Items of interest

Australian War Memorial plaque

NEED PHOTO TAKEN

Ballarat P.O.W. Memorial Wall

Australian Ex Prisoner Of War plaque at Wendouree, Ballarat, Victoria. Photo courtesy of A. Collie (daughter of VX19003 J. Donald).

Original Australian flag presented to the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion by the Essendon Council, Melbourne, Victoria before the Battalion left for the Syrian Campaign and kept hidden by the P.O.W.s during their time in captivity. The flag was displayed in ANZAC Day marches until it became too fragile to handle. It is now displayed in the Moonee Valley Council offices (old Essendon Council). Photo courtesy of A. Holland (daughter of Mac Gregson). id no. A_HOLLAND_37

Caption displayed below flag in the Moonee Valley Council offices (old Essendon Council). Photo courtesy of A. Holland (daughter of Mac Gregson). id no. A_HOLLAND_38

Photo taken of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion's Australian flag flying over Fort Merdjayoun after the battle in June 1941. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Caption displayed below photo in the Moonee Valley Council offices (old Essendon Council). Photo courtesy of A. Collie (daughter of VX19003 J. Donald). id no. A_COLLIE_86

Closeup of star on flag. Photo courtesy of A. Collie (daughter of VX19003 J. Donald). id no. A_COLLIE_87

Battalion badge

1955 Battalion badge worn at functions. Badge is approximately 20mm in diameter. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

1956 Battalion badge. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

1961 Battalion badge. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Reverse of badge. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Battalion banner

Banner used by the Battalion for each ANZAC Day march and Annual Shrine Pilgrimage. Held in trust by the Association. Photo courtesy of K. Fraser (son of VX18403 S. Fraser).

Battalion car pennant

Believed to be Battalion Commanding Officer's car pennant circa 1940. Held in trust by the Association. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1449

Reverse of pennant. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1450

Pennant closeup in natural light. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1453

Pennant closeup with unnatural light to highlight detail. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1452

Reverse of pennant closeup with unnatural light to highlight detail. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1451

Battalion colour patch

Shoulder colour patch used for fast identification of 2/2 Pioneer Battalion unit members. White centre, purple surround and grey outer border (some screens may not show the colours correctly). White inner triangle represents Infantry, purple middle triangle represents Engineers and grey outer triangle represents World War 2. The triangular shape of the colour patch represents a Corps attached to a Division (the Pioneers were attached to 7th Division).

Battalion flag

2/2 Pioneer Battalion flag (on the right) being raised on the day of an Annual Shrine Pilgrimage. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Closeup of the flag (being held by a Protective Services guard of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria in full World War I ceremonial uniform). The Protective Services guard major Victorian facilities such as Courts and comprise members of the Victorian Police Force. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Battalion long pennant

Date of manufacture unknown. Pennant possibly used at sporting carnivals. Held in trust by the Association. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1455

Pennant closeup. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1456

Battalion pennant

Pennant circa early 1950s. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Pennant closeup showing A.I.F. emblem. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Battalion Presidents banner

Banner displaying the names of all 2/2 Pioneer Battalion Association Presidents from 1944 onwards. Held in trust by the Association. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1448

Banner closeup showing name details. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1443

Banner closeup showing name details. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1444

Banner closeup showing name details. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1445

Banner closeup showing name details. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1446

Closeup of emblem. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_1447

Battalion tree

The 2/2 Pioneer Battalion tree at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria is located on the St. Kilda Rd side of the Shrine (about 40 feet from the road). The variety is the Queensland "Firewheel Tree" (botanical name stenocarpus sinuatus) so named because of the shape of its disc shaped red flowers. Every unit that served has its own tree at the Shrine. Photo courtesy of K. Fraser (son of VX18403 S. Fraser).

The plaque dedicated to the unit at the tree's base. Photo courtesy of K. Fraser (son of VX18403 S. Fraser).

The tree on 18th June 2006. Photo courtesy of A. Holland (daughter of Mac Gregson). id no. A_HOLLAND_60

Commemorative Victory Medal

Peace / Victory medal struck in 1945 for the City of Essendon (now Moonee Valley Council). Front view shows coat of arms with motto : Dieu et mon droit certum pete finem. Medal is approximately 29mm in diameter. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Back view shows victory 'V' and a torch. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas).

Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Memorial

The Sandaken Prisoners of War memorial at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Remembrance Garden was unveiled by Col Hamley and the President of North Balwyn R.S.L. at the Hospital's Remembrance Day Service on Friday, 9th November 2012. Photo courtesy of J. Davidson (daughter of Ern Veal). id no. J_DAVIDSON_17

Top plaque. Photo courtesy of J. Davidson (daughter of Ern Veal). id no. J_DAVIDSON_18

2/2 Pioneer Battalion plaque. Photo courtesy of J. Davidson (daughter of Ern Veal). id no. J_DAVIDSON_19

2/3 Machine Gun Battalion plaque. Photo courtesy of J. Davidson (daughter of Ern Veal). id no. J_DAVIDSON_20

Sandakan plaque. Photo courtesy of J. Davidson (daughter of Ern Veal). id no. J_DAVIDSON_21

Kit bag

Kit bag of VX77682 J. J. O'Neill (2/2 Pioneer). Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3644

Close up of side. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3645

Opposite side. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3646

View showing covering flap and eyelets for rope to secure end. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3647

Base of bag with original label and colour coding. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3648

Identification label to record name, unit, rank and service number. Photo courtesy of C. Sandell (grandson of VX73689 C. A. R. Douglas). id no. C_SANDELL_3649