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 Ballarat RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
This object relates to John William WOOD. He was born on 23/11/1892 in Ararat, VIC. John William served in the AIF (2177) enlisting on, 15/05/1916 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 39th BATTN as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 24/12/1917. John William WOOD was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is William Bloomfield WOOD (Father). John Wood was awarded the British War Medaland the, Victory Medal.
WW2 General Service Respirator (GSR) Gas Mask WWII made in 1939 and the Canister was made 1941. Mask made of black rubber with glass eye slots with metal rims. Metal nost piece. Covered in khaki fabric. Elasticized straps to hold mask in place, with a tan circular cloth covered rubber tube that connects to the canister. Tin canister is oval shaped reinforced with ridges, red/brown in colour.
Back of mask: N-4II / ML M MAY 39
gas mask, equipment, gas warfare, second world war, world war two, world war ii, mustard gas, chemical warfare
Gas mask similar in style to 1339.1, possibly dating from the 1940s. This mask and associated case were intended for noncombatant use i.e. for use by civilians during wartime.
Khaki colour gas mask constructed from cylindrical tin with open valve filter, attached to a plastic mask which attaches to the face with adjustable canvas straps. Mask includes two circular cut outs with plastic windows with valve on left hand side.
Printed instructions on canister. “MED ADULT” embossed on top centre of the mask component. On interior of mask, “US MI/LOT/7 3SC.”
gas mask, equipment, civilian, gas warfare, second world war, world war two, world war ii, mustard gas, chemical warfare
Rectangular; khaki coloured; metallic zip that runs along two sides and the top; one outside pocket with press stud; carrying strap at back; two flaps both sides of strap with metal attachments for securing. Contents inside include shoe horn; pocket knife with two blades; two packaged large field first-aid dressings; two vials (in cardboard packaging) of Morphine Tartrate; one bottle of drinking water purifying tablets; one packet of 8 wound tablets; two packets sulfanilamide wound powder; one box 4” bandage compresses; one box eye dressing containing 3 cotton pads, 3 sets adhesive strips, 2 tubes boric acid ointment and 1 tube ointment; one packaged small first-aid dressing; one package containing two tubes of boric acid ointment. There is also a small piece of foil which was found deep inside the kit but it is unknown if it actually belonged here. Contents in outer pocket - one package containing ten iodine applicators; one package of adhesive 1” bandage gauze.
On outside of kit - “Kit, First Aid Aeronatic U.S.” Underneath kit - red painted cross Pocket knife - Inscription on both sides with logo (M inside circle) “McEwan-Younger Ltd. Edinburgh”
This item was used as a duffel bag to carry equipment (ie. blankets, clothes, food) by the service man, Allan Eversfield Howlett. Howlett was born in Snake Valley on 11 March 1921 and was enlisted during WW2 into the second Australian Imperial Force, enlisting in Caulfield. His next of kin was James Howlett.
Canvas bag, cylindrical in shape with closed round base and open, drawstring top enclosed in a hemmed top. Black stitching encircling top hem and round base. Name and service number inscribed on side and reverse of bag in ink.
Side panel: “HOWLETT.A.E./VX28214” On reverse: “VX28214”
bag, barracks bag, gear bag, kit bag, canvas bag, equipment bag, duffle bag
Used during ww2 for civilans
Historic item used in ww2
Light grey, gas mask came with instrucions
instructions on canister, med adult ,USRL, PRC,lot 642
This floatation bladder was made for survival whilst crossing rivers and streams. The device would have been inserted into clothing and the user would have blown air into the pipe. The pipe would have been folded in half and held in place to prevent air from escaping.
Tough rectangular, flat, khaki coloured fabric and rubber bag. There is a rubber pipe at the top, right corner. There is a fabric flap at the base of this pipe which holds the pipe in a bent position. There are also inscriptions on the front/centre of the bag.
The following inscriptions are at the front/cente of the bag, printed in red. The very last inscriptions ('M. KNAUSS') are printed in dark purple. 'BLADDER, FLOATATION, JUNGLE' 'THE B.F. GOODRICH CO.' 'CONTRACT W669QM21639 9-30-42' 'SPECIFICATION P.Q.D. 243' 'STOCK NO. 74-B-303' 'PHILADELPHIA QUARTERMASTER DEPOT' 'INSPECTOR______M. KNAUSS_____'
floatation bladder, floatation device, world war two, ww2, wwii, second world war
Navy Blue coloured with multi-coloured screenprint design
Red plume Crossed keys Cap badge logo “Black Watch (R.H.R.)” - The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
Bugle
The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 was awarded to armed Australian forces and volunteer defence corps for their service during WWII. Created by King Geroge IV, this was the first distinctive Australian medal in the British system of honours and awards.
Medallion attached to a navy blue, light blue, red and beige striped ribbon. The medallion depicts an effigy of King George IV of Great Britain and the commonwealth with the words: "GEORGE IV S VI (obscured component) G. BR. OMN. REX ET INDIAE IMP" in relief on one side. The others side depicts the Australian Coat of Arms and the words: "The AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945".
medallion, medal, australian service medal, service medal, ww2, world war two
Standard issue Air Force trousers.
Navy blue, woollen pants, plastic buttons
Inside tag: "CONWAY BROS PTY LTD" / "1969" / "A ^ F" / "SIZE 0" / "8405-66-012-3732" Inside back pocket: "J. Vaitkevics" written in blue pen, and "Wilson" has also been written in blue pen, but it has been crossed out.
military clothing, military uniforms
This item was used as a duffele bag to carry equipment (ie. blankets, clothes, food) by the service man, Stanley Linton Nicholls. Nicholls was born in Ballarat on 16 June 1911 and was enlisted during WW2 into the second Australian Imperial Force on 4th August 1942 in the third military district of Victoria. He served as a Corporal and was discharged on 19 December 1945.
Canvas bag, cylindrical in shape with closed round base and open, drawstring top. Smaller circle of same material attached inside drawstring opening as an internal cover/flap when closed. Metal eyelets (12) along top hem for drawstring (missing); two eyelets missing. Name and service number inscribed on side of bag in paint; slight staining around paint.
Side panel: “S.L. NICHOLLS/VX84489/45017”. Green circle with three line breaks at even intervals. Green circle repeated on base. Base: Green circle as above. “45017”
bag, barracks bag, gear bag, kit bag, canvas bag, equipment bag, duffle bag
This gear bag was issued to Sergent Harold Loraine Reed, who was born in 14 Aug 1889 in Portland, Victoria. Reed enlisted in the army in 1940 in Ballarat to serve in WWI, and was discharged from 8 Battalion in 1943. Gear bags such as this were standard issue to servicemen. Soldiers would fill their gear bags with essential equipment (mess tins, clothes, etc.) and carry them with them from post to post, or ship them to their destination ahead of time.
Khaki coloured canvas bag that is cylindrical in shape with the owner's rank, name, and service number written on the front of the bag in white paint. The base of the bag is rounded, while the top is open with 11 eyelets (one missing) through which a cotton cord has been threaded. Each end of the cord has been wrapped with red tape.
V58131 / S/Sgt. H.L. REED
military equipment, duffle bag, barracks bag, kit bag, wwii, second world war (ww2)
Long dark trousers. Four buttons along the waist line, front and back. Five buttons along the front, only four are present. Leather on the inside of the trouser leg, front. Plastic Buttons
trousers, long, dark blue, pants
Plain black ankle length with a black split. One single gray stripe on both sides.
womans, black, wool, polyester, long skirt
Field trousers
khaki colored trousers with five pockets
label with inscriptions: 'R. Lapidos', '1951', 'size 11', 'made in Australia' Stamp: 'DAD' Stamp: '224' with arrow
khaki, trousers, pants
Navy blue, waist length jacket with 4 buttons down centre front, 2 shoulder buttons. Two embroidered patches on each arm.
Corporal rank patch and Air Force manufacturer's label on interior.
air force, royal australian air force, uniform, military, short jacket
Owned by Carol Dale.
Navy blue,shoulder boards,brass buttons one pease of uniform from a two part set item num (1324) is other part of the set
Royal australian air force, mess dress, flying officer rank
air force, royal australian air force
Owned by Carol Dale.
Long skirt Navy blue in colour, with dark blue lining. Navy Dress Womens approximately 1970's Item No. 1322 is the other part of the set.
womens, ladies, clothing, skirt, navy blue, navy, royal navy, mess dress
Women's Nurse's Cape.
Red waist length cape with collar and a single clip at the front.
Name label on the inside back: 'Edwards'
cape, nurse
Long, shin length, woolen khaki coat.
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
This object relates to Dawn Pope (F3207460). Dawn Pope was not a prisoner of war.
uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat
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.
