A hinged wooden stick that is used in military situations. It is kept in the Comradeship Lounge as a link to the legatees' military background. A pace stick is a training instrument used to gauge the length of pace and measure distance and interval for military parades. Legacy has a strong link to the military, most early legatees would be familiar with the pace stick and its use.Wooden stick that is hinged, has metal tips and is used as a pace tool.comradeship, pace stick

The Pace Stick is used to measure the correct length of pace. Rhythm and uniformity in marching is achieved by using the Pace Stick as well as the drum and metronome. Correct pace length is necessary not only for ceremonial purposes, but also to reduce fatigue on long marches and set the standard of accuracy required of soldiers. The Pace Stick is actually two pieces of timber, hinged at the top and able to be set to a particular distance, something like the compass set you used at school.

Shield shaped plaque made from dark varnished wood. Located centrally is a pace stick and a SLR in gold. puckapunyal, regimental wing

The photo is John Thomas O’Bree MM, No 6865, 22nd Batt AIF. Refer Cat No 1334 for his service history and award of the Military Medal.Photo B & W of a soldier in peak hat standing holding a pace stick. Photo is pasted to a light fawn coloured piece of cardboard.photographs, 22nd

The “Axe Handle” awards originated in 1988, when WO2 Zachary Reark (CSM B Coy and son of famed Old Mentonian, Jim Reark) found an old axe handle in the bush at the end of the 1988 annual Cadet camp. This he proudly marched out of camp with, under arm, in the manner of one bearing a pace stick. This idea seemed to catch on with the then CO, LTCOL Tony Drinan who decided that each CSM would be issued with one of these as a “perpetual trophy” marking his promotion to the rank of WO2 and appointment as a CSM. The name of the recipient was duly engraved on a plate affixed to the handle. The Archive Centre holds about 12 such axes as well as this original.

Manual consists of fiteen chapters related to drill movements. 1. Information for the Instructor. 2. Squad drill without arms - at the halt. 3. Marching. 4. Marching in line and changing direction and formation. 5. Rifle exercises at the halt and on the march. 6. Rifle drill for funerals. 7. Pistol drill - 9mm Browning. 8. Sentry Drill. 9. Quarter guards and sentries. 10. Sword Drill. 11. Drill with the cane. 12. Drill with the pace stick. 12. Unit drill - platoon drill. 14. Unit Drill - Company drill. 15. Unit drill - non-ceremonial. Plus list of illustrations, figures and tables. Part of the collection of KEVIN JOHN HERDMAN, No. 397661. See Cat. No. 5942P for details of his service record.Khaki coloured, textured soft covered manual with two punched holes for attaching to a ring binder. Title on front, cover in black type. Army logo in black. Pages are white in colour with black type. Black and white photographs and diagrams. Fifteen chapters. Pages glued to spine.drill movements, australian army, training manual, kevin john herdman

SIGNALWOMEN An appreciation by an instructor (Sgt J.F. Larkins). Presented to Signalwoman Ruth Franklin after training in Melbourne 1942. After training, Ruth served on Rottnest Island as a communicator in the Plotting Room, Oliver Hill “Join the Corps of Signals”, the clarion call went forth, “Volunteer for the A.W.A.S. and let another man go north.” So you came into the Signals, in Australia’s hour of need, And let a thousand men go up the line, to meet the yellow breed. Where the lazy Yarra flows, through the green Victorian glade, They formed a school of Signals, to teach you in our trade, And the Old Ones, they were cynical, their tones were full of Jeers, “Women in the Signals! What rot!” But their moans have turned to cheers. You were tossed into the melting pot, that is an Australian Army camp. There weren’t many comforts, there were no electric lamps, There weren’t many blankets, it was cold in those tin huts, But the A.W.A.S. came up smiling; you had good Australian GUTS. The hours were long and wearisome, you were given lots of work, But we didn’t find a loafer, we knew not one to shirk. We made the pace a hard one, sometimes there were tears, But you lasses learned as much in months, as we men absorbed in years. You’re in the ARMY now; you all wear the Rising Sun, Sometimes you’ll be unhappy, but stick till the job is done. Time there will be, when the nerves are frayed, and all you do is bungle, Just feel the badge on your tunic, and remember your mates in the jungle. We wish you luck, and God-speed you on your way, And wherever war may scatter us, we’ll look forward to the day, When the final battle’s over and you’ve sent your last G.B., And the DIGGERS and the A.W.A.S. march in the parade of VICTORY. GB (Golf Bravo) is the sign off God Bless [G] DAH DAH DIT [B] DAH DI DI DIT Transcription of poem by Signals instructor Sgt JF Larkins presented to Signal Woman Ruth Franklin during Training in 1943. Read during 75th anniversary commemoration of proofing of Oliver Hill Battery, Rottnest Island. Computer printed on A4 bond paper.