The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Studio portrait of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, GM, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Lt Syme was based at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth, from 1940 to 1942. He rapidly developed a reputation for bravery, especially in delousing the unfamiliar German magnetic mines. He was later awarded the Bar to the George Medal (1942) and the George Cross (1943) for a string of successful mine recoveries. In January 1943 he returned to Australia and was appointed as the Commanding Officer of a bomb disposal section at HMAS Cerberus. He left the Navy in 1944, returning to the family business of running The Age newspaper in Melbourne.
Australia Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbo
British MK II steel helmet. The helmet is stamped into shape from sheet metal and has a rolled edge of sheet metal around the brim to cover the sharp edges. Inside the helmet, the liner is attached to
British War Medal 1939-45. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Mel
At 6.00 a.m., watched by other soldiers Australian troops leave a transport ship, by means of rope ladders, for the landing at Anzac Cove
The 2 uF condenser is a rectangular shaped capacitor which is made from aluminium. It has two prongs extending out from one end to allow wires to be wound onto them so it can create a charge. This 2
The upper band of each gaiter is made from a stiff band of brown leather. This is secured to the wearer's leg by two metal buckles and straps, one set below the other on the outside of the gaiter. The
Customised Flotation Vest. The front of the waist coat has been cut extra long with the middle being folded back in on itself, creating a central loop to fit the internal rubber inflatable bladder. Th
Customised Tool Belt. The leather belt, originally a cartridge belt, has had 24 individual metal holders riveted to the sides and back. 10 of the holders have become detached either deliberately or th
Defence Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme
Pair of Australian Second World War Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve rank epaulettes. The epaulettes have a black wool upper and a white cotton underside. The rank shown on the epaulettes in t
Extraction tool possibly used in deactivating mines and bombs. The extraction tool consists of a brass cylinder which is attached to a wider piece of brass tubing at the front end. Fitted around the p
At Sea. November 1914. Phillip (Peter) Schuler, Melbourne Age newspaper correspondent.
At Sea. November 1914. Just before Suez came the news that we were to stop in Egypt. I (C. E. W. Bean) got into camp rig at once.
Phillip (Peter) Schuler, the Age special correspondent, standing on a Pyramid, on New Year's Day. Beneath him is Mena Camp.
Respirator, anti-gas, MK V Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) crewman variant. This variant was also favoured by air crews in Bomber Command. The rubber facemask is moulded black rubber which has been st
George Cross (Geo VI). Engraved reverse with recipient's details. Hugh Randall Syme was born on 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme's father, John Herbert, was a journalist, and his son had set
George Medal and bar (Geo VI). Medal engraved around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at
British mine part. The two piece brass unit has an externally and internally threaded collar screwed onto the lower main body. The body is threaded approximately half way up its length. The threaded e
A German magnetic sea mine type M3 firing unit. The unit is a cylindrical main body with a central shaft extending out of either end. "1B - 171" over a circle with the number "76" within have been pa
German mine mechanical Impact fuze Vz Z 34 A (clockwork, self destructing) as used in C and D type parachute mines (Luftmine). This fuze is designed to activate 22 seconds after impact should the mine
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece appears to be either a fuze or a timing mechanism. The body of this piece is cylindrical. The bottom end has a small brass fan. The top end of the pie
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is cylindrical with five hollow arms extending from the top. Small brass sockets are located within the arms. Written in raised detail between the arm
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is likely to have been a cover for another piece of the mine. It is shaped like a lid to a saucepan and has a small handle on top. There are 12 holes
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is cylindrical with a domed top. Near the base of the dome has been etched the numbers '25425-15'. The outside of the object has a grooved middle, sim
Hessian Blackout Curtain. The top of the hessian has been folded over and seamed to strengthen the top of the curtain. Sewn to the reverse side of the curtain below the top edge is a length of cotton
Hydrostatic clock taken from a German Type C acoustic parachute mine. A cast aluminium cover with internal threads covers a trigger mechanism for the device. Inside the device a copper core is connect
Interior of the Australian War Museum, showing exhibits in the display cases showing the types of uniforms worn by 'Out of the Line'; 'The Junior Officer'; 'Able Bodied Seaman', 'Staff Nurse'; 'Light
Part of the 4th Battalion and the mules for the 26th (Jacob's) Indian Mountain Battery landing at 8 am. In the foreground looking at the boats is the staff of Colonel H N MacLaurin, 1st Infantry Briga
"The First Million". The total attendance at the Australian War Memorial during the two years it has been in Sydney, has now reached one million. The distinction of being the one millionth visitor is
Custom made cylindrical canvas kit bag. The bag is made from heavy duty canvas with a one piece upper and cylindrical base. The stitching has been reinforced with leather strips. 10 brass eyelets have
Type 'D' German magnetic parachute mine gyroscopic gimbal mount. The external part of the mount is made from aluminium and has several attachment points for fitting to the Type 'D' mine's outer casing
Officer's navy blue wool double breasted greatcoat, lined throughout with black polished cotton twill. The coat has a stand and fall collar, two rows of six gilded brass Royal Navy officer's buttons (
Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve officer's black wool superfine undress or 'monkey' jacket. The double breasted jacket has notched turn back lapels; two rows of four gilded brass RAN officer's
Officers RAN dark blue peaked service dress cap. The cap's crown is of dark blue Oxford wool cloth and has a black mohair hatband. Sewn to the front of the hatband is the King's crown embroidered in g
Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. c May 1915. Surgeon General Sir Charles S. Ryan standing outside the dugout of the Aide-de-Camp as denoted by the ADC sign above the doorway. (Donor R. G. Casey)
Studio portrait of Mary Elizabeth Maud Chomley, Secretary of the Prisoners of War branch of the Australian Red Cross, London.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. Unnamed as issued. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme’s fath
Weight belt. The belt is made from 25 mm cotton webbing with an aluminium buckle at one end. 8 circular lead weights are threaded onto the belt. Each weight is made up from two circular pieces, with t
Pair of white cloth spats. Each spat is made from three separate panels of thickly woven linen sewn together and have been lined with three matching panels of a tightly woven white linen. Sewn on the
The sign has been cut out from a sheet of aluminium. At the top of the sign, the centre area has been cut out and the two uncut 'arms' have been folded over, allowing the sign to be hung from a bar or
Portrait of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, GC, GM and Bar, Royal Australian Naval Reserve. Lt Syme was based at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth, from 1940 to 1942. He rapidly developed a reputation for bravery,
The entrance to HMS Vernon. During the Second World War, it became the main Royal Naval base responsible for mine disposal and mine countermeasures. This image is from the collection of Lieutenant (Lt
Some of the components removed from a German magnetic mine. The parts include cover plates, a coil spring, the primer mechanism and hydrostatic clock. This image is from the collection of Lieutenant (
The Administrative block at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth. During the Second World War, it became the main Royal Naval base responsible for mine disposal and mine countermeasures. The masts of HMS Victory ca
Four German soldiers unloading a magnetic mine (code named 'George' by the British) from a truck. The mine is secured in a travelling frame and is probably being delivered to a Luftwaffe unit based in
A parachute deployed German magnetic mine, which appears to have landed on the grounds of the Woolwich Arsenal. The mine is intact and is partially buried in the soft ground. This image is from the co
