The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Unofficial Siege of Tobruk 1941 Medal. Impressed on 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 Murray region of Victoria on 22 July 1902. On 18 June 1940 he volunteered for service with the AIF in Albury. Married to Josephine and father to seven children, Johnson was nearing the age of 38. On the 27 July he formally enlisted in Caulfield, Melbourne and by 1 July was back in Albury training with B Company, 4 Infantry Training Battalion. On 20 August, 2/23 Battalion, known as 'Albury's Own', was raised and Johnson became an original member. He continued training with the battalion and was promoted acting corporal in October. On 16 November the battalion embarked for the Middle East aboard HMT Strathmore. By this time Johnson had learnt he was to be a father for the eighth time. He served in North Africa, sending letters home from Dimra in Palestine, Mersa Matruh, Fort Capuzzo and Tobruk. In May 1941 the Afrika Corps captured posts in the area of Post S9 around Tobruk. 2/23 Bn counter-attacked and on 17 May, Johnson was wounded in action. He later died of his wounds and is buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery. In 2003 Johnson's life in the army, as revealed by his letters home to his family, was the subject of an ABC television documentary and book.
Improvised Australian red ensign with a genuine piece of hemp flag halyard with metal fittings inserted into the hoist end. The main body of the flag is constructed out of one large and one small pane
Diamond shaped colour patch for 2/23 Battalion AIF, divided horizontally brown over red on a grey background. Colour patch worn by VX42266 Acting Corporal John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion. 'Jack'
Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX42266 Corporal John Leslie Johnson. Collection consists of three volumes of correspondence between Corporal John Leslie Johnson and his family
Circular tin lapel button with pin back fastening. The front is made of paper and covered with clear plastic. The printed design on the front shows the post 1943 T-shaped colour patch of the 2/23 Batt
Brown triangular pennant screen printed in yellow with a Rising Sun emblem and the words 'ALBURY'S OWN 2/23 BATT. A.I.F. Souvenir'. This pennant was given to the mother of VX42266 Acting Corporal Jo
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
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
Brown triangular pennant screen printed in yellow with a Rising Sun emblem and the words 'ALBURY'S OWN 2/23 BATT. A.I.F. Souvenir'. This pennant was given to the mother of VX42266 Acting Corporal Jo
British War Medal 1939-1945. 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' nea
Diamond shaped colour patch for 2/23 Battalion AIF, divided horizontally brown over red on a grey background. Colour patch worn by VX42266 Acting Corporal John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion. 'Jack'
1939-1945 Star. Impressed reverse with recipient's details. Medals awarded to VX42266 Acting Corporal John Leslie Johnson, 2/23 Battalion. Johnson, known as 'Jack', was born at 'Rock View' near Walw
