[Departure of AIF troops from Melbourne]

Filmed by one of Australia's premier cinematographers, Damien Parer, this unedited film in two parts shows the departure of 6th Division troops from Melbourne beginning in 1939. note that audio is extant only for last two or so minutes of the sequence. Part 'A': Filmed 16 December 1939, the advance party from the 6th Australian Division leave Melbourne showground by electric train for Port Melbourne. Troops embark at Port Melbourne on the RMS Strathallan. Part 'B': Departure from Melbourne of the second convoy April 1940, including RAAF personnel. Identified personnel are, in Part A, Sir Thomas Blamey, Lieutenant Colonel G A Vasey, Lieutenant Commander Mills, Colonel H C Disher. In Part 'B', identified personnel are Major General I G McKay, Major General Sir Cyril Brudenell White, Major General J Northcott. The last minute of film has sound of cheering crowd. The footage is characterised by good close ups of soldiers and of those waving the troops goodbye.