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.
Example of Australian Army standard issue water canteen carried by soldiers during the 1990s. The water canteen is jungle green in colour and is carried in a special pouch made from camouflage material. The water canteen fits into a mess cup which is also carried in the pouch.
Mauser rifle of late 1800s vintage, known as the "Swedish Mauser" (type96), calibre 6.5 mm (using the 6.5/55 "Swedish" cartridge), bolt action, five round internal magazine. The wooden butt has been ornately carved with the name J. A. VERSTER in the manner of the Dutch Boers. This rifle is incomplete with the cleaning rod missing. Serial number A5348 Victorian RSL Branch licence stock number (not yet advised) note: rendered inoperative in accordance with Victorian RSL HQ policy
stamped "mod. Mauser 1896. Ludw Doewd & Co Berlin"
Incomplete mess kit as issued to the ALH (Australian Light Horse) during the early 20th century. Most probably as used as a food container by ALH troopers during WWI. This circular mess tin is made of tin plated steel and is complete with a carrying handle. This is the lower half of the kit, the matching upper half being missing.
Pair of 6 PDR brass cartridge cases of WW2 vintage. These were manufactured in Britain and are a version used by Naval weapons. These used cartridge cases are examples of trench art which have been embossed with bird and flower symbols. These have been made into flower vases. these were manufactured during the 1940s.
Shrapnel pieces from an exploded Claymore mine.
A portable, three legged stand in the form of a tripod, used by Australian and British Commonwealth military forces for mounting the standard issue signaling lamp and heliograph. The three collapsible, metal tipped, wooden legs are joined by hinge fittings to a brass collar with a threaded mount at one end (the head). The mounting thread is approximately 38mm diameter and fitted with a protective cap which can be removed for use, the cap being retained by a length of light chain. The stand is complete with a leather and webbing carrying strap attached to the head fitting of the stand with a leather sleeve at the other end which fits over the free end of the legs when folded.
The brass collar and mount is stamped: "STAND LAMP OR HELIO A MKlll" the manufacturer "P.M.G. VIC" and "1941"
military, tripod, ww2, world war 2, signalling, heliograph, stand
Red cloth bound book with gold embossed title lettering Frankston Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's Club and Frankston R.S.L. Library Loans record sheet pasted inside front cover.
On book spine - Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 Vol. III The A.I.F. in France 1916 by C.E.W. Bean Angus & Robertson 2nd Edition 1934 Book Plate Ex Libris Frankston Sub-Branch R.S.S.I.L.A. contains personal signature of author CEW Bean
Binoculars of WW2 era with khaki woven canvas neck suspension strap. Scale and focus details stamped on facings and eye pieces
Stamped in right barrel facing V6/VFA 0220 Graticule 1/2 degree & 1/4 degree 1/2 degree & 1 degree High R.E.C./CANADA 1943 Stamped in left barrel facing No 2 Mk II Vertical Arrow C.G.B. 53 G.A. 6x30 2755 9-C 27559-C 4 2 0 2 4 graduations stamped on right and left eye pieces
RCA electron valve, 7 pin circular base, type CRC-329-B
RCA JAN CRC-329-B made in USA, 8298 in octagonal field, V4,
Framed Christmas Menu Rambures France 1918. Created by Signallers and Runners of 4 Section 3 DSC AIF.
Typed Menu with standard meal items on White paper accompanied by printed menu using slang terms.
WW1 Metal Water Bottle with blue enamel coating. Item is held by a leather harness that attaches to leather personal webbing. Water bottle is missing a cork.
Nil
Book of 112 pages describing the events that occurred in April 1915 and onwards when Britain and her allies landed at the Dardanelles, Turkey. This illustrated book has a stiff buff coloured card cover and is printed in sepia tones. Published by The Alfieri Picture Service 4,5,6&7, Red Lion Court Fleet Street, London, E.C.
Small booklet containing the words of a patriotic song about the Victorian contingent to the second Boer War, April 1900. This illustrated booklet has a stiff card cover printed in colour and has 12 pages printed in sepia tones. Published by E. Whitehead & Co., Printers, 238 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Australian Army pay book of serviceman James Robert Clancy (VX44669) who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 8th July 1940. See also items 00456, 00456.1, 00456.2 and 00456.3.
WW1Soldiers Pay Book belonging to Private A.E. Wilson, service number 12435, 10th Field Ambulance, AMC, AIF. see also 00019 and 00019.1
ww1, field, identification, tag, a e wilson, 10th, ambulance
Collection of items relating to the WWl service of Australian Army Private Albert Edward Wilson MM, service number 12435 of the 10th Field Ambulance, Australian medical Corp (AMC), Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Private Wilson gave his address as Moorooduc, Victoria at the time of enlistment, he embarked Melbourne with the 10th FA on 6th June, 1916. more details can be found at the following NAA webpage ... < https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1995801 > see also 00019.1 and 00019.2
ww1, field, identification, tag, a e wilson, 10th, ambulance
Artillery cartridge case of German origin, used during WW1. This used brass case is approximately 75 mm diameter and is marked with a 1916 manufacturing date.
stamped: "St 263 Sept 1916 SP167"
Wooden shaft 680mm tipped with 25mm silvered metal cap and 40mm silvered metal head with pressed Royal Irish Fusiliers crest
Royal Irish Fusiliers crest pressed into silvered cap on head of shaft
Wooden shaft with carved wooden handle 90 degrees to the shaft. Shaft is tipped with .303 round with base cut off and affixed to end of wooden shaft.
Nil
Swagger stick belonged to and was used by Major Alfred Norman Dean Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
Timber stick 820mm long with brass tip 25mm long and bulbed head 40mm in diameter. RAAMC silver collar badge attached to shaft 130mm from head.
This lamp was used in the trenches in WW1. It was a private issue, not government. It is made of tin and brass with an adjustable light fitting. It has a reflective, adjustable mirror.
Trench Art WW2 Swagger Stick. wooden stick tipped with chromed expended German cartridge case. The cane head is topped with chromed crossed British .303 expended cartridges each tipped with unexpended bullets. attached to the side of the crossed cartridge cases is a 1937 British Coronation medalet
This lamp used in the trenches in WW1. It was spirit-powered. It was private issued, not government issue. It is made of copper and brass. It has an adjustable light fitting.
This is a lamp used in WW1 in the trenches, private issue, not government. It is spirit-powered. It is made of copper and brass.
This is a black painted tin lamp with a tin handle used in the trenches n WW1. Private issue, not government. It is candle-powered.
Trench art WW1 swagger stick. Cane body with 15mm metal tip. Head of stick comprises two 0.303 inch spent cartridges joined through bottom third of each cartridge case. One is inserted to the head of the cane and the cross case has an unexpended bullet inserted.
Each Cartridge case CAC VI 12 5
Used in WW1 as a trench lamp. It was a private issue item, not a government issue. It is made of black painted tin with a magnifying lens and tin folding handle. The item is candle-powered.
WW1 British Officer's Trench telescope. Wooden handle supporting brass telescope. Manufacturing details stamped on plate at rear of eyepiece. Not complete as missing eye protection piece.
Periscope Mk IX 1918 R&J Beck Ltd No. 29619
German World War 1 magneto lamp. It has a carrier rope and a pull down ring. It has a prism lens.
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.
