Attitudes towards war and peace have changed over time. These objects are remnants of the social, cultural and political conditions of their time. They provide insight into why war happened, why people participated in the war effort and help us to better understand the conflicting narratives of an era.
DANDENONg/cranbourne RSL
AIF FOOTBALL
REGISTRATION No:
0507
DescriPtion:
This ball was possibly made by Corporal C. McMullen during WWI. McMullen made footballs for the AIF, including the original ball for the 1916 Australian Rules exhibition match in London. This object speaks to the early evolution of Australian Rules Football and the importance of sport to the armed forces.
DATE:
c.1939-45
SIZE:
H17cm x W32cm x D22cm
ballarat ranger military museum
oral history
Interviewee:
George Prolongeu
Interviewer:
Danny Williams
DESCRIPTION:
In this oral history excerpt, George Prolongeu recalls the moment he learnt of Japan’s surrender, allowing him to return home and bringing an end to six years of conflict and hardship.
Date:
13 Feb 2018
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ringwood RSL
photograph
REGISTRATION No:
00152
DescriPtion:
This photograph shows aircraft nose art on an American bomber in the Pacific Theatre. The commissioning of nose art began as an unofficial practice that was not subject to usual routes of military approval. The depiction of 'pin up' women during the Second World War was as a means of pushing back against the rigidity and constraint of military life.
DATE:
c.1939 - 1945
SIZE:
H11 x W8 cm
wangaratta RSL
emboidered postcard
REGISTRATION No:
207.8
DescriPtion:
Embroidered silk postcards became a booming industry during the First World War that was largely driven by women. Many French women embroidered strips of silk in their homes before sending them to a factory to be mounted on card by a largely female production line. Designs endorsing patriotism and unity were popular amongst Allied troops.
DATE:
1918
SIZE:
H10 x W13.5 cm
wangaratta RSL
MAGAZINE
REGISTRATION No:
191.4
TITLE:
The War Papers, Part 50
DescriPtion:
This British publication was a lift-out of the Daily Chronicle and belongs to a 90-part series that chronicled the allies progress in the Second World War, right up until Victory Day in 1946.
DATE:
8 April 1945
SIZE:
H58 x W42 cm
DANDENONG/CRANBOURNE RSL
NEWSPAPER
REGISTRATION No:
0505
DescriPtion:
This issue of the Sun News Pictorial was read by Victorians the morning after the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies on May 7, 1945, bringing an end to European conflict in the Second World War.
DATE:
May 8, 1945.
SIZE:
H40 x W28 cm
lara RSL
POW Instructions
REGISTRATION No:
0512
TITLE:
The Responsibilities of a Prisoner of War
DescriPtion:
This small folder was issued to all RAAF personnel during World War II. It contains instructions pertaining to conduct and the protection of service information if taken prisoner by the enemy.
DATE:
1944
SIZE:
H10.8 x W12.6 cm
wangaratta RSL
Carpet
REGISTRATION No:
48
DescriPtion:
The decorative elements of this rug symbolise Australia's commitment to Operation Catalyst - a post-invasion operation dedicated to the stabilization, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
DATE:
2006
SIZE:
H86 x W48 cm
combined tramways/east melbourne rsl
oral history
Interviewee:
Tim Woods
Interviewer:
Ella de Rooij
DESCRIPTION:
Tim Woods is a Vietnam veteran. In this excerpt he recalls the anti-war sentiment and hostile public reception of troupes in the early 1970s despite Australia’s conscription policy – the National Service Scheme – which was eventually abolished in December 1972.
Date:
20 Sep 2017
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ringwood RSL
pamphlet
REGISTRATION No:
00148
TITLE:
Souvenir of the German Navy's Surrender
DescriPtion:
While Armistice Day commemorates the end of the First World War on November 11 1918, the German Navy did not deliver their fleet for a further 10 days. The surrender, also known as Operation ZZ, was the largest gathering of warships in one place in naval history.
DATE:
1918
SIZE:
H28 x W21 cm
DANDENONG/CRANBOURNE RSL
collection tin
REGISTRATION No:
0024
DescriPtion:
Following World War II, various ex-service organisations, patriotic leagues and benevolent societies in Australia instigated fundraising activities to benefit returned prisoners of war. The Red Cross were particularly active in organising Street Day Appeals, where tins like this were used to collect funds.
DATE:
November, 1945
SIZE:
H11 x D13 cm
lara RSL
NEWsletter
REGISTRATION No:
0665
TITLE:
The Voice of the Battalion
DescriPtion:
The 23rd Battalion was raised in Victoria in 1915. This issue of their publication was published in Ypres, France, four days after armistice was declared.
DATE:
15 November, 1918
SIZE:
H20.5 x W16.5 cm
melbourne legacy
book
REGISTRATION No:
00063
title:
Digger Songs
DescriPtion:
Songs and music of war carry powerful messages and can help to create meaningful, often patriotic connections between soldiers and those at home. This songbook was not published until 1922, several years after the First World War concluded but would have most likely been used by Legatees during comradeship activities
DATE:
1922
SIZE:
H303 x W234 mm
wangaratta rsl
oral history
Interviewee:
Joyce Barry
Interviewer:
Michelle Dawson
DESCRIPTION:
Joyce Barry served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War. In her interview, Joyce shares what inspired her to join the services and what training was like for a young woman living in Victoria.
Date:
21 Mar 2018.
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DANDENONG/CRANBOURNE RSL
TRANSISTOR Radio
REGISTRATION No:
0549
DescriPtion:
Many servicemen carried transistor radios during the Vietnam War in order to access news and music. The music of the era became the unofficial soundtrack of the Vietnam War in popular culture. For the first time, soldiers in the field could have an immediate connection to news from home in real time.
DATE:
Unknown
SIZE:
H296 x W257 x D95 cm
melbourne legacy
Programme
REGISTRATION No:
00156
DescriPtion:
Theatre programme for This Will Be The Place, performed during a Melbourne Legacy Display at the Garrick Theatre in 1934. Proceeds for the event contributed to Legacy's activities supporting the families of deceased veterans.
DATE:
1934
SIZE:
H225 x W150 mm
