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More wings for the Raj: RAAF in India during Second World War
27 February 2009 by Tim Roberts.
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Collection,From the collection,Personal Stories, Second World War
Although outside main combat areas during the Second World War, India became an important region for the RAAF, and for many RAAF personnel attached to RAF units. In some RAF squadrons, ten percent of the crews were Australians, many of them transferred from training or bomber units based in England.
Most RAAF and RAF activity happened in the northern half of India. The Eastern division of Bomber Command used various bases in Bengal (now Bangladesh) for raids against Japanese forces in Burma and Thailand. RAF Ferry Command units kept busy delivering new planes. For troops and supplies, Bombay was a major port between Australia, the Middle East and Europe. Intelligence work, general administration and advanced hospital facilities were centred in New Delhi. At the end of the war, Bhopal in central India became the base area for a huge transit/demobilisation camp.
First Aboriginal commissioned officer – Reginald Saunders
13 February 2009 by Garth O'Connell.
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Collection
Many thousands of Australian Aboriginals have enlisted and served in Australia’s defence forces since 1901, and several have won decorations, but the first to be promoted to a commissioned rank was Reg Saunders of Victoria.
Reginald Walter Saunders was born a member of the Gunditjmara people, just outside Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve in the western district of Victoria on 7 August 1920. His father, Chris Saunders, and uncle, William Reginald Rawlings, had served with the first AIF. Reg was named after his uncle, who served in the 29th Battalion and was awarded a Military Medal for “displaying rare bravery in the performance of his duty … his irresistible dash and courage set a wonderful example to the remainder of the team”. Reg grew to admire the military feats of both his father and uncle.
Lockheed Hudson A16-105 and Ray Kelly
13 February 2009 by Chris Goddard.
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Collection
Early in 2001, the Australian War Memorial acquired a Second World War Lockheed Hudson (A16-105). Since then, curatorial staff have been trying to contact crew members they had identified as having been associated with this aircraft during its war service. In November 2001, they discovered that Canberra resident Flying Officer Ray Kelly, who trained with No. 1 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Bairnsdale during late 1941 and most of 1942, had flown A16-105.
Former Hudson bomber pilot, Ray Kelly inside the cockpit of the Lockheed Hudson in ANZAC Hall Puddings on the Veld and kangaroos in the Gulf: Christmas in the Memorial’s collection
13 February 2009 by Rebecca Britt.
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Collection
Miniature pink underwear, artistic biscuits, autographed handkerchiefs – these may seem like odd Christmas gifts, yet these are just a few of the objects that Australian soldiers have sent home while serving overseas and which are now held in the Memorial’s collection. They include items from the South African War (1899–1902) and the two world wars, as well as from more recent operations, such as the Persian Gulf, and they range from the traditional to the humorous and sentimental.
One of the earliest examples is a plum pudding from South Africa. At Christmas the soldiers’ rations were supplemented by plum pudding; but while his fellow troopers enjoyed their Christmas treat, Trooper Thomas Ashford of the 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles carefully preserved his. Ashford brought it with him on his return to Australia, and in the 1950s it was donated to the Memorial, still in its tin and
covered with the manufacturer’s wrapper. The pudding was placed on display and proved a source of great interest to thousands of visitors, including the Royal family.
Valentine’s Day Love Letter
13 February 2009 by Nicholas Schmidt.
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Collection,Exhibitions,News, Of Love and War, Private Records, Valentine's Day
The Memorial recently acquired a mysterious letter. It is beautifully written and decorated, but we don’t know much about it. It seems it was written by a French woman to her sweetheart, and we assume he was Australian, as the letter ended up in Australia. We do not know who they were, but we do know that the letter was written on 25 August 1918 and was sent from Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles in France. The writer, Martha (or perhaps Marthe) Gylbert, obviously missed her soldier, and went to a great deal of trouble to decorate the letter. It seems that the two were engaged to be married, as the letter ends with the words (almost obscured with kisses) “wife to be very soon”.
First page of a letter written in France in 1918. PR03970read on
Happy Valentine’s Day from ‘The Love Controller’!
12 February 2009 by Alexandra Orr.
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Collection,Family history,From the collection,New acquisitions,News,Personal Stories, First World War, Postcard, sweetheart, Valentine's Day
As with other special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays, having to spend Valentine’s Day apart from loved ones would have been sad and distressing for many serving men and women, and for those at home eagerly awaiting the safe return of their sweethearts and friends.
Fortunately, there is little that can stand in the way of love and many people overcame distance and time to send messages of love and admiration, not only for Valentine’s Day, but throughout the course of wartime.
Postcards were an easy method of expressing such thoughts and feelings. Popular at any time, a variety of designs have been created since their invention in order to send that special message to that special someone.
Many Australian servicemen and women were able to take advantage of this market, particularly during the First World War, and some very interesting examples are held in the Australian War Memorial’s collection.
RC08136 Love Ration Card