351
Part of a series of illustrations on envelopes depicting various aspects of life at the front during the Second World War. They once contained letters written by a soldier to his family in Wangaratta.
c.1939 - 1945
H9x W14.5 cm
42
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.
Unknown
H96.5 x W84 cm
100
Three Australian warships have carried the name Sydney. Following the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and all 645 crew members in 1941, the ship that was to become HMAS Sydney III was handed over to Australia by the UK in 1948. From 1965-1972 the ship was committed to ferrying troupes to and from Vietnam, earning its nickname – the Vung Tau Ferry.
Unknown
Diameter: 80cm
0029
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.
c.1900
H90 x W150 cm
Sandy McCann
Neil Leckie
Alexander John Smith McCann was born in 1949 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He arrived in Australia with his family in 1966 and joined the Australian Army in 1968. Sandy did two tours of Vietnam and became an infantry Sergeant. In this excerpt, Sandy reflects on the attitudes toward returned soldiers.
1 Nov 2017
259
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.
Unknown
H25 x W33.5 cm
0195
Embroidered silk postcards reached peak popularity during the First World War. Their production became a booming industry largely driven by women. The sentimental designs and handwritten notes on this set of fourteen cards reflect this soldier's love for his family and the pain of long-term separation from loved ones.
c.1914-18
H14 x W9 cm
Bill Akell
Danny Williams
Bill Akell was born in Boston, USA and arrived in Australia as an infant. He grew up in Townsville and joined the Citizens Military Force at age 17. He joined the regular army in 1964 and did two tours of duty in Vietnam and was present at the Battle of Long Tan.
1 Nov 2017
0437
These memorial plaques were presented to the next of kin of fallen service men and women during the First World War. This penny acknowledges the sacrifice of Private William Edward Ernest Bond of Geelong. William was 18 years old when he went missing in action on 19th July, 1917.
c.1917
Diameter: 12cm
00060
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.
c.1937
H229 x W229 mm
00071
The Legacy Story
This film, made by Herschells Film Laboratories in East Melbourne, documents the early organisational history and activities of Legacy.
1955
Diameter: 189mm (canister)
00138
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.
c.1972
H117 x W200 mm
Gavan Ryan
Ian Turnbull
Gavan Ryan recalls his reaction after hearing a nearby car bomb explode for the first time while serving in Afghanistan.
20 Sep 2017
0512
The Responsibilities of a Prisoner of War
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.
1944
H10.8 x W12.6 cm
0023
Bugles occupy a special place in military history for both their function and symbolic value. Once used as a means of clear communication within units or on the battlefield, the call of the bugle represented phases of the day. Today, its sound is most closely associated with the end of war.
Not known.
H21 x W27.5 x D13 cm
48
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.
2006
H86 x W48 cm
00001
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.
c.1939
H405 x W334 mm
Don Hughes
Sarah Brownlow
Don Hughes entered the Army Apprentices School in 1974. In 1994/95, Don commanded the Australian Service Contingent deployed to the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Mozambique. Now a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Don was awarded the UN Medal for Operations in Mozambique and the UN Special Service Medal for Humanitarian Demining Operations.
20 Sep 2017
0072
Air Raid Precautions (ARP) were a pervasive feature of life on the home-front. Extensive exercises were carried out in Melbourne during WWII to prepare civilians for attack. Warden's were trained to advise locals, supervise blackouts and manage responses to possible bombings.
c.1940
H30 x W29 x D10 cm
00251
Legacy groups such as the Torch Bearers, Women’s Auxiliary, Widows and Laurel Clubs bring together people with a shared experience and provide a platform for friendship and support. From 1928 until the 1980s, Melbourne Legacy ran an exercise program for its Widows. Some of the class members pictured here were in their 90s, many just learning to swim.
c.1980s
H21.5 x W16.5 cm
00176
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.
c.1980-1990s
H260 x W135 mm
217
More than 400,000 of these gift boxes, embossed with the effigy of Princess Mary, were distributed to Commonwealth troops on Christmas Day, 1914. A gift from the Princess, they contained various items including sweets, tobacco and pencils. This box also holds a poem called Far Away by De Siva (1st Battalion), which was likely placed there for safekeeping by its original owner.
1914
H8.5 x W13 cm
Tim Woods
Ella de Rooij
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.
20 Sep 2017
0518
Gas masks were issued to both servicemen and civilians during World War II to protect them from inhaling toxic chemicals. This mask is typical in design, made from black rubber, with glass eye slots and metal rims and filter.
1941-42
Please confirm.
00148
Souvenir of the German Navy's Surrender
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.
1918
H28 x W21 cm
