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Colonel Shannon DSO, VD., became the 1st President of the Wangaratta RSL in 1928 when it was organised under Anzac House and the present constitution. He was born at Bowman's Forest in 1874 and died in Wangaratta in 1960. He served in the Victorian Mounted Rifles at the turn of the century, rose to the rank of Captain and commanded the Wangaratta Detachment and Company - this later became the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In 1915 he embarked as Major in the 8th Light Horse and served in Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine and Syria when he commanded the 8th Squadron. Later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the Regiment. During the Amman raids, he was awarded the D.S.O at El Salt. This award was presented to him by the Duke of Clarence. In post war period he commanded the 8th Australian Light Horse and later as Colonel of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade During the second world war Colonel Shannon came out from retirement to organise the V.D.C in North East Victoria.

The DSO medal is awarded for distinguished service during active operations against an enemy.

Small rectangular black leather look covered timber box. Inside lid is lined in satin cloth and purple coloured velvet lines the base. Box contains a crimson ribbon with dark blue edges with a suspension bar and pin at the top and a lower suspension bar attached by a loop to a cross shaped medal made from white enamel. In the centre is the imperial crown in gold upon a red enamelled background surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse side depicts the royal cypher

Stamped on lid of presentation box - DSO Inside lid - Garrard & Co Ltd Goldsmiths and Jewellers to the King by special appointment Engraved on reverse of lower clasp - 8 LH Palestine

wangaratta rsl, colonel shannon, dso, ww2, 8th light horse, ww1

Australian Army service medals awarded to Clarence William DREHER VX11730 born 15/6/1911 at Netherby. Enlisted on 19/4/1940 and discharged 23/10/1940. Served 912 days abroad assigned to the 1st Australian Corp of Signals

Six medals with multi coloured ribbons attached mounted on black felt with large pin attached at rear. Three of the medals are star shaped in copper coloured metal and three are round in silver coloured metal. The 1939-45 Star/Africa Star and Pacific Star all feature a crown and the royal cypher of King George VI The round shaped medals 1939-45 Defence medal/War medal and Service medal feature the head of King George VI

All medals are engraved VX11730 C DREHER

australian army, ww2, c dreher, corps of sigs

Service medals ( miniature) awarded to Errol Ivan DREHER R30435 Born 30/4/1926 at Numerkah and died 17/7/2024 at Wangaratta. DREHER enlisted on the 6/5/1946 and served 20 years in the RAN as a Chief Aircraft Artificer (CAA) He served on HMAS Vengeance prior to deployment on the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in 1953 during the Korean War.

Set of seven miniature metal medals with multi coloured stripped ribbons attached. All mounted on a large metal pin attached at rear.

Australian Active Service. Medal 1945-1975 clasp Malaya United Nations Service Medal clasp Korea Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 clasp FESR/Korea/PNG Australian Defence Medal For long service and good conduct Malaysian Service Medal reverse PJM Reverse side For Service on the Far East Strategic Reserve clasp Melbourne

korean war, royal australian navy, errol dreher, hmas sydney, fesr

Service medals awarded to Errol Ivan DREHER R30435 Born 30/4/1926 at Numerkah and died 17/7/2024 at Wangaratta. DREHER enlisted on the 6/5/1946 and served 20 years in the RAN as a Chief Aircraft Artificer (CAA) He served on HMAS Vengeance prior to deployment on the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in 1953 during the Korean War.

Set of eight metal medals with multi coloured stripped ribbons attached. All mounted on black felt with large metal pin attached.

Australian Active Service. Medal 1945-1975 clasp Malaya United Nations Service Medal clasp Korea Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 clasp FESR/Korea/PNG Australian General Service Medal for Korea Australian Defence Medal For long service and good conduct Malaysian Service Medal reverse PJM Reverse side For Service Far East Strategic Reserve clasp Melbourne

korean war, royal australian navy, errol dreher, hmas sydney, fesr

Royal Australian Navy Certificate of Service folder of Errol Ivan DREHER R30435 Born 30/4/1926 at Numerkah and died 17/7/2024 at Wangaratta. DREHER enlisted on the 6/5/1946 and served 20 years in the RAN as a Chief Aircraft Artificer (CAA) He served on HMAS Vengeance prior to deployment on the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in 1953.

Approximately 17;000 Australians were involved in the Korean War between 1951-53 where 340 were killed 1,216 wounded and 30 taken as prisoners of war, and continued a peacekeeping role until 1957.

Brown bound cardboard cover for certificate of service and enclosures in the Royal Australian Navy. Inside green bound folder contains handwritten records of service and numerous training and annual inspection certificates.

Cover for Certificate of Service and Enclosures - DREHER Errol Ivan R30435. Melbourne

ran, caa, errol dreher, royal australian navy, hmas vengeance, hmas sydney

Blue Royal Australian Navy Beret with Badge issued/belonged to Errol Ivan DREHER born 30/4/1926 at Numerkah. Enlisted in the RAN on 6/5/1946 Service No R30435 and served on HMAS Sydney 1951-2 during the Korean War

Blue wool beret with black braid band. At front affixed with multi coloured fabric badge consisting of an anchor, boomerang, wings and crossed swords below a yellow star.

Inside - Kent pure wool Large/ Christie’s Sydney Badge - Korea KWVA NSW

ran, korean war, hmas sydney

Black Royal Australian Navy Beret with Badge issued/belonged to Errol Ivan DREHER born 30/4/1926 at Numerkah. Enlisted in the RAN on 6/5/1946 Service No R30435 and served on HMAS Sydney 1951-2 during the Korean War

Black wool beret with black vinyl band. At front two eyelets affixed with gold coloured metal badge consisting of an anchor below a crown.

Inside - wool beret L

ran, korean war, hmas sydney

The Age newspaper dated Monday January 15, 2024, page 30 - Obituaries - Frank McGovern October1,1919-May 24,2023 WW2 great survivor lived to be 103 - In 1939 McGovern aged 19 enlisted in the RAN and served on HMAS Westralia for 18 months prior to being deployed to HMAS Perth. On February 28 1942, two weeks after the fall of Singapore and having survived the Battle of Java HMAS Perth together with USS Houston entered the Sunda Strait coming into contact with the Japanese invasion convoy. HMAS Perth was vastly outnumbered and with no ammunition remaining the order came to abandon ship. Frank survived the sinking but 347 sailors including his older brother, ultimately perished. Frank became a prisoner of war and put to work on the Burma Railway for 12 months prior to being transported along with over 1000 Australian and British prisoners aboard the Rakuyo Maru to Japan. On September 12 1944 Rakuyo Maru and another prisoner transport ship were struck by American torpedos. As a result 1559 POW’s perished of which 543 were Australian. For the second time Frank survived a torpedo attack only to become a prisoner of war. Frank was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years and in 2019 was awarded the Order of Australia for services to veterans and their families, HMAS Perth Association and HMAS Perth Prisoner of War Association.

Black frame containing newspaper article with three images

frank mcgovern, ran, ww2, pow, hmas perth, battle of sunda strait

HMAS Vengeance was a Colossus class aircraft carrier. Following a three month refit in Sydney, Vengeance (I) commenced seagoing service with the Australian fleet in June 1953, working up in preparation for a deployment to Korea. At the end of July it was announced that HMAS Sydney (III) would deploy to Korea in lieu of Vengeance. In July 1954 Vengeance (I) commenced service as a fleet training ship, including instruction for National Service Trainees. On 27 October 1954 she sailed from Sydney for Japan to embark aircraft, men and equipment of No.77 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, and return them to Australia. Vengeance (I) decommissioned on 25 October 1955 and reverted to the Royal Navy. HMAS Melbourne (II) was commissioned three days later on 28 October 1955.

Green coloured frame with cream mount containing black and white image of a ship with aircraft on deck at ship’s bow and stern.

Vengeance - word formed on deck by ships crew.

vengeance, ran, aircraft carrier

Newspaper announcing Japan Capitulates and plans for surrender following cease fire in the Pacific .

Newspaper consisting of 16 pages of large cream paper folded in half with black printing and images

The Sydney Morning Herald dated Thursday August 16 1945

ww2, japanese surrender, pacific

Replica miniature medals - Boer War/1914-15 Star/British War/Victory Medal -issued to Captain Arthur William ROSS born at Cowes. Enlisted on 31/8/1914 aged 38 years, embarked on 20/10/1914 and served with the Aust. Army Postal Corps before returning to Australia on 15/11/1919. Boer war service unknown.

Set of four miniature medals, three round and one diamond shaped. Two silver and two brass alloy metal all with multi coloured ribbons attached to metal bar with rear pin. Medals contained in black covered box with gold coloured metal plaque with black printing attached to lid.

Plaque - Capt. Arthur William Ross 1876-1967/Boer War,18 months - 5th VMR/WW1- 1914-1919 Aust. Army Postal Corps./WW1 - Egypt 1915, ANZAC Light Horse

medals, capt a. w. ross, boer war, ww1

Travel Pass token issued to Widows of World War 1 Veterans entitling free access on all public transport.

Round gold metal token with small loop attached at top. Obverse side is yellow with writing and numbers in gold overlayed in resin.

Obverse - Widow of World War 1 Veteran Travel Pass 6672 Reverse - Not transferable

travel pass, ww1 widows

Special edition RSL Lapel Badge made for the end of WW1 (1919)

Small irregular shaped gold metal lapel badge with red blue and white enamel detail. The centre of the badge shows a sailor and a soldier in raised detail. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS / IMPERIAL LEAGUE' in raised brass lettering. The outer edges of the shield are white enamel. Representing unity are the floral symbols for Australia and the United Kingdom in the top left and right hand shoulders of the shield; Wattle for Australia, leek for Wales, rose for England, thistle for Scotland and the shamrock for Ireland. At the bottom of the badge is a red enamelled scroll with 'AUSTRALIA' written in raised brass lettering.

Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League Australia 1919 Reverse - Made in Australia

rsl, badge, 1919, ww1

Motor spirit ration tickets issued to Wangaratta farmer Harry Fisher during WW2. Eleven tickets in all, 5 tickets for 5 gallons and 6 tickets for 2 gallons. Seven tickets had valid only dates for 1942.

11 small tickets all the same size but in various colours with perforated edges

4 tickets - (1 red and 3 brown ) Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board/Motor Spirit Ration Ticket/Two2Gals/Department of Supply & Development/Issued under National Security Act 1939-40 Remaining 7 tickets all have 1942 validity dates.

ww2, fuel ration tickets

Australian army issue khaki green beret - In all service branches, the beret is "bashed" to the right and a badge or insignia is worn above the left eye. In the army, all units can wear them with certain units wearing unique ones. No further details are known about the item.

Khaki green beret with gold metal badge

Badge - The Australian Army

australian army, beret

Silk postcard from France written by unknown WW1 soldier from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kittle/Kettle c/- Post Office Milawa. WW1 service records reveal Charles James KETTLE 29741 was born in Milawa and enlisted on 15/4/1916 aged 39 years. He embarked on the 3/10/1916 and served in France prior to being diagnosed with a tumour and whilst being repatriated home died on 10/8/1917 and was buried at sea. Listed place of association was Wangaratta.

Embroidered silk postcards were first made in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. The popularity of silk postcards peaked during the First World War 1914 - 1918.They were mostly embroidered by French women in their homes and then sent to the factories for cutting and mounting on cards. Many of the cards were illustrated with patriotic symbols, flags, slogans, or sentimental texts. During the First World War, many Allied officers and soldiers based in France sent silk embroidered postcards to their loved ones back home

Rectangle cream cardboard postcard with embossed border containing coloured embroidered stitch work of a basket and in words “forget me not” on silk

Handwritten inside - just a souvenir of your beloved France from one of the boys from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kettle/Kittle Post Office Milawa via Wangaratta Victoria

embroidered postcard, ww1, milawa

Prayer book belonging to Una (Billie) Mackey, a signalwoman/driver during WW2.

Cream cardboard booklet with red printing below image of rising sun badge.

Readings and Prayers for Members of Army Women’s Services Issued by the Australian Army Chaplains’ Department

ww2, army women’s services, una mackey, prayer book

Field message and note book issued to Barry Batten 3787527 who served in the Vietnam War

Green fabric covered note book with flip cover containing white pages with small printed blue squares

Australian Military Forces AAB - 64 Reprinted November 1965 Field Message and Note Book Handwritten top left corner 3787527 L/Cpl Batten

notebook, barry batten, vietnam war

Original WW2 Medal awarded to Francis John Climas VX 21940 born 6/9/1907 at Bendigo. Served in the Middle East with the 2/8 Field Co RAE and 2/14 Battalion. Date of enlistment 5/6/1940 and medically discharged on 13/3/1943.

Round shaped silver metal medal depicting a head with crown and on the reverse side a lion.

Obverse side GeorgeVI Reverse side 1939-1945 Side edge -VX21940 FJ CLIMAS

ww2, fj climas, service medal

An example of a field Telephone Set which was used by Australian forces during the Second World War for verbal communications over short distances.

Rectangular aluminum green painted box with metal loops secured to the sides of the body. . The housing opens by a hinged fold back lid that is secured by a hook and eye closure. Attached to the inside of the lid is a metal plate with instructions for use together with a circuitry diagram. The interior contains the phone assembly and is divided by a metal box with a pull up button in front. There are two terminals at the front right hand side in line with an external winder. Attached with a cord to the left side is a black bakelite telephone handset.

YAA856 Telephone Set “L” No2 (Aust)