The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Japanese soldier's aluminium bowl. Engraved on the inside is a tropical scene which includes a boat with sail, large sun and hut. The side carries an engraving of the general service 'rising sun' badge. There is a maker's stamp in the centre of the base showing a fist holding of arrows with Japanese writing, translated as 'arrows grabbed by hand'. A a second tropical scene is engraved around the stamp.
VX104013 Major Ian Arthur Wilson was born on 31 May 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria. He was a medical practitioner and already serving part-time as a captain in the militia when he entered full-time service with the CMF on 18 December 1941, with the 10th Australian Field Ambulance. On 22 July 1942 he enlisted in the AIF, remaining attached to the same unit.
Wilson spent just over a week at the School of Tropical Medicine at the University of Sydney at the beginning of October 1942. By the end of the month he had embarked for Port Moresby from Brisbane. Wilson spent almost a year on his first tour to New Guinea. During this time he had several bouts of sickness. He was eventually withdrawn to Australia in October 1943.
Wilson arrived back in Victoria and went on leave. After spending time as a Medical Officer (MO) at various units he became the MO at Headquarters (HQ) of the 1st Australian Corps on the 24 December 1943. On April 12 he was appointed MO at the HQ of 2nd Australian Corps and returned to New Guinea, arriving in Lae at the beginning of May 1944.
Wilson spent just over eight months in New Guinea, returning to Australia at the beginning of 1945. During this time he was posted to several units including the 106th Australian General Hospital. After returning to Australian Wilson served at 115th Australian General Hospital at Heidelberg, in Melbourne, and at the Leave and Transport Depot, Victorian Lines of Communication, where he supervised final medical examinations for men being discharged from wartime service. Wilson was discharged on 18 April 1946.
Kidney shaped aluminium mess tin lid. On the top is an engraved with a tropical scene which includes an boat with sail large sun and hut. In the middle of the scene is a makers mark, circular in shape
Aluminium cigarette case with side hinge and spring clasp. The front is engraved with a Japanese soldier holding his rifle and a map of East China showing towns, shipping and railway routes. The case
Canvas bag with zip and wrist handle. The zip has the makers name on it 'TOKYO SHUTTER CO.' On the front of the bag are two Japanese characters stitched in cotton. VX104013 Major Ian Arthur Wilson w
Japanese 10 yen note, series (601), number 268388, issued by the Bank of Japan. The note has been circulated and has one vertical fold mark. It shows general use wear. VX104013 Major Ian Arthur Wils
Japanese 10 yen note, series (540), number 580108, issued by the Bank of Japan. The note has been circulated and has one vertical fold mark. It shows general use wear. VX104013 Major Ian Arthur Wils
Trench art letter opener in the shape of a gum leaf with a 6.5mm x 50 mm Japanese Arisaka cartridge for a handle. VX104013 Major Ian Arthur Wilson was born on 31 May 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria. He
