Hi Lyndall In the Australian Colonies in the 1880's it was common for soldiers of the various units, mostly Artillery, to be seconded to the local Police force. Usually the garrison of the Colony's defence Force was the only visible goverment prescence in a area, and as a lot of the police senior officers were of military background, it made sense. This would explain the 3 different occupations that you have. Although the British Army pulled out of Australia in 1870, a number of members elected to take their discharge here to settle. Hope this helps Tom Corfmat Secretary Victorian Colonial Infantry Association Inc. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cliff Pavey" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 4:08 PM Subject: NSW > Does any lister have any knowldge of British Army Units which may have been in the Northern NSW District between say 1880-1887. I have a gentleman who described himself through the years as a TROOPER, CHIEF CONSTABLE and MEMBER OF THE ARTILLERY FORCE. He does not appear to have been a member of the police force and it is beginning to look as though he may have arrived as a member of a British Unit. > > Thanks for any suggetions > > Lyndall > > ______________________________

Hi Pete, Yeah ,I remember the show and watched all episodes. Little did we ( my wife and I ) know that her uncle was one of them. Family secrets are sometimes a pain in the A***. Regards Wal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter M Thomas" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 9:03 PM Subject: RE: "z" force > > G'day, there's quite a bit written about "Z" Force. One book is "The > Heroes" by Ronald McKIE. > > There is a memorial to Z Force at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. > > I believe they were headquartered for a while at "Airlie" in South Yarra: > in recent years this building was the Victoria Police Staff College. > > In the 1970s there was even a TV show "Spy Force", which marked the > beginning of Jack THOMPSON's career, and which drew on the exploits of "Z" > Force. > > > Peter THOMAS > Darwin, Australia > <[email protected]> > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Annie and Wal [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, 11 November 2002 18:34 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: "z" force > > > Hi all, > I have a relative, a sergeant who received a MM in WW2. > His posting was--- "z" special unit. > Could some kind person give me the history on this unit and any other > details. > Thanking you in anticipation > regards > Wal > > ______________________________ > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > The Military Historical Society of Australia > http://www.pcug.org.au/~astaunto/mhsa.htm >

Margaret Burns wrote: >Could anyone please tell me what 33 Operational Base Unit means as >listed on a "Posting at Discharge" service record on the WW2 Nominal >Roll. Many thanks, Margaret An Operational Base Unit ran an airbase in a forward area. Combat units might stage through the base, or be permanently assigned. The 33rd refueled aircraft, built barracks and other buildings and generally ran the base. 33 OBU ran Higgins Field, QLD from October 1943 to March 1946.

Margaret Burns wrote: >I have found 151 AGT CO listed as a "Posting at Discharge" on the >new WW2 Nominal Roll site. Could SKS tell me what this means. Thank >you, Margaret 151st General Transport Company. A truckin' unit.

Hello Can anyone advise what a certificate of Honour was issued for? On the certificate it states for services rendered in connection with the sale of war savings certificates. What would this have been?? Thanks Jenny

Hello I have recently received a Record Of Service Book from a relative who didn't serve in either WW1 or WW2. Why would he have had this book? It is dated 4/4/1921 being the date he registered. Could this have been used for Army Reserves? Thanks jen

Many thanks to all those who answered my query with suggestion. I appreciate your interest and help. Lyndall

have a look at http://au.geocities.com/digger_history_ww2 for details of how and where the 8th Division were held Ted ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon McBride" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 6:42 PM Subject: 1 RRD Recce Wing? > Hi All, > Just received my uncles army documents for WW2. When he first joined - > taken on strength 1 RRD Recce Wing, rank give as Tpr (I assume Trooper). > Anyone know what this stands for. Then transferred to 8th Division HQ, rank > given as Private - that's straightforward enough, even for me. > > Another question. He was captured at Singapore & spent the remainder of the > war as a POW but there is nothing on his movements during this time on the > records I received, even though he did return. On others I have received a > statement from the men giving details of their movements during their time > as a POW & also statements on how treated etc. Is it possible that there > may be more detailed information at the NSW branch of the National Archives > (where he came from) or would all that they had on him have been > transferred to Canberra. I had hoped to find out something on how he spent > those 3 1/2 years in captivity. > > Sharon McBride > Perth, Western Australia > > mailto:[email protected] > Research Interests > http://members.iinet.net.au/~mcbride/ > > ______________________________

Hi Sharon The official file would have been held by the army and these records have been passed to the National Archives National Office (CAnberra) so NSW will not have them. Perhaps you could try tracking down a unit history which might mention additional details. Many of the records are sketchy as it is my understanding that some were compiled after the war (due to shortage of paper etc). WW1 is no different - many of the ANZAC soldiers have little detail except where killed. Good luck with your search Jan Herivel Sydney -----Original Message----- From: Sharon McBride [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 11 November 2002 7:43 PM To: [email protected] Subject: 1 RRD Recce Wing? Hi All, Just received my uncles army documents for WW2. When he first joined - taken on strength 1 RRD Recce Wing, rank give as Tpr (I assume Trooper). Anyone know what this stands for. Then transferred to 8th Division HQ, rank given as Private - that's straightforward enough, even for me. Another question. He was captured at Singapore & spent the remainder of the war as a POW but there is nothing on his movements during this time on the records I received, even though he did return. On others I have received a statement from the men giving details of their movements during their time as a POW & also statements on how treated etc. Is it possible that there may be more detailed information at the NSW branch of the National Archives (where he came from) or would all that they had on him have been transferred to Canberra. I had hoped to find out something on how he spent those 3 1/2 years in captivity. Sharon McBride Perth, Western Australia mailto:[email protected] Research Interests http://members.iinet.net.au/~mcbride/ ______________________________

Hello Everyone ... (forgot to include this before) I wanted some information on the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company and also about a rank of a 2nd Corporal (for the same unit). Bright Blessings Sandie

Hello everyone ... does anyone know anything about the WW2 69 Mobile Searchlight Battery at all please? Bright Blessings Sandie

Could anyone please tell me what 33 Operational Base Unit means as listed on a "Posting at Discharge" service record on the WW2 Nominal Roll. Many thanks, Margaret

I have found 151 AGT CO listed as a "Posting at Discharge" on the new WW2 Nominal Roll site. Could SKS tell me what this means. Thank you, Margaret

Good evening Mike and Roger, I think that the set of 3 books" The Offical History of the Australian Medical Services in the War of 1914-1918" covers many of the hospitals in which the Diggers spent time in England. I seem to recall Volume 3 mentioning things of that nature. It could be worth a look. Regards George Ward Melbourne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Boyd" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 11:00 AM Subject: Re: AIF in Britain 1915-1919 > Roger > What is the purpose of your research? > > My late grandfather was with the 25th Bn. He joined that Bn on the 4th > August and was wounded on the 6th August 1916 at Poziers Heights. > > He did not come back into the line until early 1918. My uncle has the piece > of metal they got from my grandfathers leg mounted besides his medals. > > We know he was in a hospital north of London - near Cambridge I think. Over > 50 years ago when my sister and I used to stay overnight with our > grandparents, he would tell us about the war but being only 7 or 8 I have > forgotten even what they were about let alone the detail. > > I would assume that you would find diaries from those who wrote them while > in England in our Archives or the War Memorial Records. > > I have just had a look in Bean's Volume III, but there does not seem to be > any book that might cover those who were in England recovering. It has been > nearly 9 months since I read it, but I can't recall him saying anything as > to what happened to the wounded. > > Mike Boyd > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Roger Beckett <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 6:07 PM > Subject: AIF in Britain 1915-1919 > > > > Hello > > I am a new UK-based member of the group. > > > > I am researching the AIF in Britain during the Great War. There are a lot > of > > official archives covering the setting up of the administrative, training > > and medical services of the AIF in Britain but what is more difficult is > > finding personal accounts of the Australian experience of Britain. I am > > interested in the experiences both of men and women who were based in > > Britain and also those who visited on leave from France. > > > > Any assistance with this would be much appreciated. > > > > Roger Beckett > > > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > > Anzac Research > > http://anzacresearch.tripod.com/index.htm > > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > Milton Ulladulla Boer War & WW1 > http://www.shoalhaven.net.au/~cathyd/war/ >

G'day, there's quite a bit written about "Z" Force. One book is "The Heroes" by Ronald McKIE. There is a memorial to Z Force at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. I believe they were headquartered for a while at "Airlie" in South Yarra: in recent years this building was the Victoria Police Staff College. In the 1970s there was even a TV show "Spy Force", which marked the beginning of Jack THOMPSON's career, and which drew on the exploits of "Z" Force. Peter THOMAS Darwin, Australia <[email protected]> -----Original Message----- From: Annie and Wal [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 11 November 2002 18:34 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: "z" force Hi all, I have a relative, a sergeant who received a MM in WW2. His posting was--- "z" special unit. Could some kind person give me the history on this unit and any other details. Thanking you in anticipation regards Wal ______________________________

G'day, some books that might help you are "The Broken Years" by Bill GAMMAGE, and "The ANZACS" by Patsy ADAM-SMITH. I note on the file of one of my ancestors that he was given leave after the Armistice, to attend a specialist course in England. I gather there was a program to enable diggers to benefit from opportunities in Britain, before repatriation to Oz. Peter THOMAS Darwin, Australia <[email protected]> -----Original Message----- From: Roger Beckett [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 11 November 2002 17:38 To: [email protected] Subject: AIF in Britain 1915-1919 Hello I am a new UK-based member of the group. I am researching the AIF in Britain during the Great War. There are a lot of official archives covering the setting up of the administrative, training and medical services of the AIF in Britain but what is more difficult is finding personal accounts of the Australian experience of Britain. I am interested in the experiences both of men and women who were based in Britain and also those who visited on leave from France. Any assistance with this would be much appreciated. Roger Beckett ______________________________

This question was asked on another list about 2 months, sorry I don't recall which one. This 'artillery force' turned out to be some kind of volunteer militia for veterans, of some kind. It didn't seem to have any relation to 'artillery' in the usual sense. It wasn't the British Army. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted HARRIS" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 2:14 PM Subject: Re: NSW > the British Army were all gone from Australia by 1870 so it must have been a > Colonial Unit > > Ted > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cliff Pavey" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 3:08 PM > Subject: NSW > > > > Does any lister have any knowldge of British Army Units which may have > been in the Northern NSW District between say 1880-1887. I have a gentleman > who described himself through the years as a TROOPER, CHIEF CONSTABLE and > MEMBER OF THE ARTILLERY FORCE. He does not appear to have been a member of > the police force and it is beginning to look as though he may have arrived > as a member of a British Unit. > > > > Thanks for any suggetions > > > > Lyndall > > > > ______________________________ > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > Milton Ulladulla Boer War & WW1 > http://www.shoalhaven.net.au/~cathyd/war/ >

the British Army were all gone from Australia by 1870 so it must have been a Colonial Unit Ted ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cliff Pavey" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 3:08 PM Subject: NSW > Does any lister have any knowldge of British Army Units which may have been in the Northern NSW District between say 1880-1887. I have a gentleman who described himself through the years as a TROOPER, CHIEF CONSTABLE and MEMBER OF THE ARTILLERY FORCE. He does not appear to have been a member of the police force and it is beginning to look as though he may have arrived as a member of a British Unit. > > Thanks for any suggetions > > Lyndall > > ______________________________

some details on www.diggerhistory.info and http://au.geocities.com/fortysecondbattalion in the diaries section and elsewhere Ted ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Beckett" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 6:07 PM Subject: AIF in Britain 1915-1919 > Hello > I am a new UK-based member of the group. > > I am researching the AIF in Britain during the Great War. There are a lot of > official archives covering the setting up of the administrative, training > and medical services of the AIF in Britain but what is more difficult is > finding personal accounts of the Australian experience of Britain. I am > interested in the experiences both of men and women who were based in > Britain and also those who visited on leave from France. > > Any assistance with this would be much appreciated. > > Roger Beckett > > ______________________________

Hi Wal, First called Services Reconnaissance Department - later 'Z' Special Unit. Top secret, highly trained group who were sent in behind enemy lines to report on enemy movements. You don't mention your uncle's name but there will possibly be information on him in the book "Blood on Borneo" by Jack Wong Sue who lives here in W.A. & was a member of Z Special Unit. The book was released early this year & I picked up my copy from Angus & Robertson bookshop. The men were involved in many projects including AGAS 1 headed by Major Gort Chester. Some other names Captain Dekek (Jock) Sutcliffe, Lieutenant Fred Olsen, Staff Sergeant Graham Greenwood, Sergeant Skeet Hywood, Lieutenant Don Harlem. Hope this help, Sharon Sharon McBride Perth, Western Australia mailto:[email protected] Research Interests http://members.iinet.net.au/~mcbride/