The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
AIF khaki woollen other ranks' greatcoat. The coat is single breasted, and would originally have had five buttons, although only one large brown imitation leather example now remains. A single central rear pleat ends in a two button vent, (the lower button is missing) and there is a half-belted back with two of the three buttons for adjustment remaining. Two large pockets with external flaps are present at the hips. The sleeves are lined with discoloured white cotton fabric, and have large turn-back cuffs. The coat buttons to the neck with a large turn-down collar. A detachable oval khaki woollen panel can be buttoned across the throat for extra weather protection if required, and is secured underneath the turn-down of the left hand collar. The shoulder straps both have straight brass 'AUSTRALIA' titles. The left hand strap is secured by a small brass 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES' button, but that on the right has no button. Colour patches for 1 Australian Machine Gun Battalion are carried on each shoulder. The right hand sleeve bears a set of corporal's chevrons.
Gordon Binns was born in 1899, and began his compulsory cadet service in March 1913. In February 1917, aged 18, he enlisted in the AIF, becoming number 712 in the 13th reinforcements to 2 Machine Gun Company. After sailing to England on the 'SUEVIC', he was sent in March 1918 to reinforce 6 Infantry Battalion, but almost immediately transferred back to 1 Machine Gun (MG) Battalion, of which 2 MG Company was a part. Binns was wounded in action on 10 August 1918 when his unit was supporting the Australian attack on Lihons, and spent over a month in hospital. Upon release, he was again transferred, this time to the Australian Provost Corps, where he served out the remainder of the war. Gordon Binns returned to Australia in 1919. He died in 1976.
Black canvas AIF embarkation kit bag with brass 'D' ring for closure. The tubular bag has 12 brass eyelets placed around its opening, and is reinforced with a second layer of canvas at the base. A lar
Papers of Corporal Gordon Binns relating to his service with 2nd Machine Gun Company during the First World War. Items in the collection include record of service notebooks, service papers, menus, c
German rifle muzzle protector for a Mauser Gewehr 98. The protector, which is made of tool steel, is a 29 mm long 16 mm cylinder with a hinged cap, designed to slide over the rifle muzzle. A bracket f
German army shoulder strap of 5 Fussartillerie (Foot Artillery) Battalion. The shoulder strap is of golden-yellow woollen fabric with a single buttonhole at the inner end. A symbol of crossed flaming
German army shoulder strap of 5 Fussartillerie (Foot Artillery) Battalion. The shoulder strap is of golden-yellow woollen fabric with a single buttonhole at the inner end. A symbol of crossed flaming
German army shoulder strap of 5 Fussartillerie (Foot Artillery) Battalion. The shoulder strap is of golden-yellow woollen fabric with a single buttonhole at the inner end. A symbol of crossed flaming
German army shoulder strap of 37 Fussartillerie (Foot Artillery) Battalion. The shoulder strap is of golden-yellow woollen fabric with a single buttonhole at the inner end. A symbol of crossed flaming
Portrait of 712 Private Gordon Binns, 13th Reinforcements, 2nd Machine Gun Company (of the 1st Machine Gun Battalion), of Yarraville, Vic, aged 18. After travelling to England on HMAT Suevic, he was t
Single lead shrapnel ball, flattened on one side. Collected on the Western Front as a souvenir by Corporal Gordon Binns, AIF.
Two German army identity discs (Erkennungsmarke). The zinc discs are oval shaped with two holes punched in the top for a suspension cord. A line of circular indentations stamped horizontally across th
American soldier's circular aluminium identity disc. The name 'JESSE.V.BEECH.' is stamped around the circumference of the disc, with the words 'PVT.1ST.CL. CO.A. 108 FLD.SIG.BN.' stamped horizontally
Custom made Bedford cord breeches, strapped at the knees with suede for mounted service. The breeches have a six-button concealed fly, with six further buttons located around the outside of the waistb
Pair of khaki woollen puttees. Each puttee consists of a 2.75 m length. A 1.62 m cotton tape secures it below the knee. At the join between the fabric and the cotton tape is stitched a black fabric la
Australian First World War fur felt slouch hat with plain woollen band and oxidized brass 'Rising Sun' badge. The left hand brim of the hat has been pinned to the side of the crown by the badge. Six s
Pair of private issue spurs with British sixpence coins for rowells. The spurs each have a single leather boot strap connecting to a buckle, and a length of chain, to be worn under the instep, attache
Pair of brown leather AIF issue ankle boots without toecaps. The soles are of leather, attached with small iron tacks, the heels having large iron nails for reinforcement, and to reduce wear. There ar
Pair of Australian leather leggings with brass buckles. The twin buckle mountings at the top of the leggings have been unpicked and moved to a slightly 'tighter' position. The markings 'AUSTRALIA', 'W
