Historical information

During the Second World War, the Bendigo-based 38th Battalion was a militia unit undertaking garrison duties on the mainland. This set of images are from a set donated to the museum by the family of Robert Hillman. They show the battalion in training in Western Australia. Later, the battalion would move to Darwin, where in August 1944 it was disbanded, with the men being offered the opportunity to join AIF and militia units actively engaged in the fighting in New Guinea and elsewhere.

Some of the men identified in these images are:
Robert Cameron Hillman, VX137175, from Bendigo. After the 38th, Robert served in the 2/16th Battalion.
Ormond George Bottomley, VX88423, from Castlemaine. After the 38th, Ormond served in the 2/4th Pioneer Battalion.
Leonard John Dunkley-Smith, VX149067, from Ballarat. After the 38th, Leonard served in the 2/16th Battalion