Australian Militaria

22/12/2024

While other members of A Company, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), await their turn, unidentified cheerful young soldiers receive Christmas parcels donated by the Returned Services League (RSL), from Father Christmas (Warrant Officer Class 2 R. O. McLaughlin of Ingleburn, NSW, Company Sergeant Major of A Company).

The Battalion celebrated Christmas on New Years Day as it was in the front line on Christmas Day.

Korea - 1st January, 1953.

19/12/2024

Three Model T Ford Red Cross cars waiting for wounded after fighting on Christmas Day in the Libyan Desert, Western Frontier Campaign.

Three soldiers are standing in front of the Rolls Royce armoured car, which is in attendance to protect the Red Cross cars.

Egypt - 25th December, 1915

19/12/2024

Lieutenant Colonel Burns - Commanding Officer of the New South Wales Lancers from 1897 to 1903.

16/12/2024

A prefederation 1888 marksman qualification patch.

15/12/2024

We are closed from today (Xmas holidays) and will reopen Monday 6th January.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all and thanks for all your support this year.

15/12/2024

A bogged Centurion MkV/1 tank northwest of Baria. Six APCs tried unsuccessfully to pull it out and an Armoured Recovery Vehicle was required to complete the job.

South Vietnam - 1969

13/12/2024

Showing off some souvenirs! A Japanese sword and bayonet.

Kokoda, New Guinea - 19th November, 1942.

13/12/2024

A medium trench mortar and crew of the 3rd Australian Medium Trench Mortar Battery, 2nd Division, in action in a farmhouse 400 yards from the German front lines.

Gun position selected and made use of to support Infantry raid prior to attack on Morlancourt village.

Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) J. Arthur; Lt L. C. Reeves; Gunner (Gnr) W. Commons, holding cleaning rod; Gnr G. Parker, loading mortar; Corporal P. Barber.

Ville-sur-Ancre, France - 29th May, 1918.

12/12/2024

Major (Maj) Stephen Midgley (left), Commanding Officer of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, and Maj Lachlan Chisholm Wilson, Officer Commanding 'A' Squadron, in a trench on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

August 1915.

10/12/2024

RAAF airmen at a parade in which they were presented with their wings under the Empire Air Training Scheme in Ontario.

Identified, standing left to right: 408204 Pilot Officer (PO) Maxwell Tylney Cotton, DFC (lost on operations over the Channel Islands, United Kingdom on 15 June 1943); Jim Ferguson; 401775 Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Frank Austin; Dave Waterhouse; 416280 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Allan Edgar Pearce (killed in an accident flying a Spitfire aircraft low over the English Channel on 11 February 1943); 401975 FO (later Flt Lt) Ross William Leeming; Corporal McCauley; Bill De Cosier (probably 405575 FO Matthew Henry Ivor De Cosier); Tom Anthony (probably O33089 Flt Lt Thomas Wilkinson Anthony, DFC); 416269 FO (later Flt Lt) Thomas Henry McGovern, DFC; Doug Hall.

Ontario, Canada - January 1942.
Kneeling, left to right: 405578 Sergeant Maurice Daniel Duggan (killed in an accident in the United Kingdom on 17 May 1942); 408172 FO (later Flt Lt) Richard Joseph Darcey (killed in an accident flying a Lockheed Lightening aircraft in the Pacific Admiralty Islands on 6 October 1944); 411432 FO (later Flt Lt) Reginald Horatio Nossiter.

10/12/2024

Corporal (Cpl) Arthur William Cavanagh is presented with his Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) by Governor General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson at a ceremony on the steps of the Federal Parliament House on 5th July, 1918.

1096 Lance Corporal Cavanagh was a station manager from Brim’s Springs via Horsham, Victoria, prior to enlistment.

He embarked from Melbourne with D Company, 29th Battalion, aboard HMAT Ascanius (A11) pm 10 November 1915. During his service Cavanagh was promoted to Corporal.

For an action in 1917 he was awarded a DCM ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. When the advance to the second objective was held up, he organized and led a party against the enemy's position. Though wounded early in the attack, he remained at duty, and, single handed, rushed a concrete shelter, putting the whole garrison of twenty out of action, thus allowing the advance to continue. He remained with his men until after the final objective had been consolidated, and, by his courage and coolness, set a splendid example to all ranks.'

Cpl Cavanagh received a gunshot wound to the lumbar hip area and returned to Australia on 24 January 1918.

Arthur’s brothers Brian Hugh and Eric Richard Cavanagh were also awarded DCMs but not at this ceremony. Arthur Cavanagh served in the RAAF in the Second World War.

08/12/2024

Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) Unofficial beret badge – Worn only by less than 100 members of the AATTV from around 1971 to 1972.

The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) was a specialist unit of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was raised solely for service as part of Australia’s contribution to the war in Vietnam, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam with members of the unit receiving over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, while it was in existence. The unit was disbanded in late 1972 when Australia ended its commitment to the war.

Less than 90 hat badges were produced and issued late in the AATTV deployment – circa 1971. Complete with two pins.

Description: Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) Unofficial beret badge Condition: Very Good Plus Comments: Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) Unofficial beret badge - Worn only by less than 100 members of the AATTV from around 1971 to 1972. The Australian Army Training Team Vie...

07/12/2024

60784/ 133007 Private Joe Purdue, and Australian who saw service with the 45th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers in North Russia in 1919 being presented with the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

He was wounded in September 1919.

England - October 1919.

07/12/2024

Just listed...

Button – Pre-Federation – Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Highland Volunteer Rifle Company of New South Wales, 1868-78.

Description: Button - Pre-Federation - Duke of Edinburgh's Own Highland Volunteer Rifle Company of New South Wales, 1868-78. Maker's Name: W. Jones & Co, London Condition: Very Good Plus Comments: Button - Pre-Federation - Duke of Edinburgh's Own Highland Volunteer Rifle Company of New South Wales,....

07/12/2024

Senior Australian and American officers at the ceremony of presentation of the American Silver Star medal to Captain H. J. Murray MC DCM, of the AIF attached to the Allied Intelligence Bureau.

Lieutenant General S. G. Savige CB CBE DSO MC ED, General Officer Commanding the 2nd Australian Corps, is nearest to the camera in the centre rank.

Torokina, South Bougainville Island - 25th April, 1945.

05/12/2024

5020 Sergeant John Lachlan Macmillan, 10th Light Horse, rifle with fixed bayonet, a gramophone beside him.

This image was taken by Hugo Throssell VC and supplied to the Daily Mail then republished in the Sydney Sun newspaper, on 28 November 1915 with the following caption:

"A remarkable photograph taken by Lieutenant Throssell VC for the Daily Mail, just before a bayonet charge. The soldier on duty is Sergeant Macmillan, a splendid type of Australian, 6ft. 6in. high, and 17 stone in weight. The trench gramophone is playing a stirring march while the men wait the order to charge. The Turks are only 30 yards away."

By the time this photograph had been published, Macmillan had received a severe gun shot wound to his thigh (on 27 August 1915) and he returned to Australia in early 1916.

Gallipoli - 1915.

05/12/2024

Just listed...

Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen (TIB) – Unofficial Brass Shoulder Title – Boer War.

Description: Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen (TIB) - Unofficial Brass Shoulder Title - Boer War Maker's Name: Unknown Condition: Very Good Plus Comments: Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen (TIB) - Unofficial Brass Shoulder Title - Boer War.

05/12/2024

Another one just listed...

Mildura High School Cadets – Hat Badge.

Description: Mildura High School Cadets – Hat Badge. Maker's Name: K G Luke, Melbourne Condition: Near Mint Comments: Mildura High School Cadets – Hat Badge.