Historical information

Personal documents and letters belonging to Lieutenant Albert John CRUISE born 13/4/1883 at Nathalia in Victoria. Educated at Geelong College. Enlisted in NSW on 29/8/1914 as Private No 86 1st Battalion. Promoted to L/cpl on 25/7/1915 then Lieutenant on 9/11/1915. He was nominated and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire - Military Division for conspicuous services rendered as follows:-
'During the period 16-19 September to 11th November 1918 this officer has shown conspicuous devotion to duty and great gallantry in the performance of that duty. He has organised salvage parties and was instrumental during the advance in September in making German Dumps of HE material available for use in forward positions thus saving time and transport. His work throughout has been characterised by marked individuality and courage in the forward area and has been productive of far reaching results.
He served at Gallipoli and the Western Front. Due to pneumonia and enteric he returned to Australia in early 1916 to recuperate and married before returning in August 1916. In September 1919 he returned to Australia on board HMAT Takadaussie (refer item 363) and discharged on 7/11/1919. He later served full time with the CMF from 15/5/1940 - 17/10/1943. He died in 1952

Significance

Parchment of Appointed to rank 2nd Lieutenant on 9/11/1915 by King George V - Document dated 26/6/1917
Parchment of Appointment as a Member of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire by King George V dated 3/6/1919
Two parchments issued by the Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia
Appointed Lieutenant of the Military Forces of the Defence Force of the Commonwealth from 1/1/1920 by Henry William, Baron Forster
Appointed Lieutenant of the Reserve Military Forces of the Commonwealth from 13/4/1940 by Alexander Gore Arkwright, Baron Gowrie

Physical description

Four large parchment documents
Two Australian Military Forces certificates and one form
Five original letters
One copy of letter written in French
Seven copies of typed letters
AIF Military Pass

Inscriptions & markings

Cream Parchment with embossed seal, italic script and stamped George R I dated 26/6/1917 and 3/6/1919
Cream Parchment with embossed seal, italic script issued by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia dated 17/3/1924 and 21/4/1941
AMF Recommendation for Promotion V 84119 Lieut Cruise - form incomplete
AMF Certificate of Release from War Service No 11943 - V84199 Lieut Cruise
AMF Certificate of Service of an Officer No 33461 -V84119 Lieut Cruise
Typed letter dated 13/10/1919 from Commonwealth of Australia Dept of Defence to Lieut Cruise referring to London Gazette extract - Member of the British Empire - Military Division
Typed letter embossed with seal dated 9/6/1919 signed W Birdwood
Handwritten in blue ink with "Denman Chambers" imprint top right corner letter of reference signed B V Stacy formerly Lieut. Col., Commanding 1st Bn AIF
Typed letter with AIF letterhead dated 1/6/1927
Typed letter with The Gallipoli Legion of Anzacs letterhead dated 24/1/1950
Typed copy of letter of gratitude in French dated 18/6/1918 from Military Attache General Pierre de Laguiche - stamped with Statue of Liberty
AIF Military Pass dated 25/6/1919 issued to Lieut Cruise