The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Studio portrait of VX42229 Private (Pte) Alan Clement Kelly, 2/23 Battalion, of Walwa, Vic. He was a labourer prior to enlisting on 29 June 1940. Pte Kelly, VX42266 Pte John Leslie Johnson and VX46250 Pte John Patrick Joy, all originally from Walwa, Vic, were close friends who all enlisted in June 1940. Following initial training in Australia, they embarked from Port Melbourne on board HMAT Strathmore on 17 November 1940, arriving in Egypt on 17 December. After further training in desert warfare the unit was sent to Tobruk, Libya, arriving on 18 March 1941. All three were killed in action during the counter attack on 17 May 1941. Pte Kelly was 22 years of age.
Studio portrait of VX46250 Private (Pte), later Corporal, John Patrick Joy, 2/23 Battalion, of Jingellic, Vic. He was a station hand prior to enlisting on 25 June 1940. Pte Joy, VX42229 Pte Allan Clem
Studio portrait of VX42266 Private (Pte), later Corporal, John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion, of Walwa, Vic. He was a carpenter and contractor prior to enlisting on 27 June 1940. Pte Johnson, VX4
Outdoor group portrait of members of the second 23rd Battalion Carrier Platoon on the beach near Dimra, Palestine in January 1941. (Dimra was a small Arab village 11 kilometres north east of Gaza City
Outdoor group portrait of members of the 2/23rd Battalion Carrier Platoon on the beach near Dimra, Palestine in January 1941. (Dimra was a small Arab village 11 kilometres north east of Gaza City.) Id
Africa Star. Impressed reverse with recipient's details. Medals awarded to VX42266 Acting Corporal John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion. 'Jack' Johnson was born at 'Rock View' near Walwa in the Upper
Australia Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals awarded to VX42266 Acting Corporal John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion. 'Jack' Johnson was born at 'Rock View' near Wa
