Historical information

Sent to Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia from V129537 ACI Gilbert A V Group 436 RAAF Flinders Island during World War 2

Significance

Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.

Physical description

Cream paper envelope with coloured drawing of path leading to three mountains.

Inscriptions & markings

top left corner - Air Mail/ACF in red star
right top corner - postage stamp
left side - AIF censor stamp
right side - Mrs M Mac Donald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia
rear - V129537 ACI Gilbert A V Group 436 RAAF Flinders Island