The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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 the centre enable it to be snapped in half in case of the bearer being killed (half then remains with the body, the other being sent to headquarters). The information stamped on the disc is duplicated on both top and bottom halves, these two examples reading: 'LUDWIG BORSKI POSEN 27.7.98 N.K.142. L.F.A.BTL.37.3.BTT.' and 'WOLFGANG HOFER HIRSCHBERGMUSEUM S.1. 14.8.97. N.K.78. L.F.A.BTL.37.3.BTT.'
These identity discs were collected as souvenirs by Corporal Gordon Binns, AIF. The information contained on them is thought to be as follows: owner's name; last place of residence; date of birth; roster number; and unit. It appears that both Ludwig Borski and Wolfgang Hofer served with the 3rd Battery of Lehre Fuss Artillerie (Training Foot Artillery) Battalion 37.
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Single lead shrapnel ball, flattened on one side. Collected on the Western Front as a souvenir by Corporal Gordon Binns, AIF.
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
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
Two circular pressed fibre identity discs attached by a piece of khaki fabric string. Both discs have a 4 mm mounting holes used to thread the string. One of the discs is dark brown. The obverse side
Pair of aluminium identity discs impressed with the details of their wearer. The discs are of different shapes, one circular, the other octagonal, both stamped: 'FIRKINS P C 441386 RAAF C E'. On the r
Pair of United States rectangular aluminium identity discs attached to two interlinked lengths of steel beading. Each disc is stamped with the wearer's details. Australian Defence Force personnel ar
Two black metal identity discs. One is octagonal and worn on a long chromed chain. The other is round and worn a smaller chain. This chain is attached to the longer one. Both discs are stamped with th
Brass rectangular identity disc. Engraved in both the top left and top right hand corners are stylised plants each with two sets of three leaves. The disc is engraved in the centre "7962 E. BACKOUS 18
Two black metal identity discs. One is octagonal and worn on a long chromed chain. The other is round and worn a smaller chain. This chain is attached to the longer one. Both discs are stamped with ''