The 79th Fighter Squadron was initially formed at Laverton on the 26th April, 1943 under the command of flying ace Squadron Leader Alan Rawlinson, but within seven days moved to Wooloomanata Homestead on the Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd, No 1580 in Victoria. It was a Spitfire Squadron and used Wooloomanata as a training base before flying. It was disbanded 20th October, 1945.Of national Significance as a Spitfire Squadron training camp in Lara Districts during WW2Glossy photo and A4 documentOn the back of the photo is "No:15 Course 18th April 1943 on the steps of Wooloomanata Homestead Southern Side". On the bottom is a list of the names of those in the photo. Left to Right Rear Row: Maj. K. Ewen, Capt. N.F. Attree, Capt. C.N. Bucknell, Capt. J.L. McKenzie, Capt. C.D. Seabrook, Lt. W.G. Foley. Second row from rear: Maj. C. Dumble, Capt. A. Tavener, Maj. F. Langford, Maj. T.A.R. Cleave, Capt. M.D. Waller, Capt. J.B. Ainslie, Capt. G.M.Taylor. Third row from rear: Capt. E.K. Jennings, Lt. J.H. Loxton, Capt. D.J. Breheny, Lt. R.V. Stephens, Capt J.W.D. Cornell, Maj. C.A. Ricketts, Lt. A.R. Creswick. Fourth row from rear: Lt. W. Ruthven (V.C.), Capt. R.C. Tomkins, Capt. R.J.Bermingham, Maj. A.E. Arnott, Capt. L.S. Ralton, Maj. F.L. Edmunds, Capt. W.E. Paterson. Fifth row from rear: Maj. H.W. Stockwell, Capt. C.A. Ferry, Maj. A.C. Jennings, Capt. W.L. Hart, Maj. R.R. Marston, Capt. R.A. Cameron, Capt. R.W.M. Page. Sixth Row from rear: Lt. A.E. Pizzy, Capt. A.G. Yungman, Maj.T.G. Court, Maj. J.B. Chapman, Maj. H.F. Gough, Maj. P.L. Barbour, Maj. H.M. Heward, Maj. E.C. Nolte. Front Row: Lt. G.H. Rowden, Capt. C.J.F. Pollett, Maj. A.E.Bunbury, Lt-Col. E.W. Bundey, Major W.A. Cronk, Capt. B.V. Eames, Lt. N.D. Anderson, Maj. C.A. Lotherington. Absent: Lt. R.R. Webster, Lt. R.B. Blackwell The A4 is a written description of a brief history of the 79th Fighter Squadron79th fighter squadron, raaf, wooloomanata, spitfire, world war 2, ww2, peter anderson, southern command training school, 15 course 18th april 1943

Woolamenata was a Station property used by Southern Command for a Training School during WW2. Photo possibly relates to Cat No 4743.4Photo B & W rectangular shape on light fawn backing, photo shows a group of Officers outside a brick building, rear has hand written details in blue.On rear, “Selected Senior Officers Course Woolamenata Fb 1941”officers coure, woolamenata

Born 5th October 1895 in Adavoyle, United Kindom Occupation Grocer and later horticulturalist Married after WW1- Wife - Daisy Florence Barclay World War One Staff Sergeant Regimental Number 2139 Enlisted AIF in Melbourne 29th December 1914, having previously served 3 months with the Ulster Volunteers and to camp Broadmeadows, to depot Battalion 29th December 1914. Embarked from Melbourne for the middle East with 3rd reinforcement group for the 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 25th February 1915 per transport 'Runic'. Disembarked Alexandria and to camp Heliopolis, Egypt. Operation Gallipoli from 5th May 1915 with 5th Battalion. Sick with dental problems 2nd Field Ambulance 17th September 1915. To hospital Lemnos 20th December 1915. To Alexandria hospital with pluerisy 12th January 1916. Returned to Australia with enteric per 'Nestor' 9th February 1916.To duty Broadmeadows 4th April 1916. Wmbarked with 4th reinforcements group for the 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade per transport 'Themistocles' 1st August 1916 Returned to England 14th September 1916. Operations France and Flanders from 6th December 1916. To 59th Battalion 29th December 1916. To 5th Division Infantry School 18th February to 28th March 1917 as Lance Corporal. Corporal 7th April 1917. Sergeant 2nd May 1917. To 3rd Southern General Hospital Oxford 4th October 1917. Returned to Melbourne per Transport 'Persic' 12th February 1918. Discharged 14th March 1918. Second World War. Regimental Number V5571 Emlisted in the Australian Military Forces in Royal Park, Melbourne 22nd August 1940 and to 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, Fyansford. Staff Sergeant 24th August 1940. To 2/14th Training Battalion Wangaratta 11th October 1940. To 2/23rd Training Battalion, Wangaratta 18th October, 1940.To Southern Command Training School 26th May 1941.to Camp Bonegilla 15th May 1942. To Camp Caulfield 11th November 1942. Discharged to Reserve Occupation 19th November 1942. Remarks. Awarded 1915-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal 1914-1919 Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal as Lance Corporal vide London Gazette 30111 of 31st July 1918. Citation for action on 9th July 1917 during the third Battle of Ypres reads- " For conspicous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rendered invaluable service during operation in carrying important messsages through heavy fire" Awarded War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45 in 1951. Described as 71.5inches tall, medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He died 11th September 1962.WW1 - Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914/15 Star 1914/18 British War Medal Victory Medal WW11 - 1939/45 British War Medal Australian Service Medal 1939/45 All medals with associated coloured ribbons. These are replica medals made in the exact metals as the originals. Also in display is a record of War Service which can be found in the narrative. Noneservice, medal, 1918, citation, ww1, military, gazette, london, ww11, medals, 30111, 31st, july, ypres, distinguished

ERNEST HENRY JAMES No 2100 enlisted in the AIF in 3rd reinforcements 38th Batt on 8.5.1916 age 25 years 1 month. Promoted Cpl 1.8.1916, embark for England 25.9.1916, detached to 10th Training Batt England 11.12.1916, hospital 5.2.1917 with PUO, rejoin unit 24.5.1917, attended Bombing School 26.8.1917, rejoin unit 8.9.1917, embark for France 2.10.1917 and rejoin 38th Batt, WIA 24.8.1918 GSW to right leg, embark for Australia 4.1.1919 re his wounds, discharged from the AIF medically unfit 30.3.1919. (PUO) Pyrexia of unknown origin.Exercise book, canvas covered, dark blue, blue ruled. Extensively hand written in ink with hand sketches & printed pages of weapons pasted in. The entire book is on notes taken at Bombing School in England in 1917 by E H JAMES, AIF.“No 2100 Cpl E H JAMES 10th T B LARK HILL” Notes taken at Southern Command Bombing School Lyndhurst 27.8.17.books - military - notes, bombing school