The bodies of the men and women killed in wartime often never came home. Public monuments were built, serving as important places to mourn and remember the dead. However, remembrance and gratitude take many forms beyond physical places for private and collective mourning. These items mirror the different ways individuals and communities reflect and remember. They reveal how important the immediacy of remembrance and commemoration can be, and how future generations can glean understanding from past acts of remembering.
wangaratta RSL
Italian flag
REGISTRATION No:
0312
DescriPtion:
This flag was captured by soldiers from Wangaratta in the 2/24th Battalion at the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July, 1942. Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the flag to both Italy and Australia, the Wangaratta RSL received grant money to have the flag professionally restored and framed in 2017.
DATE:
Unknown
SIZE:
160.5 x 103.5 cm
wangaratta RSL
Honour board
REGISTRATION No:
38
DescriPtion:
Thousands of honour boards were made to commemorate soldiers who served in the First World War. The number of honour boards crafted reflects the immense loss felt in communities and families and the importance for them of remembering those who served and died. This is the Wangaratta and District Victory Roll, including the names of nurses and AIF personnel from the region.
DATE:
Unknown
SIZE:
H154 x W203 cm
wangaratta RSL
Japanese flag
REGISTRATION No:
42
DescriPtion:
Australian servicemen who served in the Second World War often returned home with souvenirs from battle. Whilst the provenance of this particular flag is not documented, it may be a Good Luck Flag or yosegaki hinomaru; a flag signed by family members and given to Japanese servicemen deployed during the Second World War.
DATE:
Unknown
SIZE:
H96.5 x W84 cm
lara RSL
Flag
REGISTRATION No:
0029
DescriPtion:
This flag was carried by Private Fredrick James Smith of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles during the Boer War. On return to Australia, the flag was used in marches by the South Africa, China Old Veterans Association - Geelong.
DATE:
c.1900
SIZE:
H90 x W150 cm
wangaratta RSL
Caricature
REGISTRATION No:
259
DescriPtion:
Australian born Nancy Wake AC, GM, was the most decorated servicewoman of the Second World War. She was nicknamed the 'White Mouse' for her ability to consistently evade and outmanoeuvre the Gestapo as a secret agent for British forces.
DATE:
Unknown
SIZE:
H25 x W33.5 cm
melbourne legacy
Drawing
REGISTRATION No:
00060
DescriPtion:
This drawing of Brian Armstrong was made by Legatees in recognition of his service as President in 1937. Amongst the signatures on the attached board are those of First World War veteran, General Sir Henry George Chauvel and Stanley Savage, founder of Melbourne Legacy.
DATE:
c.1937
SIZE:
H229 x W229 mm
melbourne legacy
Flag
REGISTRATION No:
00138
DescriPtion:
Since 1923, Legacy has been dedicated to aiding the healing process of soldiers and their families. The organisation's activities extend beyond financial and educational support services to the promotion of supportive friendships. This flag is likely from a recreational event in 1972.
DATE:
c.1972
SIZE:
H117 x W200 mm
melbourne legacy
photograph
REGISTRATION No:
00001
DescriPtion:
Photographic portrait of the founder of the first Legacy Club in Australia, Brigadier Stanley Savige. Savige served in the Australian Army between 1915 and 1946, including service in both World Wars. He founded Legacy in Melbourne in September 1923. This photograph of Savige shows him wearing his uniform decorated with eight service ribbons.
DATE:
c.1939
SIZE:
H405 x W334 mm
melbourne legacy
legacy Torch
REGISTRATION No:
00176
DescriPtion:
Cast metal Legacy Torch made for display or commemoration purposes. The Legacy torch symbol depicts a flame representing undying service and a wreath of laurel, with its points inverted in remembrance.
DATE:
c.1980-1990s
SIZE:
H260 x W135 mm
melbourne legacy
Vinyl
REGISTRATION No:
00098
DescriPtion:
This vinyl holds recordings of talks given at a Legacy event in Melbourne during the 1950s. Speakers include Torch Bearer Sadie Parker and Colonel Edmund Osborn Milne, who served in two world wars and was a founding member of Sydney Legacy.
DATE:
c.1952
SIZE:
Diameter: 400mm
DANDENONG/cranbourne RSL
RAAF Medals
REGISTRATION No:
0021
DescriPtion:
Set of five service medals, with miniatures, in a wooden cigar box. Also included is an Interim Discharge Certificate for 42333 Sgt S. Wood, Royal Australian Air Force.
DATE:
Not known.
SIZE:
H21 x W14 x D3.5 cm
LARA RSL
AIRN Badge
REGISTRATION No:
0751
DescriPtion:
The Army Individual Readiness Notice badge implies that the minimum level of training has been attained, denoting its owner's suitability for deployment. This badge was issued to troops during the Gulf War.
DATE:
c1990
SIZE:
H2 x W4.2 cm
ringwood RSL
Photo Album
REGISTRATION No:
00115
DescriPtion:
This photo album was created by Serviceman Jack Devlin. The photos range in dates from 1942 to 1945 in locations such as Port Moresby, Darwin and Cairns and document Jack’s personal war experiences.
DATE:
c. 1945
SIZE:
H220 x W180 x D30 mm
lara RSL
cloth badge
REGISTRATION No:
0704
DescriPtion:
HMAS Vendetta was one of three Daring class destroyers built for the Royal Australian Navy in Williamstown, Victoria. It's operational history spanned two decades and multiple journeys, namely during the Vietnam War. To accompany its logo of a clenched dagger, the ship adopted the motto 'Vindico', which in Latin means, 'I Avenge'.
DATE:
1958
SIZE:
Diameter: 10 cm
