We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Rye RSL Sub Branch
Woolen putees worn as lower leg protection. These were wrapped around the lower leg from the top of the ankle boot upwards and tucked into the top to offer some sort of protection from the elements, wire entanglements and to prevent loose clothing from becoming a hazard. Officers had high topped bootd and Mounted personal had leather leggings. These were for the rankl and file infantry and other members of the forces.
A plain belt buckle of the type worn by German troops in WW1. It has the Imperial Crown embossed in the centre and a wreath at the bottom and the words 'GOTT MIT UNS' (God with us) above.
An original Certificate of Service from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. Issued to 6/1511 Sergeant William Diamond, stating his service and locations and signed by the then Govenor General, 'Liverpool'
Gilt and white metal, this is thought to be an officers belt buckle. It has the imperial crown embossed in the centre surrounded bu a wreath at the bottom and the words 'GOTT MIT UNS' (God with us) above.
A piece of equipment for the storage and carriage of extra ammunition. Made up of a shoulder strap with nine closeable leather pouches, each able to carry ten rounds of ammunition. Although in their day they were purely functional, they are still worn by flag and Guidon escorts in Royal Australian Armourd Corp Units to this day in recognition of the ties to their forebears. The only difference is they are now coloured black.
Robust leather leggings, wrapped around the ankle and calf from the boot top and fixed in place with the leather strapping coiled around the outside. These offered substantial protection to the lower legs of mouted troops such as, Light Horse, Mounted Artillery, and Mounted Field Ambulance. Tey are as readily identifiable with Light Horse as are the Emu Plumes, (Kangaroo feather) worn in the Pugaree.
Leather Wallet. three part construction, embossed on the front cover with rectangular bordering with foilate designs in the upper right and left corners and a vertical eliptical lozenge in the top centre featuring a gilt 'swastika' design similar to the ancient Chinese symbol. The inside front leaf has the number 6018, and the name Jmes Lindsay
Gilt bronze lapel badges issued to men returned from WW1. these are the original ROAC badges which were issued on return from active service.
Hand theatre made "trench art", utilising used artillery brass shell casings, of various calibres, hand made with such "tools" as were available at the time. They have been decoratively trimmed at the mouth of each with a "scalloped" pattern, the shallowest casing mounted on small arms casings as "feet" and the large casing inverted engraved and embossed with a depiction of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces "Rising Sun" badge.
This "Dinner Gong" and "Striker" are significant Historically and Socially, as it is believed to be the only example of a dinner gong and striker made in theatre as contemporary "trench art" by serving members of this group. Around the top of the main part of the Gong are stamped the initials of the Australian members of the Royal Flying Corps at the time, it is of possible National historical significance, as they were such a small group at best, and a highly vulnerable group, quite likely to not survive the conflict. This group and their desendants went on to be a part of the formation of the Australian Flying Corps, the beginings of the Royal Australian Air Force. It relates to the embrionic stages of a part of the now Australian Defence Force.
A commemorative Dinner Gong construted from Artillery Shell Casings of various sizes. The largest cut short at the bottom, mounted on rifle or machine gun casings cut short as 'feet'. A slightly smaller diameter inverted as the 'gong' with decorative engravings depicting, a Rising Sun emblem on a decorated back ground, 'AFC' (Australian Flying Corps) crowned wings, on the same decorated back ground. The open ends of these larger casings is 'scalloped' and decorated beautifully, while the closed ends have a 'pie crust effect around the flanged edge. There is a biforcated mount at the top to hold the 'striker' made from white metal ballastered rod with a wooden eliptical knob. On the top around the striker mount are stamped the initials of those believed to be the first Australian Aviators in the then AFC.
These Binoculars and case are thought to have belonged to an officer, however they also appear on the 'Vickers" website as part of the complete equipment schedule of a 'Vickers' machine gun sighting equipment. The case is a superior quality leather of robust construction and would be as serviceable today as when first made. The Binoculars are af high quality and would likewise be as servicable today.
General issue Infantry Officers Sword 1897 Pattern, George V cypher on basket, manufactured by WW Greener, Birmingham, once used on the battlefield by officers, during conflicts up to and inclusive of WW1.
Sword Bayonet, brass handgrip morticed to suit Martini Henry, "Yataghan" Style.
A waterproofed cloth trench map of the Becelaere area, including Polygon Wood and other severely contested areas.
Bugle, Brass and white metal,1915, Prussian, with leather shoulder strap, marked F.SCHEDIWY, LUDWIGSBURG. With Embossed Imperial Eagle on bell. Taken from a German Soldier by John. E. Palethorpe, in WW1.
Brass belt buckle similar in style to the German equivalent. Thought to have belonged to a Turkish Officer.It has an embossd Crescent and Star emblem.
Hand carved wooden cane depicting a Rising Sun Emblem, and the names of places visited and vessels traveled on. Including, K.M. MURRAY AANS 1917 HMS MOOLTAN COLOMBO ADEN SUEZ ALEXANDRIA PORT SAID and on the reverse, KANDY It is riddled with borer holes and is broken at the neck. The tassle is also suffering wear as it is a woven grass like material.
A short dress sword thought to be turkish, with pointed etched blade including a crescent and star motif and brass hand guard also with etched crescent and star motif.
Bugle Trench D2228 Copper and Brass Victor Class A, of British origin, with red lanyard and white metal mouth piece.
A woven belt of unknown origin, although the wording on it seems to have a French flavour to it. Adourned with a number of assorted minitary badges. This type of belt is/was common amongsrt Mounted Regimens and each one had its own unique colour scheme and pattern, making the units readily identifiable at a glanc. During conflicts it was a common practice to swap or souvenir varios badges and other items and adourn the belt as a record of travels.
One of the most important and successful attacks on merchant ships inside an enemy harbour during world war two by English and Australian Commandoes or Special Unit Forces, launched from Australia. Nil deaths by the Commandoes were recorded, and 40000 tons of enemy ships were damaged or destroyed.
To enlighten RSL Members and the public, the history of the MV Krait and the importance of our Military History.
The newsletter has a typed story and pictures of members of M and Z Special Force. Krait took a small force on one of its missions and they sank about 38,000 tons of Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour in 1943. The newsletters front page has pink large writng on a white background. The word Krait and a photo of it on the Brisbane River. The newsletter is 4 pages with a photo of the men on board on page 2. Page 3 has another photo of the Krait. It is on loan from Mr.Jim Muir,
world war two, pamphlet, short story, mv krait, motor vessel, singapore, singapore harbour, 1943
This type of head dress was very commonly worn by British Commonwealth Forces in the Sub Continent and other tropical areas. This particular example would have been a common sight in Northern Australia during the time frame, as well as Africa, Middle East and the Pacific. It is a light weight ventilated helmet offering good air circulation via the vent in the top of the crown, and shade to the back of the neck. As well as protection by the peaked front for the eyes reducing glare, preventing sun and heat stroke. It also created an image of gentlemanly dress and pride in appearance. It conformed to an ideal and was considered quite fashionable and a little dashing, often worn at a jaunty angle, creating a rakish air, far from today's simplistic view of pure functionality and at as low as possible cost. Whether worn with a tropical uniform with jacket and trousers, or open necked shirt and shorts, the wearer was easily identifiable as British or one of the Commonwealth countries.
WW2 RAAF Wolsley cork helmet. Helmet Khaki cotton six (6) panel outer, with three (3) fold pugaree. Colour patch on left side approximately 6cm X 5.5cm, Dark blue,2.5cm, Light blue, 0.5cm and Maroon 2.5cm. Tan leather trim around brim, tan leather chin strap. Traditional pith helmet four (4) hole domed type vent on top of crown. Beige leather sweat band pierced around the top and with a cotton cord adjustment threaded around. Fixed to shell in four points diagonally. Interior is also covered in Khaki cotton.
Hand written in brown ink. A1917 F/Lt C KERR GRANT
world war two, head dress, helmet, pith, cork, cloth covered, leather trimmed, royal australian air force, officer, flight lieutenant, khaki, pith helmet, air force, tropical, hat
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
