Miss A.E McClure 40 York St Prahran TI Victoria Australia." .2) Christmas card, folds in half, yellow ribbon at fold, front has colour patch at top, under "Second Australian General hospital AIF, Middle East Christmas 1941." Inside, photo of lake and boats. Printed with "Season's Greetings," handwritten message included..2) "WIshing you a Merry Christmas & a Bright & Happy New Year 1941, from John to Addie."cards, xmas, 2nd agh

Christmas card sent to a family in Australia by Australian Army serviceman, Noel Blundell who served in Syria during World war 2. The card is in the form of a booklet consisting of the cover and one double page insert. The card front cover has the Australian 'Rising Sun' badge and the words "9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment" and "A. I. F.". The centre pages have an illustration of a village scene on the left page and the words "A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year" printed on the right page. The serviceman has written "To Alice From Noel" beneath the Christmas message. At the bottom of this page are the words "MIDDLE EAST" and "DECEMBER 1941". The rear cover page has an illustration of two camels, one leading the other.christmas, middle east, 2nd aif, army, aif, ww2, world war 2, syria, blundell, noel blundell, 9th australian division

Alan Kenneth Naismith, VX4838 enlisted in the AIF on 23.10.1939 age 24 years 7 months. Hospital 2.11.39 - 6.11.39 unlisted, posted to 2/7th Bn 6th Division 2nd AIF on 25.11.1939, hospital 2.3.40 - 19.3.40 unlisted, embarked for the Middle East 18.4.1940 arriving 17.5.1940, hospital twice between 31.7.40 - 22.8.40 unlisted, total 11 days, embark for Greece 9.4.1941, return to Middle East late May/June 1941 medical, promoted Cpl 20.7.1941, A/Sgt 14.2.1942, embark for Australia 12.3.1942 arriving 38.3.1942, hospital 9.6.42 - 16.6.42 with Threadworm, embark for New Guinea 13.10.1942, promoted Sgt 29.10.42, revert to Cpl at own request 25.11.1942, hospital with Malaria 18.1.43 - 9.2.43. During the period of August 1st - 5th 1943 at an area called Bobdubi Ridge Alan is awarded the DCM and is WIA on the 5th, GSW to right shoulder, embarks from Pt Moresby 27.9.1943 arriving Cairns 30.9.1943, hospital Malaria 13.2.44 - 10.3.44, accidental injury 6.5.1944 fractured left clavicle, discharged from the Army on 8.9.1944. The Official History of Australia in WW2 states that Sgt Naismith had gained a reputation as a booby trap expert and was interested in these gadgets.The citation is on a light parchment type paper rectangular in shape. Colour is into a fawn with stains and marks from handling. Creases from folding have left several small tears. The rear is blank with sticky tape holding the citation together at the folds.At the top of the Citation is a seal, blue in colour with the words, Govenor - General, Commonwealth of Australia. The centre coat of arms of the seal has fine writing which is unreadable. There are no other markings except for the citation wording itself. “Distinguished Conduct Medal Corporal Alan Kenneth Naismith ( VX4838 )”citation dcm, a.k.naismith vx4838, documents - certificates

Messages in relation to the death of "Mervyn Clive Townsend" KIA on sinking of the HMAS SYDNEY by the HSK Kormoran on 15 Nov 1941. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.Folded white Sympathy cards for Mervyn Townsend. Sizes ranging from 13 x 8 to 10 x 8 cm. 1. Folded three sheets with message in middle. Cover says sent in Heartfelt Sympathy. 2. Folded 3 sheets with message in middle and cover saying "With Deepest Sympathy". 3. Folded 2 sheets with message in middle and cover sheet saying "With Sincere Sympathy". 4. Folded 2 pieces with inside message and cover sheet saying "With Sincerest Sympathy". 5. Double folded sheet with message "Peace, perfect peace and dove flying over a sun and picture of Lilies all in black." 1. From Mr. & Mrs. John Owen, East Melbourne. 2. From Norma D. Young, Bendigo. 3. From Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Horne. 4. From E. Casey & sisters, Murrumbeena. 5. From Mr. & Mrs D.J. Treage, Balwyn. hmas sydney, hsk kormoran, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Sepia coloured picture of a soldier standing in front of a tentLeslie Hoare in training in Egypt 1941 Service WWI France Service WWII Middle East

Letter dated 23/6/1941 from Chris McKinley VX46283. From 21st Aust Infantry Training Battalion, abroad in Middle East. Letter sent home to Miss L. Crozier. Letter is signed off by soldier's Officers and filled in on Salvation Army stationary specifically for Australian troops.1 & 2. Two page letter on Salvation Army stationary of approx A.4 size. Paper faded to a yellow colour. Folded into sixth size. 3. Envelope has address and stamp saying "Passed by Censor". Corners of the envelope ripped.Front marked "Air-Mail" and signature of Officer. Two pages off content and also signature of Officer. Both envelope and letters marked in imprint of "The Salvation Army" and red shield has stamp saying "Passed by Censor".middle east, 21st infantry training battalion., letter

Framed banner on stand. Frame - timber with decorative detail, brown stain with glass front, frame attached to timber stand. Feet supporting frame with piano hinge and chain. Mount - green felt Banner - blue silk like background, with embroidered foliage, flowers, building and inscription in colour. Yellow silk like fringe.Handwritten on back of frame "Made by M. Bowles. Feb. 1993" Embroidered on banner "Souvenir of Holyland/Mosque of Omar/1941"souvenir, wwii, middle east

Australia in the War 1939-1945. Series 2 NAVY Volume 1Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - Royal Australian Navy 1939-1942 Maps, Photographs and IllustrationsInside front page has a handwritten letter on personal paper from George Herman Gill to Oscar Esther - June 1958. Inscription - Presented to Lara Sub Branch RSSAILA Lara, Vic by Squadron Leader O.A. Mendelssohn an old friend and admirer of the author, commander G.H. Gill OBE June 1958. Australian War Memorialnavy, ran ships overseas to june 1940, ran ships overseas june-december 1040, western desert campaign, greece, crete, the middle east, mediterranean to end of 1941, south-west pacific, abda and anzac

Frederick Lloyd CARLETON enlisted on 24.10.1939 No VX1555 age 33 Years. He was posted to 2/6th Div Signals but was discharged Medically unfit on 20.1.1940. He then re enlisted on 1.7.1940 No VX33476, posted to 2/23rd Bn 20.8.1940, promoted L/Cpl 14.9.1940, embarked for the Middle East 16.11.1940, promoted to Cpl 18.12.1940, Sgt 14.12.1941, embarked for Australia 31.4.1943 and disembarked Melb 25.2.1943. In the Middle East he was one of 10 to receive a Commander in Chiefs Commendation during Sept 1941. Served in the Tobruk Seige , Lebanon and El Alamein. He met and married a British Army Nursing sister in Palestine 1942. Hospitalised in Seymour Vic with Furuncles. Embarked for Milne Bay from Cairns and disembarked 4.8.1943, embarked 31.1.1944 (unclear) and disembarked 7.2.1944 (unclear), hospital with Malaria 2.6.1944. On discharge being medically unfit 12.9.44 he held the rank of Sergeant. Service abroad was 1023 days.Medal set, court mounted, group of (7) re F.L.Carleton. 1. 1939-45 star, brass colour. 2. Africa star, brass colour with clasp 8th Army. 3. Pacific star, brass colour. 4. Defence medal, round silver colour. 5.War medal 1939-45, round silver colour. 6. Australian service medal, round silver colour. 7. Tobruk commemorative medal "T" shaped."VX33476 F.L.Carleton"numismatics, medals, metalcraft, military

The paper was issued by the Australian Imperial Forces in the Middle East, contained War news, advertising (Cairo) and sports. Interesting on page 1 is that all 3 Aust services were in action together for the first time in history, last page has photos of Australian soldiers in Syria and the Litani River.Newspaper The AIF News, classed as 8 pages, yellowed, all print in blackFront page, “The AIF News Saturday 12 July 1941, No 70”the aif news, papers, middle east

John MURPHY VX15580 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 26.2.1940 age 28 years 5 months. Posted to 2/7th Bn on 6.4.1940 and embarked for the Middle East on 15.4.1940, embarked for Greece 9.4.1941 and returned from there in June 1941. Embarked for Australia on 8.3.1942 and disembarked Ceylon 7.4.1942 and did not re embark until 12.7.1942 and arrived in Australia 4.8.1942. Transfers to 2nd Aust Tank W/Shops AEME on 3.10.1942 and then 2/4th Aust Base W/Shops, discharged from the Army on 3.10.1945. In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed and it was rebuilt from a small core in Palestine in Garrison duties and then in Ceylon before returning to Australia..1)Medal set, brass plate mounted , group of (5) re .J. Murphy 1.1939 -45 star 2. Africa star 3. Defence medal 4. War medal 1939 -45 5. Australian service medal .2) Ribbon , single "Africa Star" with pins uniform attachment"VX15580 J Murphy"numismatics- medals - military, metalcraft

John EDWARDS VX3857. John enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 24.10.1939 age 33 years. Posted to 2/6th BN on 10.11.1939 and then to Provost Corp 6th Aust Div on 2.12.1939. Embarked to the Middle East 11.1.1940, embarked for Greece 1.4.1941 and disembarked back in Egypt in May 1941, embarked for Aust and arrived 27.2.1943. Embarked for Milne Bay NG on 28.7.1943, embarked from Finschafen and arrived in Australia 10.3.1944. He was hospitalised twice in the Middle East with Conjunctivitis then Varicose veins, Malaria in Australia after return from NG. Discharged from the 2nd AIF on 22.10.1945. His records state he married and was date entered 5.4.1944, Wife Mrs A.E.Edwards of 40 York St Prahran. The collection re EDWARDS has cards etc from two other soldier friends of the then Miss McLURE.Christmas stocking, canvas, both sides printed with numerous cartoons and decorative stitching around edge - red white and blue wool.To,"VX3857 L/Cpl J.Edwards 26 Coy AIT B MEF AIF Abroad". From "A McLure 40 York St Prahran Vic".handcrafts - sewing, stocking, xmas

A souvenir brass ashtray in the form of a small circular dish. The ashtray is decorated with an embossed Middle East scene depicting a helmeted soldier riding a camel. The scene also shows palm trees, local plants, a pyramid and a monkey. The edge of the dish is scalloped. The underside of the ashtray has been engraved indicating that it was a sports competition trophy. This is one of a pair, see 00274.1, Souvenir, Trophy.The underside of the ashtray has been engraved with the following text "ATHLETIC SPORTS MEETING NAZARETH, OCTOBER 5th 1941 HIGH JUMP 1ST CPL M.R.WILLIAMS"

A souvenir brass ashtray in the form of a small circular dish. The ashtray is decorated with an embossed Middle East scene depicting a helmeted soldier riding a camel. The scene also shows palm trees, local plants, a pyramid and a monkey. The edge of the dish is scalloped. The underside of the ashtray has been engraved indicating that it was a sports competition trophy. This is one of a pair, see 00274.2, Souvenir, Trophy.The underside of the ashtray has been engraved with the following text "ATHLETIC SPORTS MEETING NAZARETH, OCTOBER 5th 1941 KICKING THE FOOTBALL 1ST CPL M.R.WILLIAMS"

World War Two souvenir.This framed World War Two souvenir is an embroidered silk centrepiece. On a pink background, fringed in yellow, appear two red hearts in the top left and right corners. Inside the hearts, in yellow, are the words - 'To My' - 'Sister'. Underneath, the words 'Souvenir of Palestine' are embroidered in a yellow arc, a rising sun in orange, a red, green and blue crown, and - 'Australian' - 'Commonwealth' - 'Military Forces' - in yellow and blue. At the botton there are two trees either side of two domed buildings, all in red, green and blue. 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces'. '1941'. 'To my Sister'. 'Souvenir of Palestine'.embroidery, middle east, australia, military, commonwealth, 1941, souvenir, second world war, palestine

This 1917 dated 18pr shell case has a plaque in memory of Ernest 'Cappy' Sinclair. WW1 18pr guns were all that was available in the early days of WW2 and were used until the arrival of modern 25pr guns. Ernest served in the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion which was raised in Puckapunyal in Victoria in May 1940. After completing training, the battalion sailed for the Middle East aboard the Queen Mary in April 1941. Brass shell casing with in-memorium plaque attached.Plaque affixed to item: "PRESENTED TO / MONTMORENCEY RSL SUB BRANCH / In Memory Of Our Father / EARN "CAPPY" SINCLAIR / VX74235 - 2/2 PIONEER BN / THE SINCLAIR FAMILY" Engravings from original shell on bottom (see image)shell, 2/2 pioneer battalion, ernest sinclair, ww2, second world war, vx74235

During World War II, Wanganella was converted to serve as an Australian Hospital Ship (AHS). Between 19 May 1941 and 1946, AHS Wanganella carried wounded and sick evacuees from the Middle East, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Borneo and the South Pacific, travelling over 251,011 nautical miles (464,872 km) and transporting 13,385 wounded. A.H.S Wanganella 2/2nd Australian Hospital ship. Ref: "Hospital Ships" Rupert Goodman SLV LT 359.8364 0994 G62H Trip 8 Depart 12th Nov 1942 Melbourne Fremantle Aden 10th - 11th Dec 1942 Port Tewfik, Egypt 21st - 22nd Dec 1942 Colombo, Sri Lanka 01 Jan 1943 Fremantle Adelaide Melbourne Sydney Arrived 13th Jan 1943 Brisbane Wanganella left Colombo 22nd December 1942 for Fremantle, with patients who boarded at Port Tewfik in Egypt arriving on New Year's day 1943. The menu is printed on fawn cardboard. The menu has been torn along the spine and rearranged at some time to put on display. There is evidence of glue or tape damage at the back of each corner of the card. Some grease and finger marks are evident on the front and back of the card. The printing is very legible. The heading 'Christmas Greetings' is at the top of the front page and 'Christmas Day 1942' at the bottom of the page. Originally the menu was assembled as a leaflet with the menu on the inside of the second sheet. Since this time, the menu has been torn along the middle fold and the second page sheet taped to the first page. There is a red cross on the front page with a printed illustration of the Wanganella superimposed over the top. H.M.A.H.S. Wanganella and the dinner menu are printed in dark blue ink. The Christmas greetings and the names of the commander and officer in command of the troops are printed in light blue ink. h.m.a.h.s. wanganella, w.w.ii hospital ship

Hard Cover. Image of Soldier on Front coverPublished for THE MILITARY HISTORY AND INFORMATION SECTION, A.I.F. (MIDDLE EAST) By THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA 1941

Stephenson departed Melbourne on 3 September 1941 onboard the Queen Mary. Diary runs from departure date until September 1 1942, covering Stephenson's Middle East service and his wounding in action at Alamein. One year later, Stephenson was wounded in action at Buiem River in New Guinea, and a few days later died from the wounds received.WW 2 diary of William Stephenson (VX 51713 2/23 Battalion).william john stephenson, ww11, 2/23 battalion, diaries

As an official war artist, Dargie produced works in the Middle East, New Guinea, India and Burma. At war's end Dargie was sent to Greece to 'make good, the discrepancies in art coverage of the disastrous campaign that took place in 1941.'WWII Easel, working sketch (1942), trunk and officer's cap of William Dargie (VX 93433)Trunk marked "Wanted on voyage".william alexander dargie, war artists