The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Portrait depicting Bruce Maitland "Slugger" L'Estrange (NX171438) MM, 2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment, sitting holding an Owen gun. The 2/6th commandoes were engaged in patrol operations in the Aitape area, New Guinea. L'Estrange is depicted here wearing characteristic bandana and a boar's tusk around his neck. A skull has been painted on the ground just behind L'Estrange's right leg, as a momento mori. In 1999 L'Estrange donated his hand guns to the Memorial. In a letter, he said he carried them always during the war because he never intended to surrender and wanted to be prepared in case he was wounded/captured.
Portrait depicting Bruce Maitland "Slugger" L'Estrange, NX171438 (N3842), MM, 2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment, 2/7 Australian Independent Company, engaged in patrol operations in the Aitape
Brown leather homemade shoulder holster for a Colt Model 1911 semi automatic pistol. This pistol holster was made by Sergeant B (Slugger) L'Estrange from leather found in an abandoned mine in New Gu
P08 Luger semi automatic pistol. Toggle top is stamped 'DWM' and the upper side of the barrel is marked '1933'. A small brass plate on the left side of the frame is marked 'M.L. Tjil. 153', indicating
Portrait depicting Bruce Maitland "Slugger" L'Estrange, NX171438 (N3842), MM, 2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment, 2/7 Australian Independent Company, engaged in patrol operations in the Aitape