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 Bendigo Military Museum
Michael Sydney Boyle No 3464 AIF, 21st & 60th Batt's, 1st A.C.D. Refer Cat No 2032.3P for service history also 2033.3P.
Newspaper article re Troops returning from England for Demobilization listed by Name and Regt Number.
M.S.Boyle is on the list.
Refer Cat No's 8073P, 8171 & 8230.2
brsl, smirsl, bdsc
Refer Cat No's 8073P, 8171 & 8230.2
brsl, smirsl, bdsc
Refer Cat No's 8073P, 8171 & 8230.2
brsl, smirsl, bdsc
Refer Cat No's 8073P, 8171 & 8230.2
brsl, smirsl, bdsc
Part of the "Robert H Baron", No 3596 and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.
1. Four page illustrated Christmas/New Year card. Front cover has two cut outs allowing Union Jack and Australian Flag to be visible. Embossed gold coloured Rising Sun on bottom RH corner. Text in grey type. Pages secured on LHS with blue ribbon. Flags on second page in silk on a cream background. Text on inside in grey type. Handwritten message in black ink. 2. Four page illustrated Christmas/New Year card. Front cover has colour picture of two cats in front of a fire. Text in black font including "Keep The Home Fires Burning". Inside text in grey type. Pages secured with red ribbon on LHS.
1. Handwritten in black ink: 'To my Dear Mother, Her loving Soldier Son. Wishing you all a Merry Xmas n a bright new year. 2. Handwritten in black ink 'To Myrtle, Elsie, Alfred dear little Fred, FROM There Loving Soldier Brother Bob. Hoping you have a lovely time at Xmas & the New Year, Bob'
robert h. baron, cooper collection, christmas card, ww1
Items in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service records.
1. 2. 3. Collars RAN Uniform worn by Recruit to Leading Seaman ranks. Navy blue colour cotton fabric, square shape sailors collar with white colour cotton trim in three rows. Collar secured by white cotton tapes. Lining - blue and white colour cotton ticking. Owners information on lining. 4. Collar RAN Uniform worn by Recruit to Leading Seaman ranks. Navy blue colour cotton fabric, square shape sailors collar with white colour cotton trim in three rows. Collar secured by white cotton tapes. Lining Navy blue colour cotton.
Owner's information - black ink stamp. 1. & 2. "W.A. Theodore". 3. "O. ARDIS"
uniform, ran, ww2, william anthony theodore dsm
Items in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". REFER CAT NO 7926p FOR HIS SERVICE RECORD.
1. 2. & 3. White front bibs - RAN Uniform worn by Recruit to Leadings Seaman ranks. White colour cotton fabric, square shape bib front and back. Secured with white colour tapes. Neck edged with Navy blue cotton fabric. Square neckline. Worn under Barathea also known as a jumper.
Handwritten owner's label - black ink pen "W.A. ? AC ???"
uniform, ran, ww2, william anthony theodore dsm
Items in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM" Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service record. Trousers issued to "H.R. Rodgers"
Trousers - part of the summer uniform worn by Recruit to Leading Seaman Ranks RAN. Known as 'Bell Bottoms'. White colour cotton fabric, trousers with inset front pockets. Two layer front flap fly with numerous buttons. Wide waist band with lacing at back for size adjustment. Buttons silver colour metal. White colour cotton manufacturers label back inside waistband. Handwritten owner's details inside waistband.
Manufacturers information - red ink print "M.TX/Size 4". Handwritten - owner's details - black ink pen "H.R.RODGERS".
uniform, ran, ww2, william anthony theodore dsm
Items in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". Refer Cat. No. 7926P for his service record.
1. Jumper part of winter ceremonial uniform worn by Recruit to Leading Seaman ranks RAN. Also known as a "Barathea" or jumper. Black colour wool fabric with square collar, V shaped front openings, long sleeves with cuffs and two dark blue colour plastic buttons. One good conduct stripe on left sleeve. Rid ribbon on black fabric. White cotton fabric manufacturers label. 2. Bow attached at bottom of front V - navy blue cotton tape. known as a "bow".
Manufacturers Information - black thread embroidery "ESQUIRE PTY LTD / 1940/ size" Owners stamp on underside of Collars - white ink stamp "W. A. Theodore"
uniform, ran, ww2, william a theodore
1. Card sent by "Alfred W. Baron" VX29810, 14th Anti Tank battery, A.I.F. to his mother. 2. Card sent by Alfred W. Baron, VX29810 to his mother. Part of the Cooper Collection.
1. Illustrated Christmas/New Year card. Front cover has word "Greetings" in blue and red type. Below is a drawing of a cannon above a colour patch. Across the bottom 'Darwin 1941' are printed in black type. Inside type in blue below a red coloured Rising Sun badge. Card tied with blue and red cord on LHS. 2. Black and white illustrated Christmas/New Year card folded into four quarters. Front illustration features a Kangaroo and joey. Inside illustrations feature a soldier in uniform and two cannon crews. Text in black type. In unfolded section - hand drawn illustration and message in black ink.
1. Handwritten on inside: "Your Loving son, Alf". 2. Handwritten illustration in black ink. Handwritten message in black ink: "To my Dear Mum from your ever loving son, Alf xxxxxxx"
cooper collection, alfred w baron, christmas card, ww2, 14th anti-tank battery
This document contains the "map and Air Chart Demand and Issue Voucher" to enable the ordering of map products. The catalogue of available products is shown to assist in the ordering process.
1. A Map sheet of Australia folded to A4 in size. 2. A selection of map examples and a catalogue of products, Tactical Line Maps (TLM) at 1:50,000 scale to Digital Chart of the World (DCW) at 1:1,000,000 scale maps. The names of all the 1:100,000 maps are listed in alphabetical order. 3. The Map and Air Chart Demand and Issue Voucher is printed on the back of the document. 4. Front section has a photo of a soldier with a Steyr rifle kneeling reading a map.
royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr
1. This is a woollen jacket. Four front pockets. All four pockets held shut with a button. There is a rising sun badge on each collar. There are four front metal buttons. All badges and buttons are darkened. On each shoulder is a triangular colour patch - black and red. 2. Trousers, woollen, khaki. Button up fly. Six brown Bakelite buttons around waistline.
1. Written inside jacket - looks like Q200. 2. Written inside waist line is W-36 21.95.
uniform, ww2, passchendaele barracks trust
Refers to the service of "Lt. R. Baker" 5/13385.
1. Jacket, black wool. Four front pockets. Rising Sun on Collars. Lieut. pips (2) on each epaulette. Four brass buttons on front. Button Motif - Australian Military Forces. On left chest are two ribbons, War medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal, and an RAAF Flying wings badge. 2. Trousers, black wool, Red stripe down outside of legs. Button fly, striped lining around waist line inside. Two side and one rear pocket. 3. Shirt - off white cotton, long sleeves, one breast pocket. 4. Cap - peaked black, red band, Rising Sun Badge. 5. Tie - black. 6. & 7. Shoes - pair of black leather, rubber soled shoes L & R.
Inside jacket - Lt. R. Baker 5/13385 2/11/51.
ww2, post ww2, mess dress uniform, r. baker, passchendaele barracks trust
Card sent by "Alfred William Baron", No. VX29810, brother of Robert H. Baron, Part of the Cooper Collection.
Black and white postcard depicting two sailors in uniform on the deck of a ship. Sailors are working with rope. Handwritten message in back of postcard.
Handwritten in pencil on back of postcard: 'To my Dear Sister Myrtle from her loving Brother, Alf xxxxxxxxxxxxx.'
cooper collection, alfred w baron, postcard
Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) THEODORE DSM". Refer Cat. No. 7926P for his service record.
HARD COVER BOOK WITH DUST COVER. Hard cover - cardboard with adhered yellow colour buckram over. Red colour print on front and spine with black and white photograph illustration from front to back of a battle scene. Dust cover - Paper, off white with print and illustration same as above. 256 pages - cut plain, white glossy paper. This is a pictorial book. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. End papers - front and back - colour wrap of "TOBRUK DEFENCE (12 Jan 1941)".
books, tobruk, ww2, william anthony theodore
Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) Theodore DSM". Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service record.
This is a commissioning poster. Poster - colour print on paper of painting by Tom Freeman of the HMAS ARUNTA, No. 151 painted on ship's hull. The ship's emblem and motto appear lower right. An image of Aboriginal men appears in the sky above the ship. Artist's signature appears lower left. Frame - varnished timber frame with decorative moulding. Glass front and cardboard backing.
Information printed on poster - black ink print. Top: "HMAS ARUNTA" Bottom - "Commissioned 12 December 1998/ Port Melbourne, Victoria".
framed accessori4es, poster, ran, hmas arunta, william anthony theodore
Item in the collection re: "William Anthony (Bill) Theodore" DSM. Refer Cat No. 7926P for his service record.
Painting - black, blue, grey, white, green colours, oil artists paint. Depicting - sea, sky with shimmering cross and two sailors caps floaing on the water. Painted on glass. Painting appears to be signed by artist with two capital letters "WG". Glass sheet used for painting and provides the frame.
Artist signature "WG".
framed accessories, painting, william theodore
Refers to the service of "Rod Hosking".
1. Jacket - brown/khaki. Four front pockets, four gold buttons on front. Gold buttons hold pockets shut. Cloth WO2 badge on each arm. It has RACT Collar badges. 2. & 3. Trousers - Brown/khaki, zip fly, Two hip pockets, One rear pocket. 4. Shirt, Khaki, cotton/polyester. Two front pockets with flaps, 6 buttons down front. 5. Tie - wool khaki. 6. Lanyard - Blue and Red (RACT). 7. Cap, Khaki, peaked with RACT Badge. 8. Instructors green and gold armband with Velcro patches.
1. Jacket - inside is "4229" 106 Hosking. 2. Trousers - inside is WSD 4229 V090 Hosking. 3. Trousers - inside is W/02 Thomas R. J. Hosking.
ract, uniform, 1980-2020, passchendaele barracks trust, r.j. hosking
Card was sent by "Pte Albert Victor Whitelaw", No. 4936, 57th Battalion, AIF. He enlisted on 23 August 1915 at the age of 32 and RTA 10 June 1919. Recipient was Miss E. Keast, fiancee and later wife of Robert H. Baron. Part of the Cooper Collection.
Four page folded card featuring 57th Battalion insignia on front cover. Behind the insignia are the numerals 57 below a Rising Sun. Inside on LHS is a 57th Battalion colour patch. On the RHS is a series of red banners listing the battalion's battle honours. Text in black ink. Pages secured with black and red card.
Handwritten in pencil on inside of card: 'Pte Whitelaw, A.V., to Mrs E. Keast with Good Wishes.
cooper collection, albert whitelaw, 57th battalion, christmas card, robert h. baron
Postcards collected and sent by "J.P. Vercoe", No 2530 whilst serving during WW1. Part of the Cooper Collection.
1. Photograph postcard featuring a baby sitting in a high chair. Handwritten info on the back. 2. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings and horsedrawn transport. Handwritten information on back. 3. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings, pedestrians and horsedrawn vehicles. Handwritten anecdote on back. 4. Black and White illustrated postcard featuring a woman sewing and soldiers in uniform. Caption in black text. Handwritten info on back. 5. Colour photographic postcard featuring a woman and child standing. Caption in French. Handwritten anecdotes on back. 6. Black and White postcard featuring a soldier offering a woman a cigarette. Caption in white text.
1. 2. 4. Handwritten in pencil on back: Pte J.P. Vercoe No. 2530, D Company 5 Rein 60th Batt, 15th Inf Brigade, AIF Abroad. 3. & 5. Handwritten letter to Ethel from J.P. Vercoe.
cooper collection, j.p. vercoe, postcard, ww1
Cards collected by J.P. Vercoe, No. 2530. Part of the Cooper Collection.
1. Coloured postcard featuring a soldier carrying a wounded comrade out of a trench. Soldier wearing helmet in trench. Caption of photo in black type. 2. Coloured postcard featuring soldiers in uniform observing a military band. Railway line and soldiers on horseback in background. Caption of photo in black type.
1. Caption in black type: "A Gallant rescue under fire. This man saved twenty lives like this." Faded handwritten letter on back. 2. Caption in black type; "Black Watch" pipers playing to the Captors of Longueval. Faded handwritten letter from J.P. Vercoe.
cooper collection, john p. vercoe, postcard, ww1, black watch
Item in the collection re William Anthony (Bill) Theodore DSM. The Sailor is Willam Anthony Theodore DSM, enlisted on 2.9.1940 in the RAN No PM2981. He served in the Seige of Tobruk, Greece, Crete, Matapan, Singapore, Pacific Islands, New Guinea to the Phillipine's. The HMAS Vendetta he was sailing on made 39 trips into Tobruk Harbour during the siege. In October 1941 so many bombs were dropped around the Vendetta that her Boilers and Engines shifted on their mountings and was ordered to Singapore for repairs. After Bill served on HMAS Arunta and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for "Gallantry, Skill and Devotion to Duty" during the Assault Operations at Lingayen Gulf. Bill was discharged from the RAN on 21.11.1945. From 1956 - 1995 over specific years Bill held the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer & Welfare Officer of the "Bendigo Rats of Tobruk Association". He was awarded a Life Membership & a Certificate of Appreciation for his services.
Photograph, B&W portrait of an RAN Sailor on photographic paper, noted on Sailors Cap "HMAS Cerberus". Frame , metal backing with stand, front shallow convex shape with light brown colour paper mount, heavy plastic cover moulded to shape over photo and mount, owners white adhesive label on the back.
Information on label, "THEODORE William Anthony", in black ink print, "Preferred name: Bill/19.03.1917"
framed accessories, ran, theodore dsm, photograph, portrait
The photo in .2) cylinder is an original of the top photo in .1) in front of the Soldiers Memorial Institute. Even though it says 1951 this is not a certainty for both. It has not been taken out for proper photography due to its fragile state. There are a few that have been identified in both who were well known. Top photo. Standing 2nd from the left is Jack Swatton, next to him is George Lansell, further along standing at rear is a tall man Les Morey with black hair and greyish suit. Bottom photo. On the far right standing is Jack Swatton, in the front row sitting central is possibly George Lansell, two men to his right are looking at him, in the rear 8th from the left is Les Morey. There is one very tall man in the rear central which his identity is being checked. Refer also Cat No 8229P.
.1) Photographs B & W panorama, two laminated together. The top photo shows a large group of men and some ladies lined up in front of the Soldiers memorial Institute Pall Mall Bendigo, there are 5 large wreaths and a big white Cross central. The bottom photo shows a larger group of men and 3 young lads on the "Upper Reserve" in Bendigo. .2) Shows a cardboard photo cylinder with address paper around with text showing a section the rolled photo out at one end of the cylinder.
On .1) written over in black is hand written, "1951 ANZAC DAY", on .2) hand written, "G.B. ... 541 High S.....et Bendigo"
brsl, smirsl, anzac day
This is a collection of 19 photographs of Royal Australian Survey Corps phases of map production at the School of Military Survey, Bonegilla, the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo, and the Army Map Depot, Bandiana circa 1990. Colour photos are on 35mm slide film and were scanned at 96 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. Photo .1P was probably taken on a survey station overlooking Lake Hume near Albury-Wodonga. The field party occupying the survey station was likely from a Map Control Survey course conducted by the School of Military Survey, Bonegilla. This survey station was part of a geodetic network used in field survey training and RASvy’s Lake Hume Test Range. Photos .2P to .16P were taken at the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo and photos .17P & .18P were taken at the Army Map Depot, Bandiana. Photo .19P depicts a map of RASvy’s ARA units before the disbandment of 5th Field Survey Squadron, Perth and 2nd Field Survey Squadron, Sydney in 1990.
This is a collection of 19 photographs of map production processes taken at the School of Military Survey, Bonegilla, the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo, and the Army Map Depot, Bandiana circa 1990. Colour photos are on 35mm slide film and were scanned at 96 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) – Photo, colour, c1980s. Geodetic Surveying: AN/PRR-14 Geoceiver antenna on hill surrounding Lake Hume. Series 3 Land Rover, field party tent and survey station beacon in background. .2) – Photo, colour, c1990. Set of overlapping aerial photography. .3) – Photo, colour, c1990. Aerotriangulation: Wild PUG4 point transfer device, SSGT Bruce Hammond. .4) – Photo, colour, c1990. Aerotriangulation: Zeiss (Jena) Stecometer, SSGT Bruce Hammond. .5) – Photo, colour, c1990. Aerotriangulation: computer tape maintenance, SSGT Noel McNamara. .6) – Photo, colour, c1990. AUTOMAP 2: computer tape maintenance, SPR Nadine (Paul) Read. .7) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Optronics 4040 scanning/film output in Lithographic Squadron, SGT Sherri (Dally) Burke. .8) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Benson verification plotter output, SPR Nadine (Paul) Read. .9) – Photo, colour, c1990. Aerotriangulation: data management, SGT Neil ‘Ned’ Kelly. .10) & .11) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Wild B8 Aviograph stereoplotter Feature Extraction, unidentified technician. .12) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Graphic Edit Workstation, SPR Nadine (Paul) Read. .13) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Graphic Edit Workstation, SPR Dawn Hoadley. .14) & .15) - Photo, colour, c1990s. AUTOMAP 2: Graphic Edit Workstation, unidentified technician. .16) – Photo, colour, c1990s. Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 computer-controlled five colour lithographic offset printing press. .17) & .18) – Photo, colour, c1990s. Army Map Depot, unidentified storeman, Bandiana. .19) – Photo, colour, c1990. RASvy ARA Unit Locations before disbandment of field units in Perth and Sydney.
.1P to .19P - Some equipment is identified on the frame of the 35mm slides.
royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, school of military survey, army map depot
The banner was donated to the Museum by the Post 1975 Veterans, Central Victoria. The Association has been renamed.
Banner - soft heavy duty plastic with printed information. It has white print on a black background and three badges in colour. Possibly done by a laser printer. Left to Right: Royal Australian Navy - Queen's Crown over Anchor. The Australian Army - Queen's Crown with Rising Sun. Royal Australian Air Force - Queen's Crown with Wings.
Printed information on banner: "Post 1975 VETERANS/ CENTRAL VICTORIA".
banner, post 75 veterans, central victoria
1. A scarlet woollen jacket with blue collar. It has blue cuffs. On the collars are badges of the RAASC. On the epaulettes are a Captain's set of pips (3). 2. Vest. Blue woollen outer, polyester inner. Two small pockets on front with four small buttons. 3. Shirt, cream/white colour. 7 pearl buttons. It has lighter vertical stripes every 20mm. 4. Bow Tie - black,
1. Written in jacket is: 392063 Butterworth. 2. Written in the vest is: 392063 Butterworth and .........Jardine 11119.
post ww2, officers mess dress, passchendaele barracks trust
Letter written by Pte J.P. Vercoe No. 2530, 5th Reinforcement, 60 Batt, 15th Infantry Brigade. AIF Abroad. Part of the Cooper Collection. J.P. Vercoe believed to be in the group photo.
Black and white photographic postcard of a group of WW1 Australian soldiers in uniform. Back row standing, middle row seated in chairs and front row sitting on the ground. Handwritten letter on back.
Handwritten in black ink on back: Letter from J,P, Vercoe to Ethel dated 19/1/1917.
j.p. vercoe, cooper collection, photograph, ww1
Part of the "Robert H. Baron" (No.3596) and Cooper Collections. See catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.
Sepia toned photograph of a WW1 soldier in uniform. The photograph is oval in shape.
Handwritten in black ink on back: 'snapped in Bourke St, Sat 1st Sept, R.H.B., rotten photo.
robert h. baron, cooper collection, photograph, ww1, uniform
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.
