William 'Bill' Leo Larkin (b. 19.09.1898) was born in Hawthorn (Vic). [His World War I enlistment papers give details of the Hawthorn birthdate, as well as Ballarat, but his birth records state his birth as Hawthorn). After leaving St Patrick's College in Ballarat in 1917, he enlisted in the army serving in England and France. At the time of his enlistment in the army in the Second World War (17 April 1940), he was recorded as living in Kew. His service number was VX11459. The Sands & McDougall Directory of 1938 gives his address as 31 Fernhurst Grove. In the army he served in the Middle East and in New Guinea. He was to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1942. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in 1946. Enlistment Presentation Wallets were presented by the City of Kew from 1940 to men who enlisted in the war. Typically, these wallets are dated 1939, even though the enlistment may have occurred at a later date.Memento presented to citizens of Kew (vic.) on enlistmentRectangular brown leather single fold wallet with eight internal pockets. The front includes an embossed City of Kew logo and the words ‘Presented by the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Kew to W. L. Larkin on Enlistment for Active Service Abroad, 1939'.second world war 1939-1945, world war two, city of kew, william leo larkin, bill larkin, presentation wallets

On Saturday 17 May 1947, an article on page 25 of the Australian Women’s Weekly reported on the formation of a new women's club: the East Kew Women’s Community Club. The article reads: "Wives and mothers in a Melbourne suburb, East Kew, have formed the East Kew Women's Community Club. While babies and young children are under the supervision of a play leader, wives and mothers follow up their own interests. The club caters for varying tastes, has musical appreciation, drama, and "Keep Fit" classes. President Mrs. Grace Thake says that the club hopes soon to have tennis, debating, and discussion groups. The club originated from a debate, "Should women take an active part in social and civic affairs?" Two days later their interest in these matters was proved by the forming of the club, which took for its motto: "To help others, improve ourselves, and foster the community spirit." Membership is open to all women, regardless of age, politics, and religion, and aims to co-operate with all societies working for the improvement of health and cultural standards." The East Kew Women's Community Club, also called the East Kew Women's Community Club functioned from 1946 to the end of the 1960s (to be verified). The records of the Club were placed with Kew Historical Society to preserve them for posterity. The records and objects belonging to the East Kew Women's Community Club have significance socially for their capacity to illuminate women's associations in the post war period in Australia.Brown leather wallet, dated 1946, embossed with the owner's name and information about the club of which she was the founding president."G Thake | Founder EKWC | 1946 To help others | Improve ourselves | Foster the community spirit"community clubs - kew (vic), women's clubs - kew (vic), east kew women's club, grace thake, presentation wallets

Presentation wallet & some personal papers & Picture. Sgt EJ Hales 10 Aust Field Regt. Fred Lancashire is with himephemera

[see inscriptions] Black and white mounted photograph. Approximately 160 men (171 according to inscription on the back) sitting on large tables at a formal dinner event; all weatinh suits and posing for photograph. Photo was taken in a large rooom with a stage, Malvern Town Hall accoring to inscriptions on the back - tables occupy centre and front of photograph - but in the background: [left] Australia flag, WWII poster; [center] stage with painted landscape and piano; [right] WWII poster and Britain flag. [information of event on newspaper cutting stuck on the back - as described on Inscriptions]Handwritten: 171 PRESENT // FEB 1945 // (?) OFF SUPT KNOTT // INSPT SAMBLEBE // CONST GRAMBEU /// MALVERN TOWN HALL Newspaper cutting glued to frame: Supt. J. R. H. Knott, has rettired from the Police Force after 38 and half years' service, was farewelled by citizens and police officials at Malvern Town Hall on Tuesday night, The mayor of Malvern (Cr. J. Johnson) presided and presented SUpt. Knott with a chair and a wallet of notes. Similar presentations were made to Inspector C.H.D. Samblebe and First Constable O. Grambau, who have also retired. Supt. A.D. McKinnon of Ballarat will succeed Supt. Knott // handwritten: SUN 1/2/45victoria police museum, police officers, police academy, police force, superintendent mckinnon, superintendent knott, cr johnson, inspector samblebe, first constable grambau, poulter, william

Geoffrey R Fink volunteered for military service in early 1940. He served initially with 3rd Division A.A.S.C. but was discharged as being in a reserved occupation at the Aircraft Production Commission. He resigned from the Commission and joined the AIF on 28 July 1941 and was allotted to 2/8th Armoured Regiment. He served with the regiment in New Guinea and on return to Australia was transferred to No 41 Landing Craft Company serving out the war in the South Pacific. The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Representative of gifts made to old boys serving in WWII (1939-45) by a school association. Forms part of a comprehensive collection relating to one soldier.Leather pay book cover presented by Old Geelong Grammarians to VX 60307 Trooper Geoffrey Fink, 2/8th Armoured Regiment together with presentation certificate.Signatures on presentation certificate " Leigh Falkiner, J.S.Cook" and third signature unreadable.2/8th armoured regiment, 41 landing craft company, fink geoffrey r mr, old geelong grammarians

Wallet & certificate presented to Driver AA Cook by the City of Kew in recognition of his enlisting in the 2nd AIF1941framed photo, wallet & certificate presented by the City of Kew to Pte AA Cook 21 June 1941aa cook, city of kew, world war 2

Black and white photographWritten on back of photograph: "Mail 8/12/55. Presentation to Mr. W. Harrison by the Mayor Cr. B. Hubbard (Wallet of notes) on his being transferred as Manager to E.S.& A. Bank at Frankston. Left - Mayor, Mrs. Harrison & Mr. Harrison."

The Emerald Football Club inscription on this wallet suggests that this wallet was specifically inscribed to make it suitable for a person or persons related to the club in 1949 e.g. as a presentation to perhaps the football committee members.The Emerald Football club history dates from 1904 and has always played an important role in the life of the community.Small brown Morocco leather walleton front of wallet: "Emerald F.C./1949" Inside wallet: "Notes/Correspondence /Cards/Stamps Stamps/ Genuine Morocco"emerald football club, wallet, 1949, morocco leather