Colin George ODLUM No VX45898 enlisted In the 2nd AIF on 1.7.1940 age 22 years. Colin was then posted to the 2/23rd Bn on 16.10.1940 at Bonegilla, embarked on 16.11.40 for the Middle East and disembarked on 17.12.1940. He was then graded group 2 Signaller. He went through the siege of Tobruk. Colin was KIA on 12.7.1942 at El Alamein. He is listed as buried 13.7.1942 grave No 11 map ref El Alamein 1/50000 87703021. He was required later at El Alamein cemetery grave 10, plot 8 row H 4.12.1942. As per the diary in case of his death he allotted any personnel affects to Miss Bettie Bird, refer 136.2P. The original diary was held by William (Billy) Bird, Betties brother, refer 1601. Billy and Colin rode bikes together. Also refer 128.2, 135.2, 137.3PPhotocopy of an extensive 56 page diary written by Colin ODLUM.Private Odlum C.G VX45898 HQ Coy 2/23 Batt AIF Abroad, Age 24, A2, Mdocuments, diaries, copies, military history

Wallet & mirror belonged to Colin ODLUM VX45898 2/23rd Batt AIF. KIA 12.7.42. Refer 127.56, 135.2, 136.2P, 137.3P. .1) Brown leather wallet, folds in half, stitched all round. .2) Shaving mirror, polished stainless steel with small slot for hanging..1) Wallet has "C Odlum 2nd AIF" scratched on inside. .2) Shaving mirror has "C Odlum" scratched on one side.personal effects, grooming, toilet requisites, shaving, money containers, metalcraft, leatherwork

The two cyclists were taken prisoner in North Africa. The prisoners gave the photo to Colin Odlum and the result was that the photo came back to Australia and given to William (Billy) Bird who loaned the photo to the Cycling Club in Bendigo. Colin Odlum VX45898 2/23 Batt AIF. KIA 12.7.42. Refer 127.56, 128.2, 137.3P. Bettie Bird refer 136.2, Billy Bird 1601. .1) Photo, B & W of two Italian men on Racing Bikes with building in the background. .2) Original newspaper article re Italian POW's and Colin Odlum on a black background. .1) On the rear faded writing re the two cyclists "POW's"documents, historical notes, photography, photographs, military history

Bettie Elizabeth Bird VF508756 enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service on 10.4.43. She was discharged from the army on 18.8.44. Colin Odlum VX45898 2/23Batt AIF, KIA 12.7.42 at El Alamein. Colin and Bettie were engaged prior to him embarking. Refer 127.56 re Colin. Refer 1601 re William (Billy) Betties brother. .1) Photograph, B&W of Bettie Bird in uniform. .2) Newspaper clipping with photo of Colin Odlum re "Xmas greetings to Miss Bettie Bird".1) "Kalma studio Pall Mall Bendigo" .2) "Greetings from Tobruk"documents, newspapers, uniforms female, photographs, army, photography

Colin George Odlum VX45898 2/23 Batt AIF, KIA 12.7.42. Refer 127.56, 128.2, 135.2, 136.2P.Items relating to Colin Odlum. .1) Copy of the inside page of Colin's diary, laminated. .2) Photo, B & W of Colin Aboard ship going to the Middle East. .3) Original newspaper clipping with 10 photos re casualties including Colin, set on black cardboard.photography, photographs, military history

Photographs from Colin G. ODLUM VX 45898 from HQ COY 2/23 Batt. Posted to Palestine December 1941. Refer Cat no 127.56 for service details Box 7 Two original black and white photographs with white borders of Australian Soldiers Club Jerusalem and Haifa Port demo a height. Both photos. on the back “From VX 45898, ODLUM C. G., HQ COY, 2/23 BATT, AIF, Abroad, 20/12/41 .2) Written on the front “ AUSTRALIAN CLUB JERUSALEM “ palestine, ww2, soldiers club, haifa

William (Billy) Bird VX 113169 enlisted in the 2/14th Batt 2nd AIF on 19.10.42 age 18 years. He served in the Pacific and was discharged from the Army on 21.8.46. Refer 136.2P re his sister Bettie. Refer 127.56 re Colin Odlum.Record of Service book A.A.B 83 re W Bird. Khaki card covers."VX113169 Pte Bird W"documents-records, military history-service records, army

On 29 November 1940, a suspension bridge opened between San Remo on the mainland and with Newhaven on Phillip Island. The 540 metre bridge had two lanes but no footpaths, instead having six pedestrian refuges. The main span was 168 metres long. The cables had previously been used on a bridge on Sydney's North Shore. Because of weight restrictions, tourist coaches had to offload their passengers. [Wikipedia]HistoricalFoolscap size photocopy of a petition to Shire of Phillip Island for a bridge to Phillip Island in 1937. Signed by 42 local residents and ratepayers.first phillip island bridge to san remo, phillip island suspension bridge, petition, odlum, ockleford, regos, mcguigan, west, mcfee, richardson, underdown, mcmaster, cleeland, neely, leeson, saunders, scott, brown, hislop, donnellan, rackham, findlay, anderson