Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum Bendigo, Victoria
The origins of the Bendigo Sub Branch go back to 1916. The splendid building that houses the Museums collection was completed in 1921 by public subscription, a fitting tribute to the AIF. The RSL was granted tenure of occupancy from that day.The Museums beginning dates back to 1996 and was finally opened to the public in Feb 1998. The collection at present covers from the Boer War to Iraq, medals, diaries, weapons, uniforms, personnel effects, trench art, a library and the Grinton collection "A Camera on the Somme". Such is the collection that we are now rotating items of memorabilia.
Contact Information
- location
- P.O.Box 42 Long Gully Victoria 3550
- phone
- +61 (03) 5442 4513
Contact
Opening Hours
Open 10am to 4pm Closed some public holidays
Entry Fee
Adult $6, Conc $5, Students $4, Family $15
Location
37 - 39 Pall Mall Bendigo Victoria
To collect, conserve, communicate and commemorate central Victoria’s contribution and experience in military conflict and peacekeeping from colonial to the present day. Combining the Bendigo District RSL Sub-branch Inc and the Passchendaele Barracks Trust collections.
4184 items
4184 items
MEDAL SET
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Medal set, court mounted, set of 2 re R.A Gardiner. 1. War Medal 1914-1919, silver colour, replica not engraved. 2. Victory Medal, gold colour.
Historical information
Raymond Aubrey Gardiner enlisted in the 4th reinforcements 38th Batt AIF on 8.7.16. Embarked 20.10.16. He passed Lewis Gunnery School in England and was then in the field 3 months when he was KIA by shell fire on 4.10.17. A brother Claude served in the 46th Batt. Refer 1896.
Inscriptions & Markings
"2325 A.Cpl RA Gardiner 38 Bn AIF"
BOOK - The Nominal Role of Vietnam Veterans.
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Soft paper cover Black, blue, yellow Yellow print Pages 210 No illustrations. Black print on white paper
Inscriptions & Markings
Sticker - FRANCIS W DEAN BEM
BOOK - Australian Women and War
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Teal green hard cover with white print & loose jacket illustrated with black & white & colour photographs. White print/text black & white & colour photos throughout, 270 pages.
Historical information
Card taped inside pages: In loving memory of Christina Craig 03-03-1918 - 11-07-2013
BELT BUCKLE
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Brass Buckle with two Prongs
BOOK - Two Eggs on my Plate.
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Lt Karki , hard cover book. 287 pages illustrated. Title in gold letters with red backing on spine. Title also in black lettering on white paper stuck on spine.
Inscriptions & Markings
Written on fly leaf: Donated by K Proud
CURRENCY
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Currency, Notes, Collection: .1) 10 Gulden, purple ink, for use in Dutch Indies, "SI" stamped on front .2) 10 Rupees, red ink, for use in India "BA" stamped on front .3) 1 cent, blue ink, "MD" stamped on front - no country
Historical information
Souvenired by Keith David Livingston VX136969 2nd AIF. Refer 1911P for service history.
Inscriptions & Markings
.1) 10 Gulden note = "De Japansche regeering betaalt aan toonder" .2) 10 Rupee note = "The Japanese Government Ten Rupees" .3) "The Japanese Government One Cent"
HONOUR ROLL, FRAMED
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
St Mathews Anglican Church Long gully
TIN, BISCUIT
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Biscuit tin, rectangular with coloured floral arrangement on front. Used by jack Grinton to hold nitrate negative photos taken during WWI. Original biscuit manufacturing label on front in one corner.
Historical information
The tin was owned by Jack Grinton No 1043, 38th Batt AIF. This tin held all of his nitrate negative photos for many years that he took during the Great War which remained virtually intact as away from light and air until rediscovered early 21st century. Part of the Grinton collection which contained hundreds of negatives and developed photos. Refer 1317P, 1320P.
PHOTOGRAPH
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Photo, sepia tone, portrait of a soldier in slouch hat wearing a tie. Background is clear.
Historical information
Percy Andrew Goulburn MAKEPEACE No.3558, enlisted 5.8.15 aged 19 in 8th reinforcements 21st Bn AIF, embarked 29.12.1915 for Eygpt. Transferred to 57th Bn. KIA 24.9.1917 while a Bn runner. He was killed by shell fire while moving to 58th Bn near Polygon Wood. There are a number of Red Cross files relating to his death.
PHOTOGRAPH
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Photo of William L Devereaux
Inscriptions & Markings
William L Devereaux
MEMORIAL SCROLL, FRAMED
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Memorial scroll rectangular, yellowish background. At top is a 'Coat of Arms' crown, lions, unicorn. Letters 'GV' 'RI' at top. The scroll commemorates those who made the supreme sacrifice. Individual space at bottom for name written in red. The frame is black with gold edging.
Historical information
The scroll is part of 3 items sent to widows/families etc of those who never came home. Refer 399.2, 419, 655.3, 398P, 875.
Inscriptions & Markings
"2/Lieut William Edwin Cook Yorkshire Regt"
TRENCH ART
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
.1 Jug, made from shell casing and silver or chrome plated. Handle is made of rifle cartridges soldered on. .2 Brass casing for "shotgun" type starting system for English Electric engine.
Historical information
Vase & Jug made from shells by Gunner Harold Salmon VX32173, enlisted 18.06.1940, discharged 17.09.1945
Inscriptions & Markings
.1 Stamped on side "Syria", base has "75 DE C ATL 953 18C" .2 On base "Cart Elec Eng Start ME 79/2 87 ME 7/80", stamped in black ink "N010 Mk2"
HANDBOOK - Wireless & Telegraph Operators
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Khaki coloured soft cover with black print. At the bottom is a symbol of His Majesty's Stationery Office, London. 123 pages plus annexes. Illustrated advertising. Text regarding signals, morse code & message procedures.
BOOK - My Life - Chronicles of a Wartime Pilot.
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
102 page softcover book with B&W photos and cut pages.
Historical information
Autobiography of Lin Kean Chong.
Inscriptions & Markings
"With compliments-(signature)"
BOOK - Brave and True. From Blue to Khaki.
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Soft cardboard/paper cover. White with sepia photograph. Blue trim on cover. Pages 136. Illustrated - black and white photos.
BOOK - Australians in World War 1: Australian Light Horse
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Black and cream softcover with fold in flaps. Front cover has head and shoulders photo of Light Horseman in uniform.
Inscriptions & Markings
Sticker on first page with previous owners' names and address.
BOOK - Beersheba
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
128 page cut edged softcover book. White cover with colour illustrations with title and author's name in black print. Contains maps and illustrations.
Historical information
Book describes the charge of the charge of the 4th LHR at Beersheba on October 31st 1917. Service details of each Light Horseman are included.
Inscriptions & Markings
On title page "Donated by Warracknabeal Secondary College" and Bendigo RSL stamp.
BOOK - The Guns of Musdui
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Book, soft cover. Front cover has an image of jungle vegetation & coastline. Print is gold & red ink. 255 pages, illustrations & some maps.
Inscriptions & Markings
Len Burke Donated by Len Burke
CLOTH, EMBROIDERED
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Dark green silk/rayon cloth edged with fringed gold braid and embroidered heavily in chain stitch with flowers, scrolls and flags.
Inscriptions & Markings
Message in gold along top "A merry Christmas and a happy new year" In centre "Souvenir of Egypt 1915"
WRISTWATCH
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Seiko wristwatch waterproof The watch has a 24hr setting 12hr marked Blue 12hrs marked in red
Historical information
Item brought home from Vietnam by Wesley Bertuch. Refer 1664.2 for his service history.
Inscriptions & Markings
Model 6117-6410 s/n 070093
PHOTOGRAPHS
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
.1) Post card photo, sepia, portrait of a soldier with slouch hat, background clear. .2) Post card photo, sepia showing 1 seated & 1 standing soldier in studio background. .3) Photo, sepia, showing a large group of hospital inmates, nurses & 2 small boys.
Historical information
Bertie HARWARD No 3854 AIF. Refer Reg No 341P for his service details.
Inscriptions & Markings
.1) On rear: To Mrs HARWARD 48 Arnold St Bendigo - (3854) Pte B Harward 12th Reinforcements 5th Battalion 2nd INF Brigade, On Active Service AIF .2) On rear: France 22.12.17 Yours affectionately Bert Harward .3) On rear: 28.9.18 Sulby Hall Hospital Welford Rugby England Bertie Harward 2nd from right front row
MEDALS & CERTIFICATE
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Medals, individual, (2) re P.N Redden. .1) Victory Medal. .2) War Medal 1914-19. .3) Certificate of Discharge No W749 re P.N Redden, certificate is laminated, details name, rank, Regt No, years of service, personnel details, double sided form.
Historical information
Patrick Noel Redden No 21402 enlisted on 16.9.15 in 9th FAB Ammunition Column aged 21 years 10 months. Embarked for England 11.5.16, embarked for France 16.1.17, transfered to Divisional Artillery 23.3.17, hospital 17.11.17 with Influenza then early December with Myalgia. Rejoins unit in France 15.1.18, discharged from the AIF on 20.8.19. (1 D.A.C) 1st Division Ammunition Column.
Inscriptions & Markings
.1) & .2) "21402 GNR P.N.Redden 1 D.A.C, A.I.F"
DOCUMENT, NAVAL
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Typed sheet in purple listing points 1-41 re brief description of the retaking of Gaudalcanal in 1942. There are 3 underlined headings, "High level bombers, Dive bombers, Torpedoe bombers". HMAS Hobart and Australia were involved.
Historical information
Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2137, 2147.
BOOTS, FLYING
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
.1 & .2 Black leather boots, wool fur lined, straps to hold shut, pair
Historical information
The boots belonged to Maxwell Lennox Matheson No 418447 RAAF. Refer 1959 for his service history.
HAT
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Hat, mid blue colour with brim, cotton fabric with - United Nations. Nations Unies - emblem machine embroidered in white thread on front of hat.
Inscriptions & Markings
Makers label inside hat crown: Hills Made By Hills Hats In New Zealand Medium
CARTRIDGE
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
.1) Shell approx 20mm Dia. Made of steel. Flat nose inert one copper driving band .2) Shell case rimless, made of brass.
Historical information
Item souveniered by Billy Bird No VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer 1601.
BOOK - Ghost Soldiers
Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, Bendigo
Book, soft cover, small image at top shows composite photo of various POW camps. Writing is embossed with eerie green edges. Other small writing in white, 342 pages.
Inscriptions & Markings
From Bishop Noel Daly's collection 2004