The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Capstan Navy Cut cigarette packet with a sky blue, navy, gold and white colour scheme. The front features the wording, ' "CAPSTAN" NAVY CUT CIGARETTES' with 'MEDIUM STRENGTH' above and 'W.D.& H.O. WILLS (AUSTRALIA) LTD. SYDNEY' below. On the top and bottom flaps is printed, '10 "CAPSTAN" MEDIUM PLAIN'. On the sides is printed 'VIRGINIA CIGARETTES' and ' TRADE MARK' with an eight pointed star design. The back of the packet features a gold medal pattern with the words, '17 PRIZE MEDALS' and 'EVERY GENUINE "CAPSTAN" CIGARETTE BEARS THE NAME W.D.& H.O WILLS MANUFACTURED FROM CAREFULLY SELECTED TOBACCOS' and the numerals '3/4' in a circle.
Associated with Lieutenant G L Dolan DCM, 53 Battalion AIF. Born at Surrey Hills, Sydney in June 1894, George Leslie 'Les' Dolan was working as a shop assistant and serving in the militia with the 24th Infantry Regiment, when he enlisted in the AIF on 8 July 1915. 4905 Private Dolan embarked aboard HMAT A15 Star of England with 1 Battalion, 15th Reinforcements on 8 March 1916. After arriving in Egypt, he was transferred to the 53rd Battalion.
After a period of further training, Dolan embarked for France, arriving at the end of June 1916. He moved north with the 53rd Battalion, and entered the line near Fleurbaix in time to participate in the disastrous Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916. He was promoted to lance corporal a week later. Dolan was then promoted to temporary corporal in September, corporal in October, temporary sergeant in May 1917 and sergeant in July.
On 25 September 1917, the 53rd Battalion took part in the attack at Glencorse Wood, east of Ypres in Belgium. Dolan was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the fighting. He was selected for officer training and attended No. 5 Officer's Cadet Training Battalion at Cambridge, England.
Dolan rejoined his unit in June 1918 and a month later was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions during the attack on Morlancourt on 29 July 1918. Dolan was promoted to lieutenant on 1 September. After the war, Dolan married Ethel Dillon O'Brien Porter from Cambridge on 12 May 1919. On 8 August 1919 he embarked aboard HT Katoomba for his return to Australia. Dolan was discharged from the AIF on 17 November 1919. During the inter-war years, Dolan served with the 53rd Battalion (West Sydney Regiment ), Citizens Military Force (CMF).
Black painted, voided brass badge featuring the numeral '53' surmounted by a Stafford Knot and the King's Crown and framed by two waratah wreaths. Below is a scroll with the words, 'WEST SYDNEY REGT'.
Circular bronze medalet commemorating the first visit of the Commonwealth fleet to Sydney on 4 October 1913. The obverse shows the battle cruiser HMAS Australia with the Sydney shoreline in the backgr
British Army issue Mark I steel helmet painted matte khaki throughout, with sand added to the exterior finish to provide a non-reflective surface. The width of the brim, which is fitted with a steel r
Circular brass badge featuring the arms of the University of Cambridge with a cross ermine between four lions passant gardant and on the cross a closed book sideways. Around this is a garter with the
Circular brass badge surmounted by a King's Crown. Around the outside of the badge in raised writing is 'ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE'. In the center of the badge is the r
Bronze shield-shaped medalet celebrating Empire Day 1907. The obverse features a crown in a laurel wreath, below which are the words, 'EMPIRE DAY AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATION MAY 24 1907'. The reverse featu
White enamelled mug with a black enamelled handle and rim. There is a U-shaped fitting integrated to the top of the handle which may indicate that the mug originally had a hinged lid. Used by Lieute
Khaki wool twill peaked cap with an oxidised brass Rising Sun badge and brown leather chinstrap secured by oxidised brass AMF buttons. The crown is lined with fawn cotton sateen which is covered with
Khaki wool gabardine officer's peaked cap, lined inside the crown with khaki cotton. The leather sweatband can be adjusted for fit by means of a cotton drawstring. The brown leather chinstrap is secur
Australian army officer's khaki wool gabardine open-necked service dress tunic lined with khaki polished cotton and fastened with four buttons down the centre front. The tunic has self fabric shoulder
Privately-made khaki lightweight wool twill tunic with open lapel collar. There are holes where collar badges were fitted on the top lapels. The tunic is secured by four buttons, all missing. The shou
Three voided brass collar badges, painted black, featuring the numeral '53' surmounted by a Stafford Knot and the King's Crown and framed by two waratah wreaths. Below is a scroll with the words, 'WES
Rectangular sweetheart ribbon in the form of the colour patch of the 53rd Battalion, divided vertically black against green. A small safety pin is attached to the ribbon. Associated with Lieutenant
Cane walking stick with a brass ferrule. The bulbous head is covered with a brown leather sleeve. Carried by Lieutenant G L Dolan DCM, 53 Battalion AIF. Born at Surrey Hills, Sydney in June 1894, Ge
White enamelled mug with a black enamelled handle and rim. There is a U-shaped fitting integrated to the top of the handle which may indicate that the mug originally had a hinged lid. Used by Lieute
Oval celluloid on tin studio portrait of Lieutenant George Leslie Dolan DCM, 53 Battalion, AIF. Handwritten in black ink at the bottom of the photograph is 'YOURS EVER. LES' . The reverse is fitted wi
Officer's khaki cotton poplin shirt with a back yoke. The shirt has a placket front fastening with two brown celluloid buttons and a stud at the throat. The shoulder straps are fastened with the same
British Small Box Respirator consisting of a rubberised fabric face mask, connected by a fabric covered rubber hose to a chemical absorbent canister made of tin plate. The mask is complete with the ru
